Why do they do that?

I popped out for a little blat yesterday in the mountains. Bone dry conditions, bright sunshine but bitterly cold.

The first 5 or 6km of our fun run route is subject to low speed limits and continuous white lines, the fun starts immediately after a certain right hander when the lines dissapear!

In the first section I found my self closing on a group of 8 bikes apart from a Fazer,all sportsbikes and 3 of which were carrying passengers. The last bike in their group was a GSXR600 with girlfriend pillion. I kept a unthreatening distance but changed my road position to allow the rider to become aware that I was around.

I thought I would basically just follow them if they are going to ride briskly, if not I would just gentle ease my way by. Well as the pace increased Mr. Gixxer rider decided stupidly,(based on the fact that he was carrying his lady who was not dressed in full bike gear) that he was going to offer some challenge to me and was not going to let me pass in a manner that I would consider safe.

Many opportunities where he could have just waved me through came and went. I would line up an entry to a corner but could see he was going to cut right across that. I was left with no option but on the next straight leading to a bend to draw right alongside him before the braking zone and dictate who was going in to that corner first. He backed off and when I had passed him he soon began to drop right back. What a fool I thought? Ok you could say that I should have simply backed right off and let him go but why should my ride be spoiled in that way?

A little way ahead was his pal on a CBR600RR....now dont get me wrong any of the 600SS are more than a match for me and my bike.....in the right hands. Anyway MR.CBR decides he will also rise to the challenge. I soon noticed though that he was not as familiar with the road as I was and some of his braking and entry points were just so wrong.

We were riding at a good pace but it felt wrong as this guy was making me nervous, I couldnt read what he was going to do. Well we flew towards a tight,(much tighter than he planned for) right hander. he braked...leaned it in...realised he was too hot...stood her up....and went right across on to the side for oncoming traffic. He was visibly shaken and slowed right down, I backed right off also to allow him to compose himself.

Eventually I came along side him and gave him a nod and a small wave before moving on. Due to the meandering nature of this road, I was sat already with a coffee in my hand and helmet off before these two riders came past the cafe. The punch line being that both of these riders decided to get in to a "dice" which was beyond their own capabilites with one of them being so close to getting hurt as a result of it.

Remember folks, you dont have to be the fastest to get loads of enjoyment. I have mentioned elsewhere,I can ride quick but there are many who can ride quicker. I have drawn my own lines and do not cross them EVER:

The only thing to think about is that you could also have been taken out by his mistake. I would have held back until there was a point when I could pass safely. If not just hang back and let them get on with it. In my experience racing about and passing on bends or trying to outbrake others on public roads is a bit much and that kind of stuff should be left for the track. That said they were clearly trying to make your ride a bit difficult. You're still with us so all is good.

Some people just can't resist a race.

Particularly foolish two up and pillion not in full gear.

I always wave faster peeps though as soon as they appear in my mirrors.
I will sometimes try and get a little "tow" but always at a safe distance and always within my limits and the limits dictated by other traffic, weather, road surface etc.

Sounds like you have a mature attitude (was willing to bide your time until you could make a totally clean pass).

But I can see why neither rider would want to be overtaken by an SV ... the one with a pillion did have a very valid excuse he could have used though, but I'd struggle to let an SV past if I was solo on a CBR6RR

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

Sounds like you have a mature attitude (was willing to bide your time until you could make a totally clean pass).

But I can see why neither rider would want to be overtaken by an SV ... the one with a pillion did have a very valid excuse he could have used though, but I'd struggle to let an SV past if I was solo on a CBR6RR

Mr Henry has one of them posh red expensive Italian "SV"s

Some peeps just have to give chase. They should leave racing to the track though.

You can always learn from the rider in front. Checking the lines and breaking/throttle points on a few bends can get a pretty good idea of how competant the rider is. Now I don't mean good or bad, just faster or slower than you are. If I'm quicker (perish the thought) I'll overtake. If it rattles the other rider I'll back off or even stop to let them get on there way. I don't want to see any more accidents.

SV-Dan.........I did not outbrake the guy before going in to the bend. Way before the bend I adopted what I considered to be the "key" position in the road. This was done in the safest manner possible as it was way before the braking point for the curve in question. (Honest )

Tricky...as you say...just an SV with her party dress on.

Originally Posted by Peter Henry

Tricky...as you say...just an SV with her party dress on.

Ahhh ...this brings a new element .. he probably didn't want you to pass as he didn't want you to overtake, the Duke to let go in the way only a duke can and spill its guts right in front of him???

[Biker Biggles]

Was his brain frazzled by the din from the clutch?

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

Was his brain frazzled by the din from the clutch?

BB...You can be so hurtful! That's one less card to send in a week or so!