Passing other vehicles on two lane roads

Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum

Help Support Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
The biggest risk I see when passing in these situations are cars pulling onto the road from side streets and driveways; I look closely for cars waiting to pull onto the road.

 
Uhhh. Hmmm.

Passing can be safely executed....or not. I've seen plenty of dumb-*** moves that didn't involve passing another vehicle.

Oh, and BTW...does anyone know if there will be any pedestrian crosswalks in Golden? I accept most risks while walking but I'm uncertain as to whether or not I should be crossing the street or not. I'm not suggesting to never execute a pedestrian crossing - but is it one of those things that is on the higher end of walking risk?

 
I find this thread somewhat amusing, in that before the 55 mph national speed limit; the emasculation of the automobile and the dependence on multi-lane interstate/secondary roads, passing on a two lane road (where the speed limit was 70 by the way) was a required skill. It is rapidly becoming a lost art and terrifies many drivers.

First, in order to safely pass it is now mandatory to break the "law" and "Johnny on the spot" has no ability nor inclination for that matter to discern you're engaged in passing, just his empirical data that proves he and those that hire him have the right to some of your cash.

Second, people don't drive their cars/motorcycles enough to know them and their abilities. In the days of test your limits to death, everyone I knew, knew exactly what they could expect in a quarter mile.

Third, the car now thinks for you so there is very little in the way of mechanical feedback to the driver about how the vehicle is sticking to the road and relative speed. A loss of control now means you have surpassed a computer's ability to control not yours.

Motorcycles are the last bastion for the those "common folk" who love acceleration and performance. Believe me, those that KNOW THAT THEY KNOW what is best for everyone in the collective are doing their best to close that loop hole.

I digress.

Know your machine!

How will it accelerate at a given base speed?

Are you in the powerband?

Is one click down enough to get it done or is two needed?

Practice passing with no traffic and see how fast you can get to a speed and how far it takes. Do this from a variety of base speeds.

When passing don't be afraid to abort and drop back. No shame in this and it is not a competition.

Be aware, many speed up when you attempt to go around them. So when you pass, do it decisively. You are not asking permission here.

Every second you are in the opposing lane is risk. Minimize it! Limit the amount of time in the opposing lane, but don't cut off.

Be aware of the road condition. entries, exits, intersections, driveways, dirt paths are all points of potential problems.

Move to the left of center in the opposing lane when passing. This gives you more room when they decide they want to pass too or impede your progress.

At night learn what headlights look like. The closer they are together the further away the vehicle is (not valid for popeyes). The rate at which they move apart is indicative of the rate at which the gap is closing.

Keep your vehicle in tune and top performance.

Know your limits whether real or self imposed.

For me motorcycling is very serious business. In order to be able to safely participate on today's motorways, it requires skills to be honed to the point of being instinctual. I consider the closest paradigm to be that of piloting performance aircraft.

Ride a lot. So many times that I've almost been wiped out, have been avoided by instinctual reaction utilizing learned behavior. No time to think.

Then you can enjoy your proficiency and...

Have fun! WHEEEEEE!

 
Good post BladeRunner.

I grew up driving on narrow 2 lane roads with a big mix of types of vehicles and speeds so learning and being good at passing was an imperative. One of thing I was "taught" was that if you sensed movement of the oncoming traffic, you don't have room to complete the pass. I still use this as a "rule" even with the FJR's fast acceleration rate and especially if I'm the lead bike of several others.

 
If this guy can pass cars, you should have no problem on your FJR.

53142qx.jpg


 
Ahhh... this has been helpful. :clapping: I think I've confirmed that I need to be a bit more deliberate in my passing. I do believe, even in its most simple form (straight road, slow car, plenty of clear road ahead, good weather, no trees along road, flat road) that it adds additional risk. Now, I just accept the risk... but play it smartly.

Grazi

Scott

 
Last edited by a moderator:
ALL riding is risky. Passing is less risky than left turners or tailgaters or lane changers. On rual western roads passing is just like avoiding the piece of tree bark or the dead deer in the road. Part of the skill.

Phil

 
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
Wow. What a question.

In resoponse, I offer this suggestion:

Take the bus. It'll minimize your risk.

You might also consider...

1.Don't eat meat.

2.Don't smoke.

3.Don't have ***.

4.Never drink alcohol.

5.Remember to pray to ALL gods (hey, you never know).

6.Stay out of the water.

7.Have your pet spayed or nuetered.

8.Don't talk (you're bound to offend someone, somewhere, these days).

9.Ask, before holding a door for a lady (this violates #8, but she might be liberated).

10.Brush well, between your teeth.

11. - 7,386,112,895. (sorry, no time to list the rest; too long a post might offend).

I'll concede; it was a slow day at work, Scott. Huh?

 
Nope. Too many LEO's on this board. Pass, too.
Are they gonna arrest ya? Afraid they'll see the "real you" ?
Well, since you asked...



I got stopped by the copper

I said, "I'm crazy yo, don't write me."

He said, "I know how it feels son,

"Cause you run just like Wheaty."

Can you see the real me, can you?

Profound apologies to The Who.

:lol:

 
Have a little fun...Pass 'em on the right! :crazy:

:rolleyes:
now that an HORRIBLE idea! :angry2:

was on a two lane road and a sport bike (black ninja i think) as i was getting ready for a right hand turn, was in my truck with a small trailer full of "stuff" from helping someone move, and the tool almost got clipped trailer on the shoulder then saw the front end of my truck. to say the least i was able to move over just a bit so he didn't hit my truck or the into the barbwire fence that keeps the cows out of the highway.

(and yes i am one of those cages you see on the "Right" hand side of the freeway tooling along at 55-60 when i have a fully loaded trailer)

 
Have a little fun...Pass 'em on the right! :crazy:

:rolleyes:
now that an HORRIBLE idea! :angry2:

was on a two lane road and a sport bike (black ninja i think) as i was getting ready for a right hand turn, was in my truck with a small trailer full of "stuff" from helping someone move, and the tool almost got clipped trailer on the shoulder then saw the front end of my truck. to say the least i was able to move over just a bit so he didn't hit my truck or the into the barbwire fence that keeps the cows out of the highway.

(and yes i am one of those cages you see on the "Right" hand side of the freeway tooling along at 55-60 when i have a fully loaded trailer)

:rolleyes:

It's even more fun after a couple a beers!

:rolleyes:

 
WTF? Passing on a two lane road is such an everyday occurrence for me, I don't even think twice about it. The USA must sure be a strange place to ride a bike if this is an issue over there?

 
Top