You can get angry (and rightly so) because this driver is either being aggressive or oblivious, and both of those are a huge danger to you and others. Your first instinct probably involves a rude gesture and more than a few obscenities. But what should you really do?

Tailgating: it happens all the time when driving a car, and it will certainly happen at some point while riding your motorcycle. And since many motorcyclists slow down by simply downshifting or coasting instead of using the brake (no brake lights!), the possibility of being struck by a vehicle from behind while being tailgated is greatly increased.

As safely as you ride, there is no way to control other drivers on the road, so at some point you’ll likely find yourself being tailgated. The way you handle the situation can not only affect how the other driver reacts, but also your safety and possibly your life.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation recommends that when being tailgated, allow yourself extra room in front of your bike in case you must react quickly. Basically that means that if someone is tailgating you, do the opposite to the person in front of you. That will lessen the likelihood that you will have to hit your brakes hard or another scenario that could cause a collision from behind.

Also, the majority of motorcycle crashing involve a front-end collision, with a much smaller percentage each year comprising rear-end collisions. What that means for you is that you’re more likely to strike something in front of you while distracted by a tailgater. However, being tailgated is still a dangerous situation and you want to get out of it as soon and safely as possible.

What you do not want to do is speed up even more to try to distance yourself from the tailgating vehicle. Firstly, this only adds to the danger of the situation by increased speeds and possibly some extra maneuvering. Secondly, speeding up will probably cause the passenger vehicle to also speed up, and then you’re in an high-speed tailgating situation, stuck in a worse spot than you were to begin with.

Be aware of everyone on the road (and don’t use your phone while on your motorcycle!)

And while anger or frustration may be natural first reaction, keep in mind that other motorists do not always intentionally tailgate. Sadly, many motorists do not understand what it is like to ride a motorcycle and have trouble judging how fast you are going, how close they are in relation to you, the difference in braking, and the fact that you own as much road space as they do, even if your bike is smaller than their SUV.

Although it is the ideal to educate every single driver about motorcycles and motorcycle safety, it simply is not the reality. This does not excuse tailgating, however, and we recommend you keep this in mind when dealing with a tailgater.

Do not provoke a tailgater by making rude gestures or yelling nasty comments to them. If the driver is acting aggressive on the road, this will only raise that tension, increasing the risk for road rage. If they weren’t upset before, but simply aloof as to their bad driving, rude gestures and obscenities will only put them in a worse mood.

Along with increasing the space in front of your motorcycle and the next vehicle, you can lightly tap on your breaks to help alert the tailgater where you are. If the tailgating continues and you feel unsafe, use your signal and pull over when possible, allowing the motorist to pass you. When it is safe, signal again and return to the road.

You won’t want to pull over for a rude motorist or a bad driver, but it’s worth it for your safety. If they won’t pass and a subtle hint (lightly tapping brakes) doesn’t work, just safely pull over and let them go by. They’ll be gone from your road experience then and in reality the whole process can take less than a minute. You won’t want to. You shouldn’t have to. You have done anything wrong – it’s the other person who is the bad driver – so why should you give up the road to let them by? Because your safety and your life is worth it, that’s why.

You can find more information about motorcycle safety on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s website.

If you have any questions about motorcycle safety gear, feel free to give us a call. Our expert sales team is here for you by phone 10AM-6PM ET M-F 1-866-931-6644 or email at support@ridersdiscount.com. You can also visit our website to browse our motorcycle gear and parts.

The post How to Handle Tailgaters on a Motorcycle appeared first on Riders Discount.

1. Get an endorsement. We want you to ride safe and ride smart, which means that you need a proper license to ride legally. The statistics alone should be reason enough, because they show that unlicensed riders are far more likely to be involved in a crash. Take a beginner’s course from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation which includes classroom and field training. It not only helps you to pass the license exam but teaches you how to be safe and responsible for a lifetime of riding. Motorcycling can be the best time of your life and trust us, we want you to have a good time, but two wheels should be taken seriously. Learn to ride safely, legally, and always be sober. If taken seriously, you can improve your riding skills with every ride, keeping you alive and on the road for years to come.

2. Pick a bike. So you’ve had your eye on a bike for years? It’s your dream bike that you just have to have. Hold up. Not so fast there newbie. Beginner riding is difficult and you don’t want to destroy the bike you’ve been dreaming about for years right out of the garage. Your best bet is to buy a smaller, inexpensive motorcycle for learning to ride. Odds are that since you’re still getting use to proper weight distribution, you will drop your bike a few times and that’s going to hurt your heart and your wallet, so make it easier on yourself and start with something practical that doesn’t exceed 500cc. Buy your dream bike a few years down the road when you’ve gained some experience and perspective on what exactly you want from your motorcycle. Plus, you’re dream bike could change during the time you’re learning to ride.

3. Gear up. We know riding is a blast, but remember that part of that thrill comes from it being dangerous. Every time you rev up that engine there is the risk of an accident on that ride. None of us like to think about it, and you may be the most careful rider there ever was, but you still need proper gear. You should wear motorcycle specific gloves and boots as well as a helmet, jacket, and pants on every ride. You should also pack additional rain gear on your bike for when the skies turn gray, just follow our guide to finding the best motorcycle rain jacket. Remember that all your gear needs to be motorcycle specific in order to properly protect you and withstand the harsh elements of the road.

4. Get to know your machine. Download or purchase a service manual. Then take the time to learn and understand the mechanics of a motorcycle. Not only will this help you tweak, fix, and maintain your bike down the road, but it also helps you to understand how to control the complex machine revving between your legs. You should make it a routine to do regular bike inspections, like checking your tire pressure, oil, and chain. Get to know the mechanics of your machine as well as its habits on the open road. The only way to become a better motorcyclist is experience, so continue to ride and study the specifics of your bike.

5. Continue to learn. Just because you took a course, got your license, and gained some experience doesn’t mean you’re an expert. It takes time to adapt to heavy traffic, changing road conditions, and weather. Even when you do reach that expert level, you should continue to view riding as an ongoing learning process. Learning to lean and turn properly is all a part of that process and with continued practice you’ll learn to master those skills. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is thinking there is nothing left to learn. You should have confidence on your bike, but never forget how dangerous riding can be, and how exposed you are on the road. No matter how many years you get under your belt, an accident can happen at any time. You can’t control other cars, road conditions, or traffic, but you can control how you ride, so ride safely and responsibly. It’s not just continuing to learn how to ride, but learning more about your bike in general. Eventually you should know the ins and outs of your bike’s specifics in riding and maintenance.

Last, but certainly not least, we’d like to welcome all new riders to the motorcycling community. We’re glad to have you and hope you grow to love it just as much as we do—if possible!

Concerned about choosing your very first gear? Just give us a call! Our expert sales team is here to ease your every worry by helping you pick the best beginner motorcycle gear. Just give us a call M-F 10AM-6PM ET at 1-866-931-6644 or send us a message at support@ridersdiscount.com.

Don’t forget to check back next week for Part 2 of Riders Discount’s Beginner’s Guide to Ride!

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