Motorcycle Zen; what to do when you get cut off...
- urbanmadness
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- Location: Sacramento, California
- Motorcycle: 1982 Gl1100A Aspencade *sold
1989 GL1500 Aspencade
Motorcycle Zen; what to do when you get cut off...
Yeah, if you ride for any length of time, you get cut off.... how do you handle it?
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- minimac
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- Motorcycle: 1993 GL1500 Aspencade
2006 Yamaha Morphous
2011 Silverwing
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Re: Motorcycle Zen; what to do when you get cut off...
Like it or not, it's a fact of riding, and it happens. People are idiots! I'll hit the horn, to let them know they need to look, but that's pretty much the extent of it. You can't get in a peeing match with a vehicle that outweighs you by at least a ton, you'll lose. Like in the video, if you get steamed, pull over and cool off. Sometimes,as riders, we're just not seen-for whatever reason. Flipping someone off really accomplishes nothing. Don't let some thoughtless jerk spoil the ride!
- WingAdmin
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Re: Motorcycle Zen; what to do when you get cut off...
In this day of the clueless, inattentive drivers, getting cut off is a way of life for motorcyclists.You have to just let it roll off your back. I will use my (very loud) air horns to try to stop it from happening as soon as I start to see them encroaching on my lane. But if they are being aggressive (not just inattentive), I will just pull off - pull into a gas station, side street, whatever, let them go on ahead. I don't need to introduce that kind of nonsense - because if it gets into a serious altercation between a car and you, you lose!
- DenverWinger
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Past rides
1972 CL350 (1980-1988) sold
1978 Suzuki GS550 (1985-2005) sold
1977 GL1000 (2002-2006) sold
Re: Motorcycle Zen; what to do when you get cut off...
Hm, Air Horns.... I have a couple that were removed from the old GL-1000 when I got it, don't know if they work, but I can probably test them with the shop air compressor... If they work I'll have to see if I can find a horn compressor.
Scott, where do you fit/hide the air horn compressor on your 1500? Saddlebag?
Scott, where do you fit/hide the air horn compressor on your 1500? Saddlebag?
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- WingAdmin
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2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Re: Motorcycle Zen; what to do when you get cut off...
No, it is tucked in behind the fairing, very close to the horns:DenverWinger wrote: ↑Fri Jun 22, 2018 8:15 am Hm, Air Horns.... I have a couple that were removed from the old GL-1000 when I got it, don't know if they work, but I can probably test them with the shop air compressor... If they work I'll have to see if I can find a horn compressor.
Scott, where do you fit/hide the air horn compressor on your 1500? Saddlebag?
It is the round metal can zip-tied to the frame there. You want to have it as close to the horns as possible, otherwise you get a delay between when you hit the horns and when the air horns actually start to sound, as the comrpessor builds up pressure in the air line. The air line between my compressor and the horns (mounted on the right engine crash bar) is about 6 inches long.

Be careful running horns off your shop compressor - I just about deafened myself trying that! They will be VERY LOUD...
- mterraci
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Re: Motorcycle Zen; what to do when you get cut off...
Agree you have to just let it go when other motorists make life difficult (not to mention dangerous) for you.
Safe riding is all about being very, very humble.
Safe riding is all about being very, very humble.
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Re: Motorcycle Zen; what to do when you get cut off...
In some circumstances you need to ride a little aggressive just to ensure your own safety. The worst thing you can do is escalate the situation and get hot headed. We all do that sometimes admit it. Depending on the situation really. Some times ill go from 65 to 95 in 2 seconds flat just to get away. Other times I will slow down and make sure the guy behind me knows that I don't like him tailgating me while some just cut me off lol. But yes I too often pull off the highway or pull into a parking lot just to get rid of a group of cars that are disappointing me. Smoke a nice relaxing pipe of my favorite tobacco or have a chew. A nice way to reset and start having a good day again.
Re: Motorcycle Zen; what to do when you get cut off...
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How times have changed.
You remember when you could wear one of
these belts and NO ONE would bother you?
. .
. . . ya, me neither.
.
.
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How times have changed.
You remember when you could wear one of
these belts and NO ONE would bother you?
. .
. . . ya, me neither.
.
.
.
I'm hounded for posting helpful solutions? ARGO!!! (2012 film)
"Let's see how long this round will last."
"Let's see how long this round will last."
- 823JIM
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Re: Motorcycle Zen; what to do when you get cut off...
Oh, not much--
Friends don't let friends do stupid stuff (alone)
Jim King
Jim King
Re: Motorcycle Zen; what to do when you get cut off...
Speaking of LOUD air horns...
Where do I get Viair nipples & elbows? NOTHING online.
Where do I get Viair nipples & elbows? NOTHING online.
I'm hounded for posting helpful solutions? ARGO!!! (2012 film)
"Let's see how long this round will last."
"Let's see how long this round will last."
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Re: Motorcycle Zen; what to do when you get cut off...
Getting cut off is a fear right up there w running over debris in the road. The first thing you need to do is do double defensive habits - like anticipating any potential threat. Also - never ride beside another vehicle; either slightly ahead or behind. And use that horn!! But don’t retaliate! (You’ll never win!)