Just a friendly reminder... DON'T TAILGATE!!!

tjkamper · June 16th, 2010, 09:20 AM

Well I had a near close call this morning.

I was riding to work and I was comming up on a long sweeping 180 degree turn. There was a Tractor Trailer infront of me and it had entered the turn and was just out of my line of site as I entered the turn. As I came close to exiting the turn the Truck came into my line of site with it's brake lights lit and it's tires smoking. I braked and stood the bike up and came to a very fast, but safe stop about 6 feet from the back of the trailer.

I car had come onto the street turning left and the Big Rig had to lock up the brakes to avoid killing the neglegent driver. Had I been tailgating I would not have been able to stop in time, and I would have either lowsided in the turn or smashed right into the back of the trailer.

I recall a something my father always told me when I was a Teen, "SPACE SPACE SPACE!!!" He ground it into my head so much that I always leave a good following distance. To this day that space has saved my skin more times than I can count. Now I say it to everyone... SPACE SPACE SPACE!!!

It is comfortable to tailgate on a motorcycle. Before you even realize you might be traveling 10 feet off of someone's bumper, or even closer.

Once Again...

SPACE SPACE SPACE!!! Be careful out there.

austexjg · June 16th, 2010, 09:24 AM

I think my brother tailgates too often when we ride, maybe I can use this to change his mind.

marsha · June 16th, 2010, 09:27 AM

Thank you for the reminder! Glad that you were able to come to a safe stop.

binlagin · June 16th, 2010, 09:40 AM

Another good point in this story is to not go flying into blind corners while on the streets.

Anything could be around that corner at any point as the OP has pointed out.

On the tailgating thing, it's a toss up. I'm always worried if I leave a big enough gap between myself and the car in front of me.. another vehicle might see that gap, not check their blind spot and attempt to merge into my lane.

Of course if your following to closely and say a 2x4 is laying across your lane.. you might not have enough time to avoid it.

I try and strike a safe balance between the two as it depends on traffic and conditions.

drowe531 · June 16th, 2010, 10:59 AM

I have something similar and I may have not left enough space. I was on a two lane road behind 2 cars when the car in front came to quick stop trying to turn left when it was clearly marked no left turn. The second car stopped short and I had to come to a kick stop albeit I had to pull next to the back bumper of the car in front of me. But had I been closer or tailgating I probably would have ended up in their back window.

kevlarorc · June 16th, 2010, 10:59 AM

I'm a big fan of leaving space. A friend of mine tailgates like crazy when I'm riding in his car. He's one of those people that you would start getting frustrated with when you're trying to ride somewhere but he doesn't even realize that he's too close to your bumper. We went on a road trip and I was constantly trying to convince him to leave more space.

tjkamper · June 16th, 2010, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by binlagin

Another good point in this story is to not go flying into blind corners while on the streets.

Anything could be around that corner at any point as the OP has pointed out.

cifex · June 16th, 2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevlarorc

I'm a big fan of leaving space. A friend of mine tailgates like crazy when I'm riding in his car. He's one of those people that you would start getting frustrated with when you're trying to ride somewhere but he doesn't even realize that he's too close to your bumper. We went on a road trip and I was constantly trying to convince him to leave more space.

I've been telling my brother that for years....I won't even get in the car with him any more. It's been 6 or 7 accidents he's had now and I've got none and drive 30-40k a year between the car and bike.

CRXTrek · June 16th, 2010, 01:12 PM

Another think to think about is the average car has a shorter stopping distance than a bike.

drowe531 · June 16th, 2010, 01:36 PM

I don't know about that statement

cifex · June 16th, 2010, 01:38 PM

I too think you may be mistaken.

CRXTrek · June 16th, 2010, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drowe531

I don't know about that statement

what's not to know?

CRXTrek · June 16th, 2010, 02:27 PM

Here's an interesting video

Link to original page on YouTube.

Xoulrath · June 16th, 2010, 04:00 PM

Steve is right...more grip equals faster stopping distances.

It's amazing how many people think brakes are the true measure of a vehicle's ability to stop. Certainly they play a huge part, especially the front brake(s); however, without any grip available a car or bike will simply slide forever. It's this nifty thing called friction.

kkim · June 16th, 2010, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xoulrath

however, without any grip available a car or bike will simply slide forever. It's this nifty thing called friction.

