How do YOU pass other motorcycles on the road

[RACER111V]

 One of the things I am always uncomfortable with is overtaking slower bikes on the road. This was an issue again when riding last weekend. I was riding alone and came up on a group of four bikes on a curvy state forest road. I paced them hoping to get some wave by , or at least and indication that they know I was there. I passed the last two , who were riding nose to tail on their left ,  in their lane. The next two were riding staggered so I waited. I hoped they would let me through , but I had to wait for a stop sign to move pass them.
Now don't get me wrong. I have raced motorcycles all my life , and have no problem passing in a competitive environment. I personally don't hesitate waving a faster bike or car by me. But I really hate to pass large groups of slower bikes.
I'm always questioning my choices. At the FJ rally two years ago I had to pull next to an unknown (non rally)  bike after running out of passing room. I felt OK with the choice ,  but it was a topic of discussion at the next stop. Obviously if I can I just pass over the center line ,  like I would a car. But that is tough with large groups of slower moving bikes.

[racerman_27410]

If I come up on a group of slower bikes i will usually pace the group for awhile (till the next straight).... if i dont get a wave around (especially from the Harley parade  )

then i cut them up like a chicken for Sunday lunch and dont feel bad about it at all.

its nothing personal of course ...i have a FJ so their pain and suffering is over pretty quick 

KOokaloo!

[FJmonkey]

If I don't get the wave to pass then I treat the rider like a car. I don't want a rider to veer into me not knowing I am passing. I really try to watch my 6 but still get surprised from time to time.

[ApriliaBill]

Yeah, this can be an issue. If I see somebody in my mirror who is actually faster than me (not to hard to find) I get over to the right, same for some squid, weather he's faster or not, I'd rather not get rearended. Otherwise I wait for the wave, If I don't get a wave, I wait for a straigt, and make a pass like I would a car. If I don't get a wave I do not pass on the inside, if the squid can't see to let me by, he's probably not watching his mirrors and would slam the door on me anyway.....

I had another issue this a.m. while decending a steep set of curves, some kid going the oppisite direction came across the line and almost took me and a buddy out. This is one of the reasons I don't ride supersonic speeds on the street. If I had been dragging a knee into this corner, I'd be laid up or dead right now. Don't get me wrong, I like to have a blast here and there, but I make sure I can see far ahead. I have countless times come around a blind corner and come across slower riders, families in mini vans making a u-turn, and once almost hit a camel, Yes in Socal, I almost hit a camel.

[Zwartie]

As with any maneuver on the road, it always comes down to playing the "what-if" game. Unless the riders pull over to the right tire track and then clearly wave me on I would treat it the same as passing a car. It may be difficult or near impossible to pass a large group of bikes when you're in a twisty section and they are in a tight formation but the risks are too high to start passing them one or two at a time if you don't have the space to safely squeeze between  them. It's no different than passing a group of cars or RVs. Sure it sucks to be stuck behind slow riders but it really sucks to kiss the asphalt. Think of the unknowns: What is the skill level of the group or the individuals? How do you know for sure they are all part of the same group? - what if there's one or more rider in the middle of the group who is in the process of passing the group one or two bikes at a time and then just when you decide to begin passing, that rider pulls out in front of you?  That could really be disastrous! Also keep in mind that even though the rider at the back of the group may wave you on but that doesn't guarantee that the rest of the group has any idea you are there and that they are about to be overtaken. Just too many things that could go wrong. Wait for the right time when you can safely pass a portion of or the entire group.

[Brook]

...... On the way back from Clearwater last night, on the causeway. I was behind a group of four, three in the left lane and the other one in the right lane,.... in front of me. [I was on his right side, going about 65mph]

  I did not want to pass the one in-front of me, being we were in the same lane.
then, the rider up-front decides to make a quick right hand turn on to a side street, going to the beach.
  so, everyone gets on the brakes........and would'nt you know it, the one in-front of me, did not have mirrors.
now he looks over and sees that I am there and we are braking at the same speed, trying to get out of each-others way, before his turn.

