| Author | Message | ||
     Corporatemonkey |
So I went for a ride earlier today. On my way I got stopped at a very lengthly traffic light. I could see several blocks down the street see a harley (road king maybe?) by the side of the road. There is a classic RUB standing next to the bike. He obviously had something go wrong. While still stuck at the light at least 10 bikes went by him. Everything from kiddies on sport-bikes to other fellow HD riders. Not one stopped to help, not even slowed down to see it he needed help. When I finally got up to him, I stopped and asked if all was alright. He mentioned the bike just quit, and he had called his wife to come get him. He said he had been there a while. I just kept thinking what if that was me beside the road. It took me all of 30 seconds to pull over and ask if all was kosher. Is biker etiquette complete gone. | ||
| Seth |
Biker may be gone because gone is the day of the Biker. Jerks on sportbikes and yuppies on cruisers are not Bikers, they just happen to own a bike. Maybe with time they too will break down and learn first hand what they are supposed to do. | ||
| Luvthemtorts |
Still alive. Me and a friend stopped last week for three young fellas' on ricers while coming down a winding mountain. Appears one of them got a bit too frisky and low sided. Thank the Lord he was alright but his bike had a fair amount of damage. We asked if they needed any help and they said he should be able to make it home. I didn't ask how he planned on shifting since his hanger was dangling off but hey, more power to him if he was able to limp it home  . | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I'm afraid Seth isn't far from the truth, there is also the "don't get involved" factor, is the guy at the side of the road a crazy? or a jacker? or just a normal person like you & me. It's not just Bikers either, Truckers too in Europe. Time was, if you had a flat on your semi, or broke down at the side of the road, someone would always stop & give you a hand to fix it, now they just blow the horn as they go by, & that includes people from the same company! These days, only tool I carry in a truck is a cellphone, "Your trucks broke send someone to fix it I'm going to bed." It's sad but there it is, last time I fixed a truck myself & got it back to the yard, saving huge amounts of money in call-out costs & late delivery penalties, did I get a well done? no I got reprimanded! go figure. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
Mr Grumpy, I would agree with the "don't get involved" factor. In all honesty that did cross my mind. But it was not like this dude was riding an '84 clapped out suzuki with a meth lab strapped to the back. I figured a fully geared biker (full leathers) on a $20K+ bike probably is not a complete wacko. Let's not even talk about the rare friendly wave. | ||
| Danny_h__jesternut |
I'm not a grad of motorcycle repair mechanic,I know nothing, my bikes serviced at a dealer. I carry no toolz, I don't own a cell phone. What help do you expect me to provide? Moral susport? So whatz the point of me stopping, interupting my ride? Maby thats why they keep on trucking? I stop for bikes. I also stop for women in cars with troubles when posable. | ||
| Aldaytona |
What's kosher?  | ||
| Wardog3187 |
kosher Pronunciation: 'kO-sh&r Function: adjective Etymology: Yiddish, from Hebrew kAshEr fit, proper 1 a : sanctioned by Jewish law; especially : ritually fit for use (kosher meat) b : selling or serving food ritually fit according to Jewish law (a kosher restaurant) 2 : being proper, acceptable, or satisfactory (kosher funding) Judging by the way it was used by Corporatemonkey, he asked the RUB if all was acceptable or satisfactory, hence kosher. | ||
| Kdan |
Around here, people stop. Maybe you have a high peckerhead quotient where you live. | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
Maybe you have a high peckerhead quotient where you live.  i actually think we may have that in MA...  i will stop for ANY bike on the side of the road.."common biker courtesy" in my eyes. (unless he has a meth lab on his back of course..) BUT then again "common" isn't all that common is it? | ||
| Lovematt |
I have a tendency to at least put up an "okay" sign and slow down a bit. I have pulled over a few times when I looked like something was wrong and it turned out %50 of the time to be something I could help with. I would say if there is a possibility you could help (even just to provide a cell phone to use) then at least make an effort to do so if the situation calls for it. You kind of have to read it... | ||
