18 Wheelers and Motorcycles Don't Mix 

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One of my favorite quotes from Star Trek TNG: "It is possible to make no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness; that is life."

I've been on a motorcycle for 30 plus years... I can't count the number of times Truckers have protected me, helped me, and generally watched out for me while on a highway. I have HUGE respect and appreciation! Thank you for all that you do!

One of the reasons I back into parking spaces! Thanks, Kevin, for all the great reminders about many things...including just being nice. It never hurts.

I always give a wave to someone that cut me a break. Most smile and wave back. A little thanks goes a long way to help the community.

Truck driver for over 20 years and a motorcycle rider. My points: don't ride on right hand side of truck unless you're exiting. Bad blind spots there for truck driver. Blowout point very good. A bike is like a fly around an elephant with a truck...the elephant may know you're there, but he can't see you. Pass trucks, don't ride along the side. Safe biking all.

4:42 I like how you put it. _"Riding on the freeway is not a turf battle."_ It's such a bad part of human nature where we let our pride be our downfall. We feel slighted and then "We've got to show them who's boss."

"never miss an opportunity to be kind to others" love that man!! Lifetime supporter of you.

Great video. I drive an 18 wheeler for a living, and it's the same procedure, as others have already stated, ALWAYS back into your parking spot. Never assume a truck driver is a professional courteous driver, those days are long gone.

“A little act of kindness goes a long way... You can brighten someone's day so never miss an opportunity to be kind to someone...". Put that on a tshirt!

I passed my MSF course last weekend, got my endorsement on my license today, and My bike will be delivered next week! Im so happy!

THANK GOD that YOU actually have the brains to pass 18-wheelers in the correct way, as THAT'A a HUGE win-win situation for both YOU AND the 18-wheeler, AND I'M ALSO GLAD that if you end up NEXT to an 18-wheeler, that you ONLY ride where you KNOW the trucker CAN see you, too.

I really enjoy these videos, on Memorial Day I had a close call on the PA Turnpike. The turnpike is only two lanes, and traffic was solid and I was behind a tractor trailer. I stayed a good distance behind and was trying to merge to the left lane to get around but had to plan because the left lane was so solid I didn’t want to get stuck next to the truck. As I checked my mirror to merge I for some reason looked up. A full plastic undercarriage guard fell off a car in front of the truck. The truck ran it over shooting it up the air horizontally I saw it and swerved (I could have reached out and touched it). Luckily because of my distance I have sparred a trip to the ER. Thanks for this great video!

You can never go wrong with a random act of kindness. :)

I’m continually blown away by the level of instruction on MCRIDER. Your choice for lunch was dead on.

Love It!! I always try to wave to the kids that are staring at me while I'm riding by.

That was me as a little kid. Always staring at the bikers thinking how cool. One day I'll have a nice bike. Well 52 years later and 8 bikes and still riding free and easy. Love your vids man. Thx

Kids make my day , I once was coming up on a kid on his dirt bike riding on the right hand side of the road but riding towards me, I shot him a low wave and he gave me one back I think we were both pretty excited about that LOL

Whenever it's motorcyclists and motorcycles vs truckers and 18-wheelers, it's the truckers and 18-wheelers who ALWAYS win. THIS is because 18-wheelers are the KINGS of the highways because they're so big.

I've been riding off and on for about 24 years and I thought I was a pro until I watched your videos very glad that I found you on RU-vid I try to practice everything you say thank you for doing what you're doing

Soon to retire after years 30 years of service in public safety in Florida. Moving back home to Dallas, Texas. Lookin to throw myself a bone by picking up a Road King. I hope to meet up with Kevin for a few courses to shake off some spider webs before hitting the road. So very appreciative of this channel. God Bless & keep everyone safe!

Sure do appreciate you Kevin. Your safety video's are really a blessing. Thanks buddy.

Kevin -- thanks for the video. I have also noticed that trucks on the freeway have wind turbulence about 50-75 yards behind as the air comes back together. Another point to add to a 'safe following distance'. Thanks again!

God bless you and your family Kevin. I’m a beginner rider , I’ll be taking my first MSF class in a couple weeks. In the mean time I wanna say God bless you on Easter witch happens to be today, all you want is to keep me alive and that’s coincidentally what I also want. I love my lord Jesus Christ but I’m not in a big hurry to meet him yet! Shalom and hallelujah our lord is risen!

