Tailgaters
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,133
Likes: 504
From: Lake County, IL
I used to know a guy who used the ball bearings. He could flip them up in front of his body so the tailgater wouldn't see it launched, especially at night. Dangerous. Even the paintball could cause a crash by scaring someone when it hits.
Sounds easy to move over and let a tailgater by, but often there's an unending flow of them, and you have to pass other traffic occasionally, sometimes a long line of slow traffic. And some of them are just strange -- they'll pass you and slow down, to slower than you were going. Bottom line is that there are a lot of factors, and moving over isn't often as simple as it sounds. Keep in mind that I'm talking about situations where you're going at least the speed limit.
Sounds easy to move over and let a tailgater by, but often there's an unending flow of them, and you have to pass other traffic occasionally, sometimes a long line of slow traffic. And some of them are just strange -- they'll pass you and slow down, to slower than you were going. Bottom line is that there are a lot of factors, and moving over isn't often as simple as it sounds. Keep in mind that I'm talking about situations where you're going at least the speed limit.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 14
From: washington dc
I too have a BAL and also find that a few activations of that thing will cause people to back off. Dang effective. I also sometimes wave them off.
When folks clearly respond favorably, I wave in thanks.
When folks clearly respond favorably, I wave in thanks.
That's the problem these days, a lot less respect than years ago. Had a women driver following me too close a few weeks back, yapping on her cell phone for quite a few miles, I flashed my brakes numerous times, waved, she either didn't care or was not paying attention, there was nowhere I felt safe trying to pull over (soft shoulder, gravel driveways and a lot of traffic). She luckily pulled off to another side road, because I was ready to get off my bike at the next light to give her a piece of my mind. Then the week after that, some dumb a$$ lady rear ended me when I was stopped. I'm not going to put up with crap anymore, I see it everyday on the way to and from work. If I'm in my truck there will be no warning lights, just complete brake check. Bright led's and a train horn pointed back might back them off!
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Leander, TX
I have a BAL tail light.
I have it set to the maximum brightness and people back way off when I touch my brakes.
Even funnier is that if I am wearing my vest, even though it is a Firefighter MC, most drivers back way the F off when they see the colours. Sometimes stereotypes work in our favour.
I have it set to the maximum brightness and people back way off when I touch my brakes.
Even funnier is that if I am wearing my vest, even though it is a Firefighter MC, most drivers back way the F off when they see the colours. Sometimes stereotypes work in our favour.
Sometimes they just wanna tailgait you. You're riding in the left lane passing traffic and a idiot zooms up behind you. There's nowhere to go if there are cars in front and to your side. I usually use a hand signal to say get back, it usually works but some aggressive drivers don't care. As soon as I can I'll get out of their way.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,364
Likes: 33
From: So Cal The Golden State
If you can react with I ball bearing, why not just react and get out of the way, speed up--pullover---whatever.
Just wonder, you guys that say ball bearings??? What happens if you miss? What happens if the bearing gets stuck in a truck tire and lets loose on another rider or unrelated car?
Just wonder, you guys that say ball bearings??? What happens if you miss? What happens if the bearing gets stuck in a truck tire and lets loose on another rider or unrelated car?
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
