harmful motorcycle image

[upflying]

Spring has finally arrived in NorCal and the temp was hovering in mid-70's when I decided to hop in my pickup for a quick trip to the hardware store. The weather was one of those rare times when air conditioning isn't needed and most cages drive with their windows rolled down.

I pulled up to a stop in a left turn lane at a busy intersection. The intersection is only a few blocks from my home and the left turn is notorious for long waits for a green arrow to appear.

As I am sitting there in the lane with my window open, I become aware of some sort of amplified sound nearing my location. Growing up in the '60's I remember seeing and hearing WWII vintage loudspeaker trucks cruising the neighborhoods in Oakland, Ca. If you are old enough, you will remember these panel trucks with a huge megaphone on the roof. These trucks were often used to promote some political cause..but that's another story.

The sound I heard yesterday sounded like one of those trucks. As the sound got louder, I realize it was coming from a Harley Davidson Street Glide that had stopped in the oil stripe directly behind my stopped pickup truck. His position in the roadway immediately told me he knew nothing about riding a motorcycle. Through the ape hangers, Michael Jordan tank top, beanie helmet, radically inked lower and upper arms and sunglasses, I glared at the rider through my rear view mirror. I could tell he was also looking at me through the reflection. My expression was not happy and I sensed he knew it.

The amplified sound coming from his motorcycle was a selection popular with our young ethnically diverse community. Every other word from the lyrics was some sort of yelling of a profane expletive. Mind you this could be heard from 300' away and now the sound was directly behind my truck. Numerous other vehicles had stopped in the adjacent lanes waiting for a green, most had their windows rolled down too.

I was anxious for the green to appear to get far away from this audio assault and battery.

After the green appeared, I made a left into the right lane and slowed a bit to encourage the "rider" to overtake me on the left. While he did so, he perfectly timed his clutch and throttle so maximum decibels emitted from his earsplitting, straight dual Thunder headers. My left ear immediately went painfully deaf and into shock.

He changes lanes in front of me and then stops at the next red signal. I had no where to go but come to a stop behind him. The rider takes the opportunity to further jockey the throttle as if it were some sort of phallic object to compensate for his impotence.

The light turns green and he accelarates rapidly only to appear once again in front of me at the next red light. This time the rider executes a burnout aross the intersection after the signal changes and wobbles onto a freeway ramp, rapidly overtaking another stunned motorist with full throttle, maximum RPM, clutchless, upshifts.

Even though I was in traffic, my pickup was suddenly emersed in a very tranquil quiet that I had never noticed before.

It occurred to me winter kept this rider frustratingly locked up in his garage until the weather improved to his liking. This exposure reminded me how cold weather kept these selfishly noisy riders indoors and quiet. The damage this rider did to our motorcycling brotherhood will take a long time to repair. He not only assaulted me but at least 50 other cars who were within 300' of his cacophony.

Those cage drivers will now have an often reinforced stereotypical image of motorcyclists who demand helmet law freedom, lane splitting privileges, exemption from emission laws, exemption from noise control laws and the ubiquitous "share the road" billboards alongside California freeways.

Someday we may meet again when I am on my black and white.

[Woodie]

Someday we may meet again when I am on my black and white.

One can only hope.

[philbytx]

I truly empathize !!

A week from Friday sees the 3 day "Thunder in the Hills" Rally in Bandera, TX. Most of the small towns around here (including mine!) are saturated with the "small appendage" crowd.

It doesn't get any worse than this .

Fortunately, the majority of us local riders are smart enough to stay off our wonderful roads that weekend !

 

 

 

[Kathy R]

Bob, is it unfair to pull over and call someone you know and perhaps have your co-workers greet him somewhere along his route?

 

Is that unAmerican of me to say that?

 

 

[upflying]

Bob, is it unfair to pull over and call someone you know and perhaps have your co-workers greet him somewhere along his route?

 

Is that unAmerican of me to say that?

 

I didn't have my CF with me but even if I did it would have been a very low priority for law enforcement. Loud, obnoxious motorcyclists are unimportant in the big scheme of things. Making the call and dispatching it would have taken 10 minutes at best. Long gone by then.

