Overtaking other bikers
Discussion
Any hints or tips? I find it very tricky to know the right etiquette.
Groups are especially tricky - I usually hover for a couple of minutes and get a feel for their positioning etc, then try and pick off one or two at a time as considerately as I can... Difficult work though, and rare that most bikers seem to look in their mirrors, even when they're in a big queue below the speed limit.
Had a couple of bad experiences though, with a Harley and a GS in one queue swerving to block me and lots of waving of hands etc
Groups are especially tricky - I usually hover for a couple of minutes and get a feel for their positioning etc, then try and pick off one or two at a time as considerately as I can... Difficult work though, and rare that most bikers seem to look in their mirrors, even when they're in a big queue below the speed limit.
Had a couple of bad experiences though, with a Harley and a GS in one queue swerving to block me and lots of waving of hands etc
Quickly overtake when able, giving them good room and throw a thumb up or a leg out or whatever once past. I couldn't care less if they dont like it, but if I think it's likely they'll be trouble and try to race me, I'll pull over and let them get ahead a bit. This has only ever happened when I was young and new to riding, and in hindsight was probably because I was crap in the corners and actually holding them up.
Anyone who gets funny about it is a loser, in the same bracket as the fool in the Honda Jazz doing 40mph in the national zone, who flashes you multiple times when you overtake on a clear road.
Edit: It's occurred to me you may have meant overtaking bikers, with you being in a car. In my opinion same applies, just give them a flash of the hazards
Anyone who gets funny about it is a loser, in the same bracket as the fool in the Honda Jazz doing 40mph in the national zone, who flashes you multiple times when you overtake on a clear road.
Edit: It's occurred to me you may have meant overtaking bikers, with you being in a car. In my opinion same applies, just give them a flash of the hazards
Biker 1 said:
Firstly, make yourself visible in their mirrors & only overtake on a really clear piece of road. On more than one occasion I have turned off my planned route - attempting to pass 20-odd Harleys can take forever & not worth the agro.
Try overtaking a group in a car!When I'm on my bike I use the same rules for passing anything - give enough room and only when there's enough space. And yes I've been chased..doesn't seem to happen so much nowadays.
I tend to follow other bikes for a few corners to gauge what speed they are "cruising" at and also pay attention to their riding style i.e. are they wanting to overtake other vehicles themselves or are they happy to sit back? do they check their mirrors or are they blissfully unaware you are behind?
Once I'm happy the overtake is on, pass out wide and get past quickly. If overtaking large groups, maybe drop in behind every few bikes if they are bunched up.
Once I'm happy the overtake is on, pass out wide and get past quickly. If overtaking large groups, maybe drop in behind every few bikes if they are bunched up.
I find it a bit touchy too where you don't want to go past someone if it turns out they're going to be faster than you. I usually sit behind for a minute to suss them out. Had a few annoying things like,
Happy to pootle around until you pass them and then they want a race
Overtaking a bike with car in front, bike suddenly decides to overtake also with no indication
I'm about to move to a gap in a speed bump and then another bike piles into the gap from behind, forcing me over the hump
A group of bikes spaced out very long but little gaps in between
Bikes with no mirrors or indicators driven by people who can't turn their heads easily
I look in my mirrors often and will let people go if they suddenly appear out of nowhere, many people don't understand that you won't be seen if you are directly behind in my blindspot though.
Happy to pootle around until you pass them and then they want a race
Overtaking a bike with car in front, bike suddenly decides to overtake also with no indication
I'm about to move to a gap in a speed bump and then another bike piles into the gap from behind, forcing me over the hump
A group of bikes spaced out very long but little gaps in between
Bikes with no mirrors or indicators driven by people who can't turn their heads easily
I look in my mirrors often and will let people go if they suddenly appear out of nowhere, many people don't understand that you won't be seen if you are directly behind in my blindspot though.
Hover for a bit, try to ensure you've been seen, position ready for an overtake. In an ideal world any biker being overtaken would reposition a bit to the left, indicating they've seen you, and giving you some room. Always give a fairly wide overtake in case they haven't. Never chance an overtake when a bike is sitting behind a car unless it's obvious they've seen you, or obvious they aren't looking to overtake themselves as that seems like a recipe for disaster when they suddenly veer out.
