Motorcyclist self-defense

[D_Klein]

With the all of the rigid surfaces on boots and gloves, has anyone here ever utilized these things when the horn on your bike just didn't seem to be loud enough to the cager?

This is not a technique that I particularly employ, I'm just curious to see where the rest of you stand.

[CManT1914]

Huh?

[RampageRider]

You mean like ride up close and get their attention, by say knocking on the window as your cruise down the street or road?

[Rickster]

I think what he is asking about is called "Road Rage" I good old fashion fist fight on the side of the road. My advice, is don't do it. Use your cell phone, and report the a$$holes plate number. If the cops get enough reports on the same person, they will take action.

[Fishpart]

Awhile back I was riding in on a three lane road during rush hour I was riding in the far left lane I was watching the traffic around me like a hawk, women in a hondyi decides she wants in my lane in my spot she doesn't look in mirrors begins coming over I hit horn still coming I kick quarter panel with steel toe boot she get back in her lane (left a nice dent in car) I watch her when she prepares to make another lane change she looks in rearview then side view (lesson learned).

[Louis]

I plan on getting a camera mount on my bike and snap pictures of the license plates.

I'm not too keen on getting too close to a car and hit it with either arms or legs while I'm riding... Violence just encourages violence in my opinion. I'll be mad, but I try to be more intelligent then them and not serve them their own medicine. I did say that I try (doesn't always work )

[dragbar]

I'm man enough to admit I did encounter something similar to fish before like in 1995 and kicked a car on the right after the horn didn't work. I had no where to go, not forward back or shoulder. Worked though.

[D_Klein]

This post was prompted by an incident that occurred about a week ago.

I was in rush hour traffic when a vehicle on my right began coming into my lane (which has thus far been the most common danger in Phoenix). I had nowhere to go, so I got on the horn. She kept coming over, so I threw a right foot towards her vehicle. It didn't make contact, but it definitely got her attention. She swerved drastically back into her lane. In this case, it was my last defense.

Because situations like these happen to me on a weekly basis, I make a point to stay clear of blind spots, especially pulling up to a red light at the same time as another car.

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by D_Klein

This post was prompted by an incident that occurred about a week ago.

I was in rush hour traffic when a vehicle on my right began coming into my lane (which has thus far been the most common danger in Phoenix). I had nowhere to go, so I got on the horn. She kept coming over, so I threw a right foot towards her vehicle. It didn't make contact, but it definitely got her attention. She swerved drastically back into her lane. In this case, it was my last defense.

Because situations like these happen to me on a weekly basis, I make a point to stay clear of blind spots, especially pulling up to a red light at the same time as another car.

That's a little different than your first post, and if you truly do have nowhere to go, than do anything , and everything you can to get there attention. I too have been there, and done that. Three times in 30 years of riding, if it's happening to you a lot, you might want to evaluate how you ride. If all else fails, shave your head, get a bunch of tattoos, and buy yourself a loud a$$ Harley.

[Shea]

I like to do a ride by ninja kick to their head.

[dnthmn44]

Any advice on how to keep your balance when you do swing a boot at a car? I've only done it once when a car pulled up next to me when stopping at a red light before making right hand turn and nearly fell over. Yes, I was in the proper lane blocking position, the car damn near rode up on the curb to get next to me

[CManT1914]

Originally Posted by Shea

I like to do a ride by ninja kick to their head.

Dude, it's all about the Chuck Norris roundhouse kick to the face! Now THAT takes some skill on a bike!

[Lew]

Knew a guy once that had steel toe boots, and put taps in the toe. He had air horns on the bike and used those first. If necessary he would use the boots, and drag the toe down the side.
Of course if all else fails, a 357 Ruger will get someone's attention really really fast!

[Bluecruzer]

I made a custom holster on the bike that houses a 2.5 lb sledge hammer head, on 3' piece of lumber... the end houses a custom heavy swivel inserted with a 4 " pin. I have a leather handle attached to it. The reason for the swivel is I found that a lot of traffice merges from the right and it's kinda hard to let go of the throttle and still manage the bike.

After a bit of practice, I mastered getting the left hand into the strap in one quick motion - after a bit of adjustment for the gloves... then practiced swinging the head of the unit over my head... did that in the garage first then while on my bicycle. Works pretty good... and with the swivel you can master hitting the people beside you pretty easy...