...and for the less talented of us that can't threshold brake in cars effectively, ABS.

austexjg · June 16th, 2010, 04:27 PM

I have had numerous debates over this fact with guys who rode bikes before I got into them - they claimed they could leave me behind on a track if I was in a car (equal). Tire contact with the road is the factor for controlling braking and cornering speed. The amount of contact of the four tires compared to two should be the logical conclusion, but they would call me out...

I needed this video then maybe I could have won some money, instead of just knowing I was right.

Mountain Dew · August 27th, 2011, 01:10 AM

When I rode in clear traffic on the highway, I was usually 1-2 seconds behind (with 2 seconds being the recommended following distance), mainly because I can see ahead of the car and know there's no obstacles. I almost paid the price for doing so once. There was a huge piece of bent up metal (probably a sign post) with sharp edges in the middle of the lane. The car had no problem avoiding it, but I didn't have enough time to react to it. Thankfully I was slightly off center, so all I did was graze it with my foot. Scared the CRAP outta me. I did the nice thing and pulled over on the shoulder and got it out of the road.

Now I'm always 2 seconds behind, always. Although I'm usually 1-2 seconds behind in normal city driving, mainly because the speeds rarely go over 40mph.

Mauchner · March 22nd, 2013, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cifex

I've been telling my brother that for years....I won't even get in the car with him any more. It's been 6 or 7 accidents he's had now and I've got none and drive 30-40k a year between the car and bike.

6 or 7 accidents? Jesus Christ, wish he'd get his license taken away... to be completely honest.

cifex · March 22nd, 2013, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mauchner

6 or 7 accidents? Jesus Christ, wish he'd get his license taken away... to be completely honest.

Your wish was granted.

Mauchner · March 22nd, 2013, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cifex

Your wish was granted.

Good, hope his insurance is retarded as well. lol

June 16th, 2010, 09:20 AM	#1
tjkamper ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Travis Location: Warwick, RI Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Just a friendly reminder... DON'T TAILGATE!!! Well I had a near close call this morning. I was riding to work and I was comming up on a long sweeping 180 degree turn. There was a Tractor Trailer infront of me and it had entered the turn and was just out of my line of site as I entered the turn. As I came close to exiting the turn the Truck came into my line of site with it's brake lights lit and it's tires smoking. I braked and stood the bike up and came to a very fast, but safe stop about 6 feet from the back of the trailer. I car had come onto the street turning left and the Big Rig had to lock up the brakes to avoid killing the neglegent driver. Had I been tailgating I would not have been able to stop in time, and I would have either lowsided in the turn or smashed right into the back of the trailer. I recall a something my father always told me when I was a Teen, "SPACE SPACE SPACE!!!" He ground it into my head so much that I always leave a good following distance. To this day that space has saved my skin more times than I can count. Now I say it to everyone... SPACE SPACE SPACE!!! It is comfortable to tailgate on a motorcycle. Before you even realize you might be traveling 10 feet off of someone's bumper, or even closer. Once Again... SPACE SPACE SPACE!!! Be careful out there. __________________________________________________ Addicted to anything that has an engine and rolls.

June 16th, 2010, 09:40 AM	#4
binlagin ninjette.org member Name: Ben Location: Ottawa Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2005 CBR600RR Posts: 132	Another good point in this story is to not go flying into blind corners while on the streets. Anything could be around that corner at any point as the OP has pointed out. On the tailgating thing, it's a toss up. I'm always worried if I leave a big enough gap between myself and the car in front of me.. another vehicle might see that gap, not check their blind spot and attempt to merge into my lane. Of course if your following to closely and say a 2x4 is laying across your lane.. you might not have enough time to avoid it. I try and strike a safe balance between the two as it depends on traffic and conditions. __________________________________________________ 2005 CBR600RR - 2:19 Calabogie Motorsports Park, Ontario, Canada

June 16th, 2010, 10:59 AM	#6
kevlarorc noob motovlogger Name: Gareth Location: Austin, TX Join Date: Dec 2009 Motorcycle(s): Black 2009 250r Posts: 328	I'm a big fan of leaving space. A friend of mine tailgates like crazy when I'm riding in his car. He's one of those people that you would start getting frustrated with when you're trying to ride somewhere but he doesn't even realize that he's too close to your bumper. We went on a road trip and I was constantly trying to convince him to leave more space. __________________________________________________ My Motovlog "Damn, either shimming the needles fixes 90% of any problems with the 250Rs, or kkim owns stock in a washer manufacturer." -DmbShn41

