Do You Stop?

If it's a motorcyle, always. If only to see if they want to make a call. Couple Summers ago I ran out of gas on Blewett Pass. I walked to a mining camp near by and a guy totally took care of me. Walking back with my helmet and a gas can a car stopped. After he saw me and then saw my bike he turned around to give me a ride. Got very lucky that day. I was deciding which friend's evening I was going to ruin by calling them.

 

Yep, if it's a motorcycle I stop, even if I'm in my car. A car or truck, maybe, but depends on circumstances. It's
not such a big deal anymore what with cell phones and such, but I'll check and make sure all is well. A different
situation from when I started touring back in the 70's.

I had a guy stop for me in New Mexico while I was walking back carrying the battery out of Peggy's SilverWing.
Turns out he was a member of either this forum or VFRD, can't remember which.

 

Depends on the circumstances but I’ve stopped at least three times in the last couple of years, twice was on the freeway, one was on PCH. The one freeway rider I just had to stop for was a young kid who looked frightened, he was stopped in a little cut out in the center divider. His rear tire blew out, I offered to plug the whole but his tire was ripped open! No plug or patch would have fixed that. He had a cell phone and I offered to stay with him but he said the tow truck was on the way. He thanked me for stopping but felt better that help was on the way and that someone had stopped to offer help.

The rider on PCH was riding an old school Ducati Supersport similar to mine so I figured if something was wrong, I might be able to help him, turns out it was stupidity that was the issue, he had no oil in the bike! He never checked his oil level before hopping on in the morning. As I was about to get back on the road, his friend showed up with his truck.

 

Bike yes! Car not generally but it depends. In a car I general feel that people have a safe place while they wait for help. If is was an elderly person I would. Like some have said, I do not know anyone man-women or child that does not have a cell phone. On a bike not only for the sake of being a rider but as well, again you don't have any shelter, you don't want to leave the bike and sometimes you can help with a problem. Or just hang out and if their bike is cool you can bullshit for a bit while something is on the way. With this thread it just reminded me that I dropped my AMA membership and should get it back. I had it due to just having the discount on my insurance, but they dropped any discount a few years ago. I need to look into it again.

 

I have never passed up a bike in distress and never plan to, as it would be hard to sleep at night for me. I'm more concerned about the stranded biker being challenged by others, rather than the biker challenging me for stopping. For that reason, even when they had help on the way, I have stayed with them until help actually arrived so they were not alone.

There are plenty of areas in Arizona where there is no cell coverage and cell phones only work if they have power. If it is an out of town/state rider they probably don't know who to call anyway. It only takes a few moments to contact them and evaluate their problem, if any.

I have actually stopped for more riders who were not stranded, than those who actually had a problem in the past year or so, as in 3. If I want a break I usually stop at a place that I can pull off well clear and take a break. Apparently not everyone now days! 2 apologized for not giving me a signal, that they were OK, when they saw me slow down and pull off. The other seemed agitated that I had interrupted their break time! Nonetheless, through out the years, everyone needing help that I pulled off for showed their appreciation. And, the one time I needed help I surely appreciated it.

 

I know I have stopped a couple times to check see but all was good. Once was a Harley and I think he was an HA but so what. Anyways both had someone coming. Cell phones are the saviour these days.

Up front, I say that I would stop in any case where I thought there was someone in need. Of course, a situation may arise that I may choose not to. One thing that I consider, if I am afraid for my safety by stopping in a questionable area, what is going through the mind of the person who you may just ride on by without helping out? That person could be terrified and alone. Better to have two people terrified but not alone I say.

 

I always ask if motorcyclist are stopped just to make sure. Many times, just a thumbs up as you approach is all that is needed, other times I just stop and ask.

Other vehicles depend on situation and location. We travel in many areas where cell signals are poor or none, and places that are remote. In these situations I always ask if they are OK.

 

If a rider is terrified to stop, there are other options. Marking the location and riding to a safer area, place a call to 911 or road-side assistance and report what appears to be a stranded motorist. Although I would stop, I wouldn't want to suggest to anyone afraid to go against there better judgment to stop, even if it were me needing assistance.

A flip of that coin is, if I were in an area/road that concerned me, I would do a flip and get out of there quick. If the area wasn't in my opinion safe to offer assistance it surely is not safe for me to ride through.

 

Agree on all points there.

 

If there are a few bikes I will acknowledge and will stop if waved down , always for a solo. Rtc, always stop as I’m a medic.

Find that a lot of folk these days are clueless about anything mechanical ,compared to 20 years ago.

 

Medic....good on you! Medics and firefighters are very high on my appreciation scale

 

I always slow down and try to make eye contact, so far everyone was OK and just waved.

 

There's a lot of people around here, so usually they already have help.
2 - 3 years ago I was flying solo up Little TJ Canyon, a road I now well.
Just cruising, that's what I do. Caught up to another solo rider, dialed it back a notch to follow.
Did the left hander by the EQ fault, rider disappears around the next up hill right.
I don't think he knew it was decreasing radius.
Came around turn, dude's bike was sideways and ass a good foot off the seat.
It did not go well for him, ended up on his back in the middle of the 2 lane road. Biff.

Anyway, I stopped and asked the stupid question, are you OK?!

Waited for the tow, the ambulance (broken collarbone?), and the CHP with him.
Gave my report to CHP, no he was not being a jackass. Not exactly sure why he went down.

TLDR, I can't leave a fellow rider that needs help behind.
Did not know him, apparently he was from Pennsylvania.
Would you just ride around him?

 

I always try to stop for bikes unless given the thumbs up signal. Not as much for cars now as i used to. Usually for older people or those that seem distressed.

 

For most bikes i'll stop, not for Harleys, however. i carry a good selection of tools in my backpack, and i get a kick out of fixin bikes and getting them runnin again.

cars, not usually but sometimes.

 

Had a flat, tire way beyond repair. Out on Angeles Forest Hwy. Not a huge distance from civilization, but no cell phone coverage. At least for me.
Once I figured this out and started waving at passers by, it did not take long for someone to stop.
Not a rider, but an old couple in a car. They took my info, went on down the road, then called and sent AAA tow truck to me.

OK. Back to the topic.

 

Out of curiosity, do you not stop for Harley's because they're too difficult to fix or...?

 

I had a guy tell me one time that he started to pull over to help a Harley rider, until he saw the shirt the guy was wearing: "I'd rather push
my Harley than ride a Honda." He said he just waved and pulled back out. Dunno if he actually did that, but it makes a good story.

 

I did today, actually. A guy on an old Honda 750cc inline four turned into an old school chopper. It actually was an auto transmission he said. He had just stopped to clean his goggles. I wish I had thought to take pictures. It was pretty cool.