Ride Happy!! Don't SMASH Mirrors and Stay Calm!!

[@TheGorillaBiker]

To be clear, some people absolutely deserve harsh repercussions for how they drive. However i go by how I react to people, if someone physically hits me, or damages my stuff I get very angry, whereas if someone was just sad and disappointed with something I've done its way more likely I'll feel bad and do a little introspection. Thats my aim on the road, make people go home and feel bad. Also the reel I was talking about: instagram.com/reel/C_GCQNKxIRd/?igsh=ZDc3cjUyMXVhbmtq

[@markfortin8286]

Great topic, and one that doesn't get discussed nearly enough in general, because we keep seeing people do this stuff. It boggles my mind when I see these videos. If you smash someone's mirror and it gets escalated to the authorities, you're potentially in a heap of trouble. The driver will say "I didn't see them," which is probably true. Even assuming they were driving distracted, if you were not injured in the initial incident, they'll get a slap-on-the-wrist ticket at worst. Once they accept responsibility for an honest mistake, that'll shift the spotlight entirely to how you reacted to it. Depending what your local laws are and who is enforcing them, you could be looking at as little as a ticket, or they could throw the book at you. Law enforcement and prosecutors can get REAL creative when they want to prove a point. Do you want to spend the rest of your life with felony charges on your record, just because you wanted to prove to some "cager" what a righteous tough guy you are?

[@TheGorillaBiker]

It doesn't because it'll get me a heap of dislikes from cool guys if this video ever went even a little bit viral. Luckily, I don't care :) Way too many of them out there, express displeasure sure but keep it non contact and not too OTT where someone ego can get out of hand and get you dead. I forgot to even mention that!! Road rage is a pretty serious thing and can be driving distracted etc etc as well. It could literally ruin your life instead of just a quick friendly gesture and move one with your day. My biggest concern is newer people being influenced by it and thinking that is the correct way to ride.

[@byDanimal]

I can't agree with you more. You’re a vulnerable traveler compared to the cars and trucks. It's just smarter to try and educate if it's safe and move on. Defensive riding is the key to a long life. Also, you look good in that sweater. May have to look at one of those.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Sometimes on occasion people agree with me, unfortunately a lot of the time it means they have the same ol goosey brain parts as me! Exactly, I prefer them to feel bad as they've done something stupid to someone they recognise as a human, rather than hating someone and being mad for days about it etc. So far I'm very impressed with it! Level 2 back armour too with good coverage, as good as a proper jacket? No, but definitely a good compromise.

[@callandy100]

Totally agree! Aggressive riding/mirror smashing vids - meh. I think they demonstrate an amazing ability to put themselves in the worst possible situation and cry loudly when the inevitable happens. I watch vids which look at how to avoid putting yourself at risk. I took my full bike test at age 63 (CBT, theory, Mod 1 and Mod 2) which I passed and really enjoyed (I know, weird, right?!). It just established that I'm not a complete moron on the road. Now I try real hard to preempt potentially bad situations and, if things do go wrong, not overreact. When I make a mistake (not if, as we all do make mistakes) I get angry at myself and try to learn something from it! Cheers, Andy.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

I'll ride aggressively defensively :P They really do, like so so many of these videos I see are 100% avoidable if people just take some avoiding action, they may have 100% be in the right to stay in their position.....but again, soft humans big metal car. I enjoyed the IBT in Ireland too tbh, it was fun! Exactly, like just be aware every car is piloted by a human with their own stuff going on, might be having a terrible day or be a mm away from something drastic so why push them. Same, I get way way angrier with myself when I do something dumb!

[@spring9603]

Totally agree with your point. Too many entitled riders. Good advices.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Too many silly riders indeed!! Have to remember they're soft and squishy.

[@spring9603]

@@TheGorillaBiker exactly

[@johnhutchinson2500]

Very well said. Important to keep your cool in these situations. Although you may have to bite your lip quite hard sometimes. Also I would hope the same from others if or when I were to do something stupid on the road. Our travels would be a happier time if it was so

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Yep, soft and squishy is always in my head, plus people have guns here :D Oh I do for sure, I mean when you see someone weaving on their phones or doing something just incredibly incredibly stupid, of course you get angry. I've caught myself many times before I did something stupid. They would, and they nice thing is once you get in the habit of not escalating you realise life is much easier :D

[@gushale5436]

Love this. I ride as defensively as possible all the time. Also, do you still have your Magna? I have an '83 and am having some issues with getting it running. Would love to have a conversation with your knowledge. And I think we are only a state or so away from each other. Cheers.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Same, and oftentimes I'd love to scream at someone who does something silly, but I won't gain anything from it. I do indeed, but it's in Ireland! I don't know how much knowledge I have but hit me up any time, Instagram is generally the best place to get me for longer conversations :)

[@hachewie]

There is reacting and responding. Reacting is rarely the correct response.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Wise Chewie once again proves his wisdom.

