brotherhood lost?
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Joined: May 2007
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brotherhood lost?
I rode down to Alabama this weekend because I'd never been there before.I went to the dealership in Huntsville To get a souvenir shirt and as I got off the ramp there was a fellow sportster rider broke down on the side.I never gave no consideration to stopping or not because stopping was the ONLY option in my book.He said when he got to the stop sign at the top of the ramp it just died.So while we tried to find the problem there were no less than 5 other riders that happened to come right by.None of them stopped(except for the stop sign)and none of them even asked about it.The stop sign wasn't but about 20 feet from us.After checking all electrical connections and battery cables he did finally have some current going to the lights.Heck,if we looked over our left shoulder the dealership wasn't but maybe 400 yards away.After he saw he had current I helped push start him and he got it started ,turned around ,give me a thumbs up and rode away.I never got his name as I never asked for it and he never asked for mine.I just know that I did what little bit I could to help another brother in need.The real icing on the cake though,is that five "brothers" never even stopped to ask ,but a guy in a delivery truck did!So I guess what I'm asking is:"Am I right to have a little reda$$ or am I overeacting?"Seems to me like the sense of brotherhood is seriously weakened when we need it the most.Guess I'm just gettingcranky in my old age.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,067
Likes: 394
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
RE: brotherhood lost?
Yeah that's crap, I always stop if I see someone onANY brand of bike broken down.
I figure if nothing else I can go ahead and call for help while he stays with his machine to guard it against theft.
The exception might be if there is already a group there helping, I probably would not bother to stop so maybe that was the case (I always try to givepeople the benefit of the doubt).
I figure if nothing else I can go ahead and call for help while he stays with his machine to guard it against theft.
The exception might be if there is already a group there helping, I probably would not bother to stop so maybe that was the case (I always try to givepeople the benefit of the doubt).
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Chatham, ON
RE: brotherhood lost?
I always stop when i see a "brother" experiencing some roadside misfortune. Hopefully when I need roadside assistance someone will offer their help. I have seen what you describe happen way to often. Maybe people are scared of potential lawsuits or maybe they are just to hung up on themselves to offer help these days.Sometimes it appears we are living ina sad world. But I'm glad you chose to do the proper thing.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 50
From: A barrier island in NJ
RE: brotherhood lost?
You are not over reacting. Not stopping is heresy in my book. I have always stopped for a rider pulled over even if it looked like he just stopped for a smoke, and other riders have always done the same for me. I will always continue to stop to lend a hand if needed, if not, at least I've met another biker...
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: brotherhood lost?
You never know who you will encounter on a Harley anymore. It could have been a group of lawyers that don't know the difference between a screwdriver & an allen wrench.
I'll always stop for a lone biker on the side of the road. If it's multiple bikes I'll slow way down and look to see if they wave. If they do, then I'll stop. Point being, for all a passing biker knows, they may bestopped for a smoke or **** break.
I'll always stop for a lone biker on the side of the road. If it's multiple bikes I'll slow way down and look to see if they wave. If they do, then I'll stop. Point being, for all a passing biker knows, they may bestopped for a smoke or **** break.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
RE: brotherhood lost?
Normally the person (or person's) stopped will give approaching riders a signal depending on if they need assistance.
A 'thumbs up' means all is well and they don't require assistance.
A 'thumbs down' means they would appreciate some help if possible.
A 'thumbs up' means all is well and they don't require assistance.
A 'thumbs down' means they would appreciate some help if possible.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 873
Likes: 2
From:
RE: brotherhood lost?
I'll stop if the guy waves me down. Otherwise just because someone is pulled to the side of the road doesn't mean he is necessarily in need of any help.[/align][/align]Stopping on the side of the road unnecessarily can be ahazard.[/align][/align]I pull off the road from time to time to get a drink or use my phone, etc. At times like that I sure as heck don't need anyone pulling up behind me, etc., and causing a greater traffic problem and danger.[/align][/align]I think the best policy is only pull over to help someone if they are signaling you for help. Otherwise, leave 'em be, they may not even need your help.[/align][/align][/align]And I sure wouldn't blame the other bikers for not stopping. There were two of you there, none of you were signaling for help; my gosh, how many people do you need there to pull over and help you, especially in this day and age of cell phones, etc., to call a towing service, etc.[/align]
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
RE: brotherhood lost?
I think you might be over reacting. If the guy was on the side of the road alone, I wouldABSOLUTELY have stopped, but with two of your there, working on the bike, and the Harley dealership only 400 yards away. I would have slowed down, and looked to see if you needed me to stop.I don't carry any tools with me, so pretty much all I can offer is some advice and use of a cell phone. If the Harley dealer was within just a shout and a Hollar...another biker was there helping. I wouldn't have stopped.
And I've stopped many many times to help out broken down bikers.
In our area, the general protocal is to slow down and look for an indication. For example, yesterday, I, and several others in cages had a near death experience due to a cager that was either drunk, stoned, or too freekin old to be driving. I got her tag number and pulled over to the side of the road to call the police. For reasons I haven't learned YET, it took me 13 minutes for anyone to answer my call at the police department. During that time probably about 12 Harley riders went past me. They all pretty much slowed a bit, and glanced my way. I gave them a "thumbs up" signal, and they moved on. That's the way things kinda work, here in TN anyway.
And I've stopped many many times to help out broken down bikers.
In our area, the general protocal is to slow down and look for an indication. For example, yesterday, I, and several others in cages had a near death experience due to a cager that was either drunk, stoned, or too freekin old to be driving. I got her tag number and pulled over to the side of the road to call the police. For reasons I haven't learned YET, it took me 13 minutes for anyone to answer my call at the police department. During that time probably about 12 Harley riders went past me. They all pretty much slowed a bit, and glanced my way. I gave them a "thumbs up" signal, and they moved on. That's the way things kinda work, here in TN anyway.
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