| Tom_b |
I've witnessed this myself on several occassions (where others don't stop) and I always stop. May not be much help, but can ride somewhere to get help or maybe make a call. Not everyone carries a cell phone these days. Not everywhere will a cellphone work. | ||
| Bomber |
this is one of the negative side affects of our sport's having grown so much -- at one time, anyone on two wheels was a brother, to one degree or another, and, therefore, worthy of assistance, regardless of brand, type of bike, and, in most cases, colors there are so many folks riding that do not remember needing help and getting it, so they don't think of rendering it -- doesn't make em bad folks, just ignorant (which is curable) similar to the stunts many used to perform when they saw another Buell-- waving, horn hooting, jumpin up on the pegs -- with so many Buellers, this type of enthusiasm has waned, at least round here | ||
| Pcmodeler |
I don't think this has anything to do strictly with bikes, bikers, etc. It's the case with any motor vehicle. Like Danny, in many cases, I don't really know what help I could offer. I don't carry a cell and now days, vehicles have reached the point that simply opening the hood and looking around isn't going to do much good. When my engine temp sensor went out, there is no one in the world that would have been able to help me....who's going to carry the part, the tools, etc. Yeah, I could have gotten a ride but in many cases, I wouldn't trust leaving my bike somewhere.... Anyway, I have pulled over for bikes, cars, etc.... I've lent a hand when I could.... Do I do it all the time, nope.... Sometimes, traffic and other factors have made it impossible to stop or create more risk by having me stop. | ||
| Ikeman |
Both times my Uly quit on me in the rain someone stopped to see if I needed help (phone, ride, etc.). Both were bikers and were in cars at the time. | ||
| Pupu |
i stopped one time when i had a cbr 600, there was a guy and his ol lady on the side of the road with an ol school harley. he said he needed to get a truck and get it home so i took his ol lady home on my bike so she could get the truck and i followed her back to help him get in the truck. he was more than happy that i stopped, even though i was from the " other side ", asked if i wanted anything. i said no, i was plenty happy with his hot a$$ ol lady on my bike for 20 min  | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
he was more than happy that i stopped, even though i was from the " other side ", asked if i wanted anything. i said no, i was plenty happy with his hot a$$ ol lady on my bike for 20 min Goes to show ya what good karma can do for you!  | ||
| Tramp |
I hope she did the right thing..... | ||
| Barker |
"similar to the stunts many used to perform when they saw another Buell-- waving, horn hooting, jumpin up on the pegs -- with so many Buellers, this type of enthusiasm has waned, at least round here." Bomber, I still do that! I about had a conniption yesterday when I passed a X1 coming to work. I all ways stop for bikes, For some reason I have found more ducatis on the side of the road than any other brand. Another reason I am not on a Duc. Growing up in the south I remember my dad allways keeping chains, 2 jacks and a small tool box in his pick-up. He never used them on his own truck. We allways stopped. I cant count how many people we pulled out of ditches on snowy days. I remember riding around our neighborhood in the snow to make sure no on was stuck! (Message edited by barker on June 01, 2006) | ||
| Angelwild327 |
This may sound a little lame, but sometimes people just need a little educating. We live in a fear-based society these days, thanks to so much media scare tactics. As kids we're taught don't talk to strangers, don't hitch-hike, definitely don't pick up hitchhikers, be wary of everyone that looks the least bit suspicious, don't even trust a cop unless he has a badge, two forms of ID, and his mom is there to verify he's really a cop. What I'm saying is, that sometimes people, especially newcomers, need to be taught what community is all about. If I didn't know old-school bikers personally, I wouldn't have known that it is customary to stop for other bikers on the side of the road. Not that it doesn't make sense, but it isn't second nature as a female to stop for strangers. So, instead of being angry or throwing lots of negative energy out there, because someone didn't stop, maybe educating more strangers at bike-nights and things like that, would make a bigger difference. Just a thought. | ||