[tallman]

If I knew it was you, I would've stopped to talk.

[ratfink]

My Story is old news but might be pertinent.

 

It's 1972 we were 16. We had just spent a week at a beautiful little alpine lake in the mountains of southeast Oregon and were returning home for the fourth of July weekend. We were in his first car, a beat up old chevy truck and we were on our first outing like this without parents or big brothers.

 

As we approached the first one horse town we started seeing swarms of outlaw bikers. We needed gas and sodas so we stopped at the only pumps in town and jockeyed for position with aggressive aholes who cut in front of us. When I went inside the general store it was like walking into the Star Wars bar. The attendant told us these guys were having a campout at the state park down the road.

 

We were curious so we decided to detour and check out the park.

Lotsa drunks, lewd females showed us what they thought were their assets and guys flipped us off and called us gawkers and rubber necks. We hightailed for home.

 

We ended up on the highway behind three douchebags out enjoying their

"freedom" by playing chicken with oncoming cars. Forcing the cars to the shoulder while they rode 3 abreast. On a long straight stretch in the distance was an empty logging truck. When he saw what was going on, black smoke started rolling from his stacks and he straddled the center line aimed right for the DB's. We backed way off, The riders dove toward the shoulder and one of them went too far, into the gravel and dirt. Tank slapper and a bad get off, as we drove by him gawking and rubbernecking. We agonized for about two seconds over whether we should stop to help but decided we wanted to get home in time for the fireworks.

[EffBee]

Of course, I don't imagine you took his license plate and then ran it later and have all of his personal info so that you can expedite that anticipated meeting.

 

I know I'm drawing deeply into stereotype here, but I try to look at such circumstances like this.

 

His life isn't what mine is. He doesn't have the wife I have or the children and grandchildren. He doesn't know what that feels like. He's much more an animal, living off instincts, than my pet dog is. His attitude is one of hatred, mostly of self, although he won't ever understand that. He'll probably live a much sorter, less complete, less rewarding and ultimately more pain-filled life than I will, all the time convincing himself that he's done it "his way."

 

I've told the story before. I learned a lesson from this tale a long time ago. Winston Churchill, a noted drinker, was at a soiree when a society matron scolded him with, "Mr. Churchill, you're drunk!" To which he replied, "Madam, you're ugly. But in the morning, I'll be sober."

 

To wit, the feeble victory he feels he scored was but momentary. In the long scheme of things, he'll be who he is and you'll be who you are, and that gives you the upper hand by a grand margin.

 

As for the negative effect he's having on our sport, yes, there's no doubt that he's doing that. I'm sure you, or someone similarly authorized, will remind him time, and time and time again. Beyond that, our best defense seems to be courtesy, smiling at people when we're out in public, and letting people know that 90% of motorcycles are not loud, and we're working on the other 10%.

[mclayton]

a Harley is the perfect engine to convert gasoline into noise without the side effect of horsepower

[Paul Mihalka]

"I'm sure you, or someone similarly authorized, will remind him time, and time and time again"

 

I am afraid that is not happening.

[pokorskij]

"Through the ape hangers, Michael Jordan tank top, beanie helmet, radically inked lower and upper arms and sunglasses, I glared at the rider through my rear view mirror. I could tell he was also looking at me through the reflection."

 

Nice story, your words in quotes above. I guess we will have to assume the "sunglasses" were very lightly shaded or you have super human vision, since you could tell where he was looking.

 

For all I would be able to tell his eyes could have been closed.

 

IMHO.

[upflying]

"Through the ape hangers, Michael Jordan tank top, beanie helmet, radically inked lower and upper arms and sunglasses, I glared at the rider through my rear view mirror. I could tell he was also looking at me through the reflection."

 

Nice story, your words in quotes above. I guess we will have to assume the "sunglasses" were very lightly shaded or you have super human vision, since you could tell where he was looking.

 

For all I would be able to tell his eyes could have been closed.

 

IMHO.

You are right, I could not see his eyes through the sunglasses. But I knew he was looking at me. How do I know? A combination of other non-verbal communication and people like this are always predisposed to looking around to see who is looking at them.