[@Malato12]

Don't stay calm! DESTROY EVERYTHING!!!! xD

[@TheGorillaBiker]

I mean that's what we all want to do!!

[@Malato12]

@@TheGorillaBiker *Metallica builds up*

[@stephencartwright5046]

The petrol I buy "Pertamax Pertalite" is $ 0.64 per litre. I must admit over the 45 odd years I have been riding there have been moments where I have expressed myself forcefully when cars have tried to kill me. In reality there is little point in trying to communicate with people in cars who generally have the IQ of and oyster and the mental agility of a soapdish. I must say I cannot comment on Shorts as I never watch them. Videos where the subject matter or thumbnail suggests moronic bikers is also instantly removed. Good video. 👍

[@TheGorillaBiker]

To think of the average income there vs here, that's very expensive! If I had a lower compression bike I'd be paying about .80 per litre for 87. Oh as I said I have to, we all get overly pissed off sometimes. It's more about trying to catch myself before a situation gets out of hand these days. Also that, not only can they not hear you, but they've already demonstrated they should operate a fork let alone a car so it's a waste of time! Thanks Stephen! Not a fan of the shorter form stuff myself either!

[@Banditmanuk]

Personally I dislike shorts and reels. We certainly try to avoid confrontation even if the other person has done something really daft. I don't want to be associated with the wheelie pulling, mirror snapping brigade. The trouble with social media/KZbin, it tends to push and promote the controversial/sensational

[@TheGorillaBiker]

I like the comedic skit type ones, that's it. Rarely do I see a short with bikes or anything that makes sense, almost never in fact. I use them for quick updates that don't deserve a video. The mirror slapping one is mad, like that's an escalation where someone may feel vindicated in hitting you with their car. No thanks. I've been plenty hurt in my life :D Yep, the more inflammatory the more popular sadly.

[@RoadsOfOz]

Short form content has only highlighted the high dumbass to decent people ratio of motorcyclists. Problem is, if it gets the views, it will encourage more people to post stuff like it (alot like KZbin videos of Harley going woke). Fuel here in Sydney , Australia is about $1.95 litre ($7.39 Gallon or in US dollars $5.00 gallon).

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Agreed, it works really well for comedy skits but rarely for much else as too much context etc is lost imo. Agreed, exactly my concern as well. It becomes a popular suggestable trend and people go hunting for confrontation. That's not actually bad, I think Ireland is closer to 7-8 US doll hairs per US gallon.

[@HippoDrones]

Being right and dead... your still dead! I used to get angry when folk pulled out on me etc, now I just try and give them a stern huffing under my helmet and crack on with my day. Life is way too short to spend any of it angry. Riding happy is good advice 🙂 I avoid drama... so never watch the road rage ones, or bad driver vids. Saw a video a while back where a biker kicked at a car for a previous incident, the car swerved to hit the bike, missed, lost control and hit the barrier, spun out into other cars... no idea who started it all, but the end result was def not worth any of the interactions that caused it to happen.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Exactly, I think it's very telling as well watching people who ride a lot too, they're just used to the nonsense. That's why I laughed so much at your huff, I had already recorded this and that was the perfect reaction :D I agree! Thanks :) I don't either but it's all constantly suggested, whereas actual normal riding is never popping up, which is frustrating. Oh that's awful, dragging a heap of innocent people in to their immaturity too. It's all egos gone wild.

[@HippoDrones]

@@TheGorillaBiker Aye, folk seem detached from the consequences of their big metal killing machines... both cars and bikes. Wouldn't it be nice if YT/Facebook/Instagram/X actually suggested content I actually want to watch... I'd possibly click on the suggestions if it did!

[@TheGorillaBiker]

@@HippoDrones imagine!!!! No no sir your want to watch this commercial for a product you would never buy. I promise you I don't 😂

[@HippoDrones]

@@TheGorillaBiker 😀

[@DeniedClimax]

taking mirrors is bad juju.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

I agree, plus I'm not looking to get run over by some psychotic human with nothing to lose.

[@DeniedClimax]

@@TheGorillaBiker 100% agree. I myself ride a 300cc I am not going anywhere anyway lol.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

@@DeniedClimax class size imo. I'd love to get a crf300l at some point!

[@raywalsh5822]

uve gota be humble

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Yes indeed

[@donalraffertydotcom]

This reminds me of the the debate scene in the movie "Old School" and the response when asked for a rebuttal - "We have no response. That was perfect".

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Haha well, thank you!