Black Range Rover Runs Over Bikers to Save Family

[jerrywall]

yeah, I'm looking at a 899 Panigale and a Harley Fat Boy Lo. I am also thinking of just starting out with 250cc Honda for a few months to get accustomed to the ways a riding.

That's pretty interesting about the lady in car, where are the police when you need them? Lol

If you're not an experienced rider, I would definitely not choose a Harley Fat Boy (or any of the regular sized harleys) as your first. It's a lot of weight and power, just waiting to hit the ground. A sportster is a good first bike option, or like you suggested, a 250cc honda (or Yamaha, which is the way I went, after years of no riding, before I got my current Deuce).

[Urban Pioneer]

Yep. I had a 1,000cc and quite frankly would be quite happy with a 600cc to start back with again. A 1000 was fun though. Especially with Speed Tribe. Liter = Leader, but not so great to start with.

Word of advice, (especially in Oklahoma with the hot weather and subsequent fatigue) buy the bike that fits your body type. So many to choose from you can easily find something that is cool looking and is comfortable for long cruises.

Back on topic, we always either rode in formation or individually with an "end point" in mind. A rally in NYC in mixed traffic seems like a great way for something to occur as did with the Range Rover.

[Anonymous.]

If you watch the beginning of the video, the Driver's side mirror is broken. Everyone knows a biker's easiest chance at roadrage against a vehicle is to punch a mirror.

Likely that is what occurred before the video starts where it appears they "randomly" slow the RR down. The driver may have provoked one of them to damage the mirror, but I am willing to bet the bikers crossed the line first by damaging the mirror and then wanted more after the driver kept going.

[Plutonic Panda]

If you're not an experienced rider, I would definitely not choose a Harley Fat Boy (or any of the regular sized harleys) as your first. It's a lot of weight and power, just waiting to hit the ground. A sportster is a good first bike option, or like you suggested, a 250cc honda (or Yamaha, which is the way I went, after years of no riding, before I got my current Deuce).

yeah, you're right. That is most likely what I'll do. Any used dealer suggestions? I've been scouting Craigslist, Heartland Cycles, and a new place down by shields and 10th.

[bluedogok]

Hence the reason that myself and all of my riding friends won't ride with sports bike riders. You won't often see a Harley rider lane splitting at 100+ miles an hour.

I have plenty of sport bike riding friends who don't ride like that or with groups like that. Those are the stunta wannabe types like the ones who block Dallas interstates so they can pull their stupid tricks and are really more of a gang than a group of riders.

yeah, you're right. That is most likely what I'll do. Any used dealer suggestions? I've been scouting Craigslist, Heartland Cycles, and a new place down by shields and 10th.

Performance on 39th tends to have a lot of the former 250cc bikes used in the MSF classes, most are around a year old and have around 1,000 miles on them.

[Snowman]

I also found this article -

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/01/ny...say.html?_r=1&

I still can't find an explanation for why they surround and stop in front of the SUV in the first place. That's what is not making any sense to me. If they just did that randomly for kicks, then stupid bikers. If they did it for a reason, still stupid bikers, but I wouldn't mind knowing why (did he previously clip someone and take off, or what).

The first time they stopped was when he rear ended someone being a jerk to him, while what they did is inexcusable, there is not much excuses either for rear ending someone in what looked like fair driving conditions. It almost looks like he may not have even tried to slowdown or hit the breaks during the several seconds the biker pulled his stupid gradual slowing down routine, he was clearly aware of him from just reacting to the mock sideswipe. Though the guy he first hit had mock sideswiped him, cut him off and slowed down; it would not surprise me if that was retaliating for having been cut off or nearly sideswiped by the SUV earlier. I could not see what happening at the first stop to have any idea if plowing over people stopped could begin to be justified or not from the video but by the time they got to him he had hit somewhere around three or four bikes and/or people on them all but maybe one intentionally. It would not be surprising to find out that the ones actually beating him up was ones he hit earlier.

[Snowman]

I hear at least one biker is already in custody with more to follow.

Too bad the driver didn't have a gun and couldn't have simply shot anyone posing an immediate threat - like the one's opening his door or striking his glass with their helmets and/or fists.

