Something happened to me on Sunday ride.
There were more than 350 riders spread around a 75km loop.

Naturally there was a lot of overtaking.
The key is, when a faster rider is coming up behind me, I indicate with my foot which side to pass me on and then I know what he is going to do.
I keep to the side as best I can until the rider is safely past.

Anyway, a rider on a near new CRF250x went to pass me and Bang!
He collected my shoulder and handle bars and nearly sent both of us crashing at speed.
The problem was I didn't know he was there as I couldn't hear him.

No ones fault and no one was hurt. This time.
It occurred to me that his very quiet bike was a factor.
I heard all the loud bikes and was able to act accordingly.

Just thought I would share the experience.

 

Yah, I hear ya.

Nothing like the noise of a big thumper burping up your *** in the tight stuff!

 

I dont know how the rules work in Australia but in the States we pass on the left. But I assume you mean passing in the same lane?

I havent rode with too many other riders so that whole foot tapping (dont do it in the bathroom stall of an airport) works.

I would be pretty pissed off is someone hit my handlebars while passing me.

 

I hate having this quiet bike. I've crashed while riding 20 feet behind my dad and he never heard me. I have to reach up from under the bike and honk the horn or he won't know that I busted my ****.

 

When you are riding faster than the speed of sound, you are totally silent!

 

I'm talking off road here and there are no rules like on the road, and where possible you try and pass on the right.

But on narrow trails it's not so easy and its usually wise to wait until the rider in front knows your coming. The custom is to stick a leg out to indicate which side to pass on.

IMO this incident was not his fault. I mean on the road sure, he hits me from behind and its all his fault. He saw a gap and went to pass and because I didn't know he was there I took that line as well.

If I knew he was coming, I would have moved over as far as possible and flicked my leg out giving him the signal to pass.

I don't have an opinion one way or the other regarding loud exhausts.
What ever floats your boat.
But this time it would have helped.

 

I knew I was doing something wrong.....actually going too fast, Man I hate that!

Actually the fast quiet bikes should have horns to beep and let other know they are creeping up-thats how I use mine, the few times I actually get to pass someone.

 

I did not know the leg thing, I'll use that now. Thanks
Glad your OK.

 

I just bail to whichever side of the trail is easiest to put a foot down. IDC if its left or right. I'm not gonna bust my *** to get out of some maniac's way... I guess that makes me a jerk but whatever... slow the eff down and share the trail. I always ALWAYS do my best to get out of faster rider's way but I never go to one side more than the other... whichever side is easiest to get whoa'ed up is the best bet for all involved.