Passing other vehicles on two lane roads

[zenwhipper]

Folks-

I'm a really sane rider (I think). I never go any where close to riding out on the risky fringes. I don't try to scrap my pegs, I don't hang off the bike in a corner, I always leave myself an out, blah, blah, blah. But I got to thinking the other day - the most risky thing I do I think involves passing another vehicle on a two lane road. The more I thought about it - the more it was like, wow, maybe this is a potential achilles heal of riding. For example, during a pass, you're likely to be over the speed limit, you may have a blind spot created by the car you are passing, visibility may be limited, the driver may not know you're passing etc.

What is the opinion out there?

I was on a 4 day 1600 mile trip to Montana, and of course - there was passing involved. Some were simple and easy others required a bit more speed and attention. I'm not suggesting to never execute a pass - but is it one of those things that is on the higher end of motorcycle risk?

(Hey, what the heck... its a slow day at work).

Scott

 

[Murph]

And the answer is ..... it depends. It is up to each rider to determine how much they are willing to risk (and to what extent they choose to follow laws ) and weigh it against their skills. Some situations are riskier than others but I wouldn't say that passing vehicles on 2-lane roads is always risky.

 

[Knifemaker]

I only pass when I can see that I have the needed time. Luckily the FJR can execute a pass very quickly. If I can not see what may be coming, I just wait for a better chance.

Curved roads of course make things difficult, but after one "squeeze play" on a blind turn with me hugging the center line and hoping God still loved me...I only pass when I can see it is clear.

You need to pay not only attention to oncoming traffic, but side roads/driveways

to the left ..if done correctly, causiously and quickly, the "risks" are very small.

KM

 

[Jetmaker737]

The FJR can pass in a heart beat. I typically don't hesitate if the coast is clear. Double yellows don't stop me. They're for cages. Not that I'm squiddly. I just know the capabilities of the bike and use them to my advantage.

That being said, if there's more than 4 or 5 cars in front and no hope of breaking through to open road I just relax and go with the flow.

 

[Hotboot]

Passing a vehicle is easy when you have power, double yellow or not.

I make sure:

the passee is aware of me, flash the lights and a tender beep.

they are not turning left w/o a signal, cell phone idiots do this a lot.

turns and sight lines must be in order, need room if you have to abort.

don't piss off joe public, we have a bad enough rep.

You will be speeding....by a bunch if you do it correctly, poof - bang and you are safely gone.

Remember the lane striping is raised and slipprey as snot, get back in your lane before scrubbing off speed.

Now group riding with some FZ hooligans on twistie roads is another story, that's where you scare yourself and find the limits.

Be safe and come home in one piece.

 

[k7lvo]

If you're primarily looking at safety, stick to the freeways. Yes, the speeds are higher, but, for the most part, everyone is going in the same direction. (Then, again, if you're primarily looking at safety, 2 tons of steel around you is a lot safer than riding a motorcycle.) Even if you never make a pass on the two-lane, what about the guy making a pass coming at you? You have to be alert all the time, but especially when passing someone. Sure, there are blind spots - created by the vehicle being passed and created by curves and dips in the road, some of which, unlike the vehicle, you won't know are there if you're not familiar with the road until the oncoming car pops up out of the dip or out from around the hill. I try not to pass where there are intersecting roads or driveways, but, even in rural areas, there are LOTS of them. I won't pass where there are intersecting roads or driveways to the left unless the vehicle I'm passing is obviously going too fast to make the turn, and I watch them both to the left and right for any traffic that may be entering the roadway. I won't pass if I'm not SURE I can see ANY vehicle coming the other way within a distance that could present a hazard to me.

I will make passes where a lot of people might think it's unsafe at first glance. For example, in the picture below, when I'm traveling in the direction of the blue arrow, two of my favorite places to pass are in the blue circles. In case you can't tell from the picture, the road is going down hill and the inside of the curves is lower than the road. I can see a LONG ways, and, typically, the cage will throw out the anchor as they approach the curve; I'm around them before they have time to blink.

