Road Ettiquete
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 527
Likes: 42
From: Sequim, WA
The OPs post reminds me of something. Twice this year alone, once with my wife and once solo, I've had some ******* (different guy each time, crotch-rocket both times) fly by me on the RIGHT side of the lane! Came up so fast both times that I didn't even know he was there. Scared the **** out of me... how did he know that I wasn't going to stay in my position and move to the right. Could have ended up bad both times. And I'm not easy on the throttle. I was moving at about 75 mph myself. Oh, and both times the lane on either side of me was wide open. It's like they were trying to buzz the tower or something. Watching out for cages trying to kill us is one thing, but fellow riders?
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 527
Likes: 42
From: Sequim, WA
I live in the land of the tourist. We have several events a year that bring both motorcycles & cars to an area with some interesting views so we expect people to drive/ride slow enough to enjoy their vacation. That being said, courtesy (which seems to be in small supply) should dictate that in addition to enjoying the scenery you pay attention to the other people on the road. Few things are more irritating than being stuck behind a bike/car/group that are doing 10/15 mph below the speed limit in a no passing zone. There's nothing wrong with moving slow to enjoy the view, but be aware of the people behind you. Make it obvious that you know they are there. When it's safe to pass let them know you are making room for that. If you doubt the safety, their ability, or your ability, simply pull off to the side & enjoy the view for a few seconds while the traffic jam you have created clears. After all, you're there to enjoy the view. Stop & do it!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
Another aspect, if you are on a motorcycle, is that *no one* should be able to surprise you. Because of our vulnerability we *need* to be aware of the vehicles on ALL sides of us. Right, Left, Front, & Rear. No one is perfect, but when you fail to maintain that awareness you put your life in the hands of strangers. Some of whom you may have annoyed.
Last Bike Week a few of us were returning from St. Augustine on A1A. Too much north bound traffic to get a passing area. In front of us were 3 Tourons spaced out both in distance & awareness. They were running 15 to 20 mph below the speed limit just gawking at the landscape & the ocean. We followed for nearly 20 miles trying for a legal pass. They were completely unaware of anyone else on the highway. Scared the hell out of 'em when we started filtering between 'em. No courtesy, no awareness, they shouldn't have been on motorcycles.
Last Bike Week a few of us were returning from St. Augustine on A1A. Too much north bound traffic to get a passing area. In front of us were 3 Tourons spaced out both in distance & awareness. They were running 15 to 20 mph below the speed limit just gawking at the landscape & the ocean. We followed for nearly 20 miles trying for a legal pass. They were completely unaware of anyone else on the highway. Scared the hell out of 'em when we started filtering between 'em. No courtesy, no awareness, they shouldn't have been on motorcycles.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: ALABAMA
Usually... about as far over as I will move is the right side of the left side of the lane.. ( just left of center) just enough to let the other people have a clearer view of if something is coming down the other lane.... they can pass in the other lane when they think it's safe and I still have the whole other half of my lane to use as an exit strategy if the need arises. There has been once or twice where I knew the road we were on only had a couple of short straight aways and I scooted to the right enough for the crotch rocket to ease past kind of on the line/ just in the lane.
I don't think I have ever been surprised by a bike sneaking up on me... I actually know what the mirrors are for........ ha.. but at the same time... I was playing around one day and my wife didn't realize I was playing with a crotch rocket behind us... when we hit the straight away he nailed it and flew past us... thought the wife was going to jump off the bike
I don't think I have ever been surprised by a bike sneaking up on me... I actually know what the mirrors are for........ ha.. but at the same time... I was playing around one day and my wife didn't realize I was playing with a crotch rocket behind us... when we hit the straight away he nailed it and flew past us... thought the wife was going to jump off the bike
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Good example of what "NOT" to do. Last weekend was in northern WI for the Tomahawk Fall Ride. Heading back to the hotel Saturday night, my group of 4 scoots was riding in a staggered formation, at the speed limit, due to an overabundance of deer in the area. Two bikes caught up to us and at the first opportunity powered by. Well they caught up to two more conservative riders and our group caught up as well. I'm thinking, great safety in numbers, more lights in the ditches etc. Watched in amazement as these two *** clowns weaved through the two slower riders in the same lane. Accident waiting to happen.
I live in the land of the tourist. We have several events a year that bring both motorcycles & cars to an area with some interesting views so we expect people to drive/ride slow enough to enjoy their vacation. That being said, courtesy (which seems to be in small supply) should dictate that in addition to enjoying the scenery you pay attention to the other people on the road. Few things are more irritating than being stuck behind a bike/car/group that are doing 10/15 mph below the speed limit in a no passing zone. There's nothing wrong with moving slow to enjoy the view, but be aware of the people behind you. Make it obvious that you know they are there. When it's safe to pass let them know you are making room for that. If you doubt the safety, their ability, or your ability, simply pull off to the side & enjoy the view for a few seconds while the traffic jam you have created clears. After all, you're there to enjoy the view. Stop & do it!
