The Urban Motorist: Obstacle Speed Bump Land Rover 1: BMW X5 0

[Adam in NYC USA]

Hi all from Adam in NYC with my near-stock 1996 D1 with a 1 1/2 lift and ProComp shocks with the extra 2" in them.

I live in the Big Apple and you get opportunities and situations here in the citystreet that let you have a wee bit of fun with your Land Rover. With a Land Rover, you get a great opportunity to show what you can do in the street. You can never tell but sometimes you get to have some fun.

In most neighborhoods, we now have a relatively new animal to get motorists to slow down in the street near areas such as in front of neighborhood playgrounds at cityparks or schools. We call them speed bumps here. In Puerto Rico, they call them something clever: "policia muertos", literally dead policemen. Now the DOT (Department of Traffic) designed them so you have to transverse slowly or you risk damage to your car. The new ones have a unique chevon pattern demanded by the DOT. I work for the Fire Department, so we got the memo and the warning that if we hit these things too fast with our vehicles and damage does occur, we would be paying for the repairs. Now to the present.

Just got off the George Washington Bridge from New Jersey.I was dropping off my best friend in the North Bronx after a good afternoon of beer, talk and some shopping. Got into Washington Heights off the West Side Highway and turned into a local street. I checked my rear view mirror and had a surprise.

I ended up with a fancy tailgater, a BMW X5 following my Rover not 6 inches away from my gas tank. He wanted to be in front of me and was stuck behind me on a two-way street. Luckily I saw my chance. This street had not one but two of the nastiest speed bumps I know in Manhattan.

I gunned the gas and my friend was in the Pete mate position knew something was up. I charged the speed bump and the D1 did its thing. It went up and down like it was on a rail and the wheels stuck like glue to the ground.

The BMW never had a chance. Bang! and it stopped. To make sure he saw it, there is a second speed bump about 100 feet down the street. Gunned it and showed him how a Land Rover does it. Up and down , smooth as silk, and without a sound other than the sound of th motor.

He will think twice about crowding a Land Rover and not paying attention to the oncoming terrain. I had fun. And my best friend knew it too.

I just love it when a plan comes together.


Adam in NYC

[roverX]

I think I'm gonna light a cigar now.

[RageRover]

That's pretty cool. Yeah I don't bother slowing any mph slower for a speed bump, unless there is cop in the vicinity. I know well enough that if my Rover is off road capable, it is speed bump capable.

[garland823]

I drive around when it's possible. I've started wearing a path in the green beside one of the ones at my school.

[Badger1]

You gotta love the rugged Land Rover!

[Bene]

if it weren't for the 3000 mile buffer zone, i would so buy you a beer for that one

[Funrover]

Very Nice..... That was awsome!!!!!

[Adam in NYC USA]

Originally Posted by garland823

I drive around when it's possible. I've started wearing a path in the green beside one of the ones at my school.

Kind of going against the "Tread Lightly" theme , huh ? Don't let the groundskeeper catch ya.

[Roverdude]

Sounds like the guy got what he deserved for tailgating. I really feel zero remorse for when bad things happen to stupid people.

FYI, down here in Northern VA, a lot of the speed bumps (they're called speed tables here) have gaps in them about 2 feet wide that are set apart the same width as the track of most emergency vehicles, but too wide for passenger cars. I don't know how well they work.

[garland823]

Originally Posted by Adam in NYC USA

Kind of going against the "Tread Lightly" theme , huh ? Don't let the groundskeeper catch ya.

Haha sort of. I can only get one side of the truck around it, so it's about a 1 foot path. I wouldn't make a habit of getting the whole truck on the grass.