[terryk]

One of the things I am always uncomfortable with is overtaking slower bikes on the road. This was an issue again when riding last weekend. I was riding alone and came up on a group of four bikes on a curvy state forest road. I paced them hoping to get some wave by , or at least and indication that they know I was there. I passed the last two , who were riding nose to tail on their left ,  in their lane. The next two were riding staggered so I waited. I hoped they would let me through , but I had to wait for a stop sign to move pass them.
Now don't get me wrong. I have raced motorcycles all my life , and have no problem passing in a competitive environment. I personally don't hesitate waving a faster bike or car by me. But I really hate to pass large groups of slower bikes.
I'm always questioning my choices. At the FJ rally two years ago I had to pull next to an unknown (non rally)  bike after running out of passing room. I felt OK with the choice ,  but it was a topic of discussion at the next stop. Obviously if I can I just pass over the center line ,  like I would a car. But that is tough with large groups of slower moving bikes.

Polite and heads up group riding means they see you and wave you by. Knuckleheadism does happen on occassion.

I agree with matching speed, trailing a little and waiting for the wave. If the wave does not come through, wait for the right opportunity and pass them hard, but give them space.

I came up on a couple of kiddies riding the 76 out in Pauma valley riding along pretty slow. I waited for the wave, no wave. I passed them hard, but gave them plenty of room.

I was riding my Warrior, loud pipes, 1,670 CC, loud pipes.

They eventually made it to the top of Mount Palomar and approached me, I was on Mothers porch by the Warrior talking to some of the folks. I thought they were going to share their real feeling on being passed. Instead, ammzing, they actually say, man you scared us with the pipes, we did not see you coming. TFF.

[andyb]

Always treat them like a car unless I know them personally.  Decreases the chances of getting tangled up.

[weymouth399]

Always treat them like a car unless I know them personally.  Decreases the chances of getting tangled up.

Thats how I ride my bike and race my car. EVERYBODY is a IDIOT till proven differently. 

Bob W

[simi_ed]

+1

[Mark Olson]

pass on the left,  pace the group in front and watch for the pull out.

If they don't see you, show 'em  a wheel.

[moparman70]

I pass'em like this guy --- go to the 5 minute mark of the video from this recent post...   NOw thats a statement.

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=6585.0

stevecc

[SlowOldGuy]

Like Andy say, I treat every unknown biker just like a car.  It's amazing how many riders NEVER use their mirrors.  I guess htey just think they're the fastest thing on the road and it's not necessary.  But you'd think there would be some kind of courtesy.

The biggest problem with having to pass a bike on a straight is it typically turns into a drag race. 

A friend and I were in Arkansas a few years ago and caught up with a group of about 15 to 20 riders.  When I pulled up on the tail end ridier, I immediately knew I was in trouble.  His license plate was from Kansas. I don't believe there are any curvy roads in Kansas and this group was riding like they'd never seen a twisty road.  I was hoping for a wave around, but instead got a face full of loud exhaust on every straight as they stretched their throttle cables trying to keep up with the rest of the group.

It took a few miles to finally figure out the proper passing technique.  They would let off very early for the corners.  So, I would pull out into the on-coming lane and do my best to keep pace with them on the straight.  They would let off well before the curve and I could fly by, picking off 2 or 3 of them before I had to tuck into the turn.  When we got up to the leader (on an FJR) he hung with us for a few curves just to let us know we weren't the hot shots that we thought we were then he fell back to his group.

With a little biker courtesy, they could have easily waved us through and avoided the 5 mile racer scenario.  Same with cars that don't let you pass.  That turns what should be a 5 second encounter into an unnecessary high speed race of aggression and potential road rage.

[craigo]

When coming up on slower bikes, I will pass them like a car on the straights.

However, when in the twisties, it's a whole other story. I was on the Sunrise Hwy a couple of weeks ago and came up on 3 bikes. The 2 front bikes seemed to know how to ride and were on FJRs.  The last guy however, was a rookie on a new FZ1. Every time we got out of a corner, he would open the throttle and I had to ring out my old gal to keep up. But the next corner, he would slow down and I could not get around him in a safe manner.  

I finally had to out brake him into a corner at speed on the outside. I could see up the road enough to know I was safe. I hope I didn't cause him upset, but that was the only way to get by.  I caught up to the 2 FJRs and same story. They also would not wave me by so I had to do that same maneuver 2 more times.

Some where up the road, I stopped at one of my favorite overlooks. All 3 passed by and not even a glance over or a wave. Guess I pissed them off. Oh well..

CraigO