How do you overtake?

[olionel]

Just wondered how most peeps overtake, say there is a line of cars about 4 or 5, a lil country road, do you do car hopping one after the other, or just do big swoops when the opportunity presents itsself.
I just wait and overtake them all at once when I think is suitable rather than hopping in and out, just wondered what everyone else did?
____________________
1989 CG125 - Childhood Sweetheart (she got kidnapped by baddies)
1998 ZXR400 - Teenage Love (lasted three years, then she turned lesbian and left me)
2001 XRV750 - Wife Material (still getting to know her but head over heels in love)

[Ichy]

Both I guess, its controlled by the speed of traffic and the type of road. Swooping on carriageways were the average speed is higher, hopping in queues and around town.

[Walloper]

[ram_doom]

Youre only limited by how far you can see/what you can see. If you can see into the distance, and the oncoming lane is clear, then go for it, but not if there's a turning or you cant see what the cars up front are doing... etc.
____________________
TL1000s, KDX200

[.....]

I prefer to do them as a whole bunch if possible. But remember one very important thing, if it's clear enough for you to overtake a whole bunch then one of the cars might try and do the same thing. Always be ready for one of the cars in the line to pull out and go for an overtake as well.

[lllN30lll]

get behind the pack. 2nd gear, hoink the front wheel up past them all
____________________
Turbo R1
CRF450R

[MattEMulsion]

Well you have to judge each set of circumstances on its merits. If it is possible to take them all in one go then I will, but if it is not safe then I will hop past each one individually. What you have to be very careful of is once you have committed to overtaking them, that none of them also pull out to overtake without spotting you first.
____________________
Yamaha YZF-R6

[Handsome]

Normally with my eyes shut whilst waving one leg to the side...
____________________
Previous Bikes...Honda NSR 125 RR...Kawasaki Zephyr 550...Suzuki SV 1000 S...Yamaha FZ8...Current Bike...Suzuki GSX-R 750...

[colin1]

i think little hops past each car can be dangerous if you are too close.

id prefer to overtake by being fully on the other side of the road

but i wouldnt usually take the lot at full throttle, id pass each one at a speed that would leave me the option of pulling in again if i needed to due to an oncoming car

If you fully commit, and go full throttle, it had better be a long enough straight for you to do it before an oncoming car can reach you. A run up would help too.

Its very rare that i do multiple overtakes at speed.
____________________
colin1 is officially faster than god

[Walloper]

It depends on the machine you ride too.

It takes just a flick and a massive squirt of gas has my overpowered steed zipping past anyone in my way.
____________________
W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[stinkwheel]

If I see I can safely get past the nearest car, I pull out to pass it (with the appropriate speed to pass this car and pull back in). When I pull out I position myself so I can then see as far as possible down the road. So next to the right hand kerb on straights and left handers, fairly near the centre line on right handers (but far enough out to see past the car I'm overtaking in case there's a smaller vehicle in front of them).

I might now be able to see far enough to reach a gap two cars further ahead so I go for that one. Again, as I move up I might see another gap three cars ahead, next target.

So, essentially going for the next gap in traffic you can safely make it to but staying out if another gap makes itself obvious.

Seen me overtake 15-20 cars round a left hander using this technique, not screaming past, just steadily cruising by two or three at a time.

If I'm in a group of riders, I'll stay out for as long as the road ahead is clear. The following riders may not be able to see far enough ahead to move out in the first place, but if they can see I'm still out, they know there's enough time to move across and have a look.

Also don't be afraid to pull across into the opposite lane to see what's coming if doing so will give you a better view, you can always slot back in again if it isn't safe. Obviously, you need to be able to see far enough ahead to pull out in the first place, but if you can't, you're probably to close the the vehicle in front.

It's all about observation.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[cestrian]

You should be able to judge distances and speeds and make decisions based on mental calculations. If you can't make those judgements, be extra cautious.

Safety is the key!

[TheShaggyDA]

Up the inside. No-one expects that.
____________________
Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[iooi]

[Mooncatt]

yeah seen that happen a few times iooi
____________________
current bike...CBR400RR
"you always need more chicken"

[binge]

After a little incident the other day on the motorway. I am very curious about overtaking now.

Ok fair doos, I was doing in excess of 100mph. But its not really the point. I had my headlights ON. And was approaching a middle lane cruiser with a BMW up its arse. As I was about 10 meters behind the BMW (Yes it was a close one), She decided to pull out to overtake the Middle lane cruiser, No mirror check, and NO indicator. (I was in the fast lane BTW)

Luckily there was some central area "Run off" if you like, It was concrete, So I had somewhere to go to get out of danger.

I sped up past the BMW and gave her the One finger Salute before coming off at the next available exit to change my underpants.


So even though its been said before, Its the most important thing about overtakes. Not oncoming cars, But cars in front of you pulling out to do the same overtake.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[steveh]

werever there is a gap, go.


i often "hop" between cars in small lanes due to there being no decent overtaking spots, if its a nice long road, i overtake at full chat.
____________________
Current : 06 Zx10r, 07 Wr450f SM, 74 850 norton commando, 63 bsa b40, 1962 Triton 650, 67 Triumph Tr6r, 1955 Triton 750, 1978 TY250E.

[G]

[treble]

If the traffic is saturated, along the hard shoulder of my lane. If traffic is flowing normally, forget overtaking - I have to rag the bike to keep up

[Pte1643]

[binge]

[colin1]

if she had checked her mirror twice she would have seen you, but her mirror checks would have been timed to allow for someone going at about her speed rather than someone approaching at 100mph

yes she was at fault but from the position of the cars as you described, maybe you could have had an idea it might happen

anticipation of potential hazards
____________________
colin1 is officially faster than god

[iooi]

Should never rely on mirror checks alone.... Many a car has massive blind spots where even cars can hide., let alone a bike.... You should always check over your shoulder to make sure thats its clear to pull out.
____________________
Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[Pte1643]