Brake checking - why?

[Climber]

Same here. I think it's because their entitlement has been threatened.

I see it as part of the trend that started in the mid 90's, driven by behavior in popular TV shows (like 90120, etc), where instead of taking responsibility for being an ass, they get in your face and flip the script. I've hated that trend ever since it started.

 

[Indio]

Unfortunately, there is an entire legion of people; I'm not sure if it's a united front or if it's made up of cells; who are dedicated to slowing down traffic.

They, like I said, plod along in the fast lane then do anything in their power to keep you from passing them. Then go into fits of rage when you do manage to pass them.

I seriously do not get it. What THE FUCK do you care if I pass you? There's no trophy at the end. No purse.

My only solace is that if someone behaves like this, their life must be pure suckage and this is the only power they have. To fuck over everyone else on the road who is trying to get somewhere.

To think; our highways could be so much faster and more efficient if it weren't for this Legion of Pricks.

Reminded me of a Prius doing 60-65 in 680S express lane with a long line of traffic behind him. I was driving right behind this guy (not tailgating). At fist opportunity I moved over to next lane & passed him. He was really upset & flipped me. I laughed so hard at his stupidity that I couldn't stop laughing for few minutes. Don't know what pleasure he derived from slowing down traffic.

 

[antidote]

Reminded me of a Prius doing 60-65 in 680S express lane with a long line of traffic behind him. I was driving right behind this guy (not tailgating). At fist opportunity I moved over to next lane & passed him. He was really upset & flipped me. I laughed so hard at his stupidity that I couldn't stop laughing for few minutes. Don't know what pleasure he derived from slowing down traffic.

44.97543mpg instead of 39.98705378mpg? Don't screw up his hypermile plan!

 

[Reli]

Reminded me of a Prius doing 60-65 in 680S express lane with a long line of traffic behind him. I was driving right behind this guy (not tailgating). At fist opportunity I moved over to next lane & passed him. He was really upset & flipped me. I laughed so hard at his stupidity that I couldn't stop laughing for few minutes. Don't know what pleasure he derived from slowing down traffic.

Wow, what a piece of shit. Further proof that many left-lane blockers have weak self-esteems.

"I'm not gonna let anyone make me move over. OMG, he just passed me on the right! What an asshole!"

 

[Bay Arean]

I had one other thought about this entire discussion, which of course came to me while I was driving.

Decades ago, when I got my driver license and had to take driver ed, study up for the test etc, I sort of remember a "trick" question regarding how fast one should drive in a given situation.

I don't think any of our LEOs have weighed in here but I figure they must be at least looking at this convo.

The old dictum is that you drive "as fast as is safe" or something like that. It was on the written test and seems to underlie the Vehicle Code, which makes sense, because its the basis of even having a Vehicle Code going back to the days that cars were first invented then introduced.

The simple fact is that both tailgating and brake checking are simply not safe. They are disruptive driving behaviors with the potential to cause collisions. I am not saying we are supposed to drive as though on barbituates, but it seems like remembering the basic principle is relevant.

 

[423yjl]

Okay, so no on the brake check
What about I nice long window washer spritz

 

[Blankpage]

Yesterday evening when on my bike I had someone brake hard in front of me, not a break check, and I grabbed the front brake hard enough to squeal the front tire. Don't even recall the last time I had to do that on a motorcycle. I have TC set to 1 out of a 1-3 range with 1 being the min TC.
I was a bit surprised at how well the bike behaved. Don't know about anyone else but for me panic braking on a bike is likely my least practiced skill.

 

[Bay Arean]

Okay, so no on the brake check
What about I nice long window washer spritz

Yeah, haven't we all enjoyed that one while on our bikes! Shit stings my eyes.

 

[CDONA]

I have been getting brake checked in Flagstaff and now here in Paso Robles.
What seems like tourists or mean locals are holding me back from making a light. Meandering along, driving two footed (on/off the brakes/gas) In Flag this could hold up to 15/20 minutes waiting for freight trains to pass

 

[JesasaurusRex]

Yesterday evening when on my bike I had someone brake hard in front of me, not a break check, and I grabbed the front brake hard enough to squeal the front tire. Don't even recall the last time I had to do that on a motorcycle. I have TC set to 1 out of a 1-3 range with 1 being the min TC.
I was a bit surprised at how well the bike behaved. Don't know about anyone else but for me panic braking on a bike is likely my least practiced skill.