| Tramp |
some newcomers don't wann be 'taught'. they "know it all" already, from reading about it on the internet. one more HOG member calls me "bro", and..... | ||
| Mikej |
Back when bikes broke down more often and instead of cell phones we had quarters and nickels in our pockets roadside assistance was more common. I still stop sometimes, sometimes not, nothing personal, and out of the last 20 times I've stopped in the last couple of years the folks I was stopping for didn't need any help, they said thanks, and I went on my way. | ||
| Doon |
I still wave (regardless of Brand), I still stop for bikers on the side of the road, normally to just pull up and see if they need any help. Sometimes it is let me call someone on the cell. Or oh you are from out of the area, there is a shop up the street where you can get some oil, etc.. Most people are glad when you stop to help them. I have broken down in both bikes and cars and have been grateful when some has stopped to ask if I was ok. Heck, had a sensor blow in my car, and I stopped on the side of dark road in the middle of nowhere, and not more then 5 seconds later this middle aged woman asked me if I needed a ride to a gas station, or if she could call someone. I was actually pretty shocked, but I guess it is cause I live up in the country, where people seem to be a little friendlier and in less of a hurry. I agree that location probably has something to do with people's tendencies to stop and offer a hand. Gotta love google, I had no idea what a RUB was, although I did know kosher, Meshuggah... | ||
| Tramp |
I wave to sportbikes- HDs I return waves to. period. | ||
| Prez |
googled rub..didnt find a clear answer..lol on topic, i have stopped for bikes every single time i have ever saw them on the side o' the road..even b4 i bought my first bike.. and i have been helped while stranded myself.. when i downed the x1 last yr,a group of about 15 ricers pulled over to help me, a few of em picked up my ride,and wheeled it to the side.. a few others made a barrier around me while others directed traffic..one of em happened to be an e.m.t. and would not allow me to move off the center lane until the ambulance got there.. long story short,even though i dont live in the same city anymore, i made about 15 friends that day..and still keep in touch with several of them.. karma is definately a factor in my life! i will not accept money from ppl who i help with rides,phones,or whatever...cuz i've been there...prez | ||
| Prez |
oh ya,forgot to mention i'm in my mid 20's .. so i'm definately not old school.. but it's just common courtisy... | ||
| Tom_b |
I always wave at other bikes, regardless. I always stop unless help is already there. Just common decency, shouldn't have to do with a brotherhood or such. How many times have you seen someone broke down along the road in their car hoping help was close by. I have been there several times in a car or bike and it sucks. when I stop to help someone and they offer money, I tell them just help someone else sometime.Next person who needs help may be their, or my, daughter, wife, elderly grandmother. who may be pretty helpless especially along the highway in bad weather or desolate area. anyway i agree with prez, just common decency (Message edited by tom_b on June 01, 2006) | ||
| Chainsaw |
I always stop and offer help if it's obvious, I slow down and hold a 'thumbs up' till the parked rider signals back 'ok'. I'll even park on a sidewalk to help push the occasional stalled cager out of traffic. A couple of years back, I was in the hills in the middle of nowhere California on my Sporty. Spotted an ancient riderless Honda on the side of the road. Stopped, looked around, nobody home. Headed down the hill a few hundred yards and came across a dreadlocked chainsaw toting dude in a leather jacket...of course I stopped sorry mom! He was out of gas. Gave him the contents from my emergency bottle of fuel, he offered money, I declined, and we parted ways. He was a Forest Service worker, which explained the chainsaw he was carrying (didn't want to leave it with the bike) and was happy not to have to hike into town, Weren't any cagers stopping for him. | ||
| Prez |
hey chainsaw,,assuming from you name , i guess you must have an ifinity,(or whatever that damm word is.lol.) for chainsaws.. so i must retract my post a little..if i saw someone walking down the road with a chain saw after passing a broken down bike or not, i wouldnt stop.. especially in the middle of nowhere...and even if he's wearing a armani suit,, it's called stash the saw in the woods,or weeds, or wherever.. you must have some huge brass clankers brother...lol.. i dont doubt noone was stopping for him, alot of californians are skiddish naturally anyway..let alone with a chainsaw toting hippie... (it's a joke,b4 anyone gets pissed, i love california...and hippies too..)  prez | ||
