Unwritten Rules of the Road: Biker Break Downs

Sort of a continuation of a thread that someone else started about ‘Waving’. Was wondering how many of you out there still do this? If you see a busted down Biker (or Rider, Motorcyclist, or a two-wheeled Rose By Any Other Name.... etc. ) by the side of the road, do you stop to help him and/or her?! I know I sure used to... only 'used to' in that it sure has been many years since I’ve seen anybody on bikes busted down and needing my help. Maybe bikes are just all that good (better) now?! Or everyone (including myself finally) has a Cell Phone and AAA (or similar on the latter)? I dunno… just seemed for at least the first 20 years or so I was helping at LEAST (but usually more) one other Rider a year. Most of the time I could get em’ going again too, with a bit of fuel, or a needed wrench – heck more often then not I might even have the spare part they were hurting for WITH me (yeah, I used to carry a LOT of stuff!)?! Have I been helped (in the past) out on the road?! Damn straight, though most of the time I usually had the tools and parts I needed to get going again (and again). :)

Have to say honestly I wasn’t very selective either on who’d I’d stop to help. Most of the times I’d be on a friggin’ Harley either helping fellow Harley Riders (from Patch Holders to ‘conservatives’ and every faction in between…) or Metric bikes. However you can (?) imagine they’re initial reaction broken down on a H-D bein’ helped by me on a Metric?! ;-) Hey, ‘help’ was help – take it or leave it! ;-) Never the less everyone was always grateful – NOT everyone seriously needed my help but the effort at least seemed to be appreciated. Yeah, it IS deadly dangerous times these days, no question of it. I gotta’ admit I probably wouldn’t care to risk helpin’ most Cage Drivers now-a-days (though have in the past…) but people on bikes?! NOT a 100% but still I think they’re your safest bet out there?! Nuff’ said…… ;-)

LRG





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I've never had a thorough chance at a real busted down biker. I saw a fella pulled over, he was sitting off to the side of the road...so I assumed he had a busted chain/belt/dead battery what have you. Anyways, I pulled up, and he waved me on. I guess he either had help coming for him or he just was a little saddle-sore.

I don't know what it is, but I don't see much riders busted on the side of the road anymore. I can't say that what he/she's riding would matter whether I stop or not. I'm not mechanically sound enough to revive a busted bike on the road, but I'd sure as hell give 'em a hand pushing or give them a lift to the nearest stop. I know what it's like to be on the side of the road without help.

I think you got it there when you said, all are carryin cell phones now. I don't think there is a man woman child dog cat chimpanzee or parrot out there that don't have a cell phone nowdays. It amazes me to see little kids carrying their own cell phone. Oh well, don't want to start anything here about that, no thread jacking, just agreeing I think that has made a big difference.

I always stop and help a person on a bike, as a matter of fact I just did 6 days ago.

Unless I'm carrying tool box & jumpers I don't stop for broke down cars except ladies with flat tires. I'm just not knowledgable enough to offer assisstance to a broke down biker and unless I'm driving a pick-up with an empty bed how can I help? Since cell phones became universal (in spite of Wild Hogs bikers should always have a cell in the kit bag) I think you're wasting your time to stop.

I haven't seen any bikers broken down yet on the side of the road but if I did I would stop to help them.

heh I think I've seen it only once and there were already someone else there helping them, and of course since I don't know much I didn't stop. Other times I saw bikes on the side of the road but mostly bikers were just either talking on the phone or taking a leak, or just watch the sky in stop and go traffic. I guess if it's convenient I'd stop and help (at least I can let the person use my cellphone in case he/she does not have a phone). I said "convenient" because if I see the bike too late while I'm on the fast lane and there are cars on other lanes I can't pull over quick, because it's just plain stupid.

So which category do I fit in? :)

YF

I kinda depends apon what they look like. I have had people tell me I suck because I road a old honda, but other people tell you they had one like that when they were younger. Now that I have the katana I proble wont stop some people have big problems with rockets. I guess it goes like this gray hair helmet off sweeting in the sun I am stoping, yonger punk on a bike that cost more then my house F off call a tow truck.

I would stop in most circumstances. If they have a major mechanical issue, I wouldn't be of much help. I'm not the most mechanically inclined person nor do I carry many tools with me. I can always offer them my phone or a ride though.

I have some tools, I have some tape and bailing wire (for Harleys ), and a few little other this's and that's. Most of all, though, I can make sure STUPID things aren't done, either by the inexperienced or the inept. I can't think of a bro who would be cheesed at, or try to avoid, that kind of help.

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