Trick is to let go of the unit... aim for the back door (not the window - cuz then they'll drive off with the evidence and you'll be arrested plus there could always be someone in the back!!!)

Don't ever try to hold onto it when striking... - you can stop and pick it up after they haul their a$$ outta there.

I added a polorizer and neon to the bike and with one easy thumb move I can also light up the bike in flashes... when I rev the bike I kind of think I look like Thor, god of thunder... no one messes with me...

Seriously... Kicking a car beside you will get you into trouble nevermind likely to cause a bigger problem (like forcing you to the left into the boulevard)

a) brake, accellerate, veer left (or right as the case may be) all while hitting the horn. Try to imagine every driver merging into you before you pass them and work up your escape routes.

b) Roar up beside them later and GLARE - scare the bejesus out of them... if it's a blue hair - forget about it - they're oblivious...

c) As you later pass them - wave goodbye - using your favorite gesture.

[ChicsterMG]

Once did the nowhere to go thing. Put a steel toe into and through someone's tail light. The horn just wan't cutting it. That was when I was younger and angrier. I try to avoid these types of things nowadays. Riding safer and keeping an eye on the vehicles around me.

Had someone I rode with years ago, though, that had a custom made sissy bar. I was two pieces or round bar with a swivel mount on them. Attached to the swivel mount was a 12 gaugue shot gun, sawed off to about 12 inches. The stalk was cut and shaped to for a pistol grip. Yep, he would reach back and swivel the "Sissy Bar" to the face of any unsuspecting tailgater. This practice worked for some time until he swiveled it into the face of an unmarked police car.
This final time got him 45 days in jail and a hefty fine.
Did I mention the shotgun was fully functional?
They did let him keep his "sissy bar" as long as he filled the barrels and with shot and welded them shut. He also had to remove the trigger and firing pin.
I'm not sure where he is now. Maybe in prison again.

[AZkatana]

had a friend who kicked off a sideview mirror on a car that came at him once - he figured if they werent going to use it, they didnt need it. he also very strongly discourages the maneuver as it did almost knock him off his bike.

another kid i used to hang with told stories of how he'd yank on peoples door handles if they assulted him with their cages.. . . i guess a door suddenly flying open in traffic usually gets the attention of even the most inattentive drivers - the beauty of that is that they usually have to get off the road to fix it allowing them a few moments to reflect on what got them there and you a few moments to flee! (i personally havent tried it because i dont know how to not get hit by the door)

sounds like you have a much better idea with defensive positioning in traffic, staying visible, etc - especially here in phoenix where traffic could be compared to riding with the bulls in spain

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by AZkatana

had a friend who kicked off a sideview mirror on a car that came at him once - he figured if they werent going to use it, they didnt need it. he also very strongly discourages the maneuver as it did almost knock him off his bike.

another kid i used to hang with told stories of how he'd yank on peoples door handles if they assaulted him with their cages.. . . i guess a door suddenly flying open in traffic usually gets the attention of even the most inattentive drivers - the beauty of that is that they usually have to get off the road to fix it allowing them a few moments to reflect on what got them there and you a few moments to flee! (i personally haven't tried it because i don't know how to not get hit by the door)

sounds like you have a much better idea with defensive positioning in traffic, staying visible, etc - especially here in phoenix where traffic could be compared to riding with the bulls in Spain

My guess is, that the guy talking about pulling doors open is a better story teller, than he is a rider. That story has "B.S." written all over it.

[fourfourtwo]

You know that is a little far fetched, it someone on a bike tried to open my door a flick of the wrist holding the wheel is all it would take. I do like the shotgun idea though.

[Ext1jdh]

What about leaving yourself an out???

Now I've been in an accident where the offender crossed 3 lanes of traffic and I t-boned her, but seriously...aren't we supposed to be leaving ourselves a way to get out of situations like that?

How about not riding in the middle lane, stick to a side where you can ride the shoulder if needed. Saved my squishy bits more than once...

[JoelAZ]

Originally Posted by D_Klein

I was in rush hour traffic when a vehicle on my right began coming into my lane (which has thus far been the most common danger in Phoenix). I had nowhere to go, so I got on the horn. She kept coming over, so I threw a right foot towards her vehicle. It didn't make contact, but it definitely got her attention. She swerved drastically back into her lane. In this case, it was my last defense.

Where did you almost get squished?