About passing other bikes...

[BillyBumbler]

Being new to riding with only 300 miles on my M50, I ran accross something today that got me wondering. I was cruising on the freeway today in the right lane going about 55 or so. A group of maybe 15 - 20 Harleys came up behind me at about 70 or so, and about half of them passed me in the second lane to my left, while the other half passed me on my right in my lane. Is passing a bike like that in the same lane accepted? Made me a little nervous, a couple of those guys got pretty close. They were not being aggressive towards me, at least not obviously so.

[TaterDog]

Not sure, since this hasn't happened to me, but sounds like the guys passing on the right were in a Clint Eastwood movie once (the one with the chimp). Doesn't sound safe to me, especially if it puts you at risk.

[Clint]

Most riders consider it totally unacceptable to share a lane unless invited. It's also illegal to do so without consent.

I don't tolerate people I don't know using what I consider to be my space.

[dragbar]

If a faster bike comes up I'm ok most of the time waving them on and moving to the right to let them get by me if they can't change lanes...But on the right of you as well? Yea I'd label that in the market of rudeness.

[BillyBumbler]

Rudeness was how I first interpreted it, but I wasn't sure. I wasn't about to start waving my fists though, you never know who you're dealing with anymore.

[ForbidInjustice]

In general, I really don't appreciate it. I've had a couple sportbikes come RIGHT next to me in a residential area.. just to say "Hi", and that's fine, but when they keep riding next to me, I get annoyed.. and keep looking forward to ignore them so they will back off or pull forward.

On the highway, I have experienced it as well. When riding alone, I am in the center of the lane. When I see another biker coming nearby, I shift to the left or the right of the lane [remember: divide your lane into thirds].. that basically invites them to ride staggered with me. Occasionally I have them pass me in my lane. It's a little scary when you think about how dangerous it really is [if one of you were to veer off and clip the other].

As far as I have experienced, bikers give hand signals to tell you to pass in that lane. That's the only time I ever do it, because it is dangerous enough that I want them to be completely aware and ready that someone is about to move in on their space, aka their "bubble".

I vote that someone needs to start a thread on Biker Etiquette. It would be very beneficial to the new riders, and any rider who hasn't ridden in many groups.

Ride on wind!

[Danr]

Originally Posted by BillyBumbler

Rudeness was how I first interpreted it, but I wasn't sure. I wasn't about to start waving my fists though, you never know who you're dealing with anymore.

This may offend some here but what the H*ll, I am not PC anyway.

You just might have run into the " I am on the "HARLEY"" syndrome.

Further explaination will come with experiance.

Now if I put in the disclaimer that not all HD riiders have this attitude and I ride with alot of them is that going down the slippery slope of PC ism

[astrsfan]

I've had this happen too. Im going to work, 65mph, riding in the left third of the slow lane. This guy passes me like Im standing still, on the right third of my lane. Scared the crap outta me. My first thoughts were "a$$&*!@ could have killed us both."

Then I chalked it up to the HD syndrome mentioned above.

[jkulysses]

Who really has the last laugh though? We could get three of our bikes for the price on theirs and I would bet money these bikes last longer. Back on topic, that would piss me off if they did that to me. All it takes is a little gust of wind at those speeds to get knocked all over the lane.

[2kMarauder]

It hasn't happened to me personally, but my dad rides a 1600 Roadstar and some idiot on a Goldwing passed him in the same lane once.

I think that it is too dangerous to do stuff like that, and i'd probably get mad if someone did it to me.

[TheDickies007]

I'm glad this has not heppened to me yet. I get scared when a big truck passes me on my left. I'm a new rider as well, and myheart would be pounding if a bunch of harleys passed me on the right. I take comfort in knowing that I can use the right part of my lane to move around in. I guess maybe I can't.

[ForbidInjustice]

Originally Posted by 2kMarauder

It hasn't happened to me personally, but my dad rides a 1600 Roadstar and some idiot on a Goldwing passed him in the same lane once.

I think that it is too dangerous to do stuff like that, and i'd probably get mad if someone did it to me.

A Goldwing?! That bike almost takes up the whole lane anyway! Doesn't sound like a typical move from a Goldwing rider. The vast majourity of them I've seen are veteran riders! Amazing.

[viper94bite]

I'm usually switching from one side to the other anyways. I'll ride on the left for a bit and then switch to the right. Unless there is a strong wind then I stay as far to the one side as possible to allow for error. Maybe doing that makes them think 2x before they try it on me. I don't know just an idea. Never had it happen to me yet and hopefully it won't. I don't count when i'm riding with a buddy and I signal them to pass me.

[GIXXER-Mike]

Hehehe! I thought this was funny .

http://www.fizzer-redline.com/harley.htm
-------------------------------------------
AWESOME Group Riding & Other Info:
http://www.msgroup.org/discuss.asp

[dragbar]

wow...that is a super long rant.hehe

[Uechi Kid]

I also had a sport bike pass me on the right in my lane. I was going about 70mph. Caught me totaly by by suprise. Takes lane splitting to a whole new level.

[Born2Ride]

The link also had some cool pics check 'em out.

[St0nkingByte]

I've had a few bikes pass me in my lane. When I was a very new rider I once had a car pass me in my own lane! I also once had two giggling sport bike guys ride right next to me in stop and go traffic using up all my weaving room and making me have to stop and put a foot down about 4x more than I usually would. I tried to wave/dirty look them off but they were so busy giggling at each other. I honestly think they had never ridden in traffic before.

The exact law probably varies slightly from state to state but a motorcycle should be afforded the same space on the road that a car or any other vehicle is entitled to regardless of size/speed/etc. This means you should have exclusive use of the entire width of the lane you are in. Other riders who violate that space are simply rude, ignorant and dangerous. Those guys you see riding the Harleys next to each other on the freeway arn't cool, they're absolute morons.

At a stop light it is kosher to pull up next to another bike if there is sufficient room. The general rule of thumb is that the bike that arrived first will depart first. I typically won't pull up next to a bike at a light unless the rider is on the left side and there's plenty of room.

[NCBoulevard]

Originally Posted by St0nkingByte

The exact law probably varies slightly from state to state but a motorcycle should be afforded the same space on the road that a car or any other vehicle is entitled to regardless of size/speed/etc. This means you should have exclusive use of the entire width of the lane you are in. Other riders who violate that space are simply rude, ignorant and dangerous. Those guys you see riding the Harleys next to each other on the freeway arn't cool, they're absolute morons.

The above statements are correct although it's not just Hardly riders.

A bike owns the lane it's in from white line to white line. Any idiot who passes in the same lane without being waved on by the biker occupying that lane already is too stupid to be out on his/her own. Not only are they endangering themselves they're taking your life in their hands when they do it.


Ride Safe

[bat4255]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Most riders consider it totally unacceptable to share a lane unless invited. It's also illegal to do so without consent.

I don't tolerate people I don't know using what I consider to be my space.

+1

I don't do it to them, I would be pissed if someone did it to me.
Just plane rude.