Motorcycle Passing Mistakes Can Get You Hurt!

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Passing another vehicle isn’t just about twisting the throttle—it’s about strategy, precision, and perfect timing. Get it wrong, and you could increase your risk. Get it right, and you’ll open up your vision, create time and space, and make your ride safer. In this video, I’ll break down essential tips for passing safely, avoiding blind spots, and knowing when NOT to pass so you stay in control on the road. Don’t let a bad pass put you in danger—watch now and ride smarter!

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Passing other vehicles on the road isn’t just about twisting the throttle and getting ahead—it should be about strategy, precision, and timing. Pass at the wrong time, and you could increase your risk; pass at the right time and in the right way, and you can actually decrease your overall risk.

Get it right, and you can safely pass slower vehicles, open up your vision to the road ahead, and create more time and space for your ride.

In this video, I’ll break down key tips to help you pass safely, efficiently, and like an expert street rider—without taking unnecessary risks. Let’s dive in!

Know When Passing is Necessary

One of our primary goals on the street is finding and maintaining time and space for ourselves. Sometimes, this involves passing vehicles; other times, it’s better to hang back and maintain distance.

Here are some important questions to ask yourself before making a pass:

Would passing the vehicle ahead create more time and space or reduce it?
Is the traffic ahead moving so slowly that it causes cars to stack up behind me?
Does the traffic ahead restrict my vision of the road?

For example, if traffic is flowing at 60 MPH and you have a 2-3 second following distance from the car in front, but traffic is piling up behind you, passing the vehicle ahead might be a wise decision.

Going slower isn’t always the safest choice on a motorcycle. Strategic riding means knowing when passing can help create time and space, making your ride safer overall.

Time Your Pass Strategically

There are times when passing is not a good idea or requires extra caution.

Avoid passing near intersections or driveways that intersect with the road. If you’re approaching an intersection and pass a slower vehicle, there could be a car turning into your lane that may never see you, as they expect traffic to move in a predictable pattern.

As a general rule, avoid passing near intersections or intersecting driveways.

If you’re on a four-lane road and passing a vehicle in the left lane, use extra caution. The car you’re passing may unexpectedly move back into the right lane. Always have a plan to deal with this possibility.

An exception to this rule is passing an 18-wheeler on the right. These trucks have significantly larger blind spots, and motorcycles can be difficult for truck drivers to see.

Be Aware of Blind Spots

Blind spots are a major factor in passing safely. Consider these different perspectives:

The driver’s blind spots in the car you’re passing
Your own blind spots as a rider
Blind spots created by terrain, roadside objects, or even the vehicle itself

From a rider’s perspective, good use of mirrors and a final head check should always be performed before changing lanes. That final head check can prevent pulling into the front bumper of a car slightly behind you.

Before passing, use your lane position to your advantage. Position your motorcycle where you can see and be seen. Be aware of terrain or other obstacles that may put you in a blind spot and plan accordingly.

Accelerate Smoothly but Decisively

When passing, it’s best to do so smoothly but decisively. If you’ve done your due diligence and verified it’s safe, use the throttle to get around the vehicle in a safe and efficient manner.

If you’re unsure whether it’s safe to pass, then don’t. Also, once you determine it is safe, don’t pass hesitantly.

Most motorcycles that are 500cc or larger have ample power to pass a vehicle. Avoid passing in a slow, lazy manner that prolongs your exposure to risk. The longer you spend in another vehicle’s blind spot, the more danger you invite.

Roll on the throttle smoothly and get around the vehicle efficiently.

Larger Vehicles Require More Caution

Larger vehicles demand extra care when passing. Here’s why:

They have bigger blind spots.
They take longer to get around.
They increase the risk of kicking up road debris.
They can create strong gusts of wind when passing.

Always be prepared for these factors when overtaking larger vehicles.

Remember the Goal

One of our primary road strategy goals as riders is to maintain time and space for ourselves. Knowing when or if to pass another vehicle plays a major role in achieving that.

Sometimes, the safest choice is to maintain space by keeping a safe following distance. Other times, passing a slower vehicle actively increases your time and space.

Knowing when to pass—or when not to—is an essential part of a rider’s road strategy for creating time, space, and visibility on the road.

Till next week…