Great advice for anyone on the road. Not just motorcyclists! I'm a truck driver, and I can't say just how often I tell people about the dangers of a truck tire blowout. You don't wanna be anywhere near when it happens! Nowadays a lot of us have super single tires that tend to send a giant sheet of tread, we call a gator, flying off behind us when they blow out. That's in addition to the shrapnel that the sidewalls of the tire get turned into. If one of those gators were to hit a rider, it would almost certainly be fatal! As far as getting past as quickly as possible goes, I completely agree with this strategy, but I would still caution you this. Always assume that that trucker might be looking for a hole in traffic to move over into. A lot of us get complacent on the road, simply because of the sheer amount of time we spend out there, and as a result, we don't do our due diligence. If you roll your throttle at the wrong time, you could end up entering the danger zone half a second after that driver finishes his mirror check, and I don't think I need to explain what happens next! When it comes to semi trucks, always have a backup plan. Look for an out before you decide to pass. It may not be optimal, and it's certainly not fun, but sometimes the best idea is to stay back and follow the truck for a while. All of that being said, I want to thank MCrider and any others who implement these strategies. Believe it or not, if you make it your priority to spend as little time as possible near me, it will make my job a lot easier.

Great video that should help newer riders. Following distance=vision=time to react=safety.

Love the ride alongs. Do more of them! I’ve made backing into a space habit every time I park, now! Kindness goes further than we can ever know. It’ll never hurt to show kindness.

You are nailing these videos. Perfection. First) classroom textbook instructions and theory; Second) real world situations, ride alongs and examples; Third) back in the classroom for discussion, suggestions and improving; Fourth) apply your new information and see if it works for you or makes you a better rider; Fifth) you can never lose with the "Ramones" either 😀

That wave in the end made me happy ☺️

Thanks for the great info about 18 wheelers and riding. You mentioned about tires coming apart. I have encountered this a few times. I learned that I can smell the rubber long before I get to the truck. Now when I smell rubber I start looking for the culprit. Ride safe.

A little act of kindness goes a long way…agreed! 🙌

I always back in when I park. Got that from riding in a club

Hey Kevin relatively new fan of yours here, I couldn't agree more with this recent episode of how to deal with Truckers, I am a trucker and a motorcyclist so I see it from both perspectives, and you're absolutely right when you say not to hang around a truck... Roll on the throttle to get around him because you never know what could happen hanging for too long near him. And I could not say enough about having enough cushion in between you and other people around you, I prefer to stay away from packs of vehicles when I'm on the major highways if at all possible. As far as your little fender-bender is concerned, would never want to offer advice to you as I have much respect for your knowledge, however I have found that backing into a parking space and then pulling out when I want to leave has served me well over the years. Keep up the good work as I do enjoy learning from you. Peace

I always smile and wave to the kids. It makes their day that a biker waved!

Kevin you do a excellent job at these videos. You're very informative and I'm glad there's somebody like you putting this content on RU-vid. You're a good person and a very good teacher thank you for all you do.

I love all of your videos. Thanks for sharing this one.

"Riding on the freeway is not a turf battle" - excellent point Kevin!

Kevin, always enjoy your instructional video as a returning rider, after being away from riding for a number of years. One comment I would like to make, is regarding you choice of lanes on a freeway. Initially, after merging you were in the center lane and quickly moved to the far left lane of travel. If a car or eighteen wheeler decided to move into what is considered a passing lane, it gives you very little opportunity to make any adjustments in riding should an unfortunate situation arise, especially going at a much faster speed. Appreciate, your insight and comment.

Ty for detailed accounts of ur knowledge & experience i consider myself a safe rider but i always am able to take something back with me everytime i watch ur videos .

i use the "what if" and its saved me a number of times. Great video. thanks

I drive an 18-wheeler, I try to ALWAYS keep an eye out for motorcycle riders; to give them the room they need to operate safely, as I ride motorcycles myself.

Kevin, I’m a new rider at 52 years of age. You are a god amongst instructors! We heed your words and ride safe because of you! No “cowboy” nonsense, strictly safe advice from a true expert. Safety!

Very useful videos for all motorbike enthusiast. keep it rolling Kevin your the man....

Strategy, key to riding, great practical & instructive video.

Kevin, thanks for all your videos, they played a big part in helping me pass the motorcycle skill test on the first try today ( Father’s Day ). Looking forward to lots more to continue my learning. You have my continued support through Patreon that’s for sure!!! And happy Fathers Day Kevin!!!!!

Great Video MC. Rider ...Learned The Hard-way On My Way To Work This Morning .

Thanks Kevin for all the tips. As our Canadian season has kicked into gear, I’m able to get out and practice the winter’s exercises. One impressive thing that has really helped is that my bike is smart. Amazing how it knows what to do, often before you do. The bike definitely has a dialogue with the mind. I always gun it to get by 18 wheelers.

I'm getting older still riding and your still teaching me new things THANK

I love your content i've been riding for about a year now really helps to come back and watch yours videos every couple weeks to stay fresh.

Another great video Kevin! I practice your "road strategy" on every ride and it does really help. Thanks and ride safe.