[Quinn]

You know, of course, that he was thinking that you were admiring and envying him.

 

The music and the loud pipes are just the theme music for this hero of his own world. As a bit player in that world, your job was to validate his behavior by pretending to be offended while secretly wishing you were cool like him. Nice of you to encourage him.

 

---

 

 

[Polo]

Well there you have it Bob...

 

Regardless of whatever you have to say, there will always be someone at the ready to find any fault in your truth and detract attention by nit-picking on insignificant details.

 

I for one, find it worthy of remark that you kept your cool, and kept the big picture in mind. Instead of thinking of calling it in, you basically put this guy where he belongs; the not sufficiently important to wast resources on.

 

I hope you run into him again while in uniform, and then you let us know how fun was it.

[pokorskij]

Well, I happen to agree with the harmful motorcycle image point of the message, but I also see as an outside observer who works at being analytical that there is a lot of built in prejudice in the story description. I pointed out one, but there are many others if you read it.

 

Please don't flame me, it is just may opinion and I agree we all have a right to our opinion.

 

But without meeting the individual I have no way of knowing what he really is like. Is he the stereo typed hard ass biker, or a upstanding individual who contributes to society, who happens to have a very different perspective on motorcycling?

 

And there is not any intention of offending anyone, from Bob the original poster to those who replied.

 

Just my observation.

 

PS. My last comments on the subject, said my piece, you can agree or disagree.

[Boone60]

I'm not offended by your comments, but I would find the actions of the motorcyclist in the OP to be offensive. The social position that this motorcyclist holds in life is irrelevant, while his actions of being offensive to society speak quite clearly of his true nature.

[Paul Mihalka]

It is hard to hope for a upstanding individual who contributes to society, when he demonstrates such complete lack of consideration for other people's comfort and sensitivity.

 

[Haynes]

You know, of course, that he was thinking that you were admiring and envying him. ...

 

I don't think that riders like this realise that while they try to portray an anti-social, attention getting individual, they are actually anonymous when behind sunglasses and helmet. Perhaps that is what gives them confidence.

This sort of behavior is a theater intended to offend.

 

On the other hand, there's a lot you can do to undo the negativity of this image:

When you stop at traffic lights, smile and wave to kids in cars.

While in the supermarket carpark, invite a child to sit on your bike.

Pay lots attention to old timers who want to talk about their biking days.

Offer a courteous smile to other drivers.

[Groanup]

On the other hand, there's a lot you can do to undo the negativity of this image:

When you stop at traffic lights, smile and wave to kids in cars.

While in the supermarket carpark, invite a child to sit on your bike.

Pay lots attention to old timers who want to talk about their biking days.

Offer a courteous smile to other drivers.

 

Just today on my way home from work there was a little kid, maybe 4 years old walking across the street in fornt of me with his parents, holding on to his Daddy's hand.

He looked at my RT with oh so big eyes and said "Oooo, look a moto!"

His parents ignored him (and me). I waved to him and he waved back with a big ol' grin.

Though I'll probably never see that little boy again, I felt like I made a friend today.

[russell_bynum]

On the other hand, there's a lot you can do to undo the negativity of this image:

When you stop at traffic lights, smile and wave to kids in cars.

While in the supermarket carpark, invite a child to sit on your bike.

Pay lots attention to old timers who want to talk about their biking days.

Offer a courteous smile to other drivers.

 

Just today on my way home from work there was a little kid, maybe 4 years old walking across the street in fornt of me with his parents, holding on to his Daddy's hand.

He looked at my RT with oh so big eyes and said "Oooo, look a moto!"

His parents ignored him (and me). I waved to him and he waved back with a big ol' grin.

Though I'll probably never see that little boy again, I felt like I made a friend today.

 

Yup.

 

It's really fun to mess with kids stuck in the back seat of the family minivan, bored out of their minds on a long trip on the slab out in the middle of nowhere.

 

That's when I would set the throttle lock so that I was making a very slow pass, move back to the pillion seat, and reach forward to hold on to the invisible rider. Then I'd "let go" with one hand and give them a friendly wave.

