Do you stop?

[Busy Little Whiner]

I must stop... I can't ignore when a Bike cries for help...

[Lord Jim]

I answered "always", but the above criteria is used

[thecap]

I must stop... I can't ignore when a Bike cries for help...

 

[pops66]

If I am by myself I usually stop.  If I am transporting the kids or the wife I usually don't stop.

What he said

[antvq]

I was heading to the Jersey shore on my old Suzuki once when a bee hit me in the throat and went right down my jacket.  Stinging commenced.   I stopped on the shoulder as soon as possible and must have looked like a crazy man flinging off the jacket and my shirt trying to get the bee out.    Couple of bikes stopped to see what was going on and if I needed help.  Pagans.   Nice guys too  

[Papa Lazarou]

I was heading to the Jersey shore on my old Suzuki once when a bee hit me in the throat and went right down my jacket.  Stinging commenced.   I stopped on the shoulder as soon as possible and must have looked like a crazy man flinging off the jacket and my shirt trying to get the bee out.    Couple of bikes stopped to see what was going on and if I needed help.  Pagans.   Nice guys too  

I had a very similar thing happen to me with a wasp. Sting me 20 times. Police car rolled up and the two coppers inside were in fits of laughter.  

[sammyseaman]

I was heading to the Jersey shore on my old Suzuki once when a bee hit me in the throat and went right down my jacket.  Stinging commenced.   I stopped on the shoulder as soon as possible and must have looked like a crazy man flinging off the jacket and my shirt trying to get the bee out.    Couple of bikes stopped to see what was going on and if I needed help.  Pagans.   Nice guys too  

  I think I'll start a bee thread. No, really  

[phoenix]

"Other" - meaning, usually. I think I've stopped 4 times for someone alongside the one. Only once was I able to help out a little bit. twice it was false alarm/they didn't want help/no discernable reaction from them so F you!  

All those times, I was on a bike at the same time. I can't say that I have pulled the car over when I saw a bike on the side of the road though....

[loopedguru]

Other for me with a mix of the reasons everyone else has used.  I've been helped and helped in the car and on the bike.  I've also checked for hand signals.  I normally wave or thumbs up and also look for the helmet behind the rear wheel distress signal and use that one myself.

[jenfierbinget]

Edited to remove  

[Papa Lazarou]

I mailed this to my friends.
Regards

Welcome, Chinese spam friend  

[HappyRiding]

I stopped about a month ago for a HD on I-26. It was in the mid nineties and they were trying to stay in the shade from an exit sign. They had help coming but I did give them a bottle of water and a couple Gatorades.

I stop for a single bike but if they have a buddy on another bike I usually don't. I stopped one night and it turned out to be one of my co-workers. He had the keys to his truck with him and his wife couldn't find the spare set. I took the keys to her and showed her how to hook up the trailer. That is almost as good as the turtle karma you get when you move a turtle off of the road.

[JoBu]

I voted 'other- explain'  and do this.  

I almost always get the 'I'm good' wave.
I'll definintely stop if they look to be actually working on the bike, or the bike/rider is down.

+1  Heck, I even check on bicyclists if they seem to be having trouble (and not just taking a break).  I've had a couple borrow my cell to call for a ride.

Cheers,

Joe

[JoBu]

  I think I'll start a bee thread. No, really  

Paging Bubba Z.  Please report to the above thread.  

[Andrew]

I slow and give the "thumbs up" signal.  If they return it. I head on my way.  If they give me the thumbs down or some similar signal, I'll stop and see if I can help.

Thats my criteria when deciding to stop or not to stop.

Two weeks ago I was on my way to work (Friday the day I get to ride) Time about 6:15 am I see a woman on the side of the freeway on a bike with her helmet off, still on the bike. I pull over Give the thumbs   she starts blabbing on I repeat   She gives the  . I get off my bike and lend a hand. She had gotten a rear flat and the bike was too low to put out the kickstand so she could not even get off the bike. I helped turn the bike around put out the kickstand and gave her a ride to work (turns out she worked real close to where I work.) She called a tow from work. She was young and was her first bike.

[Redbandit14]

I said always but i do ,do the thumbs up thing. I stopped for a lost french Guy on an Ex 500 just last night. Going in exactly the opposite direction that what he wanted.

Once when i was newer i left the bike on reserve after a fill. When i ran out of gas on the 401 i reached for the lever and realized what i had done. So the bike is rolling in neutral at highway speed and just starting to slow down. I pull onto the shoulder and keep going to the next exit . which is a steep up hill. And just then a really nice guy on a CBR 1000 pulls over and stops right in front of me. so i stop.

And when he leaves after i declined his help ( afraid to leave my 24 year old rat bike on the side of the highway somebody might have stolen it for the $25 they could sell it for   ) i push the bike up the hill in 34 Degree weather .

The point being always be ready to stop but maybe scope out the situation first eh?

[JonS]

"It depends".  Quick assessment with a lot of criteria regarding location, risk to stopping, risk to stopped rider, cell phone in evidence, likely response time, my available time/resources, etc.

KeS

  too.
The last time I tried to be of assistance, the rider didn't want anything from me. He was waiting for some buddies to show up on the same brand as his non running machine.

[coho]

[Ax1464]

Living in "Harleyville, USA" (the rural Midwest) where I routinely get snubs or dirty looks from most other riders, I'm reluctant to stop for any cruisers at the side of the road.  20 years ago I'd stop for any rider without giving it any thought whatsoever.  Now, however, I find myself thinking, "Why should I help someone who looks down their nose at me?"

Despite this, if I see someone who looks like they WANT some help, I'll stop.  A while back I was on a spirited romp on one of my favorite local loops when I came flying over a hill and saw a Sportster on the shoulder with a young couple standing there looking sort of lost.  I continued past, wondering if they'd appreciate me stopping or if they'd just throw attitude.

It suddenly dawned on me that I should do "the right thing" and offer some help, regardless of how they might feel about what I was riding.  So I turned around and went back.

Turns out they did appreciate my stopping, though they were simply taking a break for her to "stretch her butt".