Just happened across your channel, and have been watching a bunch of your videos! This one stuck out to me as a rider, who drives a big rig for a living. One of the biggest problems we have as drivers is that bikes are much much smaller, and very hard to see from our mirrors, almost impossible if its on our right side, also known as our blind side. Going back and forth between the biggest and smallest vehicle on the road is definitely interesting, and i have learned a lot from each and worked them both into my daily driving. Great video, thanks for the content

Great video. I hate parking lots ... you make sure it's clear, start backing out, and somebody much more important than you has to drive behind you.

Hi Kevin. Great videos. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience with us. The only thing I can think of is backing in your parking spot. Thanks

And thank you again for replying to my message . i love motorcycles and i love the people who ride. There's a great camaraderie there

"Never miss an opportunity to be kind with others." - Could be a great motto for life as well.

former trucker and returning cyclist after 18 years. Many safety classes, best one is the Smith System, the 5 Keys can apply to motorcycles as well. 1 aim high in steering 2 get the big picture 3 keep your eyes moving 4 leave yourself an out 5 make sure they see you

Always wave at kids! Kids seem to love motorcycles, and they love when you wave at them.

Hi Kevin, you're an inspiration to motorcycle road safety. When you had your hyperslow accident in the parking lot. The first thing that came to mind is always reverse park as I do to eliviate vision restrictions. Just a tip after all ive learnt from you. Many thanks from Mark Vincent here in the UK

Another great video man...you just keep them coming...been riding over 50 years and still learn every time i see your video's

Thumbs up! The last lesson in the video was the best. God bless!

Excellent content, I agree that having a safe following distance gives you the most options for escape. Besides keeping your attention to possible obstructions in your lane, be sure to check adjoining lanes for objects that might cause a driver to swerve into your lane.

Great info Kevin. Thanks!

Words to live by. Good job.

I drive a semi for a living and it is hard enough for us to see cars sometimes let alone smaller vehicles. Don't believe it then simply go to a Kenworth/Pete, Freightliner, or Volvo dealer and ask to sit in a truck. Then go to a Love's, or Pilot and ask to sit in the driver seat of one with a trailer. Then imagine that massive vehicle rolling down the road, all 80,000 lbs of it. Then imagine that the truck is completely dependent on air pressure to stop all of that weight. Then imagine that the amount of air is only about 100-120 psi at any given time. Boy that's a lot of air isn't it? HELL NO IT ISN'T!! Each tire on a semi holds about 105-110 psi. So the air used for brakes either fits or almost fits entirely into ONE of the 18 wheels on that rig. Now imagine you were the car/truck/motorcycle that just cut off or God forbid decided you were pissed off at one of us drivers and brake checked us. How much chance do you think you have of us not nailing you harder than Mike Tyson punching a moth who unfortunately landed on his bag that workout? Also think about this. It takes 7 seconds for the transfer of energy to make it's way totally down the length of a 48' trailer after the wheel has been turned on that rig. What can happen in 7 seconds? Think about it. Fast reaction time is not always going to save you are us from avoiding that accident. You first see the problem, that goes to your brain, then your brain tells your hands. Then your hands finally turn the wheel. So say 9-11 sec in total. For new truck drivers or inexperienced ones anyway, or older ones with slower response time this time increases. I don't care whether you are a motorcycle or car driver. BE AWARE OF US because we may or may not be aware of you. Read the signs on our trailers and follow their warnings as if your life depends on it... because it does.

MCR, please keep making videos like these. Great stuff!

Good to see you’re a mere mortal like the rest of us!! Thanks for sharing that, it’s good to see even the “experts” can make mistakes like the rest of us. Big UK fan of your work, awesome channel, keep it up Kevin!!!

Thanks Kevin for the "brush with death" at Panda. The whole video was very well done. Great points. Most I've thought of during my rides back and forth to work and home everyday. FYI, I saw the truck in the mirror a few feet before you tapped him. Something I watch often when I'm forced to park straight in a space like that. Thanks for all you do here on RU-vid. Discussing with my wife a good Patreon number. Keep up the great work here.

I use the 2 second rule both on my bike and in my pick up truck! People behind me get up set with the gap in front of me and often pass me honking their horn but that's ok I just slow down until I get my 2 second gap again! Safety first! Thank you.

You're the best, thanks for making this channel!

I always try and end up facing out of parking spots. Looking for one I can ride though and end up facing the traffic lane on two deep spots or backing the bike into the parking spot if the parking pots are single deep. In this way I have much more situational awareness of the cars that are moving when its time to leave. Another thing I do is do a u turn to end up facing out if there are enough open spaces to allow the u turn. This means I may have a longer walk , but full face helmets are not great at allowing you to look fully behind you with ease. Thanks for posting another informative video Kevin.

Thank you for your videos brother!

Excellent video! I use road strategy every time I ride and I credit your videos.

