broken down motorcyclists

[medwaysv]

Hi there...just a quick general concesus on what you do when you see a biker sitting at the roadside.I personally always stop..and on 70% of occasions the rider has just stoped for a fag/rest..or whatever.
ok i may not be a mechanic..but ive had a few occasions where the biker has broken down and not got a mobile on them to call the breakdown..so i always do what i can.
the reason why i asked is that i was just reading an old post about nodding to other bikers and weather you nod to moped/scooter riders (yes..i even stop for riders of these machines..lol).
just wanted to know what others amongst you think

[Spiderman]

I'll try and stop for every biker i see pulled over. Even if i'm in the cage.

A few months ago i even got out the cage and helped a guy push his ped!.But then i am the friendly neighbourhood spidey i guess.

[Ed]

Stop see what I can do (not very much usually). Just before Christmas I stopped and a bloke had simply decided to take a few pics so asked me to take a few of him + bike :roll:

[medwaysv]

lol....'bout a month ago on me way to work..see a bloke standing next to his bike..
in the middle of the road..stopped to see if ok..must of been a very embarrased born again biker on a 2yr old gsxr1000..this guy looked about 70..but dressed in leathers..asked if he was ok..and was politely to told to f*@k off
m,akes you wonder

[medwaysv]

should have asked him to take a few pics of my bike..lol

[squirrel_hunter]

If I see a bike at the side that may need a little help I go for the 'Tumbs Up' first. If their ok they Tumb Up back etc. If not they'll wave me down and I'll see what I can do.

Have stoped a couple of times to help people out, the last time was a guy with a leaking tank on a CG. I see it as repayment for those that have stoped to help me (far to many times :oops: )

But I don't think I would stop for a scoter rider as quickly unless its very obvious ie a crash.

[rictus01]

If I see a bike at the side that may need a little help I go for the 'Tumbs Up' first. If their ok they Tumb Up back etc. If not they'll wave me down and I'll see what I can do.

About the same, but I'd add only if conditions allow (traffic) and indeed they want it (I've noted some of the "power rangers" would rather wait an hour for recovery for that terminal fault, than let someone fix it in 5 minutes :wink: but hey no skin off my nose).

I see it as repayment for those that have stoped to help me.

That's the ticket, to extend that, I tend to pass on the bike stuff I know to thoughs that will in turn pass it on themselves, after all I learnt from a great many motorcylists in the passed.

also as I carry a puncture kit on the bike (and you'd be amazed how many people ride a £5k+ bike, but don't carry a £15 puncture kit :shock: ) and have mended loads of others bikes with it.

Just my bit keeping a part of sociaty sane :wink:


Cheers Mark

[hall13uk]

i always stop, even if i have to turn around. one day it maybe me who needs help.

[northwind]

I always stop... I've been stuck and watched other bikes ride past, I don't want to be the guy that does that. (though in that case, it turned out I'd bumped my killswitch on, so I suppose it's just as well they didn't stop)

[Stig]

I always do the :thumbsup: as well. Unless it's blatantly obvious they need help. Like crashing right in front of you :roll: :roll:

Will always stop if my help is needed regardless. If I am late for work. Tuff luck on the boss.

[Gidders]

Always stop. Even for scooters.

[tricky]

I normaly use the :thumbsup: method.

The times I have just stopped, the guy was just having a rest/fag/phonecall etc.
Normally have a good chat about bikes etc anyway

[K]

I traffic conditions allow I'll give a thumbs up first, but if not I'll just stop anyway whether I'm in the car or on the bike.

I'm a mechanical moron too, but it's amazing how many time just carrying a mobile phone can be of the most use!

