Saw a Bike go down today...

[ramrezz425]

Looked like a suzuki crotch rocket. Tapped the corner of a toyota matrix with his front fairing then a quick low side to the deck. Seemed like he just tapped the matrix. I always wonder if I am cutting it close with those side cases hanging off the side. DR :dribble:

 

[Allnight]

Where was this, on the 5 or 605?

 

[FJRBluesman]

Where was this, on the 5 or 605?

Gunny. More info please. Speed of traffic and speed of bike (estimates), how it looked to you, did the car move over, or did he take too much risk?

 

[ramrezz425]

Where was this, on the 5 or 605?

Gunny. More info please. Speed of traffic and speed of bike (estimates), how it looked to you, did the car move over, or did he take too much risk?

Imperial hwy east Norwalk , 5:30pm traffic, middle lane, The car looked like it was in the middle of the lane and did not begin or end a lane change., I figured that the rider miscalculated the space to pass between cars, Thankfully rider seemed ok, Car's owner got out and assisted the biker with righting up the bike.

My question here is; How many FJR riders split lanes Frequently (where its allowed), How many split lanes periodically? How many dont do it at all?

For me, I split lanes periodically, when necessary, never with a passenger. When lane splitting, does anyone use a "Tangient" point on the bike to reference when traversing between cars.

Thanks dr

 

[FJRBluesman]

Where was this, on the 5 or 605?

Gunny. More info please. Speed of traffic and speed of bike (estimates), how it looked to you, did the car move over, or did he take too much risk?

Imperial hwy east Norwalk , 5:30pm traffic, middle lane, The car looked like it was in the middle of the lane and did not begin or end a lane change., I figured that the rider miscalculated the space to pass between cars, Thankfully rider seemed ok, Car's owner got out and assisted the biker with righting up the bike.
My question here is; How many FJR riders split lanes Frequently (where its allowed), How many split lanes periodically? How many dont do it at all?

For me, I split lanes periodically, when necessary, never with a passenger. When lane splitting, does anyone use a "Tangient" point on the bike to reference when traversing between cars.

Thanks dr

Glad the guy was ok and car assisted.
dr - You're going to take this thread into NEPRT with that last post. This has come up before. Many people from other states think we're nuts for lane sharing.

I lane share daily as part of my commute. I believe I do it safely, I don't really want to fall down and go boom.... and ouch. I mainly do it in heavy slower traffic. At speed I don't really need to lane share.

I'm able to just gage it by eye. My FZ1 mirrors stick out the farthest, but my trusty eye is best to see if I can make it. Everyone is different. YMMV

 

[James Burleigh]

My question here is; How many FJR riders split lanes Frequently (where its allowed), How many split lanes periodically? How many dont do it at all?

 

[SkooterG]

I lane split whenever I am in Kali and traffic is heavy. What an awesome thing to be able to do!

FYI, even the stock FJR mirrors are wider than the sidebags, though higher.

 

[Fairlaner]

Up here in Canada we don't lane share.....But just wait till I cross back in to Cali...........

R

 

[beemerdons]

My question here is; How many FJR riders split lanes Frequently (where its allowed), How many split lanes periodically? How many dont do it at all?

I sure do wish that we could legally lane split here in Arizona; And, Yes: I do think that FJRBluesman is fecking nuts!!!

 

[Allnight]

Imperial hwy east Norwalk , 5:30pm traffic, middle lane, The car looked like it was in the middle of the lane and did not begin or end a lane change., I figured that the rider miscalculated the space to pass between cars, Thankfully rider seemed ok, Car's owner got out and assisted the biker with righting up the bike.

Ah, Imperial Hwy...so not a freeway, just a big fast-moving 6-lane (3 in each direction) street. Right? (I used to live in Downey, but it was a while ago, my memory's also starting to fade with age.)

As far as lane sharing...I do it in the evening commute, on 880 where even the carpool lane slows to a crawl. However, I just about *never* do it outside of a freeway setting. (I don't think I ever have, but am not positive.) I don't pull up between the cars at stop lights. I used to, back in the 90's (heh, when I lived in Downey!) but I also didn't wear gear back then. Now I live in Kevlar and don't think I take very many risks on the bike. (Self evaluation is rarely as accurate as view from afar, however.)

