alittle run in with a motot bike, Harley rider today. Question for you who ride?

look 171 · 08-21-2014, 02:49 AM

Please, I know there are many of you who ride here, but i don't want to start a war so don't you guys do it.

Why do cruise type riders like to ride 6 inches from the line almost hogging up both lanes? Is there a safety reason for this, or better sight ahead? I know about the crown on the road, but that not where it is and there isn't none on this section of a 5 lane freeway. Today isn't the first time, but I have seen it often but no other type of bike rider do this that I notice.

I was going the flow of traffic around 75 through the lovely town of Pasadena in my diesel pickup today about 2pm. I notice the two Harley riders (one in front of each other, not side by side) with women passengers riding with his wheels about 6" left of the lane in lane #2. They were riding like that with their handle bars, engines and part of their body hanging over for some time. I had a gap so I changed lane early to avoid getting close to them. By the time I passed them I was between an 18 wheeler and the bike. They knew I was there but refuse to move over back into his lane. I went on through like anyone would only I was driving a full size truck and rather not hit the 18 wheeler at that speed. He guns it and comes up and flips me the bird screaming god know what, so did the woman in back. I look at him and went on my way. The both of them went on ahead and did the same thing 6" away slowing down to 60 again. I drove by them in my own lane again only to see the middle finger in my mirror. Not to stereotype, but they look like Captain Morgan. Am I the idiot here? No, I didn't hear their loud pipes until they guned it to get up ahead, and it wasn't that loud.

Arizona_928 · 03:19 AM

Harley riders like to take up the road... To a certain aspect you can see more around traffic if you ride to either side of the lane, and it is generally a better idea so you miss debris. However, when you're hanging out of your lane. You're asking to get hit, let alone doing it while not traveling with traffic speed... My guess they were baggers and they did not how to ride. Those bikes are big and heavy, and inexperienced riders have a hard time keeping a straight line.

Personally, When I see that I scare the **** out of them. Nothing like zipping past them sparing a foot running 12k+ rpm... But in your situation I would give them the bird back and roll some coal while you pass them going 75... haha
those bikes aren't that fast. They are like a 914. The engines just make a lot of noise, and no go.

look 171 · 08-21-2014, 03:40 AM

His line was perfect. he pretty much stayed right about 6-8 inches left of the line.

on2wheels52 · on2wheels52's Garage

While I'm certainly not a "cruise type rider" my normal spot on the road is about a foot from the centerline. I don't find myself on many 5 lane roads though (and I'm guessing you mean 5 lanes each way). Other than commuting to work 99% of my riding is on one lane (each way) roads, or ideally on dirt (gravel) roads.
But the 'hugging the line' is a riding strategy I've developed over the years of riding. I can't explain it in 25 words or less but it's where I'm comfortable on the road.
re the cruiser guy riding there, that's not where I see them around here. They're mostly smack in the middle of their lane (like they don't know how wide their machine is). Unless there's two or more, then it's who knows wtf they'll be arranged in the lane. Just another hazard to be aware of and continue on my ride.
And look, if I'm reading your post correctly I see nothing wrong with what you did. You had your lane and they had theirs.
I could point you to a thread on "road captains" if you want some amusement.
Jim

afterburn 549 · 08-21-2014, 04:04 AM

OK - No war here just facts (as i see them ).
Most the guys (gals) you find on a H.D. anymore are there for status que, that is all.
Period.
All dressed up looking like a bill board advertisement for a HD commercial !
Tattooed, and , looking for a "club" to join.
I guess they are lonely bad arse types they need to be wanted....or held ?. LOL..........
They have not earned their way through the ranks . Just slapped dwn a large chunk of cash and put put putted away. ( A large sum of cash for very little Hp too )
"Now we all is We Bad arses now!."
They do not know summer air in tires, or, how to do the dwn shift technique . ( no rev, just clunk)
The are older (have money)
They always wanted a H.D cause they thought of them as kool.
Now we have a bunch of "PUT " heads they do NOT know how to "pass" a car," OR counter steer", or even stop.! OMG !
Go ahead, - Ask them if they have ever practiced front brake "only" emergency stops . I bet you get a dumb stare......................
45 MPH on the freeway is about right, and on a twisty - Please why cant they stop and get the Hell off the road once in awhile? ( let my Semi get past them on Highway 20 even ( Cascade Loop )
Riding with the crash bar over the line? They do not even know it.
And i am just getting started here !......................LOL
I have owned all sorts of bikes and currently back on a representative of H.D. There is very little left that is actual harley parts...but that is the way it is with them if you want them to get up and scoot and or to do the twisties with some vigor.
Most these folks have no idea what it is to ride a bike......they dont check intersections look for cars with a "U" turn in mind...just there...put put put put.

whiskyb · 08-21-2014, 04:28 AM

Thee is more oil residue in te center of a lane. Riding to the right of it will definitely get you pushed off the road by someone who does not see you. To the left by the line is the safest place

jwasbury · 08-21-2014, 04:34 AM

When I learned to ride a motorcycle, I was taught that you don't ride smack in the center of the lane. The reason I was given is that the center of the lane is where the cars and trucks leak oil, antifreeze, and other fluids, so grip may be compromised. You want your motorcycle tires rolling along the same area where all the car and truck tires have been rolling. Makes sense to me.

