Motorcyclists

[RickC]

You'd think people would give you room just to protect their mirrors/cars.

Not a lot of people thinking more than a minute ahead in their lives I guess.....

[nestorjw]

Originally posted by Z-man
Question:
Isn't lane splitting done to that air cooled motorcycles don't overheat?

If that is the case, then the water-cooled bikes should NOT line split, since their bikes are not at risk.


Just my $0.42,
-Z.

Lane splitting is done to save time, not really about the bike.

[Nor Cal driver]

So it seems that most folks out there on this board are focused on giving a motorcyclist some room, or at least respect that as a moto rider we should be paid attention to in order to avoid any contact. That's good.

Some of the folks out there obviuosly hate riders - we are loud, irresponsible kids ---- well, hahaha, wake up and try to get a dose of reality. You need help.

Questions remain about whether or not any poserracer/poser in general/trust fund/inexperienced/ridiculously loud - rider or driver deserves any respect. IMO, no they don't. You need to earn respect and you don't earn it by being one of the above. But you don't need "respect" to be treated in the correct manner related to roadway conduct. Even poser riders should recieve the roadway response that us experienced, older riders deserve to recieve.

So what about the moto riders out there, like ME, who are not one of the above and yet are continully noting the horrible driving styles that the huge majority of drivers (or "cagers" as drivers are called in moto lingo) uses on the roadways??? Everyday I have people try to block me, cut me off, speed up to not let me pass only to slow back down once you get back in behind them - everyday I deal with this absolutely moronic/idiotic/completely/insane behavior - no matter if I am driving or riding.

That is why I would appreciate your support in my quest to become a certified roadside drivers license revoking and offending car burning citizen.

Remember the rules of the road.

[rhenriksen]

I split lanes during the year I lived in SoCal, but I didn't commute 30 miles in & out of LA every day, either. I thought those guys were pushing the odds a bit.

I found that lane splitting is pretty safe if you keep one principle in mind: go *between* adjacent cars, never pass a car that has an open spot in the lane next to it. Cars are only going to get so close to each other in adjacent lanes, leaving you room in between. But it's splitting past a car which decides to jump into the space in the adjacent lane... that's what gets you nailed.

Other than that, I agree: lane splitting feels safer than facing oncoming traffic which is eventually going to turn left across your path.

I followed another biker once, splitting lanes (no one I knew). He constantly violated my little rule above -- and almost got hit three or four times in the short period I was tailing him. It was kind of sad, really: he'd dodge the car, slow down alongside it, shake his fist furiously, and then blast off down the road. And then almost get hit again when he made the same mistake.

[Nor Cal driver]

Lane splitting is one of the only things that keeps me even riding my moto on the streets instead of just driving the 911 and saving the bike for the track. Lanesplitting is why I commute to the office on the moto everyday instead of taking the ferry and reading a book. 1/2 hour door to door, as opposed to 1.3 hours door to door - almost all thanks to lanesplitting.

[fogcity]

And don't forget car pool lanes!