| Author | Message | ||
     Iamike |
On Killboy's front page there is a sportbike (one comment is that it is a Buell) passing a cruiser on the right. I have been conflicted at times about passing slower vehicles on curves. The thing I don't get is other bikes (usually crusiers) that are going much slower and won't move over to let faster bikes by. On a recent ride to and from a rally in Colorado several of the crusiers that my son and I passed, that were going very slow in the curves, acted p.o.ed that we passed them. A couple actually blocked my son moving back and forth after I had passed them. I don't agree with passing on the right, especially if the other guy isn't expecting it. But if he is riding like a moron then maybe getting around him as fast as possible is the right answer. | ||
| Kdan |
Um, it is illegal in most states for two vehicles to occupy the same lane. Ie; passing. Be thankful some cruisers let you by. | ||
| Bake |
I prefer to be passed on my bike just like if I was in my truck. It's my lane if you want to pass do it in a legal passing area, if I see you I will probably pull to the right and wave you by. | ||
| Sportsman |
It's not their road either. Yes, common courtesy should be everywhere, but swerving to block is as common as cat sh## and dangerous. Gassing it up on the inside and running them off road with your rear wheel to their front would be equally prick like but justified since they're obviosly taunting and think they're ready to play. Clearly we have a better weapon. Live and let live, as long as nobody starts anything. They call em' "street fighters" for a reason. When riding something with floorboards I'd always wave any sportbike by. | ||
| Aldaytona |
Slow and inexperienced/ignorant riders who favor cruisers (as opposed to faster, inexperienced/ignorant riders who favor sport bikes) are sometimes a pain in the *arse to us all, but they are probably going the posted speed limit. Remember folks we are talking about PUBLIC highways and roads, not a race track or YOUR roads. These "killjoys" drive their Buicks and Olds the same way. It should be automatic that when you start thinking about passing on the inside of their lane (they were there first) you should hear the "Vonage" theme music starting to play. Grow up! * thanks to our brothers from across the pond | ||
| Xring |
When I ran the Dragon last year, only one person (a woman) on a cruiser wouldn't let me by. She finally did after a couple of miles; I could see that her partner had run off from her and she didn't want to pull over for me and get further behind. Other than that, every car, cruiser or touring bike I came upon pulled over or waved me by. No way would I try to pass them in their own lane. One reason is from my experience riding bicycles on the road. Proper passing of a bicycle is just like passing a car; follow safely until you can pass safely. Unfortunately, people think they can just squeeze by me in my lane without slowing down, without regard for oncoming traffic. A vehicle is legally entitled to his full lane, regardless of the size of the vehicle. If he is traveling slower than you, follow safely until you can pass safely, or pull over and let them get ahead. Bill | ||
| Rubberdown |
X, ever sprint for the podium in a crit? Make a hole and go. Elbows, shoulders, heads, and hips.... it's all good. | ||
| Whodom |
When I ran the Dragon last year, only one person (a woman) on a cruiser wouldn't let me by. She finally did after a couple of miles; I could see that her partner had run off from her and she didn't want to pull over for me and get further behind. Other than that, every car, cruiser or touring bike I came upon pulled over or waved me by. No way would I try to pass them in their own lane. I had the same experience there earlier this summer. If you have just a little patience I found that almost anyone will wave you around once they realize they're significantly slower than you are. I had noticed the photo at killboy last night but didn't pay that much attention to it. Note that it says the cruiser rider slowed to an almost stop in the middle of the road so his rider could photograph his buddy who was behind him. Looks like there is ample room on the right for the Buell to pass, but it looks like the cruiser rider wasn't expecting it (and is looking at the Buell INSTEAD of where he is going!). Near-stopping at the far left of your lane to take a photo is a pretty dumb thing to do on the Dragon. It looks to me like the Buell rider chose to pass on the right because (a) there was ample room and (b) he wouldn't block the camera. He could have legally stopped right in the middle of the lane behind the cruiser and totally screwed up their photo. I think the guy was trying to be courteous by passing so he wouldn't block the camera. (Message edited by whodom on September 15, 2006) | ||
| Sportsman |
I love that Vonnage tune! do do, do do do | ||
| Jackbequick |
I'll pass on the right if the situation demands it. But I see too many bikers that roll up and get too close to a cage or slower bike and then hang in too close waiting for a chance to pass. That's a bad thing to do, the other driver becomes aware of your presence and intentions, may become nervous or angry, and, worst case, may do something unexpected. I like to hang back some, several car lengths or even 50-100 yards, and wait until I'm sure I have time for a clean accelerate and pass move. That will get you around quickly and smoothly. Experienced riders and bike smart cagers will see you back there, know what is going on, and maintain their own drive. People trying to help or make it easy for you can be one of the worst things in the world, almost as bad as someone that wants you to not get around them. Jack | ||
| Xring |
Hey, Rubberdown: Never done a crit...I've heard they were rough, though. I'm a tri-geek, I like to train and ride by myself. On-topic: I read the description and comments on Killboy; it was rude and dangerous for the cruiser-guy to slow way down on the left. If he was aware of my presence, I would probably pass on the right after slowing to close his speed. As for the actual pic, who is to say he didn't wave the Buell on by? My first post, I thought the situation was the Bueller caught up to the guy and passed him at speed. If the cruiser was going all that slow, I would be worried about being rear-ended; a polite pass would be the way to go. Bill | ||
