Stupid rider with a death wish

[SRTie4k]

There's a guy that rides a motorcycle here in town that I've now seen pull an extremely stupid maneuver 3 times now, and I think this guy is going to end up dead. The question is whether I should intervene before someone else gets hurt as well. The moron rides the most obvious bike in the world, it looks like a late 80's FZR 600 rattle canned in camo. I wouldn't be surprised if it was stolen, but it is plated. I've seen the guy riding 3 times now, and all 3 he's pulled some move that could get himself, but more importantly someone else, killed.

The first time was in the evening, at the stop light in the center of town. 3 lanes wide all stopped, the guy skirts between the 3 lines of cars and intentionally blows through the red light at about 35-40mph. It's a good thing nobody was in the multitude of crosswalks in that intersection.

The second, yesterday, I was on my bike and saw him going the opposite direction. He was hauling ass through the roundabout, and decided to open it up to about 70mph in a 30 in front of the college. Of course he gave me a little wave. Oy.

The third, this morning, he cut me off on my way to drop the dog off (as in, he saw me as he decided to blow a yield sign right in front of me). Surprisingly he stopped at the stop light, but then immediately blew right through the roundabout cutting an SUV off by a mere foot as he weaved between lanes.

It's pretty obvious the guy is a total danger to everyone around him on the road, but do I call the cops on him or let natural selection take its course? It kind of concerns me that if I just shrug my shoulders and look the other way that he might end up killing someone else in the process of killing himself. I live in a small enough town that it wouldn't be difficult for the police to find this guy, hell he leaves his bike out nightly (I've seen it parked on the street many times).

What would you do?

[gixxer72]

There are no 80's GSXR 600's...

[SRTie4k]

Sorry, meant FZR. It's the kind with twin round headlights. I don't know much about older sport bikes.

[mzdagrl]

it can't hurt to give a call and say that you have seen this particular rider acting erratically. nothing may come of it, but you can clear your conscience.

[Karate.Snoopy]

If I saw the guy at a store or something I might chat him up and preach some sense, if not then I would do the above i.e. report him and let the cops do the talking.

[cdovego]

Forum police coming down on you, watch yourself.

[Dave603]

When you see him ask for his ID and when he refuses call him a dickhead

[TheIglu]

Could go two ways:

A. Explain your experience, years ridden, crashes, etc. Then gently remind him of how his behavior may mean a very short lifespan. He will think deeply about it and give careful consideration to your advice.

B. He'll tell you to fuck off. Then he'll die/crash and won't ride anymore and tell everyone that bikes are dangerous.

Chance of occurrence:

A - 1%

B - 99%

[loudbeard]

Put on full leathers and your helmet, then head butt him.

[timmyho414]

darwin

there is no way a dumb-ass like that will want to hear anything anyone else wants to say. A camo bike? really. Yea...lets take something the people don't notice anyway, camouflage it then ride around like an ass. good plan.

[Garandman]

Live Free and Die?

[loudbeard]

Clever. Apparently they're also a big Xfinity fan. Whomp whomp!

[SRTie4k]

I've seen my fair share of idiots on bikes, but never someone so incredibly reckless. Well, except for the time I got cut off by a guy on a bike who was being chased by 2 cop cars.

Ironically, however, he does wear a helmet.

[MHenry600]

Put on full leathers and your helmet, then head butt him.

I see what you did there. haha.


Unless the cops actually catch him doing something, the most they will do is maybe have a talk with him. Chances are that's not going to accomplish anything anyways, and Darwin will take effect eventually. Hopefully it doesn't involves others when it happens.

[cdovego]

Ironically, however, he does wear a helmet.

Safety first!

[xrocket21]

fuck him, call the cops

gives sportbike riders a bad image, and I agree he is gonna hurt somebody else most likely


Would I call the cops for a 1 time sighting, or something mildly dangerous? of course not.

Habitual offender in my hometown? yup

[Jim]

[odduc]

I would be inclined to report this offender. If he wants to kill himself, there are plenty of ways for this wanker to do so without endangering others.

[cdovego]

Serious question - if he was driving a car in the same way, what would you do?

[tsorfas]

Let the man be is my vote. I ride like that most of the time.

[SRTie4k]

Serious question - if he was driving a car in the same way, what would you do?

If it was an obvious pattern of recklessness like the idiot on the bike, I'd be even more inclined to report the individual. A car is +3000lbs more than a bike and much more liable to kill someone else.

[PhilB]

I'd try talking to him at least once. Probably won't do much good, but at least you will have made a reasonable effort.

I had a somewhat similar situation once, with a co-worker who rode dangerously (and often drunk) on a regular basis. I tried guiding him a bit, with no success. In his case it turned out that he literally *did* have a death wish; he was trying to kill himself "accidentally", and after failing to do so for a couple years, he committed suicide.

PhilB

[BMMCBR]

Unless the cops actually catch him doing something, the most they will do is maybe have a talk with him. Chances are that's not going to accomplish anything anyways, and Darwin will take effect eventually. Hopefully it doesn't involves others when it happens.

I wonder if they'll ask him for his ID.

[PhilB]

I wonder if they'll ask him for his ID.

If they catch him doing something wrong, then they will and should.
If not, then they probably will anyway and he has every right to tell them to bugger off.
Lame troll attempt; this already got covered elsewhere.

PhilB

[Falko]

I would call the cops, only to protect the person that ends up running over his sorry carcass. If he ends up pulling out in front of someone and they hit him from behind or the side, at least the police have it on record that this behavior was identified and it is most likely not the fault of the other driver, but that of the camo bike.
I have this chic living down the street from me in her early 30's. She and her husband have well paying jobs, big house, manicured lawn, she drives a Range Rover. She thinks she is above everyone around, speeds down our street on a regular basis in excess of 60mph, speed limit is 25. I've called the police, they laugh it off. Lot of children and pets on our road, I'd hate to see anything happen to them. But I am in a similar situation, what do you do??