 

Never failed to generate huge smiles and laughter.

 

I don't, however, recommend passing a CHP officer in that configuration. They are somewhat harder to amuse, apparently.

 

 

 

[outpost22]

On the other hand, there's a lot you can do to undo the negativity of this image:

When you stop at traffic lights, smile and wave to kids in cars.

While in the supermarket carpark, invite a child to sit on your bike.

Pay lots attention to old timers who want to talk about their biking days.

Offer a courteous smile to other drivers.

 

Just today on my way home from work there was a little kid, maybe 4 years old walking across the street in fornt of me with his parents, holding on to his Daddy's hand.

He looked at my RT with oh so big eyes and said "Oooo, look a moto!"

His parents ignored him (and me). I waved to him and he waved back with a big ol' grin.

Though I'll probably never see that little boy again, I felt like I made a friend today.

 

I agree. Just had a little kid 2 blocks from my house give me a wave and a big smile. I gave him a VERY LIGHT toot on my Stebel horn. I didn't want him to do a back flip...

[David13]

I was in the gas station about 2 weeks ago and what sounds like the same clown/idiot pulled in to get gas.

I did what I do with all of the noisy speaker idiots. I laugh and shake my head so that they may see what my real reaction is.

Almost all of them quickly look away when they see that.

They think we are admiring them and wishing we were that stupid.

I always wonder what level of brain damage, from drugs and alcohol, or just genetic idiocy it takes to listen to that garbage.

dc

[Uncle Beemer]

To the original poster, do you know how pompous and arrogant this makes you sound. For one, I'm sure the guy could care less what you think of him, Mr. Super Biker. So you don't like his choice of wheels, you don't like his choice of apparel, and I'm sure you don't even like his choice of beer. Quit worrying about what other people are doing. Lay off and quit being so damn arrogant.

 

MODERATOR NOTE: Folks, please remember to keep the discourse here respectful. This is not the tone we expect at BMWST.com.

 

-Mike the Moderator

[Green RT]

Well, I happen to agree with the harmful motorcycle image point of the message, but I also see as an outside observer who works at being analytical that there is a lot of built in prejudice in the story description. I pointed out one, but there are many others if you read it.

For what it is worth Pokorskij, not much I admit, I agree with you on both points. I agree with the harmful motorcycle image point of the message. And I also picked up on a lot of stereotyping in the description of the incident.

[Tim Wilson]

To the original poster, do you know how pompous and arrogant this makes you sound. For one, I'm sure the guy could care less what you think of him, Mr. Super Biker. So you don't like his choice of wheels, you don't like his choice of apparel, and I'm sure you don't even like his choice of beer. Quit worrying about what other people are doing. Lay off and quit being so damn arrogant.

 

I'm all about personal freedom... except when excercising said freedom infringes on the freedom of others. In this case, forcing everyone within earshot to listen to music that they may not want to hear and running pipes that are so loud that they can potentially cause hearing damage to others. Should everyone else have to cover their ears or roll-up their windows just so one DB can enjoy his freedom?

 

Maybe you aren't bothered by this kind of behavior, but calling someone arrogant and pompous because they are bothered by it is out of line, IMO.

[bendbill]

http://www.milkandcookies.com/link/44492/detail/

 

A [ public service? ] video about loud pipes.

 

 

[LuckyLeif]

Let's see, back in the mid 70s there was this skinny long haired kid in a silver Torino who lived on my block. He was always playing Led Zeppelin and King Crimson on his 8-track at the loudest possible volume to share his great taste in music with the less hip people. Did it bother me? Naw...I was that kid. I suspect others on this board may have similar stories. And I suspect the LEO in my hometown were somewhat annoyed by this behavior, too. So things really haven't changed all that much in 35 years.

[Rinkydink]

Ooh...21st Century Schitzoid Man!

[Kathy R]

they can say that on T.V. now

 

Thanks Bill

[RPG]

Gee, if only his exhaust pipes were pointed forward he could have successfully argued a "Loud Pipes Save Lives" argument.

