Highway Etiquette
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 366
Likes: 239
From: WI
Was cruising down the hwy and I see a pack of bikes way back in my mirrors. A biker club I saw at a gas station I left just a little before they did. I look again and they're right behind me now, and before I know it they split into two columns and passed me on both sides going extremely fast. There was traffic coming from the other direction but I guess they didn't want to slow down. I had enough time to see their intentions so I just continued down the middle and let them all pass. I smiled to myself, then thought of what could have happened if they did this to somebody who may have gotten rattled and possibly panic. There were only about a dozen of them so it didn't take very long for them all to fly by.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 5,149
From: Robbm sucks
Yeah sure if I’m not in a hurry I will pull over and let others pass if there’s just single lanes. Doesn’t matter if I’m in my Jeep or on one of the bikes. Sometimes I just want to enjoy the sights without holding up someone on my 6.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 142
Likes: 52
From: England
In the UK on a single carriageway it is pretty normal to pull to one side slightly and give a flash using your indicators, to be clear to the faster riders you are aware they are there and it is good for them to pass.
On dual carriageways and motorways people stay to the left unless they are passing.
And on the German Autobahn, you best be staying the hell out of the fast lane unless you belong there. Otherwise you will have 2 tons of Mercedes-Benz travelling at 155mph barrelling down on you flashing it lights expecting you to move every couple of minutes.
On dual carriageways and motorways people stay to the left unless they are passing.
And on the German Autobahn, you best be staying the hell out of the fast lane unless you belong there. Otherwise you will have 2 tons of Mercedes-Benz travelling at 155mph barrelling down on you flashing it lights expecting you to move every couple of minutes.
Last edited by Biter; Sep 23, 2020 at 02:09 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 142
Likes: 52
From: England
There is a difference between respect and reverence. Expecting reverence from another man just because you have a patch on your back is egotistical and disrespectful in my opinion.
Like you, I am not slowing down just because of a patch on someones back. If it is safe to pass, I am passing. Passing safely is the respect.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 978
Likes: 423
From: UK
In the UK on a single carriageway it is pretty normal to pull to one side slightly and give a flash using your indicators, to be clear to the faster riders you are aware they are there and it is good for them to pass.
On dual carriageways and motorways people stay to the left unless they are passing.
And on the German Autobahn, you best be staying the hell out of the fast lane unless you belong there. Otherwise you will have 2 tons of Mercedes-Benz travelling at 155mph barrelling down on you flashing it lights expecting you to move every couple of minutes.
On dual carriageways and motorways people stay to the left unless they are passing.
And on the German Autobahn, you best be staying the hell out of the fast lane unless you belong there. Otherwise you will have 2 tons of Mercedes-Benz travelling at 155mph barrelling down on you flashing it lights expecting you to move every couple of minutes.
1st point, not in my general experience. The general response I've seen is they try to get a hurry on, then get out of shape. Particularly if I'm in a group when we catch them up. Can be intimidating I suppose. The best thing is just to ride your ride and the faster bike can predict better and safely overtake.
2nd point, do you mean they stay in the left hand (inside) lane, not stay to the left within their lane. Don't know where you ride / drive, but it must be more disciplined than I regularly see. Lot of lazy drivers in the UK, driving slow and sticking in the middle lane when they could pull in. But some places seem worse than others. There's an 8-lane bit of the A1 south of Peterborough that is a magnet to the worst drivers in Britain.
Agree with your next post. But there is a different MC culture in the US. 1%ers and all that. I dont know the story (my ignorance), but it seems different to over here.
Last edited by Mart; Sep 23, 2020 at 02:53 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 142
Likes: 52
From: England
Biter,
1st point, not in my general experience. The general response I've seen is they try to get a hurry on, then get out of shape. Particularly if I'm in a group when we catch them up. Can be intimidating I suppose. The best thing is just to ride your ride and the faster bike can predict better and safely overtake.
2nd point, do you mean they stay in the left hand (inside) lane, not stay to the left within their lane. Don't know where you ride / drive, but it must be more disciplined than I regularly see. Lot of lazy drivers in the UK, driving slow and sticking in the middle lane when they could pull in. But some places seem worse than others. There's an 8-lane bit of the A1 south of Peterborough that is a magnet to the worst drivers in Britain.
Agree with your next post. But there is a different MC culture in the US. 1%ers and all that. I dont know the story (my ignorance), but it seems different to over here.
1st point, not in my general experience. The general response I've seen is they try to get a hurry on, then get out of shape. Particularly if I'm in a group when we catch them up. Can be intimidating I suppose. The best thing is just to ride your ride and the faster bike can predict better and safely overtake.
2nd point, do you mean they stay in the left hand (inside) lane, not stay to the left within their lane. Don't know where you ride / drive, but it must be more disciplined than I regularly see. Lot of lazy drivers in the UK, driving slow and sticking in the middle lane when they could pull in. But some places seem worse than others. There's an 8-lane bit of the A1 south of Peterborough that is a magnet to the worst drivers in Britain.
Agree with your next post. But there is a different MC culture in the US. 1%ers and all that. I dont know the story (my ignorance), but it seems different to over here.
A508 from Market Harborough to Melton Mowbray and onto A1 at Grantham is always a good ride out if you have not already done it.
Regards
Biter
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 978
Likes: 423
From: UK
Northamptonshire, so not a million miles away. Loads of bad drivers here too. Certainly riding with a group seems to prompt better lane discipline from the cars ahead 🙂
A508 from Market Harborough to Melton Mowbray and onto A1 at Grantham is always a good ride out if you have not already done it.
Regards
Biter
A508 from Market Harborough to Melton Mowbray and onto A1 at Grantham is always a good ride out if you have not already done it.
Regards
Biter
Ride safe
Banned
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 2,361
Not too long ago, I was riding down I-25, not going too fast, maybe 5 or 10 over. In my mirror I see a sportbike closing in on me fast. He got about to where I figure he could see my patch, hit the brakes hard. He maintained about 30 meters behind me. Shortly after that, another sportbike guy came blasting past both of us. The first one went around and caught up with. It looked like he was chewing him out, then they both slowed down and let me pass. I found it a bit amusing as we are not 1%, though we are 3PP.
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Joe Kucinski
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
This is not only a no, but a hell no.... Its illegal... Why would you put your life in the hands of someone you dont know... Your less than a foot away from a bad margin of error decision.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 35,824
Likes: 38,688
From: Post Falls, ID
Yes, if you are holding up quicker riders, pull over a bit and motion with your left hand for them to pass. Legalities aside, this is just common courtesy and how it is done out in the twisties of SoCal.The person passing should not actually share the same lane but pass using the oncoming lane. In n the twisties, it's nice to get the go-ahead before making a quick pass.