Follow our tips for passing other vehicles safely and effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Words by John Sandberg<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Passing. It\u2019s a circumstance so common to riding and driving that it might seem mundane. It\u2019s not. In fact, passing another motorist exposes you to some of the most dangerous riding situations, which is why we should utilize key strategies for safe passing. Ray Petry, operations and training lead at the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy, shares his techniques for passing safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, ask yourself why you want to pass. Are you on your motorcycle because you\u2019re trying to get somewhere, or because you enjoy the ride? If it\u2019s the latter, maybe it\u2019s best to find a pace that flows with other motorists, rather than racing past them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn most circumstances, if you decide not to pass someone, you\u2019ve reduced your exposure to potential danger,\u201d says Ray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s likely that at some point you’ll need to pass another vehicle, so consider how to do so effectively. For Ray, that means employing this basic blueprint for every pass you make: constantly scan the road ahead and behind, in both the passing lane and the cruising lane; signal your intention to pass; initiate the pass while accelerating; swing wide around the vehicle you\u2019re passing; once you have sufficient room in front of the vehicle you\u2019re passing, signal your merge back to the original lane; merge and decelerate to the desired speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the basic outline for safe passing and should be used for every pass,\u201d says Ray, \u201cyet there\u2019s a lot of nuance in the details and varying circumstances of some situations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When passing another motorist, you\u2019re faced with a decision to either roll on the throttle to build some speed, or to downshift, hit the gas, and use a more sudden burst of acceleration to pass. Which is the better option? In Ray\u2019s opinion, the downshift-and-gas-it method is best because it typically carries less momentum into the situation, making it easier to abort the pass if the situation changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBuilding speed before initiating the pass consumes time,\u201d he says. \u201cPlus it usually means you\u2019re going pretty fast by the time you\u2019re actually swinging wide to make the pass. If conditions suddenly change\u2014such as an oncoming vehicle or a change in speed of the vehicle you\u2019re attempting to pass\u2014you can be forced to take evasive maneuvers at the very moment you\u2019re committed with maximum speed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The solution: pass decisively and quickly, utilizing your motorcycle\u2019s ability to accelerate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategy changes when your motorcycle is loaded with a passenger or the weight of extra gear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf my bike is fully loaded, I ride with the premise that I\u2019m not going to pass unless it\u2019s absolutely necessary, because a loaded motorcycle takes more time to accelerate and decelerate,\u201d says Ray. If he does need to pass, Ray favors building speed before initiating the pass because a fully loaded motorcycle doesn\u2019t accelerate quickly enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy rationale is the same as for passing unloaded: use the method that consumes the least amount of time for the whole passing process. With a loaded bike, I\u2019ve found that the building-speed method is generally the quickest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Years of riding in rural Pennsylvania and Wisconsin have made Ray acutely aware of the pitfalls associated with passing slow-moving farm machinery. \u201cSomeone driving a tractor or combine poses added challenges and danger to a motorcyclist,\u201d he says. \u201cTheir equipment is usually pretty wide and sometimes hangs into a second lane. They can\u2019t always see motorists behind them; they might not have working lights or turn signals; their equipment is cumbersome and can sling mud and dirt onto the road; and they might abruptly turn into fields without a clearly marked or visible driveway.\u201d Pay attention to clues to directional changes a farmer might make, such as the telltale sign of dirt chunks going into and out of fields, as well as other equipment being operated in upcoming fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re among a group of riders who are about to pass a motorist, agree in advance on how the group will or will not pass and follow that guidance while still making your own safety decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a mistake to blindly follow the rider in front of you,\u201d says Ray. \u201cFor starters, that rider might have different ideas of what\u2019s safe, and second, even if the situation was safe for their pass, it might have changed by the time you\u2019re ready to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best approach is to employ the same strategies when riding solo. Ray adds one extra bit of caution for group passing: \u201cIf you\u2019re riding within a group and decide to pass a motorist, be extra cautious to look behind you before swinging wide. Others behind you could decide to pass before it\u2019s their turn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to handle occasions when you\u2019re the one being passed? According to Ray, it\u2019s best to check your ego at the door, do your own scan of the situation and allow the pass to occur as safely as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf I think the situation is safe and okay for passing, then I stay my course and don\u2019t make any changes,\u201d he says. \u201cBut I\u2019m prepared to change that tactic and have a plan for it. If I see a motorist roll out to pass me, then I look at all the factors on the road. I want them to have a choice to go in front of me as well as the ability to change their decision and come in behind me. That might mean moving over to the right third portion of the lane and slowing down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a nutshell, be cautious, be aware and be thoughtful about your environment. And safe passage to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n