I'm glad to say I've never encountered the "Nah, don't worry your pretty little head luv" attitude when I've stopped for a biker.
I've got it a couple of times from drivers as I generally also try to stop for MG owners too. Which is sad as I know my way round an MG far better than a bike and carry alot of basic stuff with me in my car. :roll:

[kjames]

:thumbsup: sounds like a good plan..
i've got to confess to passing a couple of bikes on the A40 elevated section near paddington..., but have been in the outside lane banked over on the nice sweepy bits.

would defo stop if possible

[DanAbnormal]

I mostly do motorway work and have sometimes seen a bike at the side and I guess I could have stopped but not that safely from the fast lane so I've carried on. If I saw one in time though I would pull over and ask if all was okay. I did stop once for a kid on a scoot and he told me to F%$$ off. I think he'd just nicked it as the wires from the ignition were hangin out. So I reported it to the police as I memorised the plate. Ah well.

[Stig]

I once broke down on the M4 just past the severn bridge into Wales. I already knew what the problem was, Fuel pump.

I was on the hard shoulder, a guy on a gixxer was on the outside lane, he spotted me, braked and pulled in and stopped, probably no more than 50 feet infront of me. :shock: :shock: He didn't spot me until he was nearly level. I estimate his speed when he saw me must have been in the 80mph range. :lol: :lol:

As I knew what the fault was and we both knew that it was not a roadside fix, he actually gave me his AA card and said to post it to him when I was done.

How cool is that. :thumbsup:

[kjames]

he's a better rider than me... i'd be on my **** and that would be no help to me or mr broken down biker :D

k

[Fizzy Fish]

I've stopped several times (especially tend to do so since I fell off the once in London and noone bothered to stop and help me pick the bike up!) and its often just as well cos they've run out of petrol in the middle of nowhere or something.

Doing a petrol run can be interesting though if you have nothing to tie it onto the back of the bike with and have to put the can on the tank - mmm, riding high all the way back!!

Some people can be amazingly ungrateful though - the one time i stopped for a guy who was pushing a Harley and I offered to fetch petrol but he was v grumpy and said not to bother as he knew there was a garage in about half a mile. I travelled for 6 miles up some pretty hefty hills before I finally found one!! maybe he's still there pushing...?

[Anonymous]

Are we distinguishing here between broken down motorcyclists and broken down motorcycles?

I always stop for the latter, but if I see some geezer sitting in the doorway of Burton's, with a whippet, upturned Cromwell and a sign saying "ex-biker - has wife, 4 kids and a Fireblade to support", then I tend to walk past quickly.

Mind you, if it was a Ducati, it would be different....might be someone I know.....

[Ceri JC]

I always slow and beep and try to get a thumbs up to confirm they're okay. If I don't give that/there isn't time, I'll stop and check. If I'm in no rush to be anywhere, I'll usually turn round and go back to them if neccessary (other side of dual carriageway etc.)

Even if you can't help, the fact that you stop and chat makes the wait for the AA/whoever that much more bearable for them. I know; I've been broken down and even though they couldn't help, just chewing the fat with a bloke on a hornet for 20 minutes made waiting for the AA's typical 3 hour response time less frustrating.

[JakeRS]

i stopped to take photos of piles of grit left my the gritting lorries, the first car that came past stopped to ask if I was ok. I was very impressed!

[Stormspiel]

i stopped to take photos of piles of grit left my the gritting lorries, the first car that came past stopped to ask if I was ok. I was very impressed!

last summer i was out on a job measuring a footway to be resurfaced....got off bike, bumped it up kerb, pushed it 10m in front of me and measured that section and repeated for 300m ( bit of a "middle of nowhere" and didn't want to leave it alone :roll: ) Must have got someone pulling over every 30M down the road :lol: after about 6 people stopped i bungied my lid to the seat and taped "I'm working but thanks anyways" scribbled on some paper in permanent marker.....still got another 2 pull in to ask before i'd finished :lol: . I love how friendly SOME people are up here... and not 1 bike went past :thumbsup:

Needless to say i stop for everyone i can safely, like it's been said....Mobiles are a life saver sometimes.

[fizzwheel]

As I knew what the fault was and we both knew that it was not a roadside fix, he actually gave me his AA card and said to post it to him when I was done.

How cool is that. :thumbsup:

Thats really cool.