 

Was stopped at a light last year on my RT and an older gentleman next to me rolled down his window to tell me how nice it was to sit next to a motorcycle that didn't rattle his fillings.

 

The tattooed idiot obviously cared less.

[upflying]

I am surprised at the reaction of a few posters that I was pompous, stereotyping, arrogant and showed prejudice. I only reported the facts and I was very careful to omit the race of the rider. The race of the rider is not important and irrelevant. Operating a loud, offensive, obnoxious vehicle in a reckless manner is an equal opportunity employer.

I was also very careful to use wording that was politically correct and sensitive to avoid offending anyone.

I'm all for supporting freedom and individual rights. I do not think that freedom extends to sharing your taste in explicit, profane lyrics amplified so all can hear it within a 300' radius.

I do not think the freedom extends to operating a motor vehicle without mufflers.

I do not think the freedom extends to recklessly operating a motor vehicle in such a manner that it is danger to other motorists on a public roadway.

The point is simply this guy harmed our riding brotherhood everywhere he went. Even though he represents a small minority of motorcycle riders, his selfish behavior and actions do more harm than the good from the silent majority of motorcycle riders.

In this case, not one word was spoken. I cannot think of a better example of, "actions speak louder than words".

 

It's not just me either, it's against California law to amplify your choice in music.

 

27007. No driver of a vehicle shall operate, or permit the

operation of, any sound amplification system which can be heard

outside the vehicle from 50 or more feet when the vehicle is being

operated upon a highway, unless that system is being operated to

request assistance or warn of a hazardous situation.

This section does not apply to authorized emergency vehicles or

vehicles operated by gas, electric, communications, or water

utilities. This section does not apply to the sound systems of

vehicles used for advertising, or in parades, political or other

special events, except that the use of sound systems on those

vehicles may be prohibited by a local authority by ordinance or

resolution.

 

 

[beemerman2k]

Bob, some folks just don't appreciate how offensive this kind of behavior is to others. I have no place in my life for folks like this. Their behavior merits all manner of stereotypes.

 

In fact, stereotyping others is human nature. Even Dr. Martin Luther King said in his famous, "I Have a Dream Speech":

 

I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

 

As far as I can tell, this is exactly what's being done here; a motorcyclist is being judged by the content of his character insofar as his actions mirror that character. And in my view, a persons actions always mirror the content of their character. So the pompous and arrogant behavior being manifest here does not spring from those who are offended by this rude motorcyclist, it springs from the rude motorcyclist himself!

 

If he does indeed fit the stereotype that I find to be typical of people like this, then I feel for his children, who have to grow up listening to this stuff. Those kids probably don't mind it; in fact, they think it's cool, but I wonder how much reading, studying, and homework is getting done while that nonsense is blasting at home all day? I feel for his neighbors, too. Hopefully, he is surrounded by people whose lifestyles mirror his own.

 

Sorry folks, but if Bob's views are considered arrogant and pompous, then paint me with the same brush. I stand right next to him on this one

[Penforhire]

There was a South Park episode that captured this perfectly. To paraphrase -- fag, but not meaning a sexual orientation. If more of us laughed at these guys they'd get the message.

 

Bob, I think more of us here empathize with you than criticise.

[cpallen]

Here it is, pretty funny:

http://www.southparkstudios.com/episodes/251889/

 

[Dave_C]

I agree with upflying. I have a 2006 r1200rt with all of the options EXCEPT the radio. The reason I didn't get it is because it was only am/fm + 1cd(no iPod or XM) and because if I am at a stoplight rocking out to Barry Manillow or some hip-hop rap song (not a lot of rap or Barry Manillow on my iPod but to each his own)I don't want the car next to me to have to put up with it. I have in-helmet tunes from my iPod and the stock muffler on my rt. The pursuit of happiness should not detract from others pursuit of same.

[yabadabapal]

Bob, some folks just don't appreciate how offensive this kind of behavior is to others. I have no place in my life for folks like this. Their behavior merits all manner of stereotypes.