As a rider and a truck driver, I agree with you to get around as fast as possible safely, also lane position is so important. We truckers have HUGE blindspots and getting as far to the left, I'm assuming you are smart enough to pass only on the left, makes it easier to see you, and also lessens the force of our "wake".

honestly listen and put into practice most of your teachings, i ride 100 miles a day and a few times these tips and tricks have kept me safe on the road. especially having respect and patience for others which seems to be the overall stem of motorcycling

Kevin, love the videos and dedication to educating people on safe riding. As a truck driver, one thing we learn is the Smith System. Most professional drivers are trained in this. It's a great system for safe and defensive driving, and can be applied to any type of vehicle to decrease risk. So far though, I've not seen any MC RU-vid channel cover it. I highly recommend you take a look at it, and perhaps do a video on it if you're willing.

I'm about to purchase my first motorcycle and its seems like keeping your ego in check is paramount

Hey Kevin. Another great video. I think about “road strategy” and “following distance” whenever I ride because of you drilling that into my head in all your videos. My riding has been much safer and much more enjoyable because of it.

Truck driver myself. All these videos motivate me to get my motorcycle license as well.

Good video, thanks for sharing..

Another excellent video. I appreciate you doing them. One suggestion on parking in a parking lot is to back in. I almost always back in or find a pull through. That way your first move is forward & you have better visibility of traffic in the lot. Keep up the good work.

I'm going to start backing into parking spaces from now on. That could have gone way worse than it did.

Thank you for sharing.

Ride alongs are the best!! 👍

Nice that after your "rear ender" you drove through 2 stop signs without stopping.

Hello from the UK just came across your great site and subscribed. At the moment i ride a BMW R1200RT (2014)

God bless u mc. It’s about how you treat others at the end of the day.

Hi Kevin. Enjoy your videos and learn a lot from you. As far as freeway driving goes, I stick to the right lane moving only to the left lane to pass excessively slow cars or let other traffic merge. Let the people in a hurry speed and jockey for position in the left lanes. Thanks again from Canada!!

Hey Kevin, I just wanted to say a heartfelt and great big thank you for all you are do for other riders. I've been watching your videos for the last couple of years as a brand new rider after completing my basic MSF course in October 2016. Yesterday I was out riding a 2 lane rural road with a very small loose gravel shoulder and deep ditches. A car was approaching from the opposite direction and at the last moment made a left turn in front of me. I started emergency braking as I learned from you to dump speed from about 50mph. I knew there was no way I was going to avoid the crash. I ride a top heavy KLR and know I can't make those sharp turns like the guys on sportbikes. I also knew that even if I could there wasn't enough shoulder room to get around the car. I hit the car at the front passenger quarter panel/door area and took flight. I hit the pavement on the other side of the car, rolled a couple of times and came to rest on my back. The bike is likely totaled. I'm bruised up but nothing's broken and I give credit first and foremost to the Lord, but also to what I have learned from you, my MSF instructors, and my gear. Doc said I was lucky. Maybe so but being prepared and geared up for a crash is what I credit. Keep up the good work and I am forever grateful for all you do. ATGATT

Great topic- thx, Kevin! 🏍👍🏻🏍

18 wheelers are my favorite people! They care!

You are doing a great serviced for the riding community thanks, don't know of you doing a vid for position of mirrors and the use of like in a long sweeping righthand curve you want to use the left mirror, food for thought thanks

Great video. Thank you

just found your channel today. Classy. Subbed

That bump made me smile. It's almost happened to me many times in a Mds car park I find garage forecourts the worst. Little bit of diesel on the floor and my foot slips a mile

Thank God that YOU ACTUALLY have the wisdom to ALWAYS pass 18-wheelers on the left INSTEAD right, as THIS IS WAY TOO DANGEROUS, because if you tried to do this, the 18-wheeler could make a sudden right-turn and sidesweep you when, (if) you're not expecting it.

Nice to see someone nice on the bike... Ride Safe

Very informative and relevant. Failed to mention about all the buffeting that surrounds an 18 wheeler though. That can get a bit sketchy.

This is the reason that 18-wheelers and motorcycles don't mix. On the one hand: the motorcycle is smaller, faster, way more speedy, more suitable for races, but they're ALSO WAY MORE DANGEROUS. On the OTHER hand: the long, big 18-wheeler is IS THE KING OF THE HIGHWAYS, 80 feet long, the superiors of everybody else on the highways because they always win, MCrider.

Hi. Love the hat and love what you do. I’ve learned a lot from you plus joined your website. Switched from patreon to your site and love the field guide. Wanted to let you know I appreciate you. Thx. Dan

Another good video, Thanks! My rule: No body rides beside me, and I don't ride beside anyone. Car, Truck, or Motorcycle. Room to live. When it comes to big trucks, the best place to be is way in front, or way behind. If you gotta pass em, get it done!