I can't stoppie my 701 at all.

 

[Blankpage]

I can't stoppie my 701 at all.

I've never mastered the stoppie. I've only ever done the little sissy ones like when coming to a stop at a traffic light or stop sign and the wheel comes up 6 or 7 inches then slams back down immediately.


There's probably no better bikes for stoppies than yours or mine.

 

[Eldritch]

Yesterday evening when on my bike I had someone brake hard in front of me, not a break check, and I grabbed the front brake hard enough to squeal the front tire. Don't even recall the last time I had to do that on a motorcycle. I have TC set to 1 out of a 1-3 range with 1 being the min TC.
I was a bit surprised at how well the bike behaved. Don't know about anyone else but for me panic braking on a bike is likely my least practiced skill.

I have folded the front end in SF at least 4 times panic braking, mainly from hobos who run into traffic. I have practiced this skill MUCH at this point. Learn to love your rear brake!

 

[Blankpage]

I have folded the front end in SF at least 4 times panic braking, mainly from hobos who run into traffic. I have practiced this skill MUCH at this point. Learn to love your rear brake!

When I first bought my bike the ABS was too intrusive. The rear brake would pulse under almost any use. But one day ABS saved my ass. I was in the center of a lane with a car in front who was slowing while I was looking off to the side. I get on the brakes just as I'm riding over a greasy patch and the front ABS was triggered. Without ABS it might have been ugly.
However I've since customized the settings so TC is off and ABS is on the lowest setting. The TC screws up wheelies but I might just dial the ABS up another notch since I really don't like broken bones and pain.

 

[JesasaurusRex]

I've never mastered the stoppie. I've only ever done the little sissy ones like when coming to a stop at a traffic light or stop sign and the wheel comes up 6 or 7 inches then slams back down immediately.


There's probably no better bikes for stoppies than yours or mine.

Had zero issues when i had my gsxr. Guessing it was a bit more nose heavy though.

 

[Blankpage]

Had zero issues when i had my gsxr. Guessing it was a bit more nose heavy though.

For sure it can be done on either bike, there's plenty of videos of such riding but I'm certainly not the one to give tips on it.
I was surprised though when I locked the front and it stayed upright without and hint of doing an endo. Although it was pretty much my intention to just get a quick stab in the brakes and release just as quick.

 

[Holeshot]

Likely, the quick stab is what allowed the lockup.

 

[asdfghwy]

Today I had a guy cut me off into the 101 --> 87 one lane exchange at the solid white lines and immediately brake check me while talking shit through the mirror... don't know why..

 

[Blankpage]

Likely, the quick stab is what allowed the lockup.

Tested it again today but held for a fraction of a second longer. Wheel chirped and I didn't feel the ABS doing anything.
Tried some hard braking after that while trying not to lock the wheel this time. It dives but not too bad for a long fork bike.
I might dial in a bit more ABS and experiment some more on a cooler day. Too hot today for proper riding pants and I didn't want to risk sliding along hot asph in thin hiking pants.

 

[Holeshot]

Good choice! Let us know the results of the test. Personally, not a fan of ABS...when it kicks in, it's terrifying at pace. Maybe it's more useful on the street?

 

[antidote]

I had one other thought about this entire discussion, which of course came to me while I was driving.

Decades ago, when I got my driver license and had to take driver ed, study up for the test etc, I sort of remember a "trick" question regarding how fast one should drive in a given situation.

I don't think any of our LEOs have weighed in here but I figure they must be at least looking at this convo.

The old dictum is that you drive "as fast as is safe" or something like that. It was on the written test and seems to underlie the Vehicle Code, which makes sense, because its the basis of even having a Vehicle Code going back to the days that cars were first invented then introduced.

The simple fact is that both tailgating and brake checking are simply not safe. They are disruptive driving behaviors with the potential to cause collisions. I am not saying we are supposed to drive as though on barbituates, but it seems like remembering the basic principle is relevant.

Yes and no.

Yes brake checking is wrong. However, the tailgater is STILL more wrong because they aren't following safely. A brake check should never work because a vehicle should never be traveling so close for it to work.

What if there is a kid in the middle of the freeway? You would expect a car to slow quickly, yes?