Passing farm machinery

[Idaho]

Greetings,
I have a policy that I always follow when on rural roads that could have saved one man's life last week in Pocatello. I NEVER pass farm machinery on my motorcycle, or in a car for that matter, if there is anyplace ahead that the tractor or swather or combine can turn into because many times those guys don't look and they will turn right into you. A 60 year old biker was killed last week when a swather turned in front of him and he ran right into the side of it at 50mph. Look ahead for lanes, driveways or field entrances and don't ever pass one if he is approaching a turn off. Always be patient and you will live to ride again tomorrow.
Idaho

[dharris]

I drive farm equipment and thats good advice ..we look but oftenn the size of the equipment..limits the ability to see behind....

[dogdoc]

Good Advice for the farmers and riders.

[dank]

Good advice. Watch slow cars too. I had an encounter with a car this way, which is why I am now in this group instead of the Concours Owners Group. Car was a long way ahead of me on a straight road, just putting along at 15 or so and weaving slightly. I came up behind, put my signal on, pulled out and was starting to pass, when the elderly woman moved left, but instead of weaving back this time she kept coming and went into a gravel drive. No brake light, no turn signal. I braked hard, swerved, and almost but not quite made it around the back of the car. She said she was out for a drive and decided to turn around and hadn't looked before she turned. I am actually glad I wasn't in my pickup. I'd have gone through her door. I had good gear and came out unscathed, but the bike was a total loss.

I do not pass now if there is anywhere for the person I am passing to turn. I also got a louder horn.

[Idaho]

You are right, farm machinery, cars, trucks, it matters not. Talk about defensive driving, this is it.

[rflnomad]

We have the same problem down here too with the farm machines. I have driven tractors in the past and they can be a pain. Also, since they are slow, they can make their turn across or off the road at the last second.
Remember, most have no brake lights or turn signals.
When we encounter these vehicles, I slow down and blow the horn until the driver sees me. Then I pass. Also, I pass with plenty of throttle; I want to get around ...NOW!
The sugar cane trucks are the worst. The stalks fall out of the trucks and they just keep going. The road is littered with them some days.
Be safe out there.

[Idaho]

You are right, farm to market trucks present the same issues with quick turns and additional hazzards with loose loads. Here in Idaho we have to watch out for potatoes and sugar beets. Also a lot of intersections become coated with grain, barley and wheat. As bad as sand. Someone once described sand as the "devils mixture" to bikers and roads coated with grain are like driving on ball bearings.

Good advice Rflnomad When in doubt USE THE HORN. Too many people are afraid of it! I would rather risk offending someone than getting seriously injured. It doesn't work very well as a retaliation device but it works great as a make sure they see you device. Most people would rather have you honk at them than to hit you. I've only had one person that I know of INTENTIONALLY run me off the road and I wish he would see this http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/39857/

[Idaho]

Wolfman, that is a powerful video. Enough to make you want to be even more careful out on the road.