Interstate and semis'
Stay back and pass when ya can. I avoid being behind semis, motorhomes, dump trucks, trash trucks, contractors and landscapers (they don't secure anything) and anyone carrying anything like roof mounted luggage carriers or bikes. I have seen too many things come flying off of vehicles that would pretty much mean biting it.
When passing try to stay to the left of the lane you are passing in. Lessens the turbulence.
When passing try to stay to the left of the lane you are passing in. Lessens the turbulence.
STAY AWAY!
I NEVER follow ANY truck down the highway. It's a recipe for disaster. I'll either fall way back or most likely jump on it and pass it as fast as I can. I rarely find myself in a rush to get somewhere but if I had to be, I'd probably take my car. My bike is an oasis to me, providing "tranquil" time. Dodging traffic isn't tranquil.
As far as the truck coming back around again, I might take 5 at a rest stop to give some distance. Trying to beat it down the road with a big *** truck on my tail is no fun either!
I NEVER follow ANY truck down the highway. It's a recipe for disaster. I'll either fall way back or most likely jump on it and pass it as fast as I can. I rarely find myself in a rush to get somewhere but if I had to be, I'd probably take my car. My bike is an oasis to me, providing "tranquil" time. Dodging traffic isn't tranquil.
As far as the truck coming back around again, I might take 5 at a rest stop to give some distance. Trying to beat it down the road with a big *** truck on my tail is no fun either!
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 49
Likes: 4
From: Stuart
I feel turbulence towing and by far the worst is car carriers, I can feel their turbulence for a good ź mile. I have yet to experience that on a bike as I'm new to riding. Do certain trucks effect bikes differently too?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
It's so unpredictable.
Turbulence is really fickle. One moment your riding down the road straight up, the next your leaning at an angle to compensate.
Last week we had a windy day, for us that's about 25 to 35 mph. I was on a two lane with a huge double bottom hauler coming at me cutting into the cross wind. As I grabbed tight to the handle bars I got hit by a driving wind that arrived before the truck. Wasn't prepared for the way he cut up the wind and was pushing it to the front. I felt like I stopped for a split second when that burst of wind hit. As he went by it darn near sucked me over to his lane right as he went by. Not the first time I've been jostled by drafts around big rigs.
Doing that at 70, or 80, or more mph and to have it repeat over and over on the e-way does not make it an enjoyable relaxing ride!! I'm more of a secondary road rider. I like the path least taken, and back road scenery.
Last week we had a windy day, for us that's about 25 to 35 mph. I was on a two lane with a huge double bottom hauler coming at me cutting into the cross wind. As I grabbed tight to the handle bars I got hit by a driving wind that arrived before the truck. Wasn't prepared for the way he cut up the wind and was pushing it to the front. I felt like I stopped for a split second when that burst of wind hit. As he went by it darn near sucked me over to his lane right as he went by. Not the first time I've been jostled by drafts around big rigs.
Doing that at 70, or 80, or more mph and to have it repeat over and over on the e-way does not make it an enjoyable relaxing ride!! I'm more of a secondary road rider. I like the path least taken, and back road scenery.
Last edited by JohnnyC; Oct 4, 2012 at 08:07 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 5
From: North West PA
I completely agree with CHILLS and CHUNKER. Stay clear and pass FAST. NEVER run along side those big tires, I've seen them blow steel chunks right out the side wall of the tire just like a hand grenade. Watch out for the Road Gators.
Last edited by brewdog; Oct 4, 2012 at 08:20 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
I will echo that as well. In ND there is always wind. A calm day means the wind is less than 10. I have no problem slowing down to stay out of a semi's wake, or just twisting it and getting around the buggers.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 127
From: Chandler, Arizona
Turbulence is really fickle. One moment your riding down the road straight up, the next your leaning at an angle to compensate.
Last week we had a windy day, for us that's about 25 to 35 mph. I was on a two lane with a huge double bottom hauler coming at me cutting into the cross wind. As I grabbed tight to the handle bars I got hit by a driving wind that arrived before the truck. Wasn't prepared for the way he cut up the wind and was pushing it to the front. I felt like I stopped for a split second when that burst of wind hit. As he went by it darn near sucked me over to his lane right as he went by. Not the first time I've been jostled by drafts around big rigs.
Doing that at 70, or 80, or more mph and to have it repeat over and over on the e-way does not make it an enjoyable relaxing ride!! I'm more of a secondary road rider. I like the path least taken, and back road scenery.
Last week we had a windy day, for us that's about 25 to 35 mph. I was on a two lane with a huge double bottom hauler coming at me cutting into the cross wind. As I grabbed tight to the handle bars I got hit by a driving wind that arrived before the truck. Wasn't prepared for the way he cut up the wind and was pushing it to the front. I felt like I stopped for a split second when that burst of wind hit. As he went by it darn near sucked me over to his lane right as he went by. Not the first time I've been jostled by drafts around big rigs.
Doing that at 70, or 80, or more mph and to have it repeat over and over on the e-way does not make it an enjoyable relaxing ride!! I'm more of a secondary road rider. I like the path least taken, and back road scenery.
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I for sure try to avoid running near the big rigs. The turbulence can be a PITA and I REALLY don't want to be around when one of those treads give way. Was caging back from Las Vegas to Ohio earlier this year was right behind a semi he kicked up a tire tread and I had no choice but to run straight into it flew out from under my vehicle and the suv behind me took it in the front bumper and ended up cracking his plastic! Broke a few plastic clips under my front bumper. Can't imagine what could have been if I were on the scoot! I'll back down and put some distance between us if it's not safe to pass and when I do pass I'm hugging the left line in the passing lane. I'll always wait until I have a clear pass cuz I'm gonna motor it past him fast! I never follow a car past the truck, I feel like I'm boxed in and nowhere to get away to in case of emergency.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: Oak Ridge Tn, about 20 mi from US129
I do a lot of interstate driving to get where I need to in the shortest time. Visiting relatives or long trips. Most of the time I run about 80-85 so I can pass big rigs when I want to, on my terms, so as to spend the least amount of time beside or behind them. Worst time was about a month ago coming back from visiting my son. Got behind a livestock truck carring cows, like being in the middle of a cow patty! Passed him and he started hauling a$$ behind me and passed me then pulled in front and slowed down. Passed him again and he sped up and followed me for about 20 mi pushing it the whole time. This was on flat land on the plateau, flat land being pretty uncommon here in East Tn. Finally got away froom him going up a long grade. Sure enough coming down the mountain he was catching up again. After a few more back and forths I just slowed way down and let him go. Got to the bottom and there he was again. I just pulled off at the next exit and took the long way home. Never so glad to get off the interstate. Livestock trucks are the worst, the smell and the livestock moving inside you never know when their going to shift a little. Chicken haulers are even worse. By traveling faster than most you can minimize your time beside them, but for livestock trucks pass as fast as you can safely and try to leave them far behind. Stay safe and Ride smart.