I hope some biker groups come forward and condemn the actions of these nuts with bikes and offer something up.

The first problem with line of thought though is does just damaging the vehicle justify shooting someone (in many if not most states that is no, NY is not exactly the most gun friendly either), some reports indicated they only things at the first stop was trying to destroy the tires and dent the fenders, other sound like they are confusing the final stop with the first one, others sound like the most threatening thing at the first point was being surrounded. In any case hardly much of a step up to using a gun verses intentionally hitting someone with a vehicle. They did not try to open the door or break windows till after he had intentionally hit several people. While having a gun may have given him a chance to intimidate them to leave without firing it could have ended with him in prison or shot himself. The police have already said that the SUV driver may face charges for the actions he took with his vehicle.

[RadicalModerate]

I plan on buying my first bike within the next couple of months. I am not sure whether or not I'm going for a Harley or Ducati, just fyi in case people wonder whether I'm biased towards bikes.

Have you considered a Sting Ray?
My first bike became a homemade version of this (except that it was red with a leopard skin banana seat). Instead of being festooned with reflectors--as was the factory model--we had clothespins clamping playing cards in the spokes for that cool sound of power. Frankly the cards in the spokes sounded way better than those rice-burners in the video.

(I graduated to a three-speed English racer, then a 10-speed, then a Suzuki 250, then a BMW R75/5 (almost got a Moto Guzzi instead), then a 1971 Sportster, then a '65 Panhead, then a '71 Shovelhead, then a '52 Panhead . . .)

But seriously (sort of). . .
Insurance companies should review that video, with the video-viewing equivalent of a fine-toothed comb, and revoke any insurance policies that have been written for any of the riders. Then their names could be given to the police and the police could bust them for not having insurance when they ride without it.

[Just the facts]

This is what happens when mob mentality takes over. All you need is one dumbass a small group of semi-dumbasses and bunch of sheep. If this had been me I would have initially only been concerned about property damage until the police arrived, but after the window smashing portion it would have been game on and the authorities would still be out with brooms and sponges cleaning up the highway and the 'survivors' would be spending a fortune on "In memory of ....." tattoos.

Watching the video I had to wonder why the driver's door was unlocked which allowed it to be opened near then end. The Range Rover (like many cars) has automatic locks which lock after the car hits 12 to 15 mph. However, if the driver's door is opened after the initial lock, it won't lock automatically again. This tells me at some point the driver got of the car himself and then got back in the car without turning the engine off. This would be consistent with the driver's statement that he initially hit the back tire of a motorcycle at slow speed and got out to see if the rider was okay. That is when the initial physical attack began and given the choice between taking the abuse or getting away - opted to run over the 3 bikes stopped in front of him.

RM - I had that exact same bike in red but with a yellow banana seat. For a long time I thought they were called banana seats because it was yellow. Of course, I also thought country radio station KRAK in Sacramento called itself Crack Radio because the radio speaker on the dash of our station wagon had a crack in it. I could never figure out how they knew.

[kelroy55]

If you're not an experienced rider, I would definitely not choose a Harley Fat Boy (or any of the regular sized harleys) as your first. It's a lot of weight and power, just waiting to hit the ground. A sportster is a good first bike option, or like you suggested, a 250cc honda (or Yamaha, which is the way I went, after years of no riding, before I got my current Deuce).

I agree with a smaller bike at first but both the FB and a Heritage are pretty well balanced bikes allbeit a bit on the heavy side. I ride an Ultra Classic now but as I get older might drop back down to a Heritage.

Have you considered a Sting Ray?
My first bike became a homemade version of this (except that it was red with a leopard skin banana seat). Instead of being festooned with reflectors--as was the factory model--we had clothespins clamping playing cards in the spokes for that cool sound of power. Frankly the cards in the spokes sounded way better than those rice-burners in the video.

(I graduated to a three-speed English racer, then a 10-speed, then a Suzuki 250, then a BMW R75/5 (almost got a Moto Guzzi instead), then a 1971 Sportster, then a '65 Panhead, then a '71 Shovelhead, then a '52 Panhead . . .)