| Sgthigg |
Angel is right. | ||
| Mikemax |
It used to be when bikers passed you gave a little wave with the left hand in acknowlegement. That seems to be rare in the Bay area now, and mostly not because of the large numbers of bikes. As far as helping goes, a little chat to pass the time while the ride comes, safety in numbers in some areas, and possibly even a lift to the nearest gas station (to get gas, get out of the sun on a hot day, or to call if they have no cell either) can be help given by anyone even without mechanical knowledge. If I'm late for an appointment I'd make sure there is no emergency and beg out, If I'm on a joy ride...why not? | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
Angel you make some good points, but still it is a sad thing to see. I get the feeling that bike etiquette is not dead, at least when it comes to Buell owners. But hey most of us (at least I am) are not quite mainstream, just look at our bike choice, the "Tucker" of motorcycles. The few Buell owners I have met so far seem like real standout characters (in a good way). FYI - RUB = Rich Urban Biker | ||
| Eboos |
It's not just bikers, there is just a general lack of curtesy in our society. How often have you seen someone not hold the door for someone, passed a coworker without greeting them, not allow someone to merge into your lane when their's is ending. Instead everyone is so wrapped up into themselves, talking to no one about nothing on their cellphones, that they don't realize there is a world out their beyond their own little bubble. | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Lord knows there are plenty of a'holes here in Jersey, but I must say that I get a wave from 99%+ of all riders no matter what type of bike they are on. It's so frequent on a nice day that it almost becomes annoying. Nevertheless I always wave. I always stop for a rider on the shoulder whether I'm in my car or on the bike. | ||
| Jerseybuell |
There's more people per square mile here in Joisey than most states and we definitely have our share of losers showing zero courtesy and compassion for a fellow rider. Suprisingly, I have seen more good natured souls stop for others than you would think. I always stop and as angelwild327 alluded to...you gotta edumacate and spread the love, brothers (and sisters) coz there are so many new riders out there.. | ||
| Blublak |
A few weekends ago, I was out and about.. when I saw one of the cookie cutter 'custom' choppers by the side of the road. Guy was just standing there so I pulled in to see if I could help. At first he looked like a deer in the headlights, then once he realized that I wasn't there to rape and pillage, he tells me no, everything was fine and out of the bushes comes his lady buttoning her skintight (leather? pleather?) pants. He grins and says thanks again, but their emergency is over now... he hopes.. She waits until he signals all's good and over she comes, looking at me like I'm something from out of space as I get lid and gloves back on, they put on their skull caps and off we go. Needless to say, they were heading to the slab, I wasn't. | ||
| Vanvideo |
I always stop to assist a fellow biker, regardless of brand, whether I'm on my bike or in my cage. I wave to all bikers. It is true, most cruiser and chopper riders won't acknowledge me, even though I'm not riding a "jap crap" bike. I guess a 'Bolt kinda looks like a Japanese sportbike coming head-on...to the uninitiated, anyway. Tramp, I've never had a HOG member call me "bro," and I hope I never do. That would sound too bizarre. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I actually scattered a group of guys in N. Georgia that were helping a downed rider. They were hovering over him as I rounded the same off-camber corner he crashed on. Apparently, they thought I was going to crash too, because they all made a run for the woods when they saw me (I didn't think I was that out of shape in the corner). As I passed, I looked in the mirrors and was thinking he had plenty of help when a speeding ambulance, coming the opposite way, almost scared me off the road with it's blaring siren. | ||
| Brucelee |
I would not STOP under the scenario mentioned. All downside risk, no upside. Sorry, that is just the way it is. |
