drafting semi's

[wickydude]

I always enjoy Mythbusters. I think I've seen 80% of the shows.
This particular drafting thing though, I may have written my comment in a strange Dutch way.
I was trying to say that everyone knows drafting ups the mpg. They quantify it a bit, but all know that will get confirmed.

We have a saying that calls it "kicking down an open door". Sorry if it was confusing to you.

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by wickydude

I always enjoy Mythbusters. I think I've seen 80% of the shows.
This particular drafting thing though, I may have written my comment in a strange Dutch way.
I was trying to say that everyone knows drafting ups the mpg. They quantify it a bit, but all know that will get confirmed.

We have a saying that calls it "kicking down an open door". Sorry if it was confusing to you.

Ah, was not familiar with that. I thought you meant another segment of that show lol. I learned something new!

I think I would appreciate it more if Netflix set it up by episode and season, rather than these "collections" they organize it by.

[elhigh]

"Kicking down an open door" is entering my vocabulary right now.

[UltArc]

What is the saying in Dutch?

[wickydude]

Originally Posted by UltArc

What is the saying in Dutch?

"Een open deur intrappen"

[sendler]

Following is much safer than leading out. Yes really. I know there is strong bike culture to hate following anything. Rules. Laws. Convention. To pass everything on the road to prove that you can't be caged in. And to try to out ride your commonly worthless mirrors (except on the CBR250R) since you have no clue what is going on behind you. But here again I am objective and don't automatically fall in with the way everyone else does it. It is much safer to follow a vehicle, any vehicle, in the city or on the highway, than it is to lead out on an open road. Anything bad that can happen, such as a car or an animal running into the road, will happen to THEM. I have 500,000 miles of safe driving to prove my concept. Once you become accustomed to a following riding style with a blocker/ guardian angel, you will realize how utterly naked you are to hazards running into, or turning across your lane when leading out alone. Wherever there are deer crossing, I feel much safer with a blocker in front of me. Big trucks are probably the best choice on the highway at night and in bad weather. They are pros and drive millions of miles. They sit up much higher and can see even better in bad weather. My feeble motorcycle lights work better bouncing off the back of their rig and light up like it is day. Their actions and reactions show you advanced warnings of hazards way up the road before you would have seen them. Their big tires temporarily plow a clear path on the pavement from standing water so I have a better surface to ride on. Hypermilers don't go much over the speed limit so now it is nice that speeders coming up behind you are already planning to move around the truck from much father back and don't blame you for being "some slow guy in the way". Large cars and trucks get seen. Motorcycles are invisible. Daydreaming drivers will wake up when they see the vehicle you are following and then will also see you. Following is much safer than leading out.

[UFO]

I agree having a truck in front of you can be safe, but you still must set a safe distance, otherwise you do not get the benefit of visibility. I have seen several occasions where trucks can either run over or drop things a tailgater will immediately hit because of the close proximity to the truck.

I will never forget seeing a truck drop a transfer case, and the car following had no chance to avoid - got high centered at 40mph.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by UFO

I will never forget seeing a truck drop a transfer case

Off of the back of a semi? I have never seen anything dropped or kicked up by a semi in 500,000 miles. Have seen only one semi tire let go and it gave several seconds of warning. Slowed way down, moved over and drove around it no problem.

[UFO]

Originally Posted by sendler

Off of the back of a semi? I have never seen anything dropped or kicked up by a semi in 500,000 miles. Have seen only one semi tire let go and it gave several seconds of warning. Slowed way down, moved over and drove around it no problem.

No, out the bottom. Rear wheels rolled over it, tailgater ate it. Applies nearly equally to tire treads too, have you noticed those on the highway?

[elhigh]

^^
My modest pickup straddles nearly 9" of air and I won't go over a truck tire tread if I can avoid it. Hitting one is like hitting a dog, it's too damned solid and heavy to be negligible. Running over one with any of my other vehicles would just bring me to a halt, walking around and picking up bits of airdam, oilpan, God knows what else.

In our mountainous region I've seen trucks blow tires (four so far), one lose a wheel, one with bearings on fire, two by the side of the road with flames coming from the engine compartments.

My wife's Impulse (remember those?) got plowed by a breakaway wheel once, she drove about 50 meters on two wheels, rolled into a parking slot, stopped...and flopped back down onto all fours. The car was in the shop for months, getting straightened back out.