I'll always stop if I can and its safe to. It always seems to be my brother that I stop for though :lol:

He :

1. Ran out of fuel on two seperate occasions
2. Had a broken throttle cable and I helped him push his bike to his work place

I've stopped and helped push another biker down the road to bump start his bike and I stopped once when I was out with Liz to see if the group of riders fumbling with their map in the middle of nowhere needed help. ( they didnt )

[ivantate]

Always try and stop to see if they are ok.

The last guy I stopped for had just had an off and smashed his phone so needed to use mine. The car driver involved hadnt bothered to wait or help.

[JakeRS]

actually, when my exhaust collapsed ages ago, I had one person stop in her car (she must have thought I had crashed cos I was sitting on the kerb, and she screeched to a halt to help)

I counted at least 7 bikes going past (it was a sunny day), not one stopped, they all looked and ignored :evil:

[jambo]

Hi,
I stop when I can. If I'm in the outside land of a motorway or A road and don't see them till I'm level due to traffic then I'd rather pass them by and not become a statistic myself, but if I can stop and help I do..

Have to confess to being a bit of a snob and rarely stop for scooters :roll:

[Samurai]

Hi,
I stop when I can. If I'm in the outside land of a motorway or A road and don't see them till I'm level due to traffic then I'd rather pass them by and not become a statistic myself, but if I can stop and help I do..

Have to confess to being a bit of a snob and rarely stop for scooters :roll:

Shouldn't see to many of them when you in the outside lane :wink: :roll: :lol:

[K]

Some people can be amazingly ungrateful though - the one time i stopped for a guy who was pushing a Harley and I offered to fetch petrol but he was v grumpy and said not to bother as he knew there was a garage in about half a mile. I travelled for 6 miles up some pretty hefty hills before I finally found one!! maybe he's still there pushing...?

Bearing in mind the average waistline of some Harley riders...

... He could probably have done with the exercise! :wink:

[Viney]

Never stopped. Never had anyone stop for me, otehr than when i highsided infront of another rider. Wouldnt expect anyone to. Thats why i have AA.

[JakeRS]

yes but its always nice to see if you can be of help :?

[madmal]

i always give a wave or thumbs up to someone at side of road.

if same response then all is well otherwise i would pull over, especially when they have a kiddie with them :)

[Mogs]

I give the thumbs up, if I got a thumbs down or similar then I would stop.

I have the vague recollection that a helmet placed on the floor next to the rear wheel signifies I need help, can anyone put me right on this?

[jambo]

I give the thumbs up, if I got a thumbs down or similar then I would stop.

I have the vague recollection that a helmet placed on the floor next to the rear wheel signifies I need help, can anyone put me right on this?

Good tips include the petrol tank sat next to the rear wheel and the rear wheel missing :D

[northwind]

Yup, just make the bike look as broken down as possible-tank up is a winner ;)

[Stig]

I give the thumbs up, if I got a thumbs down or similar then I would stop.

I have the vague recollection that a helmet placed on the floor next to the rear wheel signifies I need help, can anyone put me right on this?

This most certainly used to be the case, however it seems to have got lost in translation over the years and there are more riders that do not know this than those that do.

[Cloggsy]

Stop see what I can do (not very much usually). Just before Christmas I stopped and a bloke had simply decided to take a few pics so asked me to take a few of him + bike :roll:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I normally have a good look & stop if I deem it necessary - gut reaction :!:

[Viney]

yes but its always nice to see if you can be of help :?

Why? I probably could, but just cant be arsed.

[Peter Henry]

When the gear lever return spring gave up the ghost on my bike I must admit that I broke down! In fact I was distraught! :cry: :lol:

Helmets by the bike? Tank jacked up? Pah.....For an half Irish, English bloke,stranded on a mountainous Spanish road with an Italian bike on French tyres, the only way to get the attention of the German riding a Japanese TLR was to do a frantic waving of arms and the international little finger and thumb "telephone" shape to side of head routine! Totally international and worked a treat! 8) :lol:

[Ping]

I stopped once because it was on a b road not far from home. The guy seemed rather disgruntled that I'd stopped to ask. :roll:

All the others I've seen have been on motorways or dual carriagways and I've been going way too fast to stop anyway. :P