But seriously (sort of). . .
Insurance companies should review that video, with the video-viewing equivalent of a fine-toothed comb, and revoke any insurance policies that have been written for any of the riders. Then their names could be given to the police and the police could bust them for not having insurance when they ride without it.

I remember getting a Stingray for Christmas when I was a kid and rode that sucker everywhere and was so proud of it... lol

[BBatesokc]

duplicate

[BBatesokc]

The first problem with line of thought though is does just damaging the vehicle justify shooting someone (in many if not most states that is no, NY is not exactly the most gun friendly either), some reports indicated they only things at the first stop was trying to destroy the tires and dent the fenders, other sound like they are confusing the final stop with the first one, others sound like the most threatening thing at the first point was being surrounded. In any case hardly much of a step up to using a gun verses intentionally hitting someone with a vehicle. They did not try to open the door or break windows till after he had intentionally hit several people. While having a gun may have given him a chance to intimidate them to leave without firing it could have ended with him in prison or shot himself. The police have already said that the SUV driver may face charges for the actions he took with his vehicle.

I don't have any issue with 'my line of thought' and do not doubt a jury wouldn't have an issue with it either. And this from someone (me) who is licensed to carry a gun and chooses not to because of the liability.

Reducing what these thugs were doing to basically vandalism is simply being an apologist for their actions.

The driver had already called 911 regarding the blatant disregard for the law and safety of others by these idiots on two wheels.

It appears the 'brake check' was an attempt to harass, intimidate or bring the SUV driver to a stop. That alone is cause for concern.

In the initial stop the camera is so far away you can't really tell what is happening beyond a large group of people who were previously acting recklessly surrounding the family's SUV in the middle of a highway. It seems to be accepted that those within the group slashed the vehicle tires and were hitting the SUV with either their fists, helmets or other objects.

Nothing about that scenario is 'normal' or 'safe.'

The driver had no obligation to wait and see if he and his family were going to be hurt or killed.

A reasonable person would see the actions before, during and after the initial incident as reckless, dangerous and deadly.

The crowd gave the driver no path to flee, so he took the only path available to him - up and over those blocking him and trying to illegally disable his vehicle and possibly make entry.

The police commissioner was on TV this morning and said the driver of the SUV was NOT likely to be charged with any crime.

[tomokc]

Manuel Gomez is president of MG Security Services, and is also a retired FBI agent and New York police sergeant. Interviewed by the NY Times, his advice was this:

If you feel threatened, Mr. Gomez said, “you have the right to defend yourself, by hook or by crook.” The motorcyclists had more than numbers on their side, he said: “Superior weapons, because they were using their helmets. All he’s got is a cellphone and a vehicle. Take them out. Whatever you have to do. Figure it out later.”

[Teo9969]

It is never ever acceptable for a pack of riders to surround a vehicle and force that vehicle's driving patterns. Any such action is rightly perceived as threatening because it *is* threatening. The only mistake the Rover driver made, as far as I can tell, was letting this go on as long as he did.

[kelroy55]

It is never ever acceptable for a pack of riders to surround a vehicle and force that vehicle's driving patterns. Any such action is rightly perceived as threatening because it *is* threatening. The only mistake the Rover driver made, as far as I can tell, was letting this go on as long as he did.

The bikers should have got his license plate and called 911, not go after a man and his family. I've had several close calls on the bike and felt like going after the person but commom sense took over.

[MadMonk]

I'm shocked at how calm he remained. I may have started swerving back and forth to clear a path through these jackasses. It was his only real defense.

[Urbanized]

yeah, you're right. That is most likely what I'll do. Any used dealer suggestions? I've been scouting Craigslist, Heartland Cycles, and a new place down by shields and 10th.

I'd like to toss in a recommendation for the Triumph Modern Classics line (Classics | Triumph Motorcycles). The Bonneville and Thruxton are considered excellent starter bikes with tremendous reliability. The Bonneville is comparable to the previously-mentioned HD Sportster (in fact HD originally introduced the Sportster to compete with the old Bonneville, which was dominating the segment in the states at the time of the Sportster's introduction).