| Court |
We could learn much from the Europeans. | ||
| Aldaytona |
After riding a new BMW yesterday with it's quirky switches, maybe the Europeans could learn something from US.  | ||
| Bake |
Care to elaborate/educate Court? | ||
| Old_man |
I was riding with a buddy, I was in the lead when he decided to pass on the right at the same time I was about to pull over to the right side of the lane, luckily I saw him a split second before the imminent collision. I always pass on the left, never on the right | ||
| Diablobrian |
I would bet Court is referring to the European traffic laws and the smoother flow of traffic due to the acceptance of lane sharing as a normal occurrence. | ||
| Jayvee |
I read somewhere, that in Germany, if a car hits a bike and the car driver says, "I didn't see him" (in german of course) that the police treat that as an admission of guilt, car driver is cited, etc. Here that same line is an excuse that almost always allows the car driver to get off the hook. Maybe somebody from 'over there' could tell us if this is how it is? | ||
| Aldaytona |
Read issue#3, RPM magazine. Colin Schiller's "chief speak" article says it all. They also compare the Mv Brutale 910, the Ducati Monster S2R 1000, and the Buell Firebolt. Guess who our brothers from across the pond pick as the best of the bunch?  | ||
| Buelluk |
In my long experience of European traffic , no matter what the type of traffic , 'smoother flow' as a result of local laws is hardly evident in most countries I have driven and ridden. Europe could take a few lessons from the US in traffic flow, such as allowing the left lane to filter into the traffic at a red light , the same way we can filter on the right. In Germany it is also an offense if you do not go to the aid of a person injured in an accident | ||
| Court |
The most salient difference (and the requisite TRUTH qualifier that I have NEVER ridden in Europe is in order here) is LANE DISCIPLINE. Many Americans are mistaken and think that sheet speed is the lure of European roads, particularly the Autobahn. From 15 years of visiting with European riders on various internet sites I am inclined to believe that a coming up behind some one fast, flashing your high beams, is interpreted quite differently in Germany and Queens. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Court, you'll have to come & see what it's all about. It's an offense in France also not to help a person in danger, as it's termed. But France is a very bike friendly place. | ||
| Jlnance |
In NC, it's legal for motorcycles to ride side by side in the same lane. I've wondered, does that make it legal for bikes to pass each other in the same lane. | ||
| Easy_rider |
When I ran the Dragon last year, only one person (a woman) on a cruiser wouldn't let me by. I've gone to North Carolina twice now with a few buds and on both trips the locals went out of their way to let us by, and Harley groups generally squatted in front of us. We had an unusual case of the back part of the group letting us through and the front few keeping us blocked. All in all, I think the cruiser side of HD has become the arrogant black sheep of the family. Hard to say without knowing the complete situation, but knowing the possible frustration and given a chance I'd have probably done the same. | ||
| Iamike |
Many years ago I remember while driving in Arizona that cars would move over onto the shoulder to let you by, even in no passing zones. I don't remember anyone doing that the last couple of times that I've been down there. Maybe it's because there are so many transplants there now. I kind of laugh when someone says that you shouldn't pass on the right because it is illegal. It is also illegal to speed, wheelie, pass on the yellow, etc. Of course it usually surprises me when someone goes by on the right when I don't expect it. On club rides we generally know the riding habits of each other. | ||
| M2nc |
In NC the proper process to pass where it is legal is to flash your headlights and honk the horn before passing. At least according to the driver's test. I usually flash the high beam, use the turn signal both left while passing and right when I am coming back into the right lane. On mountain roads, I will cross the double-yellow where it is safe. I would only pass on the right if the rider signals me to and I feel it is safe. | ||
| Buelluk |
I agree with Court about lane discipline in Germany , I worked in Germany for nine months and it is exemplary...but if you go up behind anybody in France or the UK and flash your lights at them they will probably hunker down and stay put. In the UK if the person flashing is in a BMW , Mercedes or any other vehicle determined by an arbitrary set of rules to be "too flash" , the chances of them moving over are virtually nil. | ||
| Rocketman |
Speed camera technology has changed the way British drivers behave. The police have set out deliberately to make the public's view of speeding as disgraceful and irresponsible as drink driving. They are succeeding I have to say. Our towns and cities are infested with speed humps and traffic islands. Main routes have had their speed limits lowered. Wide main roads through towns have been narrowed down to single lanes in either direction, favouring the pedestrian. Queuing in traffic is an everyday given for the UK motorist. The latest and sneak tactic by our road planners acting on behalf of a government bent on targeting the motor car for extra revenue is the solid white lines they are painting all over the bloody roads. More single file, no overtaking. There's plans afoot to evolve chip technology where vehicles are speed controlled by satellites. France is the future. That is one awesome country for any petrol head and French roads are fantastically well thought out and constructed. Rocket |
