What is the best way to pass on an interstate? My friend and I just returned from a 2600 mile motorcycle road trip.?

There is very little "law" or "rules" to it, but moreso general ettiqueutte.

The general idea is very similar to what you described in 1, 2, and 3 above. However, if you have driven on public streets anywhere in America, you know very much so that these seem to be minor suggestions by most car drivers than assumed rules. People sit in the passing lanes, two semis pass each other going 0.5mph faster and plug traffic for 30+ miles at a time, etc.

If your friend got that upset with you, per your description, that he started to pout on the freeway? Your friend needs to grow a pair. While I love riding with friends as much as the next person, I fully understand that riding a motorcycle you need to be watching out for YOURSELF at all times. If that means you get out of the way so you don't get hammered by a car tailing you, and making the "leader" angry? So be it. It is better to have a bent out of shape travel companion than to have him try and describe what happened to the coroner.

If your friend can't handle that? Sound like you need better friends.

Always, I repeat, ALWAYS ride in a fashion that suits your needs. Never sacrifice your safety or comfort zone to make someone else feel better.

Yes! could not think of the terminology - I was taught by one of the finest riders I've ever met, and he used that term "leading from behind". I also took an MSF course twice, but my real teacher taught me about riding in all kinds of weather and all kinds of situations; just things MSF doesn't have time to teach. Only practice. My "jerk" has ridden for 30+ years and I'm on my 8th year but I still count myself as a newbie - - even though I now have close to 50k miles under my belt ! Thanks to everyone !!

There is no absolute right or wrong way to pass on the interstate when riding in a group. Each situation will dictate how you go about it.

You shouldn't have moved over to pass if a fast moving car was coming up. Waiting for the car to pass first would have been more prudent and safer.

Every group I have ridden with has different ideas of how to move in a group. Some are militant about it and move over all at once, some go one at a time, some have the tail rider block traffic so the rest can move through, some just play follow the leader.

What I have found safest for me, is for each rider to make their own passing decisions starting with the leader, then each rider in succession. Ride you own ride.

When riding with just one other rider, I usually put some distance between the two of us on long trips. 1/4 mile or so and just keep the lead rider in sight on interstates. That way fast vehicles can move around us and slow ones can be passed safely. We both know what the next stop is, so it really doesn't matter if one gets there 5 minutes ahead of the other.

I follow a lot closer on two lane road. I don't like cars to get between us with limited passing availability. You can lose your group that way.

That being said, I've come to hate group riding and avoid it whenever possible.

I think you did the right thing by moving over to let the car pass. I think your friend is a terrible ride leader just based on this incident and also for first of all berating you for doing the right thing, and then the whole "come up front so I can then then pass you and remain 1/2 mile ahead of you as a form of punishment". Sounds like an immature jerk who has no idea how this whole "riding as a team" think works.

Only addition I can see is when I used to ride with a buddy, if I was the following bike (2nd in line) if I wanted to pass I would move to the left lane and the leader should take it as a sign to pass. We then do the pass and yes then the second bike should move to the right lane first. I think this is called "leading from behind". Also the jerk should know that the experienced rider should follow not lead, unless one of you knows the route better to a destination. Assuming the jerk is the more experienced of you.

"One for all and all for one" - Honestly I think you are correct. My motto is "Ride your own ride" What makes me feel safe and comfortable is what I strive for in all circumstances.

My feelings is this - Group ridiing sucks the fun out of motorcycling due to being required to follow 'rules' (beyond the rules of law) when riding in groups or group formations. You had a mini taste of this experience. I really don't consider two bikes a group riding but you get the idea.

It is nice if your riding buddy has the same mind-set as you (passing lane is not for dawdling it is for passing and then moving the heck out of the way of faster vehicles).

I ride with my wife following regulalry and I try to make passes quck and move over when there is room for both - she doesn't hit the throttle quite as hard as I do and tends to be a dawdler at times.

Basically - Ride your own ride and don't try to keep up if you are not comfortable and move lanes if you are being tailgated - an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure in most situations.

left lane is for passing