Do you guys let other motorcycles pass in your lane?

[danh600]

I was wondering if when you guys are alone or in a small group and another motorcycle comes up behind you. Someone that is not riding with you or the group. If traffic is really busy and they are traveling at a faster speed do you move over to the right and let them pass in your lane?

I don't really see the problem in moving over, but I am having a discussion with someone that thinks you shouldn't move over. They say it's illegal and you don't know the skill of that rider coming up behind you. You should just let them pass in a normal manner.

[mrbones]

Legality aside, if I don't know them and trust their riding ability, I won't let them get close to me to pass. They could be a veteran with 1000's of miles clocked or a beginner who could crash both of us. There's just too much at stake if an accident occurs.

[flapug]

Riding side by side is legal in Florida.
"Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic.-- (1) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast in a single lane. "
I have let others pass me in my lane while on a group ride, But I knew them and their abilities. A stranger to me would have to change lanes or slow down.

[dt]

Riding two abreast is perfectly legal, but overtaking and passing isn’t (316.209(2)): “The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.” (316.206(1)): “All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast in a single lane.” There is a definite distinction between those two sections.

However, irrespective of the rules of the road, here’s my answer and how I look at it. Yeah, okay, we have a right to our lane and, yeah, other motorcycles are not supposed to pass inside our lane. But if someone wants to pass me in the lane and is intent on doing so…go for it! Because, how does one go about stopping another motorcycle (or car) from passing you in the lane? Weave side to side? Speed up? Make obscene gestures or yell at them?

The way I look at this topic and virtually every aspect of riding my motorcycles is that I have all kinds of State-Given (and God-Given) rights, but absolutely no effective means to enforce them…and it’s not my job to enforce them. The only thing I can do out there in the saddle is be as defensive as possible, and the best way to do that in many circumstances is just get the phuck out of everyone's way. Yup, same as everyone else here, I don’t know the skill level of the dude on the motorcycle (or car) breaking the law, but I can defend myself against a serious situation way better with that mofo in front of me than behind me.

[bagobones]

I was wondering if when you guys are alone or in a small group and another motorcycle comes up behind you. Someone that is not riding with you or the group. If traffic is really busy and they are traveling at a faster speed do you move over to the right and let them pass in your lane?

No. I will not do this. Even amongst the group of 5-10 folks I do group rides with regularly, this is not allowed.

[danh600]

Now I have to go back and tell my wife she is right.

[flapug]

Dad injured in motorcycle crash with son

A father-son duo crashed their motorcycles into each other Saturday evening in Deltona, and the father was airlifted to a hospital with a head injury, a sheriff's official said.
The crash happened about 6:20 p.m. in front of the family's house in the 800 block of Courtland Boulevard, Volusia County Sheriff's Office spokesman Gary Davidson said.
The men's names and conditions were not available Saturday night.
Davidson said the pair was traveling side-by-side, approaching their home, when the son turned in front of the father and both bikes crashed.
The son was not injured, Davidson said, but a Sheriff's Office helicopter airlifted the father to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach.
His head injury was not believed to be life-threatening, Davidson said.


Guess even if you know and trust who you are with accidents can happen. Rethinking my stance on the side-by-side riding

[dt]

I’m sorry to read about those types of things, but you’ve got to admit that they’re a good study and make us think. When my son and I trail ride together we have hand signals. Once he was leading on his atv and came up on a pretty bad obstacle and instead of signaling stop, he incorrectly signaled rotate (follower moves to lead) so I swung my YZ around out in front…needless to tell the rest of the story. Point is, if we ever get around to riding street bikes together, I’m keeping my distance.