If you’ve ever blasted past a semi-truck on your motorcycle, you know sometimes it can be a heart pounding moment.  It’s intense because you’re dealing with a massive size vehicle, lots of churning wind, and zero room for screw-ups. However, passing a large truck doesn’t have to be scary. With a quick plan and a little technique to pass, it can be a smooth, effortless maneuver.  Let’s break it down into a few simple tips to help you pass with way more confidence.

Look Way Ahead

The best pass starts before you even lean out of your lane. You need a solid plan, which means reading the road far, far ahead. Trucks are huge, so you’ll need way more time and space to get around them than you would for a regular car.

• Is it Clear? Can you see a long, clear path ahead to finish the pass comfortably?

• Any Surprises? Are there hills or bends that might be hiding oncoming traffic?

Tip: Drop back a bit.  Tailgating the trailer is like staring at a brick wall.  You can’t see anything.  Give yourself some distance as it will give you time to scope things out and pick the perfect moment.  If the road isn’t crystal clear, just wait.  Line it up right, and then make your move when you know you’ve got the space.

Get Your Acceleration Gap Ready

It might feel faster to stick right on the truck’s bumper, but that’s actually the worst place to be. You can’t see the road, and you’re smack in the truck’s blind spot. Not good!

So, before you signal, create some space. Aim for a nice two or three-second following distance. This gap does a lot:

• Brake Time: You’ve got room to slow down if the truck suddenly hits the brakes.
• Better View: You get a wider angle to check out the passing lane.
• Smooth Launch: Most importantly, it lets you build your speed gradually before you commit to passing.

It’s all about setting up your launch pad. You’re making space to see, speed up, and pass on your terms.

Stay Loose and Don’t Sweat the Wind

The wind from a semi can be a real shocker! That big truck punches a hole in the air, and all that displaced wind gets crazy. There’s a predictable sequence to the turbulence:

• The Hug: As you first pull up, you might feel a small tug trying to pull you toward the trailer.
• The Wobble: Right alongside the trailer, the air gets choppy and turbulent.
• The Shove: Once you clear the cab, you’ll feel a solid push sending you away from the truck.

The big secret? Stay relaxed! Keep a firm, easy grip on the handlebars.  Let the bike wiggle a little, and don’t fight every movement. A tiny bit of counter-steer is usually all it takes to keep your line straight. Once you know this “wind dance” is coming, it’s no big deal. Just hold your line and ride right through it.

Watch the Hill: Skip Passing on Downgrades

This is a sneaky one that catches a lot of riders off guard. A big, heavy truck can gain some serious speed when rolling downhill. What looked like an easy passing chance on flat ground or on an incline can vanish fast as that semi picks up steam.

Passing on a downhill means you’re trying to pass a monster of a truck that’s most likely accelerating while you’re fighting gravity, and all that truck wind.  That’s a lousy combination for a safe pass.

Wait for flat ground or even a slight uphill. You’ll have way more predictable speeds and a better chance to finish the pass quickly. Don’t get in front or get stuck next to a fast moving tractor trailer halfway down a hill.

Hit It! Be Quick, Smooth, and Commit!

You’ve planned it, you’ve got your space, and the road is clear. Now it’s time to go! A great pass is quick, smooth, and decisive. Don’t rush, but definitely don’t hesitate.

When you put all this together, passing a big semi-truck becomes a clean and easy.