How to pass or be passed by transport trucks

dragonrider

dragonrider

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Hi guys, I am a new rider and have a question need your help. I have been riding on 400 series highway to work for a while. Every time I have to pass a hugh transport truck or be passed by one makes me extremely nervous.
My question is should I stay in my tire track (assuming it is the one closer to the truck) or move to the one farther from the truck then move back. Any other tips about how to handle around a big vehicle that creates lots of turbulence will be really appreciated.
 
Ride more and you won't even think twice about the turbulence. Just don't ride behind tractor trailers. When their tires let go you don't want to be behind it on a bike. The retreads can easily kill you. I have seen them put massive holes in fiberglass hoods on trucks that have been hit by them. Just think what it would do to your fiberglass helmet.
 
I typically try to stay as far as possible from transport trucks as possible go to the farthest lane or tire track and gun it.Have seen too many truck exploding tires in my days can only imagine getting hit by a flying piece of rubber at 100 km will hurt for sure.
 
I move over to the farther tire track, less kick up and turbulance I find, and I typically accelerate past them.

One thing as a new rider that has made a WORLD of difference is earplugs. Nothing to do with trucks, but definetly required on 400 series I find.
 
dragonrider said:
Hi guys, I am a new rider and have a question need your help. I have been riding on 400 series highway to work for a while. Every time I have to pass a hugh transport truck or be passed by one makes me extremely nervous.
My question is should I stay in my tire track (assuming it is the one closer to the truck) or move to the one farther from the truck then move back. Any other tips about how to handle around a big vehicle that creates lots of turbulence will be really appreciated.
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I "toe" the white line if I am in the left lane and passing. Reason being: It has been my experience that you will be pushed out and then sucked back in towards the trailer and you will slow down. Using this method you will have less buffetting from the wind. I also do this in advance of a truck that is coming towards me. If you can anticipate the brief 2 second blast that follows, you will be ok. Just use a little more throttle when performing this to steady your ride.

Hope this helps.
 
Just do what feels right. Dont obsess over blocking position. A motorcycle cant block a transport truck.
 
As said, there is a drawing in motion as you pass the rear of the truck and a pushing away feel as you pass the front. Give yourself some room (stay in left track). There is also turbulence that kind of bounces you around as you approach the truck's wake about 50' behind it. If you are prepared for it just relax and go with it and try not to gorilla grip the handlebars. Just pass the truck instead of staying in that turbulence.

Wait until one day you approach a few trucks with a cross wind and then it's really more fun.
 
Trailer tires have been known to blow out so, I provide transports with as much room as possible. I also try to look for the driver in the side mirrors of the tractor to make sure they see me. I also look ahead of the transport to see if they are approaching another vehicle in front of them to determine if they want to move over.
 
Thanks for the advice guys, esp. About the blown tire thing. Really scary thing to watch out for. Also I guess it is a perfect reason to upgrade from 250 to a bigger bike for highway riding:-)
 
The 250 is fine. Nothing is safe from a blown tire tread - it doesn't make much difference, that is a nasty projectile. Just give the truck as much distance as practical in any direction and get past them quickly.
 
Also watch out for "smart" drivers and riders who like to jump in empty space in front of the truck and immediately change lane one more time.
So they don’t really see you or anyone else in the lane next to truck. My buddy almost got wiped last Fri because of that – car jumped in front of truck from left lane and started to go into next lane right away. Thanks God my buddy saw it coming and was able to slow down to let idiot through
 
bikermahn said:
I move over to the farther tire track, less kick up and turbulance I find, and I typically accelerate past them.
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This is very good advice. Trucks, when they start to move over, move over quickly. They're generally very professional and predictable but they do move fast. So never ride beside them for any length of time. If you're passing, move to the far tire track and boot it past!
 
Always try to stay ahead of them, they mostly are nice people when it comes to motorcycles (specially in bad conditions), leaving space for you and breaking and all that.

When you are passing, I suggest you to wait until you have enough room to overtake and be ahead of them, avoid at all costs staying beside them. Always, Always, stay behind them (on the lane beside them left or right) until you have room to over take them, and once you do, do it without hesitation and move to the opposite tire track if you are going above 80 for turbulence.

When they are over taking you, there is really not much you can do, other than move over to the middle of the lane if possible. Don't worry this usually only happens in slow traffic conditions.
 
Flat Out, just give'r!...works 60 percent of the time alll the time.

seriously though i just blow ride pass em even in my car no point in lingering and finding out what can happen, no thank you.
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