As above, I had a run out to C.M.C. at Clay Cross today and after a bacon sarnie and a browse around the shop it was time to head off elsewhere, bike start button was dead , so of with the fairing to check fuses all ok, then check selenoid connections and found the low voltage connection was loose problem fixed, bikers everywhere but not one asked if i needed help, just one asked it I was happy with the battery I had fitted. Disappointed to say the leased. Steve
I have been stranded 2 or 3 times and on every occasion bikists have stopped and asked if I am ok. Last year whilst waiting for recovery after main bearings went west. The Christian motorcycle association stopped on all kinds of machines from Harleys to a guy on a 1098, the bike could not be fixed but they were offering to buy me food and drinks. Maybe no one likes you :biggrin:
Unfortunately that's todays selfish society where no one wants to get involved, but on a positive note there are still some good Samaritan's around but not always when you need them
IMO, I think that these days, less owners know anything about the mechanical aspects of their bikes (Unless you consider rim tape or aftermarket levers!). Gone are the days of folk fixing their own modern bikes on the kitchen table, so most are reluctant/unable to even suggest, never mind participate in a roadside repair.
Most of these fucksticks wouldn't have a clue how to help you anyway so you are better off without them.
Another thing to consider, everyone has a mobile phone and I'd guess at 75% have some kind of recovery, so no one is really stranded with limited options. Plus you were at a bike shop so no better place to have issues really. May have been a different story of you where out in the sticks
Not blowing my own trumpet. But ages ago I was travelling down the motorway minding my own business when I spotted a guy pushing his bike down the slip road. I stopped and asked what the problem was. He had run out of petrol. I told him to stay but and that I would be back in five. I went to the nearest petrol station brought a can filled it up with petrol took it back and give it to the guy. Bike started once filled back up we talked for five minutes he tried to offer me money for the can and petrol but I said no just one day just repay the favour to someone else. We said our goodbyes and went our separate ways... Did I feel good you bet.
If I see a bike in trouble and in time to stop I will. Even if I cant stop, usually because Im hooning down the outside lane of the dual carriageway I feel quilty. If I can stop I will, I've even stopped for cars when the breakdown just to make sure they're okay. Look out, the scary bikers going to get you Barbara :biggrin:
I was rescued once by a Harley Rider not long after picking up a new MV Agusta, due to a monster diversion on the M25 I ended up a few miles short of the services at Fleet with no fuel. Sweating like a ninja the thought of leaving the bike on the hard shoulder of the M3 was terrifying. Thankfully the bearded warrior with his screaming eagles came and resolved the issue. A few weeks later I met him at Poole Quay and bought him a cheese burger as way of a thank you. I now nod at at Harley riders....but never a BMW rider
The exhaust fell off of a 1992 cbr600f2 street fighter I was riding down the M3 last year and I had a couple of bikers slow down to see if I was OK. This was my first experience of this and it set my mind to stop if I ever come across someone in a similar position. I haven't up to now though.
Gotto admit, i'm always too willing to help people. Even towed a stranded biker years ago using the webbing from my ruksack. It felt a bit dangerous and scary until i spoke to the bloke behind who redefined the meaning scary by telling me how he needed feet down on every junction and roundabout just to stop his cradle frame GSXR 750 from falling over. But maybe towing by the fork legs wasn't my greatest idea ever anyway.
Always stop even if like me your a numbnuts and probably couldn't help. Sometimes just the fact someone asks makes you feel better
Some bloke had a very nice 996 at Rye a few weeks back that had broken down in the middle of the parking lot (bad imobilizer), despite there being twenty+ bikes there, nobody helped him. I needed to go home, so I gave him my number and told him to ring me if he couldn't get it fixed and I'd come back with my van and take his bike back to Hastings, an hour later he called and I went and picked it up..... I was helped out plenty of times when I lived in the States but it does seem that people are blinkered here.
I stopped for a guy on the motorway once, the cops came and gave me a right ear bashing for stopping for no reason. Never again. I'll happily stop and offer a smoke, some banter and company, use my phone, even some cash if they need it, I'll even fetch a drink but if there's anything wrong with their bike i'm buggered. Just being honest.