When riding in a group, the each rider should stagger within the lane, on either side of center (again, with tires rolling where the four+ wheelers tires roll). Never side y side though. The staggered formation is for visibility. Again, make sense to me.

It sounds from your description that these folks were planted so far from the center that they were in between lanes. They weren't doing it right.

VINMAN · 08-21-2014, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

Personally, When I see that I scare the **** out of them. Nothing like zipping past them sparing a foot running 12k+ rpm... But in your situation I would give them the bird back and roll some coal while you pass them going 75... haha
those bikes aren't that fast. They are like a 914. The engines just make a lot of noise, and no go.

Look, serious question for ya. If these guys had been on a Bmw or Ducati, or anything other than an HD, would you have even brought this up??

and yes Ive always rode close to the center line when I ride. ( no matter which bike I was on. It's not a brand specific thing...)

stuartj · 08-21-2014, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VINMAN

Look, serious question for ya. If these guys had been on a Bmw or Ducati, or anything other than an HD, would you have even brought this up??

and yes Ive always rode close to the center line when I ride. ( no matter which bike I was on. It's not a brand specific thing...)

Could we just get a quick count...anyone here ever needed to overtake a Duc or a BMW?

lol.

VINMAN · 08-21-2014, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuartj

Could we just get a quick count...anyone here ever needed to overtake a Duc or a BMW?

lol.

What do you ride??

stuartj · 08-21-2014, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VINMAN

What do you ride??

I am the Night Rider, Vin.

VINMAN · 08-21-2014, 05:34 AM

I figured as much ..

I remember when I was a kid, when mopeds were a huge thing around here. There was a gray area whether they were considers motorcycles or just motorized bikes. some cops would let you go, with other cops, it would end up in the trunk of the police car, and you getting a ride back home.

stuartj · 08-21-2014, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

Those bikes are big and heavy, and inexperienced riders have a hard time keeping a straight line.

Luckily they make up for this with agility, handling and straight line performance.

dewolf · 08-21-2014, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuartj

I am the Night Rider, Vin.

LOL....I remember that on the news. The dude lost his job.

Baz · Baz's Garage

From a safety perspective it always amazes me when "line huggers" don't use common sense and move over when there is a scenario as Look mentioned.

It's one thing to have a particular driving style. Quite another to not be reactive as needed.

Since they only have 2 wheels & no cockpit, in theory, aren't they more vulnerable if their vehicle is hit?

Makes you wonder what's going on in their head. Guess that's the point of the thread.

I would have shot the bird right back - emphatically. While smiling.

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

The middle of the lane is oily and has more debris. Bikes ride where the car tires go. If you ride in the middle of the lane, cars cant see you as well in their mirror when changing lanes. 6-8 inches is too close but dependi g on where the rut in the road is, the bike may have wanted to be there.

Rot 911 · 08-21-2014, 05:52 AM

Like some others have pointed out, all the crap spewed by cars tends to be in the center of the road. If you ride on the right side of the lane some idiot in a car will think it is ok to start moving into the lane while you are in it. Best to stay on the left side of the lane to make your presence known.

strupgolf · 08-21-2014, 05:55 AM

I dislike riders who hug the line and I see it all the time. They are not the brightest bulbs on the road, and 99% of them are Harley riders.

71scgc · 08-21-2014, 05:56 AM

Riding off-center is what is taught and recommended. Been that way forever.

Riders should be staggered, one left, one right. It puts you in the auto tire lines.
Funny to me that the left line always seemed to ride better than the right.
Still they shouldn't have been hanging over into the other lane.

RUBs. Attorneys and dentists, etc. They saved the company, but ruined the brotherhood in the process...

Carter (I rode Shovels...)

afterburn 549 · 08-21-2014, 06:54 AM

Riding to the Left gives one vision access to to driveways , street, and the awful "Left turn" scenario.
How ever , for my part I am not locked into any part of the my lane and change quite frequently as situation demands it .
Yes the center is slippery when wet for sure, But i think we are talking an average of all situations here.
On a 2 lane road I always move to the right when a semi goes past the other direction, a van with ladders on top, and little pick ups on the week end have to be scanned carefully . They are the worse for crap not being tied dwn on "moving" day.
The semi situation freeway or street - use your senses like vision and smell, to avoid wrestling with a recap coming off. It can be a pretty big monster .