Over Taking?

Rodger Wabbit · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Karma :

Hi, Went out for a ride today and was practicing overtaking cars, was getting more confident when i through right i can overtake this car. "another car was coming the other way" so i pull out get half way past, changed gear and and loose all power (think its that false neutral thing) ! o dear cars coming fast the other way and iv got no power to overtake this car and his not going to let me back in! luckly i manage to get the gear and just get in front of the car but only just! and im sure i caused both cars to slow down Embarassed

!

So have you lot ever had any interesting overtaking problems?

iCraig · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Karma :

As some people may tell you on this forum who went on the wales rideout, that I cut my overtakes quite fine. Very Happy

I mean fine as in not alot of space between me, the oncoming vehicle and vehicle I'm overtaking. Its one of my bad habits unfortunatly and a plus of owning a slim bike. Razz

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

The exhaust fell off my car once, as I was in the middle of overtaking an oil tanker lorry with oncoming vehicles. That was 'interesting'. Always good to find yourself suddenly with no power and a large piece of metal dragging along the deck. Confused

hustler · Crazy Courier Joined: 29 Jul 2004 Karma :

Ant · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Feb 2003 Karma :

i once overtook a lorry and when halfway up the side of him (and half way round the bend by this point) a lorry was comming the mother way, luckily for me, there was enough room down the middle for me but it was a shut your eyes and think oh fuck moment!
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04 ZX10R ~

Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

I was in the middle lane of the M40 (in my car) a few years ago doing about 85-90mph when the bonnet flipped up and smashed the windscreen. I was overtaking a lorry at the time. Luckily he saw what happened and slowed right down - my bonnet was still up and I couldn't see where I was going!

That woke me up... I don't really need that kind of shite first thing in the morning on the way to work!

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

There is always the old trick of 'going onto reserve as you pull alongside the car you are overtaking' which can be embarassing.

The problem Roger Wabbit had can be pretty much avoided by a bit more planning, the trick is to leave more of a gap between yourself and the car. As you see a safe overtaking point coming up you accelerate into the gap in front of you meaning that by the time you pull out to pass, you are already up to a speed that will allow you to safely complete the overtake.

A bit of a stab in the dark here, but I bet Roger did a direct access test with no significant amount of road experience on a 125. The reason I say this is because for learners on 125s, the above technique is a 'bread and butter' one, the only way you can get past slower moving vehicles. You often had to start your 'attack run' two corners before the overtaking site in anticipation of the road being free of oncoming traffic. As you rounded the corner the little bike would be totally flat-out and the distance timed perfectly to nip out as soon as the way ahead was clear whilst still leaving space to abort the manouver if there was something coming.
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“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.

Rodger Wabbit · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

*buffs fingernails nonchalantly on jumper* Wink

____________________
“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.

cagiva gezzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Mar 2003 Karma :

I agree with stinkwheel.

You've got a serious prob if you can't get past a car when you're on a proper bike. Just work the engine more.

Most people pick up the technique on smaller bikes, because if you don't learn how to, you will bever get past other traffic.

Try doing it on 50mph 50cc! Spot the prey in the distance, spot the overtaking area 1 mile ahead, build up speed, time it just right so you get to the prey just before the overtake area and pull out past. An thats just for cyclists! Wink

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"because one stroke isnt enough and four strokes waste two"

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

If you can't complete and overtake and the car you're overtaking there is one easy option. Brake to slow you down and slot back in behind the car you were overtaking.

mchaggis · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 May 2004 Karma :

Gazdaman · I did a trackday!!! Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Karma :

Knowing your bike really helps when making the overtakes.

I know that between 30 and 45 in third gear is the best for me to overtake in.

I also know I have to take a bit of a run up to just nip past.

As I'm getting more confident I'm overtaking more, sometimes I really don't want to commit to it and I just slot back in behind the car I was behind originally.

You'll also find the best time to overtake is coming out of a corner, that's when I zap 75% of slower moving vehicles.

Gaz

Rob W · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Nov 2004 Karma :

I used to overtake everything (doing less than 40 anyway Rolling Eyes

) when I had my TS50, used to ride that thing like a loon, being 16 and thinking I was invincible.

Not too worried about getting past anyone now unless I have to, cant see how people have problems getting by though. Knowing your bike is best IMO, only go for it if you know you can easily out accelerate them to get past at your given speed.

kasandrich · Trackday Trickster Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :

skyline · Scooby Slapper Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Villers · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Karma :

The coppers on the bikesafe claimed to ride about a foot from the white line, except when going through bends. This gives you a better view of the road ahead and puts you in both mirrors of the driver. The IAM instructor guy that showed the video of himself riding his busa had advice on the overtaking thing too. First of all he overtook without breaking his stride, no accelleration, no gear change - nothing! He also said not to indicate as 'by the time they see it your already doing it'. Anyway their method was to overtake gracefully and quite slowly so as not to over commit and give you chance to pull back in if a crisis arrives.

My own personal method is to have a quick look, then flog the @rse out of it and wring its neck until your past in the shortest possible time! Wink

jonboy · Trackday Trickster Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Karma :

The police riders handbook doesn't even mention countersteering either, which completely removes any faith I may have had in it once.

hustler · Crazy Courier Joined: 29 Jul 2004 Karma :

kasandrich · Trackday Trickster Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :

There are sound explanations for not doing the "run up" technique to overtakng, and that is that you never put yourself in the position where you are fast approaching the rear of a car or lorry, in the same lane and possibly (if a car appears in the opposite direction) with nowhere to go.

By seeing the way is clear, then pulling out, then accelerating selecting the right gear for your speed, then passing the vehicle and pulling in, you may be out in the other lane longer, but you are travelling at similar speeds, and can therefore easily cancel the manouvre and pull back in on your approach. But you cannot put yourself in the position that you are aproaching the vehicle in front at 20mph or more, then find you have nowhere to go, then maybe a diesel spill, or a wet drain cover or some simple everyday road hazard and you are in trouble.

I would suggest that if that techniqe is not possible then you need a more powerfull machine or the overtake isn't really on safely. where is the element in reserve, for contingency?, you are advocating taking a run up flat out, with no power in reserve.
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Richard

CBR1000FM

jonboy · Trackday Trickster Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Karma :

I would suggest only overtaking in the car. If you think about likely you are to suffer a serious injury if someone clips you on the bike, compared to maybe a dinged wing in the car, it is obvious that two wheelers shoudn't be allowed on the road. Totally dangerous things.
Alternatively we could ban riding bikes until riders are 25, then they could jump straight on a bike with ample power for overtakes.

kasandrich · Trackday Trickster Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

jonboy · Trackday Trickster Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Karma :

^^exackerly.
Whether you have a big or small bike, you would still aim to end up overtaking the car going a certain amount faster. The small bike technique simply takes longer to build up that speed.
As long as the forward visibilty is adequate, there's no reason slingshotting should be in the least bit less safe.