 

In fact, stereotyping others is human nature. Even Dr. Martin Luther King said in his famous, "I Have a Dream Speech":

 

I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

 

As far as I can tell, this is exactly what's being done here; a motorcyclist is being judged by the content of his character insofar as his actions mirror that character. And in my view, a persons actions always mirror the content of their character. So the pompous and arrogant behavior being manifest here does not spring from those who are offended by this rude motorcyclist, it springs from the rude motorcyclist himself!

 

If he does indeed fit the stereotype that I find to be typical of people like this, then I feel for his children, who have to grow up listening to this stuff. Those kids probably don't mind it; in fact, they think it's cool, but I wonder how much reading, studying, and homework is getting done while that nonsense is blasting at home all day? I feel for his neighbors, too. Hopefully, he is surrounded by people whose lifestyles mirror his own.

 

Sorry folks, but if Bob's views are considered arrogant and pompous, then paint me with the same brush. I stand right next to him on this one

 

+1

 

[Paul Mihalka]

+2!

[Bullett]

http://www.milkandcookies.com/link/44492/detail/

 

A [ public service? ] video about loud pipes.

 

 

[Green RT]

His position in the roadway immediately told me he knew nothing about riding a motorcycle.

...

I could tell he was also looking at me through the reflection. My expression was not happy and I sensed he knew it.

...

as if it were some sort of phallic object to compensate for his impotence.

...

 

It occurred to me winter kept this rider frustratingly locked up in his garage until the weather improved to his liking. This exposure reminded me how cold weather kept these selfishly noisy riders indoors and quiet.

...

 

Since I was one of the people who commented that I detected some bias in the original post in addition to the very eloquent statement of the facts. I would like to clarify the lines that prompted my comment. I agree wholeheartedly with 90% of the post. However there were a few lines, quoted above, in which I felt the original poster moved from a straight recounting of facts to speculation about the thoughts and feelings of the rider. Stereotyping probably is not the right word. But I do feel that he was extrapolating unduly from the jerk's actions to an assessment of what was in his head. All we really know is that his actions are obnoxious and irritating and inconsiderate of people around him. We don't know anything about why he acts this way.

[beemerman2k]

Will, I'll let Bob address the issues you raised. I want you to know that I consider your points to be well worth all of our consideration as a tone of civility on this web forum is a priority around here.

 

Let me just share this one thought from a good, Irish Catholic friend of mine. Dennis P Ryan is a retired USMC Captain. He also did his time fighting in the Viet Nam war. In any case, upon his return to the United States, he earned a Ph.D. in History from the University of Massachusetts. He authored a book entitled, "A Journey Through Boston's Irish History". I met Dennis because he was the security guard at the apartment building I was living in! I would ask him why such a brilliant and accomplished man would take such a job. "All work has dignity, Jim" he would tell me. As it turns out, he left a teaching position at the Massasoit Community College because he felt that those kids were being misled into thinking that they were getting an education. He, therefore, nicknamed that place, "Masstatoilet" college!

 

In any case, Dennis and I would often talk about the history of racial and ethnic discrimination both the Irish and the black man endured throughout Boston's history. After some rich, informative, and engaging discussion, Dennis would always close with this remark:

 

It is far better to be disrespected, than to be disrespectable.

 

If Bob showed that motorcyclist an unfair level of disrespect, it is no worse than what that motorcyclist shows to the rest of the world -- that he is not at all above living a life that is disrespectable.

 

[Haynes]

......If Bob showed that motorcyclist an unfair level of disrespect, it is no worse than what that motorcyclist shows to the rest of the world -- that he is not at all above living a life that is disrespectable.

 

Beemerman2K

[Lets_Play_Two]

Will, I'll let Bob address the issues you raised. I want you to know that I consider your points to be well worth all of our consideration as a tone of civility on this web forum is a priority around here.

 

Let me just share this one thought from a good, Irish Catholic friend of mine. Dennis P Ryan is a retired USMC Captain. He also did his time fighting in the Viet Nam war. In any case, upon his return to the United States, he earned a Ph.D. in History from the University of Massachusetts. He authored a book entitled, "A Journey Through Boston's Irish History". I met Dennis because he was the security guard at the apartment building I was living in! I would ask him why such a brilliant and accomplished man would take such a job. "All work has dignity, Jim" he would tell me. As it turns out, he left a teaching position at the Massasoit Community College because he felt that those kids were being misled into thinking that they were getting an education. He, therefore, nicknamed that place, "Masstatoilet" college!

