How Do You Deal with Tailgaters?

[Sage]

I know there is a tailgater thread here: Tailgaters

but i specifically want to know how you deal with them. Do you pull over? Slow to a snails pace or leave them in the dust? Share.


I'll usually on a 2-lane slow down and just for 1) piss them off and 2) give more time to stop if something does occur that I have to slam the brakes
On the interstate I'll just go at my own pace and let them figure out how to go around me if they are going that fast.

[Diluted]

I'll hit it 'til I can get over if I'm riding in the fast lane. If I'm in the middle or right lanes I just continue going at my pace and let them figure out how to get around me.

[TigerGenetics]

pennies and tacs could work fairly well. I usually just move over. It just pisses me off when I am moving along pretty fast, a tailgater flies up on my ass, I move to the right side of my lane (when in the left), turn on my blinker, head check, and begin my move, and they decide they want to pass me on the right just about running me over in the process. That usually gets a nice middle finger.

[FZRblack]

Yeah, I basically make sure that I am doing at least the speed limit, and if I am not, I speed up to there, but wait until they go their own way, or they pass me. Speeding up doesn't help because they usually speed up too, and that can be dangerous.

[ry-mac75]

Anyone and I mean anyone that drives like an idiot around me, I either let go by me or blow past them. Tailgaters, cell phone f*cktards, ppl smoking (i've no idea why they're bad, they just seem to always be over the road) - all of them, I just get away from them.

Other ppl I avoid:
Anyone with a multi coloured vehicle (ie: red car, yellow door)
Anyone with a lot of dings
All BMWs, mini-vans and expensive SUVs
Asian ppl (I know, I know - sorry).

[creggur]

I know what the politically correct thing to do in this situation on two lanes, but I can't remember ever actually slowing down and blah, blah, blah... I haven't haven't had a car or truck behind me yet that can accelerate like I can - so I'm out.

On the interstate I don't lounge in the left lane - it's for passing - and our roads would be a lot safer if everyone treated it that way...

On Freeways or heavily traveled interstates I do whatever I can to keep some space between me and other cars...If that means speed up I will, if it means slow down I will. Freeways around here are like a warzone - head on a swivel, sometimes defensive, sometimes offensive - whatever is required for survival...

[Sage]

Originally Posted by creggur

On the interstate I don't lounge in the left lane - it's for passing - and our roads would be a lot safer if everyone treated it that way...

I do agree with that statement whole heartedly.
On the interstates, I'm in the left lane if the right is slower than I am, but If someone rides up on me even though I'm going faster than average traffic, it's their problem to wait on me to get around.

Originally Posted by ry-mac75

Other ppl I avoid:
All BMWs

Come on now, not "All" BMWs are retard drivers =P

[JonKerr]

Originally Posted by creggur

I know what the politically correct thing to do in this situation on two lanes, but I can't remember ever actually slowing down and blah, blah, blah... I haven't haven't had a car or truck behind me yet that can accelerate like I can - so I'm out.

On the interstate I don't lounge in the left lane - it's for passing - and our roads would be a lot safer if everyone treated it that way...

On Freeways or heavily traveled interstates I do whatever I can to keep some space between me and other cars...If that means speed up I will, if it means slow down I will. Freeways around here are like a warzone - head on a swivel, sometimes defensive, sometimes offensive - whatever is required for survival...

This is exactly what I was thinking. I have yet to be tailgated on a two lane road by a car. Most two lane roads I'm on are twisty mountain roads and only other bikes can keep up or go faster. As for freeways or larger 4 lane roads, I just adjust my riding for the situation. Sometimes that means move over, sometimes it means gun it and get the F@#K out of there. I tell people all the time, when you see sportbikes on the freeway going a little faster than everyone else and sometimes making sudden moves, it's not always (sometimes it is but not always) guys being asses. A lot of times it's us driving to keep ourselves out of dangerous situations.

[Blue-Sun]

Originally Posted by toofless

i try to get out of the way,better safe than sorry... i dont like any vehicles close to me period, let alone behind me. pull over let them pass, plus if there are any cops ahead i wont be the first one they see speeding...

I'm with you, I just find a way to get out of the way. Move over, accelerate to another lane, whatever is necessary. I have the stock mirrors on my bike and they give me a lot of information about what is going on behind me, which gives me the time and opportunity to move out of the way.

I really try to avoid being around large SUV's, as they have a lot of blind spots. I'll move over an extra lane just to give myself a buffer between me and all that metal...

Live to fight another day!!

[Rat]

Slow down, ride on edge, look on the driver frequently.
In most cases the driver understands why you are looking on him/her and stops tailgating.

Or just speed up and leave the bastard behind!