Anyone that's miserable about being overtaken needs to take a second look at themselves.
Anyone that's miserable about being overtaken needs to take a second look at themselves.
I take it carefully but still make mistakes. Came across two bikes pootling at about 50 ish on back lanes - not tricky ones so you can do 60. When the road opened up I accelerated to overtake and lo and behold they also accelerated to quite a bit over 60 and then made progress int he next set of twisties so maybe they were sightseeing til then?
Other times I have overtaken (and been overtaken by) all sorts... Often guys on enfields or classics so I just give them space etc. Occasionally there is a classic 2 stroke revving its tits off and I'll stay back out of respect cos it sounds and smells amazing
I don't ride in groups anymore, but am aware that those who are doing so quite often ride differently to those out on their own. When overtaking a group (on a bike, none of my four wheelers have the grunt to overtake a tractor, let alone a group of bikes), I'm always aware that somebody within that group may think that you are a part of it and will act accordingly. Hence the trying to block, or getting upset at an overtake. Others may just be trundling along not bothering with any independent thoughts, just following the guy in front.
Also, be aware that if you pull in to the group mid overtake, you may get lost in the crowd, so be especially careful pulling back out in case the back marker is steaming up the outside at full tilt.
If it's a slow moving funeral escort, I wouldn't overtake, partly as no one will be expecting it, but mainly, simply out of respect.
On a separate note, take a look at the U.S. You Tube videos about passing "etiquette" and requesting permission to pass - should raise a laugh or two.
Also, be aware that if you pull in to the group mid overtake, you may get lost in the crowd, so be especially careful pulling back out in case the back marker is steaming up the outside at full tilt.
If it's a slow moving funeral escort, I wouldn't overtake, partly as no one will be expecting it, but mainly, simply out of respect.
On a separate note, take a look at the U.S. You Tube videos about passing "etiquette" and requesting permission to pass - should raise a laugh or two.
b
ks to the 'right etiquette' - just do it safely for your part and theirs. Simple 
In a car, slightly harder to do with groups of bikes but the general principle of safety for you and them still applies.
Anyone getting hurty feelings over a safely executed overtake needs to chill out and put things into perspective rather than rage, flash lights,beep, rev bomb, coffee bean shaker, etc.
ks to the 'right etiquette' - just do it safely for your part and theirs. Simple In a car, slightly harder to do with groups of bikes but the general principle of safety for you and them still applies.
Anyone getting hurty feelings over a safely executed overtake needs to chill out and put things into perspective rather than rage, flash lights,beep, rev bomb, coffee bean shaker, etc.
spoodler said:
On a separate note, take a look at the U.S. You Tube videos about passing "etiquette" and requesting permission to pass - should raise a laugh or two.
There are tales of people passing backpatch groups without 'asking permission' or 'showing respect' and then either getting a kicking or even being shot.Madness.
I just overtake bikes like I do other traffic, just get a feel for what they’re up to and when safe nip by giving lots of space.
In my experience it’s groups of Harley riders that will go out their way to make it difficult for you, even once had one stop me on a roundabout so all his buddies could stick together!
In my experience it’s groups of Harley riders that will go out their way to make it difficult for you, even once had one stop me on a roundabout so all his buddies could stick together!
No etiquette required, just give each other space and don't overtake like a tt (you know who you).
If someone comes up behind me on a mission I'll wave them past, and I will usually wave a hand after I've passed someone. I would much rather you came past than followed me for miles and miles.
But some folks do twitch if I pass them on the scoote...
t (you know who you). If someone comes up behind me on a mission I'll wave them past, and I will usually wave a hand after I've passed someone. I would much rather you came past than followed me for miles and miles.
But some folks do twitch if I pass them on the scoote...
Biker 1 said:
Firstly, make yourself visible in their mirrors & only overtake on a really clear piece of road. On more than one occasion I have turned off my planned route - attempting to pass 20-odd Harleys can take forever & not worth the agro.
I'd say this as well. I had it in peak district over the weekend. I just move to the right and be visible in their mirror and then overtake typically on other side of the road when straight and clearOccasionally I've seen a rider (Typically GS lot) get a bit grumpy but for the majority it works fine. Cant please everyone
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