Motorbike riding in LA

[expat]

I am considering buying a motorbike when I'm in LA for getting around in traffic (peak hour) from home to job and back. Obviously there would be the weekend warrior stuff too! For the foreseable future I might be working in a different location each day, traveling from Calabasas (Malibu Creek) to the city (LA).

Will a motorbike allow me to travel between cars or is this a No-No in LA LA land? If it is allowed, can I expect a significant reduction in traveling time comparing the car to a m/b?

Any idea what the commute time would be from Calabasas to LAX at peak time by both bike and car, taking due care by either medium.

Thanks
Mark

[expat]

Something tasty like this maybe....

[singpilot]

There was a thread a couple of months ago about splitting lanes. I think a search will bring it up.

[expat]

Thanks. That, in part, answered my questions.

[motion]

Yep, lane-splitting will save you lots of time and is legal. Not sure about the commute time, though.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I ride virtually every day from Long Beach to Santa Monica - bike is definitely the way to go! Lane splitting & car pool lane use are fine on a bike. Just be careful! If you think drivers are idiots now, just wait. A couple weeks on a bike and you'll absolutely KNOW it!

Advantages:
1/5 or less the cost of a car
40mpg EASILY, 50mpg if I'm trying (that's on a 750cc bike)
Park anywhere (usually for free)
Park in the LAX garage for free (no kidding!)
Split lanes / go anywhere literally in 1/3 to 1/2 the time as driving
Insurance costs nothing ($100 a year on a '99 for me)

Disadvantages:
Don't get caught in the rain - it sucks (seldom have to worry here in LA though)
You're invisible - drivers won't see you
When you are visible, they'll try to kill you anyway

[MotoSook]

Hi Mark,

I'm not in California, but I do ride my bike to work some times. Although I don't split lanes (illegal in Illinois, not in Cali), the commute to work seems to go faster on the bike.

Do it right and your riding days will be great. Do it wrong...and I'll be one less friend. Take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, PLEASE! You will learn some things that will make you a safer rider and make the roads safer. You'll get a chance to practice on someone else's bike. I know you're thinking about how to be safest, but I just want to add a little more to your thoughts.

[cab83_750]

Mark,

You are beginning to SCARE THE ***** out o me. First, 4-runner issue. Now sportsbike.

Welcome to Calabasas. I am a stone-throw away from your future residence. Riding a bike from Calabasas to LAX should be over 1-hour (easy 1 hour) of time saving.

As for the weekend warrior, take the canyon roads in my neighborhood. Oh, and the Rock Store is a few miles from my house.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Rock store is awesome - I was up there today. . . Jay Leno showed up (as he often does) with a 1915 Hispano-Suiza - BEAUTIFUL automobile! That's definitely the place to go on a Sunday morning if you've got a bike around here.

[cab83_750]

U rode all the way from Long Beach? Dang!

2 years ago, I logged over 12K miles in about 14 months of canyon carving. Of course, I was not working then (by choice).

There is a canyon route that I take from my house, passing the Rock Store, miles and miles of twisty roads, up to the mountains, almost no cars, and it finally ends down the beach! I would not trade my place for anything! Well........$ talks!!!!!

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Yea, it was a nice way to kill a Sunday morning. . .

Sounds nice living up there - it's like a different world up in those hills!

Of course with the price of housing being what it is, maybe I'll be able to afford a place up there in. . . oh, maybe 150 years or so. . .

[expat]

Well, we're about to get the new 4runner in the next day or so, but I've been thinking about the reality of driving all over the city for teaching in different schools and think the costs of driving a car in $$ and time could be cut back pretty well by riding instead.

I've had a nice selection of bikes over the years although I guess I show my age a little

Suzuki RG250
Kawasaki Z1R1000
Honda CBR1100
Yamaha PE250 trail
Yamaha TT250 trials
Kawasaki GPZ600R


I have been knocked off twice by drivers, and had one big spill on twisty roads doing 70mph+, have regularly ridden in downpours, and done an occasional track day. Ahhh the joy of bikes.

I love bikes and my wife does too. We have had many a nice Sunday cruise/picnic, sometimes just the two of us and others with a group of whomever tags along.

I can see the 964 Porsche Lightweight plan slowly disappearing into next years (plural) plans!

cab83_750 - thanks for the welcome. Will there in a few weeks to check it all out. Are you saying that I will save a hour by bike travelling from Calabasas to LAX Shooot, how far is it (time) by car? (taking a big gulp!)

[vash]

hey, we dont call them motorbike here in california

for commuting fun, i am looking for one of these:



ktm 990! i bet this thing will carve like a crazed bastard!

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I bet you could go Calabasas to LAX in an hour - including traffic. And you could park for free. And that isn't being particularly aggressive or insane - just basic motoring between lanes.

If you DO need to get aggressive, I've made it from Long Beach to Santa Monica (near the beach too) in 38 minutes. In morning crush traffic That was being hella crazy though, and I'll never do it again.

Bikes rule! I love the 944, but I hate sitting in traffic. . . If you want to dis the crush, get the bike!

[expat]

Thanks Porsche-O-Phile.

..fixed - nice choice of bike for the street and the occasional weekend warrior. Looks like the handle bars are pretty high - fairly upright position. Maybe a downside for 'speed racing' thru twisties though. What do you think? I've never seen this bike in the flesh so to speak.