TEAM Arizona Riding Tip September 2012: Blow it Out Yer Wind Blast!

Published: Posted on by admin

Last Updated: April 1st, 2024

18 Wheeler Stock ImageThe biggest behemoths on the road can give us some of our scariest moments.  Do you ever feel nervous or tense when approaching a large vehicle or riding next to a vehicle?  Are you ever surprised or caught off guard by the amount of wind turbulence created by these vehicles?

Motorcyclists can safely share the road with trucks if we keep a few concepts in mind.  We can reduce our fear and our risk when approaching any large vehicle.  Do you know how to take this mountain of a challenge and turn it into a pea size problem?

MAXIMIZE SAFETY MARGIN
To maximize safety margin means to maximize your time and space given your skill level and the ability of your motorcycle.  We want to make sure we’re respecting the large vehicle by expanding our distance from side to side; forward and aft.

THE “NO-ZONE”
You’ve probably seen this image, or one similar, on the back of a truck and trailer urging you to stay out of the NO-ZONE.  You may remember it from driving school or your class at TEAM Arizona.  Understanding the NO-ZONE and what it means is crucial to our success around large Image of semi truck blind spotsvehicles.  Some interesting areas of note:

  • The area behind the truck is obvious; the driver can’t see you due to the long trailer behind them.
  • The area to the right is the LARGEST because the driver is on the other side of the vehicle and is relying upon their mirrors to see you.
  • The area to the front?  Why is it so long?  If you were hauling around 80,000 pounds, it would take you some effort to get stopped wouldn’t it?  Stopping distance is extended for a large vehicle, so we want to avoid being directly in front of it.

SPHERE OF INFLUENCE
Large vehicles present a problem for us mere mortals because their size can  cause major wind turbulence.  Their “sphere of influence” is more noticeable for vehicles that are smaller in size like motorcycles.  As we approach the rear of a large vehicle, especially on a roadway with only to lane options, we’ll want to know about the suck-and-blow effect.

As we approach the rear of the vehicle, the wind turbulence generated will want to suck us towards the vehicle.  As we leave the vehicle’s sphere of influence, wind turbulence will push us away from the vehicle.  Preparation for this effect is simple:  position yourself in your lane to maximize safety margin and RELAX.  Stay light on the handlebars and react as needed with counter steering to mitigate the wind effect.

NOT JUST BLOWING HOT AIR
Ultimately,  just performing a few of the following actions will make us safer on two wheels:

  • Stay out of the NO-ZONE.
  • Maximize time and space; either get way out in front of the truck or stay way back.  Avoid riding next to a large vehicle.
  • When passing, pass on the left and don’t dawdle.  Prepare for the suck-and-blow effect.
  • RELAX!

We want to hear about your experience with big rigs.  Post your story at facebook.com/teamarizona!