How to deal with tailgaters on a motorcycle

I’m a retired soldier, so I feel tailgating is no better than being careless where your rifle is pointed. Odds are nothing will happen, but why be so careless with someone else’s life? Anyone else feel this way?

You're so right. We bikers are the prey. When I take my bike out, I go with the attitude that EVERY car is out to get me. It may be a bit paranoid, but it has kept me alive for 68 years.

I remember being tailgated by a big rig - I looked back and the asshole was sporting an ear to ear gin and stupid close - I mean 4 feet or less... So I dropped it a gear, went up the road a mile and pulled off on a side street,. I was out of site in a heartbeat as I was on my R1. When he rode by I slowly pulled out behind him and got his plate. I followed him and just my luck he stopped about 5 miles up the street at the Wawa to fill the tanks.. 1/2 mile from my home. Wawa = cops and this day was no exception and even better it was a super lucky day because there was a State cop. I calmly walked up to the (very cool) officer and explained what was going on - the idiot kept staring at me and the cop thus making himself obvious. We both walked over and I repeated my story while staring the grease ball right in the eye and then the cop asked me to walk away. Next thing I know he's looking in the cab and shortly after he was in cuffs. Dude was high as a kite on meth.

EXCELLENT ADVISE ! Leave the ego at home ! You will NEVER win a road battle with a car or truck ! Let them go around, take a side road, just find a place to let them get on down the road ! Live to ride another day !

Whatever I drive I ALWAYS give a person on a bike extra room and extra consideration! I don't care if they're being stoopid, I give them room!

Been on the road for years. People in pickups tend to be the most aggressive

I like the way he says you're the prey on a motorcycle. Very very true, and something to remember.

Just a quick line to say how much I respect what you do and the way you do it. Your videos are informative for newer riders and serve as thoughtful reminders for ALL of us. No hype, no self aggrandizement, no judgement....just a genuine interest in the safety of others. Greatly appreciated

Let go of your ego and remember this: THE CAR ALWAYS WINS

"Live to Ride Another Day" Some of the best advice EVER! for those of us on bikes!! Thank you! Ride Forever!

Solution 1: Ride faster. Solution 2: Pull over. Solution 3: Slow down until they pass.

I’ve been tailgated many times. Getting angry for me is a no-no: it’s distracting and could affect my ability to ride safely. So, I keep my ego in check and find alternatives.

I went 9 years without riding a motorcycle, when I started riding again I was rather nervous and felt like a new rider. I found that the best was to ride my motorcycle and still stay at speeds I was comfortable with at the time, was to use Google maps as navigation on my phone but to select a bicycle as my mode of transportation. This allowed me to find routes to my destination but the app selected roads that had lower speed limits and in turn they often had little to no traffic. Now that I am comfortable with my skills again I use my navigation as I would normally. It's a great idea for new riders.

I've noticed since I mounted a rear facing camera on my trunk, that there are less tailgaters that I have to deal with. They see the camera pointed at them and they back off on their own. Most of the car drivers leave a big gap behind me at red lights, too.

When I was young and learning to drive my father taught me a little poem: Here lies William Jay, He died defending his right of way. He was right, dead right, as he rode along, But he's just as dead as if he was wrong.

Always enjoy your videos. Even after 55 years of continues riding there is always room to learn more. Keep up the good work you do.

My favorite tailgater video came to mind when I started watching this. A friend actually filmed this while stationed in Iraq several years back. They were on the famous road between the Green Zone and airport, when they witnessed two guys on a small motorbike. The passenger was carrying an RPG. Some car kept tailgating, so the rider simply turned and focused his weapon on the tailgater. Car screeched to a halt, causing a several car pile-up and motorbike boys proceeded on their way, unscathed. The friend shooting the video (a motorcycle rider himself) said if he could have caught up to those guys, he would have shaken their hands. He laughed so hard telling the story, it took a while to complete. Probably wouldn't be the best tactics for US roads, but a fun, true story to share, anyway.

Kevin, as usual you are spot on. I have been riding for 47 years and have had my share of encounters with cagers who make mistakes, and I have certainly made my share. Nobody gains anything by reacting poorly because another driver made a mistake. Becoming a willing participant in road rage is a demostration of poor judgement. As a motorcycle rider, once you loose your cool, you are opening yourself up to a host of bad possibilities, as were evident in the videos this week. When a driver makes a mistake, I have always made it a practice to acknowledge the other driver by waving (with all five digits extended) and then moving on. It is better to remove oneself from the situation and live to ride again. Being a hot head can cause you severe injury or make you very dead. As they say, "wisdom comes with age."

Excellent tips, Kevin - I've practiced this for many years and wouldn't have been able to make 5 cross country trips without one incident. Not a close call, no accidents - nothing. So standing with you, I highly encourage all riders, experienced and otherwise, to take Kevin's advice to heart. Take my word for it, these tips will keep you safe and alive - and at the end of the day isn't that what it's all about? Keep the rubber side down and enjoy the ride!!!

I'm happy to see something like this. I remember once I was driving along a city street and wasn't paying attention when suddenly I realized I was tailgating the motorcycle in front of me. It was unintentional. I quickly backed off and ever since I know how dangerous it is to them to be tailgated. I'm aware. I think others should be also.