The Bonneville & Thruxton (basically a factory cafe racer version of the Bonnie) are good as starters because they are easy to ride but aren't as limiting as some others. They handle simply (though still fun/rewarding to ride hard), and while at 865cc and 67bhp they are easily powerful enough for highway riding they aren't so powerful (read many/most sport bikes) that you feel stifled and frustrated in stoplight-to-stoplight city riding (should be a consideration if you plan to ride mostly in town). They both offer very comfortable riding positions (should be among your top considerations; get a bike that physically fits your desired riding style).

If buying new, I would recommend against buying something in the 250 range, as you will quickly get confidence on a good motorcycle and just as quickly become frustrated by the lack of performance in a drastically-undersized bike. No need to switch bikes in a few months.

Back to Triumph: I also really appreciate the lack of pretense associated with riding one. There are good bikers of all types, but for some of the mainstream lines it becomes more of a poseur costume party than about the riding itself. Not much of that with this line. It's just a fun bike to ride, and turns plenty of heads, though it is also bonafide grandpa bait. Lots of old fellas stopping you to ask you what year it is and tell you about the one they supposedly owned back in '68.

Triumph also has a bunch of great modern rides in the sport/street, cruiser, touring and dual-sport areas, if any of those float your boat. Go read some reviews on-line. They are a darling of motorcycle magazines. Unfortunately you'll presently have to go out of state to get a new one, but it's easy (I did), and good local service is available.

Don't buy something just because "that's what everyone else rides". Motorcycles at their very essence are about individualism. Get the bike that is right for you, take your time to figure out what that is, and listen to your inner voice, not just recommendations from others (me included). And for goodness' sake, take an MSF class (the one at OSU-OKC is excellent) and get your endorsement BEFORE you buy, and never act like the squid hooligans in that video.

[Teo9969]

The bikers should have got his license plate and called 911, not go after a man and his family. I've had several close calls on the bike and felt like going after the person but commom sense took over.

I could have even understood maybe 2 or 3 guys taking off after him just to make sure they know where he went...but 20+ bikes?

[Urban Pioneer]

Mob mentality. Plus there is often "pack mentality" too. I've never actually seen anything destructive happen in the groups I rode with, but I have definitely observed (and participated) in "group moods". When your with friends and you ride in a pack, particularly on rockets, a huge element of bonding kicks in if you ride in tight formations. Kinda have to trust the guy or girl next to you when they are 4 feet away going 100mph +

I don't think the NYC rally mob attack is necessairly the result of that, but the psych aspect in group riding can be interesting.

[kevinpate]

...but 20+ bikes?

Never underestimate the power of group think from the rank and file when Major Stupidity is running the event.

[kelroy55]

Never underestimate the power of group think from the rank and file when Major Stupidity is running the event.

again from what I've read this group had a major dose of stupidity to begin with. I'm just grateful it wasn't a bunch of Harley riders lol

[BBatesokc]

Thank God there was a video.......

I can certainly imagine the discussion going against the SUV driver if there hadn't been one.

The fact one of the idiots posted the video under the context he did - as if the SUV driver was in the wrong - tells you where their mind was.

If there hadn't been a video posted I can hear it now..... "We were all just out for a casual ride with friends, when out of nowhere came this insane man in his Range Rover. He hit one of our riders on purpose and then ran those down that tried to come to his aid. We simply followed to make sure he didn't kill anyone and to ID him for police. When he did stop he jumped out of his car like a mad man and began banging his own head into the ground. Good thing we were all there and surrounding him or someone could have been hurt!"

[BoulderSooner]

reports (who knows if true) that the SUV driver clipped a bike rider with his side mirror and that sparked the entire deal ..

[BBatesokc]

reports (who knows if true) that the SUV driver clipped a bike rider with his side mirror and that sparked the entire deal ..

Wouldn't change my opinion. Accidents happen..... doesn't justify the response.

[jerrywall]

Wouldn't change my opinion. Accidents happen..... doesn't justify the response.

Yeah, gosh. The idea that private citizens would take it upon themselves to practice vigilante behavior.