August 27th, 2011, 01:10 AM	#17
Mountain Dew Ambrosia. Name: Jaymie Location: Oahu, Hawaii Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 1974 Honda CB550K0 W.I.P. Posts: A lot.	When I rode in clear traffic on the highway, I was usually 1-2 seconds behind (with 2 seconds being the recommended following distance), mainly because I can see ahead of the car and know there's no obstacles. I almost paid the price for doing so once. There was a huge piece of bent up metal (probably a sign post) with sharp edges in the middle of the lane. The car had no problem avoiding it, but I didn't have enough time to react to it. Thankfully I was slightly off center, so all I did was graze it with my foot. Scared the CRAP outta me. I did the nice thing and pulled over on the shoulder and got it out of the road. Now I'm always 2 seconds behind, always. Although I'm usually 1-2 seconds behind in normal city driving, mainly because the speeds rarely go over 40mph. __________________________________________________ Life's better on the Mountain.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Motorcyclists are friendly	Kscreations08	General Motorcycling Discussion	8	May 12th, 2014 07:28 PM
More female SUV drivers tailgate dangerously	Motofool	General Motorcycling Discussion	47	March 24th, 2013 09:10 AM
[topix.net] - Tailgate Kickoff in September	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	September 3rd, 2011 10:20 AM
Friendly reminder how not to ride	TheMojoRider	Videos	9	August 27th, 2011 12:37 PM
Just a friendly reminder about your shifter	B2FiNiTY	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	14	May 26th, 2009 04:00 PM

June 16th, 2010, 09:24 AM	#2
austexjg ninjette.org sage Name: J.G. Location: Austin Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 zx6r Green/Black, (ex-)Diablo Black '09 Ninja 250r Posts: 959	I think my brother tailgates too often when we ride, maybe I can use this to change his mind.

June 16th, 2010, 09:27 AM	#3
marsha ninjette.org member Name: Marsha Location: tampa Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 76	Thank you for the reminder! Glad that you were able to come to a safe stop.

June 16th, 2010, 10:59 AM	#5
drowe531 ninjette.org guru Name: David Location: Burlington, MA Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250 (sold); 2008 Plasma Blue Ninja 250 Posts: 364	I have something similar and I may have not left enough space. I was on a two lane road behind 2 cars when the car in front came to quick stop trying to turn left when it was clearly marked no left turn. The second car stopped short and I had to come to a kick stop albeit I had to pull next to the back bumper of the car in front of me. But had I been closer or tailgating I probably would have ended up in their back window.

June 16th, 2010, 01:12 PM	#9
CRXTrek FORMER MOTORCYCLE RIDER Name: Steve Location: On a Trek SU200 or in my CRX Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): Rode an 08 250r then rode an 08 ZX-6R until i totaled it on 7/10/10 Posts: 758	Another think to think about is the average car has a shorter stopping distance than a bike.

June 16th, 2010, 01:36 PM	#10
drowe531 ninjette.org guru Name: David Location: Burlington, MA Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250 (sold); 2008 Plasma Blue Ninja 250 Posts: 364	I don't know about that statement

June 16th, 2010, 01:38 PM	#11
cifex ninjette.org guru Name: Z Location: Long Island, NY Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: 356	I too think you may be mistaken.

June 16th, 2010, 02:27 PM	#13
CRXTrek FORMER MOTORCYCLE RIDER Name: Steve Location: On a Trek SU200 or in my CRX Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): Rode an 08 250r then rode an 08 ZX-6R until i totaled it on 7/10/10 Posts: 758	Here's an interesting video Link to original page on YouTube.

June 16th, 2010, 04:00 PM	#14
Xoulrath ninjette.org sage Name: T Location: U.S. Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): Current: '11 ZX-6R; Previous: '09 Ninjette; '08 ZX-6R (Ex-Wife '09 TU250X) Posts: 981	Steve is right...more grip equals faster stopping distances. It's amazing how many people think brakes are the true measure of a vehicle's ability to stop. Certainly they play a huge part, especially the front brake(s); however, without any grip available a car or bike will simply slide forever. It's this nifty thing called friction.

June 16th, 2010, 04:27 PM	#16
austexjg ninjette.org sage Name: J.G. Location: Austin Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 zx6r Green/Black, (ex-)Diablo Black '09 Ninja 250r Posts: 959	I have had numerous debates over this fact with guys who rode bikes before I got into them - they claimed they could leave me behind on a track if I was in a car (equal). Tire contact with the road is the factor for controlling braking and cornering speed. The amount of contact of the four tires compared to two should be the logical conclusion, but they would call me out... I needed this video then maybe I could have won some money, instead of just knowing I was right.