 

In any case, Dennis and I would often talk about the history of racial and ethnic discrimination both the Irish and the black man endured throughout Boston's history. After some rich, informative, and engaging discussion, Dennis would always close with this remark:

 

It is far better to be disrespected, than to be disrespectable.

 

If Bob showed that motorcyclist an unfair level of disrespect, it is no worse than what that motorcyclist shows to the rest of the world -- that he is not at all above living a life that is disrespectable.

 

I am not certain that someone's disrespect for others by playing loud music can accurately be translated into impotence, or anything else other than disrespect.

 

That is stereotyping...taking a behavior and translating it into another set of characteristics. i.e. because someone rides a H-D, ASSuming they don't know how to ride, are compensating for a small p**** or beats his wife. All you KNOW is that he rides a Harley, everything else is a manifestation of our own prejudices.

 

When we allow someone else to control our behavior (ie. act disrespectful to them because they did to us) are we then any better than what they showed? Why would you let someone else control the way you act? Why would anyone of us be so weak-willed that we would let someone elses behavior drive our emotions?

 

Your friend, the Marine, was talking about this. Don't let someone elses disrespect for you make you disrespectful.

[beemerman2k]

Bill, what my friend was saying is that before we get all knotted up because someone is showing us disrespect, let's first make sure we are not worthy of that kind of treatment. When someone shows disrespect to someone who is respectable, it makes the offending person look foolish and shameful. But when you show disrespect to someone who deserves such treatment, it only validates the judgment of the offending person.

 

Dennis used to talk about how the Irish had to deal with stereotypes of them being wino's and drunks. Worse yet, in his view, was the fact -- the truth -- that many Irishmen were drunks and wino's! He felt that getting all up in a knot over the image others had of his people, the energy would be better spent in first ensuring that the Irish aren't giving a good reason for the stereotypes. And of course, he would then discuss this same issue among black Americans. What images do we blacks have to live with everyday? As unjust as those images are, are we blacks giving others sufficient evidence to support those stereotypes? If so, then we must "first take the plank from our own eye, then we will see clearly to remove the speck from our brother's eye", as Jesus of Nazareth would put it in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:3-4).

 

Therefore, if you live a life of respect, you will only have fools for detractors. But if you live a life of disrespect, your critics are validated by your own actions in their judgments against you.

 

I know and see countless responsible Harley Davidson motorcycle riders who log as many or more miles on their bikes as any BMW motorcyclist. They are safe, responsible, and outstanding citizens of our community. This guy in question, however, doesn't appear to be one of them.

[upflying]

His position in the roadway immediately told me he knew nothing about riding a motorcycle.

Stopping in the oil stripe directly behind my truck indicates a rider who is not aware of the dangers from his six. Grease and oli build up is greatest at intersections where cages drop fluids. Greasy tires and rear end collision exposure tells me riding safely is not his priority...reinforced at the next two traffic lights.

...

I could tell he was also looking at me through the reflection. My expression was not happy and I sensed he knew it.

Asked and answered.

...

as if it were some sort of phallic object to compensate for his impotence.

Added for humor. I admit, a stereotype and based on profiling of the rider. LEO's tend to be amateur psychologists who are often forced to look into the minds of troubled people for an answer for the behavior and actions. Again realizing I am not a PhD, I perceive the actions of people like this as a form of exhibitionism except he is not using exposure of his genitals for sexual gratification. Instead he is using the loud, annoying, obnoxious, profane sound, counter culture appearance, unmuffled exhaust, extreme motorcycle modifications and reckless riding behavior as an extension and reflection of himself. I see this guy as frustrated in a bland, beige world of conformist mini-vans. This guy uses the motorcycle, profanity and his appearance to shock and awe the senses of all those within 300' of him. He gets his "jollies", so to speak by annoying those around him. Each one of the victims to his behavior must have had thoughts of the rudeness, selfishness and inconsiderate behavior. Through the sunglasses, this guy made eye contact with every one of his victims just to confirm that he had achieved his goal of intentionally annoying those around him. Once he had an expression of disgust from his victims, he congratulated himself with a smirk..exactly what he did to me. To do that, one must have very low self-esteem and exhibiting yourself as a free individual to do as he pleased compensates for the low self-esteem. Hence the humor I injected about the impotence.

