Out riding today there was a ton of blue hairs and gawkers out enjoying the fall colors in their own irritating way. People driving under the speed limit, not paying attention to the road.
So that got me to thinking. I'll pass on double yellows if need be - like if they aren't doing the speed limit. No big deal. Otherwise I'll try to wait for a passing zone.
I find that I have two passing modes. If someone is going the speed limit or over, and I just want to get by, I'm generally keeping it in a higher gear. If someone is going under the speed limit and/or swerving around, I drop a gear or two and hammer down.

So. Does that make me an asshole?

I think passing over the double yellow is what makes people think you are an asshole.

Be careful out there, quick way to get yourself dead.

Drivers aren't expecting you to pass when it is double yellow. Who knows, if their driving sucks that bad they might be making a left without signaling -- while you happen to be on their left door. I'd say ask the guy that did that infront of Two Wheels Only in GA last weekend, but, he won't be responding, ever.

In there eyes, most likely they think your an Asshole, but screw em!

I got stuck on the the local range road yesterday behind 2 idiots having an argument going between 20 to 40 KPH on the road, the Idiot up front was blocking the guy behind from passing in the passing lanes by sitting in the middle of both lanes and being a slim mountain road with lots of corners the guy behind was stuck.
and there is no room to pullover to let them all go.

They both swerved to the right (Allowing we drive on the left of the road here) The guy in front swerved right to block the guy behind him passing on the one straight section, I saw this was going to happen, I was in 2nd gear, cracked it to full throttle and passed them on the left (Illegal here in Australia with a very big fine)

To me it was the lesser of 2 evils, stay stuck in this fight between 2 Idiots with no regard to other road users and with a massive train of angry and very impatient drivers behind me getting throttle happy and no doubt someone will lose it and do something really silly, Or break a law and get out of a dangerous situation in about a second or 2.

I chose the latter, If I got a fine I'd be taking it to court in a heart beat.

I look after me first, If I think my personal safety is limited due to inattention/stupidity of other drivers or riders, I get the hell out of there. I would prefer to be alive with a fine or a court date than injured or worse.

But I don't just pass on double yellows (Double white over here) because I can, If I'm at risk or danger, then I'll weigh up all the options including pulling over and stopping or pulling out and passing, but if it's just a slow driver I'll normally just sit there and use the time to have a bit of stretch or reposition myself ready for when I can pass them.

Look after yourself first! because no one else will  

This is one of those occasions were my relativism comes out. Double yellow lines are there based upon the performance of an automobile, so given the performance of a motorcycle, it it completely safe in many instances to pass in a double yellow zone. Not all instances mind you, but many. If you are extremely careful, signal your intent, and don't push the limits I tend to think it's ok.

Of course no one else is going to appreciate that, so the people getting passed or casually observing are going to think you're an out of control hooligan recklessly endangering the general public on you motorbike that should be banned.

Who cares if someone thinks your an asshole. You think their an asshole for driving like a slug.
makes no difference just dont be a dumbass about passing and be safe.  ride safe

Quote from: He Man on October 11, 2008, 03:46:13 PM
Who cares if someone thinks your an asshole. You think their an asshole for driving like a slug.
makes no difference just dont be a dumbass about passing and be safe.  ride safe

+1
I pass in double yellows if it's safe...as long as there aren't any 

Quote from: vwboomer on October 11, 2008, 02:41:34 PM
I find that I have two passing modes. If someone is going the speed limit or over, and I just want to get by, I'm generally keeping it in a higher gear. If someone is going under the speed limit and/or swerving around, I drop a gear or two and hammer down.

I mostly just hammer down.  Get the pass over quickly.  Plan the pass, double check it's safe, and then just go for it.   [moto]

Quote from: vwboomer on October 11, 2008, 02:41:34 PM
So. Does that make me an asshole?

No.  If they think you're an asshole, make the beast with two backs 'em.  We didn't get into motorcycling for 'their' approval.   

My rule for passing: early and often.

FYI, I have this setup with a Valentine One and it has paid for itself 10x over ... 

Adam

Wow! What a timely post. I was out riding today and had the SAME exact thoughts. I knew there would be opinions on both sides.

I saw a guy in front of me on a bike today, and he just went ahead and passed the cars on the double yellow line. He did it quickly and safely (in my opinion). But some might think he was driving like an asshole. I typically don't pass in those conditions unless someone is going under the limit, or talking on their phones, swerving around, just acting like an idiot. Actually, that happens a lot, so I do end up passing quite a bit. Especially when out for an actual ride, as apposed to just doing an errand around town, or going somewhere close to my house.  But I have no problem if another rider does it as long as they aren't freaking people out. In other countries, riders seem to do whatever they can to safely get around cars and it seems to work out OK.

You must be careful though. If you pass and it pisses the wrong person off, then you have to stop in a few miles to get gas, it could get ugly. I'm 6'4" and had an angry, short, fat soccer mom get out of her SUV at a stop light a few years ago, and slap my helmet because she was pissed at me (long story and I never saw it coming). That's better than some nut job with a gun though.

A lot of roads in my area had passing zones and then were painted over double-yellow, so I most definitely pass in those areas.  And I'm old and conservative.

When I was a kid, my Grandfather would commonly pull over to let others pass.  Now it seems people take it as a personal challenge if you pull up behind them.

Quote from: Jeff_S2R1K on October 11, 2008, 05:15:46 PM
When I was a kid, my Grandfather would commonly pull over to let others pass.  Now it seems people take it as a personal challenge if you pull up behind them.

I've found that the best way to help a cager find their gas pedal is to pass them 

Adam

I pass in a double yellow rarely.

When I do, I put the blinker on, and beep the horn in a "friendly" way to get their attention.

However, I have a headlight modulator, and it is VERY often that people move over as I am approaching them from behind.  That was $70 well spent.

There is always the shoulder [moto]

Quote from: ducatizzzz on October 11, 2008, 06:11:19 PM
I pass in a double yellow rarely.

When I do, I put the blinker on, and beep the horn in a "friendly" way to get their attention.

However, I have a headlight modulator, and it is VERY often that people move over as I am approaching them from behind.  That was $70 well spent.

What kind did you get? Not that there's a huge difference between them I'm sure  [moto]

Adam

Do you guys pass other people on motorcycles if they are going slow or are all over the place?  Just curious because if someone is riding behind me and they are close I let them pass but if I pull up behind someone and I'm going faster then them very few have pulled off to the side a little and let me pass.