[jhugh]

Ha! I knew that'd get some good responses.

Ride a bike in a place with real (read: major urban) traffic and you'll see that the pipes thing actually works. Believe it or not, most people perceive it as a softer version of a horn. Horns get you doored and spit on.

It's also hard for me to believe some of the people complaining about motorcycle exhaust noise --- listen to your own cars! All Porsches have playing cards in the spokes.

Of course sport bike riding is macho. So is driving a tricked-out 911. But riding a bike really puts it on the line and brings out the absolute worst in other drivers. Brings out the worst in me! Obviously I responded to it in a reckless, hormonal way. Mea culpa. Sue me.

But for the record, the Lexus didn't get his mirrors removed for my convenience. That happened because HE RAMMED US AND KNOCKED US INTO THE CURB, a bike with a passenger, while we were passing him at about +2 mph. He deserved what he got and more.

But like I said, now I much prefer 4 wheels on the ground and the absence of those opportunities to get into trouble. If I'm caught in traffic now, I'm just caught in traffic. I turn on the cd player and wait it out like everyone else. Cuz as soon as you give in to lane splitting, there's a whole new world of options and aggravations. On a bike there's always a way out, a solution. It's so hard to resist that as a rider. When you take it, people resent that and try to foil you. Then you're pissed, they're pissed, and it's no good.

I just give bikes their props and a lot of room. They appreciate it.