How do you handle EXTREME tailgaters?

[Thymeclock]

Originally Posted by FlashT

When someone is tailgating me, I downshift and get the rpm's near redline, which causes a rich mixture at WOT, which in turn, results in a large cloud of soot being produced, as I speed off into the wild blue 'yonder . I can only guess how much soot the fellow behind me ingested into his cabin...

Needless to say, he will, hopefully, think twice about ever tailgating a car with a TDi badge on it.

Reminds me of a bumper sticker I once saw that said: "Back off or I'll FART"

Maybe EcoModder might want to print up a bunch and give 'em out as prizes...

[Frank Lee]

I know someone that was being seriously tailgated... the tailgater was laying on the horn too. Well after a while he put a stop to that nonsense (a pun!!! ) by locking up the brakes in his old farm truck. After hearing the satisfying crash of broken glass and plastic, and radiator hissing, he simply continued on his trip. The rear bumper was a little tweaked but compared to the rest of the truck you'd never notice it. Mr. Tailgater told people he'd hit a deer...

[user removed]

These days, as I mellow out closing in on 60 years old, I just drive inconsistently, which usually makes them pass me. Fortunately most of the roads I drive on here are 4 lanes with plenty of passing opportunities. They probably think I am just a spaced out old fart anyway.

On one road that is two lane, I try to keep a safe distance. I have been passed on that road when the center line was double yellow solid stripes, by someone with no brains, even though I was slightly above the speed limit. One that road in most cases the tailgater is in a SUV. Then I just take the tuns at a fairly high speed and leave them behind.

It's a lot of fun on the bike.

regards
Mech

[ShadeTreeMech]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

For tailgaters I have considered a seperate reservoir full of something a little less helpful.

As have I, but in the spirit of good will, washer fluid is I think the best deterant. Heck, how would an officer of the law see a problem with it? THose washer fluid pumps have about what, 2 psi? You have to be awfully close to hit anyone with the fluid, or moving along pretty well.

(But secretly, I'd have preferred it to be deer piss or some such smelly concoction.......)

[bobotheman]

Most people where I live get very close to my bumper but merge almost immediately after. I am also going 5-10 mph under the speed limit most times.

[womprat]

The only time I've seen a obvious ecomodder in my area is when I got tailgated (not badly) by a dude in a Honda who was obviously drafting. Otherwise alone on a four-lane stretch of road, I pulled asside quickly and let him past, then tucked in behind and drafted him.

My best tailgater ditch was when I didn't slow down for a speed hump in a Nissan Patrol with 3" lift. About 50-60kph the suspension absorbs a speedhump like it isn't there, no need to slow down. I had an overloaded looking car full of teenagers (possibly drinking) following me way too close so I just barrelled over a speed hump at the area's speed limit of 50.

That woulda broken something for sure

[harshalsk]

I have bumper sticker says "Research Vehicle, Please pass."

After that I have noticed considerably less tailgators and also being living in Dallas I need it badly. Pickup truckers hates me but I love the right lane.

[fidalgoman]

As a bit of a side note, I saw a video a while back on extreme eco-driving in Seattle I think it was, and this buy was tailgating (about 5-10 feet at times) every truck and vehicle he could to reduce drag. He pulled in front of people then slowed down on hills to ridiculously low speeds, ran stops at twenty MPH and made a total accident waiting to happen of himself. So maybe that guy behind you close enough to read the ID # on your license tabs might be simply trying to save gas.

[user removed]

Originally Posted by fidalgoman

As a bit of a side note, I saw a video a while back on extreme eco-driving in Seattle I think it was, and this buy was tailgating (about 5-10 feet at times) every truck and vehicle he could to reduce drag. He pulled in front of people then slowed down on hills to ridiculously low speeds, ran stops at twenty MPH and made a total accident waiting to happen of himself. So maybe that guy behind you close enough to read the ID # on your license tabs might be simply trying to save gas.

For that type of driver I like the tube of BBs dropped on the road idea, especially on my bike. You know just dribble a few out at a time.

regards
Mech

[jjackstone]

OK,
Didn't have time to read this entire thread so sorry if someone has already mentioned this. In my younger days I connected a switch to the reverse lights on my car. Only used it a few times but it was interested to watch the tailgater's front end nose dive when they illogically thought I was actually in reverse at 50 or 60 mph.
JJ