...

 

It occurred to me winter kept this rider frustratingly locked up in his garage until the weather improved to his liking. This exposure reminded me how cold weather kept these selfishly noisy riders indoors and quiet.

I had not heard or seen motorcycle riders displaying this behavior since last fall. I can only assume this guy only rode when the weather was nice and comfortable for tank top riding.

...

 

Since I was one of the people who commented that I detected some bias in the original post in addition to the very eloquent statement of the facts. I would like to clarify the lines that prompted my comment. I agree wholeheartedly with 90% of the post. However there were a few lines, quoted above, in which I felt the original poster moved from a straight recounting of facts to speculation about the thoughts and feelings of the rider. Stereotyping probably is not the right word. But I do feel that he was extrapolating unduly from the jerk's actions to an assessment of what was in his head. All we really know is that his actions are obnoxious and irritating and inconsiderate of people around him. We don't know anything about why he acts this way.

 

[Green RT]

I think we are getting to the point where we are beating a dead horse, but I will just add a response on one point. I agree that stopping (or riding for that matter) in the middle of a lane where the oil drips accumulate isn't smart. But concluding from one stop that the rider "knew nothing about riding" is extreme. I have 50 years of riding experience and about 400,000 miles on two wheels and I still occasionally do things that are not smart.

[Lets_Play_Two]

Bill, what my friend was saying is that before we get all knotted up because someone is showing us disrespect, let's first make sure we are not worthy of that kind of treatment. When someone shows disrespect to someone who is respectable, it makes the offending person look foolish and shameful. But when you show disrespect to someone who deserves such treatment, it only validates the judgment of the offending person.

 

 

I should not have tried to interpret for your friend. It sounds like he was saying more simply what I was stumbling over. But I will still make the point that when we let someone elses behavior dictate our own behavior and emotions then it lessens us. Who determines who is worthy of disrespect? Would one not be a better person to respect the disrespectful rather than return in kind? What do YOU gain by returning the disrespect? If your intention is to change their behavior then perhaps modeling better behavior would be your choice. If your intention is to "get even" does reflecting the behavior do anything other than validate for that person his need to treat you the way he did (as noted by your friend)?

 

PERSONALLY, I see no benefit in attempting to change anyone's behavior other than my own, hopefully in the right direction. And it is pretty much a rule of nature that we only change when the change is internally motivated.

[beemerman2k]

I have but one thing to say to you, Bill. Your viewpoints are proper, healthy, and respectable. Obviously, you are a man of respect. It is obvious to us all by what you say and what you do

 

Oh, this is my way of saying, yes, I agree with you. Sometimes, even disrespect honors a fool in that it enabled the disrespectable to influence, or to control, the behavior of the respectable.

[Lets_Play_Two]

I have but one thing to say to you, Bill. Your viewpoints are proper, healthy, and respectable. Obviously, you are a man of respect. It is obvious to us all by what you say and what you do

 

And I thank you for your tremendous insight!!

[Boone60]

My experience working with criminals that act out anti-socially has shown that my direct interaction with placing responsibility upon the individual for their behavior will bring about a change (sometimes only by State law). Sadly, a very common reaction I receive when telling such a person, "No you've got to stop this now", is often as if this person is having a limit placed upon their behavior for the first time in their life.

[upflying]

I neglected to mention one other personality trait the biker dude may have. He could have some form of masochistic tendencies to expose himself to dangerous and continuous levels to noise for long periods of time. His victims were only exposed to it temporarily and my deafness was fortunately only temporary.

But exposing oneself voluntarily to painful and constant levels of noise could mean he has a personality disorder.

At the very least, he or we will be treating his deafness later in life.