I think we still have a law here if you have 5 vehicles behind you, you are to pull over and let them pass. We also allow lane sharing. It is only common courtesy to pull to right of the lane and wave faster riders past. I don't know any rider that can't pass in half a lane? I really don't understand folks that don't care about anyone behind them or think no one should go faster than them? One of the great things about bikes is ya don't NEED the whole lane.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
Me too, its just good manners and still believe in them.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 505
Likes: 1
From: Houston
I don't hold people up and do my best to let riders by when I can, but it's important to remember that a curtosey is just that and cannot be demanded or expected and you can't get mad if someone doesn't extend it to you.
It is no more a slower rider's responsibility to accommodate a faster rider than it is the responsibility of the faster rider's responsibility to accommodate the slower one. It doesn't matter how entitled you feel because you live locally or you've been riding longer or whatever other reason you have that you think it entitles you to have people let you through. If you treat the slower vehicle with the same respect you expect from them it usually works out.
I know it's not fun for a pack of guys on crotch rockets to ride behind me doing the speed limit on a narrow twisty canyon road, but if you think riding my *** blipping your throttle and attempting to squeeze me off the road is going to help, hope you're enjoying the leisurely ride back there.
It is no more a slower rider's responsibility to accommodate a faster rider than it is the responsibility of the faster rider's responsibility to accommodate the slower one. It doesn't matter how entitled you feel because you live locally or you've been riding longer or whatever other reason you have that you think it entitles you to have people let you through. If you treat the slower vehicle with the same respect you expect from them it usually works out.
I know it's not fun for a pack of guys on crotch rockets to ride behind me doing the speed limit on a narrow twisty canyon road, but if you think riding my *** blipping your throttle and attempting to squeeze me off the road is going to help, hope you're enjoying the leisurely ride back there.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: ALABAMA
I don't hold people up and do my best to let riders by when I can, but it's important to remember that a curtosey is just that and cannot be demanded or expected and you can't get mad if someone doesn't extend it to you.
It is no more a slower rider's responsibility to accommodate a faster rider than it is the responsibility of the faster rider's responsibility to accommodate the slower one. It doesn't matter how entitled you feel because you live locally or you've been riding longer or whatever other reason you have that you think it entitles you to have people let you through. If you treat the slower vehicle with the same respect you expect from them it usually works out.
I know it's not fun for a pack of guys on crotch rockets to ride behind me doing the speed limit on a narrow twisty canyon road, but if you think riding my *** blipping your throttle and attempting to squeeze me off the road is going to help, hope you're enjoying the leisurely ride back there.
It is no more a slower rider's responsibility to accommodate a faster rider than it is the responsibility of the faster rider's responsibility to accommodate the slower one. It doesn't matter how entitled you feel because you live locally or you've been riding longer or whatever other reason you have that you think it entitles you to have people let you through. If you treat the slower vehicle with the same respect you expect from them it usually works out.
I know it's not fun for a pack of guys on crotch rockets to ride behind me doing the speed limit on a narrow twisty canyon road, but if you think riding my *** blipping your throttle and attempting to squeeze me off the road is going to help, hope you're enjoying the leisurely ride back there.
Well said........
Unless it's crotch rockets... I'm usually the one doing the passing...I tend to ride on the quicker side.... I'll ride "in formation" until I see a good spot to get around them then hit the on coming lane and go for it.... if it's a road that doesn't have many good spots... I'll just endure their speed until we get to the next road then pass. But I stay off their *** and just ride until then.. I have actually been cruising along pretty well and caught up to a couple of bikes (which made me realize just how fast I was cruising) decided to slow down and just cruise along with them and they started the whole waving me by thing.... except I didn't want to go by.. I was happy slowing down... it's amazing how pissy people can wave as they do the "wave you by" if you don't want to pass.
only had one crotch rocket try the "push me down the road" thing.... yeah so that makes me go slower.... you know.. so that you have every opportunity to pass as safely as possible.....LOL
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 320
Likes: 48
From: Mobile, AL
My opinion only, your mileage may vary.
Pulling to the right and waving the person behind on around is just common driving courtesy. Like flashing your lights to let the truck driver know it's safe to pull back in line or not drive 10 MPH below the speed limit in the left lane.
If I 'defend my lane' that just means there's two azzhats on the road instead of one.
Pulling to the right and waving the person behind on around is just common driving courtesy. Like flashing your lights to let the truck driver know it's safe to pull back in line or not drive 10 MPH below the speed limit in the left lane.
If I 'defend my lane' that just means there's two azzhats on the road instead of one.