Kit car owners' perceptions of bikers

[Mellow Matt]

Inspired by this thread http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... I was wondering what you guys thought of bikers? I tend to give a nod to both types of vehicle whether I'm in the Locoblade or on the bike, but don't tend to get return nods from Caterfields/Atoms & the like, what do you guys do?

[robcollingridge]

I feel I have more in common with bikers than cars when out in my Fury R1 and given the low profile, I have to drive like I'm also an 'invisible' biker. Just like car drivers you get bikers with mixed abilities and attitudes.

I wish they'd stop slowing me down in the corners though :-)

[Vindi_andy]

Always try to acknowledge both even tho mines a CEC having said that when I was going to SVA and nodded to a biker he nearly fell off turning round to look at the car.

Now Im not claiming its anything special but it is bright and it is unusual and we often get looks from cars and bikers.

Also where possible I will wave bikers through and give them room to squeeze past if they feel so inclined. i.e. if i have a bike sat on my bumper when im in my car either kit or tin top i will ease over as far as I can to the nearside without causing myself a problem.

Was out Sunday and there were loads of bikers out got a couple come up behind me and as we cleared the bend I held my speed and waved them through giving them plenty of room to pull back in. and got a wave of thanks

[Chris71]

I was into bikes before I was seriously into cars (although admittedly I never rode anything more than an RM250) and I'd like to think there was a mutual appreciation. The thing is 95% of drivers are simply interested in getting from A-to-B. The same thing that marks bikers out - wanting to have fun in the process - also marks out enthusiastic drivers. And you can't really have a kit without being an enthusiast, so I'd say it's a very similar mindset.

Edited by Chris71 on Wednesday 27th May 11:22

[dean100yz]

RM250...Lovin the smokers

Im a biker and kitcar (BEC) driver + race them off road. I got respect for the bikers and sporty drives and have always found the same back.

The scooby boys get a bad name and Ive always had a thumbs up or nod off them too

Biggest problem I have is old bill...but thats another story

[Chris71]

dean100yz said:

RM250...Lovin the smokers

...That belonged to a mate. My ride at the time was a somewhat less impressive and even smokier TSX125. It was still a big step up from my DT50MX beforehand though. Both are still languishing in a barn back home on the farm (litterally).

Ironically, for someone who now writes about them from time to time that was the last serious involvement I had with bikes, but I still drewl whenever I see a nice example. I can't imagine anyone who's seriously into cars doing anything other than the same - they're not really that different and so many people have both.

[fw500]

There definately seems to be some mutual respect between kit owners an bikers. I'd love a bike but the missus really wouldn't be happy with that so the obvious loophole was to get a bike with 4 wheels.

[Ferg]

I see an increasingly greater number of them doing mindless things. This is the same whether I'm in my kit or any other vehicle.

[mikeveal]

Biker = person sitting on a replacement BEC engine who will eventually fall off and donate it to the cause.

Seriously, I find that bikers tend to ignore the Skunk unless I am wearing my helmet (cold day or > 3 miles on the motorway). As soon as I don the lid, I get a lot of thumbs up's and nods.

Never "played" with a bike on the roads - pity really, it would be nice to see how a superbike stacked up against my trike.

[Rich7se]

As an ex-biker I find they dont always acknowledge the Westy, some do but not many. Had a group a few months ago actually wave me past in the lanes, as I was obviously pi**ing them off somewhat in the corners. As is said above some bikers do daft things on the road, but then dont we all?, ok we have 4 wheels but you can still fall off the road even with those, when I was on two wheels you went nuts sometimes just because you could, hard to explain really. I have to say however I would never get another one, yes the speed is awesome but too many friends I knew lost limbs and were badly injured for life - I`ll stick with 4 wheels thanks.

Rich

[bill bob]

I've been a biker and have two brothers who still are. Yes I've lots of respect for them and usually exchange some sort of acknowledgement, a wave or nod when I'm out in the Tornado. The two camps have a lot in common when you think about it.

Bill Bob

[Blib]

A biker followed me in my Stratos this afternoon. As I stopped in a queue at a set of traffic lights, he pulled up and nodded. "Nice car", he grinned and then pulled away.

I love bikers.

[grumbas]

I quite vividly remember having some fun with a couple of bikers up the hill out of Fernhurst towards Midhurst - got a massive thumbs up on the straight afterwards when they caught me as I couldn't be bothered to tackle a queue of 10+ cars!

I'd say there's a mutual respect for those enjoying their toy and making the most of it!!!!