The bottom line for me is I HAVE to be sure there are no hiding places for oncoming traffic. I will, from time to time ignore yellow lines; I've also seen places where I can't understand why there aren't yellow lines...

 

[HaulinAshe]

I think I'll pass on this one.

 

[bikerskier]

I'm just gonna have to stay at home, I guess. Probably just sit and look at the bike in the garage.

 

[Scab]

I think I'll pass on this one.

I knew you would.

 

[cougar8000]

See, question like this would bann you from the forum for life if you were in Europe. It is absolutely normal to pass there. Heck it is normal to do it south of the border. This is the only country that I know of that people are apprehensive about passing or take it a wrong way of you pass them.

And I will just leave it at that.

p.s. Please read it with a huge smile on your face. It is true but not supposed to offend any one.

 

[radman]

6 in a row helps relieve the boredom.

 

[wheatonFJR]

6 in a row helps relieve the boredom.

I'm with radman, the more the merrier. :clapping:

Seriously, passing is a part of traveling. It is safer on the FJR as it will execute faster...thus you are in the danger lane for less time. 'Course I'm not exactly a model citizen...so take this for what it's worth.

Passing slowly...what does that get you but get you more time in the oncoming lane...with a car approaching you at highway speeds.

 

[Jetmaker737]

See, question like this would bann you from the forum for life if you were in Europe. It is absolutely normal to pass there. Heck it is normal to do it south of the border. This is the only country that I know of that people are apprehensive about passing or take it a wrong way of you pass them.
And I will just leave it at that.

p.s. Please read it with a huge smile on your face. It is true but not supposed to offend any one.

Dude that's so true. I was once behind a long line of cages on a two-lane I know quite well. We came to a red light that had a left turn lane. So I got in the left turn lane and when the light went green, Blip!, I went straight past all them cagers and had a nice ride through the twisties. Well, I got hung up at another left turn down the way. Along comes this cager passing me on the right and honking his horn and vigorously waving his middle finger at me like I'd somehow offended his very soul. Wierd. All I did was leave him safely in the dust.

 

[El Toro]

I'm not suggesting to never execute a pass - but is it one of those things that is on the higher end of motorcycle risk?

I honor the double yellow line. If passing is allowed for my lane, I'll be the first to pass as soon as its clear.

Blind corners and double yellow lines are a classic place to get nailed, especially if there's another squid on the other side pulling the same stunt.

If you've got a passing line and good visibility of the clear road, passing is a normal part of riding.

If I'm following farm equipment, sometimes I have been known to ignore the double yellow, but with great caution, and with as much certainty as I can muster that the equipment isn't getting ready to make a left turn by pulling off right to get a better angle. Look for driveways or other access points to fields on the left before making a high speed run around the equipment.

One of my friends when I was young passed a loaded logging truck on his Bonneville at high speed, and the truck turned right into him. Busted his spleen, and soured his interest in bikes for nearly 40 years. He recently got back on a Burgman 650. He's having fun, but he's gun shy, even today.

Places like Deal's Gap are full of squids passing on double yellow and in blind corners. A handful buy the farm every year when they meet and greet the oncoming traffic that they hoped wouldn't be there, and another handful get T-boned minding their own business when the squid can't make it back to his own lane in time to avoid the collision.

 

[twowheelnut]

Nope. Too many LEO's on this board. Pass, too.

 

[James Burleigh]

I'm tired of all this discussion. Just f**kin' ride!

 

[motorcycle-ed]

Personal choice and risk management. Pays yo money and takes yer chances. I've been riding 50 years and I do it when I have determined it is safe...still some added risk. Do it with your antennae up!!!!!!!!!!

Ed

 

[wheatonFJR]

Nope. Too many LEO's on this board. Pass, too.

Are they gonna arrest ya? Afraid they'll see the "real you" ?

 

[uctofeej]

Nope. Too many LEO's on this board. Pass, too.

Are they gonna arrest ya? Afraid they'll see the "real you" ?

No, but some of them are bringing their ticket books to NAFO