Mike

 

[LAroo]

In July this year on my way up to Monterey to see the Moto GP, I was forced to lane split with My daughter on the back of the bike. I was running a little late to pickup my tickets from the media accreditation center and didn't realise that Monterey had a Friday evening peak hour. 15 miles out I hit traffic and started to lane split. My daughter gave me a tap on the helmet at we passed a sherriff SUV. Then about 5 cars up in the other lane was a Califirnia Highway patrol. Unbelievably the CHP moved over a foot and gave me a little more room.

I only lane split when I need to but wwhen motorists, even CHP, see you coming and give you a little more room it is a nice gesture..

 

[radman]

I split here all the time, and it's never been legal. I don't give a rats ***, block the left lane and yer gonna have company.

 

[sergeantnic]

I do a form of lane sharing here in Florida from time to time. If I'm coming up to a fresh red light and there are only 3 or 4 cars in front of me I will split up to the front of the line. Not sure if that constitutes lane splitting / sharing or not.

 

[Duff]

I lane share every chance I get... when it is safe to do so (in my messed up mind) and at reasonable speeds. (I refer you to my last disclaimer)

 

[Waaane]

On my twice weekly commute I lane split constantly on the SF Peninsula up Hiway 101, through San Fran to the Bay Bridge, on the Bay Bridge, sometimes through Berkley depending on traffic, sometimes in Vacaville and Davis. I also split through large portions of Sacramento on I 80 (the most inattentive drivers seem to be here).

I believe that it would be safer not to lane split because the reduced clearance between you and cars reduces available reaction time to just about zero. Why do I do it? Because if I want to get home in any reasonable time I really have no choice. It is also true that if I stopped splitting, I would probably have to stop riding my bike all together in the summer. Being "feet down" or chugging along at 2 or 3 miles an hour on a central valley freeway would rapidly cook your brain and probably your motorcycle. This is not a joke. The temps are usually in the 100s during the day and have been as high as 107 this year. I believe that right on the pavement with all the heat from the cars and radiant heat from the pavement, it is a good deal hotter then that. You have to keep moving for ventilation.

The key to being as safe as possible IMHO is to be focused as far down range as possible. There is nothing you can do about the cars you are right next to. There are times when you have to pay attention to the vehicles just ahead, but as soon as possible refocus as far forward as you can. While lane splitting clear your brain of everything but the road ahead. Your unbroken bones will thank you for it.

 

[Crash Cash]

Many people from other states think we're nuts for lane sharing.

Nah, I don't think you're nuts, but the cop behind me one day did... so I got a ticket for "not properly watching for cops and other road hazards"

Sigh...

 

[SacramentoMike]

Whether it's found in "Easy Rider" or a Harley commercial, the motorcycle (and of course, a fast, nimble, responsive motorcycle more than most, to most of us) is one of the primary modern symbols of freedom and independence. When I'm able to bypass a big ugly California traffic jam just like Super Mario jumping over some huge obstacle, I feel like I'm One with Marlon Brando, Peter Fonda, the Marlboro Man and hell, Pecos Bill, riding a tornado. Freedom! Not part of your world, your traffic jam, your problems. I may not be thinking it at the time, but when I think about it, those are the images I get. And I LOVE it.

So yes, I split lanes whenever I feel like I'm being held back by all those boring, cage-dwelling, safe and un-adventuresome sheep waiting patiently in line for their turn to move a few more feet. Not for me! It's the open road, the bold journey, the different and more exciting path. All of the reasons I ride, amplified. (I have a very exciting internal monologue going on most of the time, you see.)

Safely, of course; never shooting through 45 or 50 mile-an-hour traffic at 75 or 80 like some do. But one-at-a-time (which is really four or five at a time in multi-lane settings), leaving behind all those poor traffic-bound suckers as I make my own road, stringing together one brief passing opportunity after another. Best damn part about living in California!

 

[bigtallguy]

I want to lane split all the time, but since it's not legal here I haven't done it yet. I'm actually less worried about cops and more worried about the redneck who thinks I'm satan's spawn for daring to "cut" in line and decides to confront me. There are a lot of less than educated peeps here with guns and a chip on their shoulder.

 

[RadioHowie]

I do a form of lane sharing here in Florida from time to time. If I'm coming up to a fresh red light and there are only 3 or 4 cars in front of me I will split up to the front of the line. Not sure if that constitutes lane splitting / sharing or not.

Ummm.....it's actually considered "Improper Lane Usage" by the local federales, and "Reckless Driving" by the FHP.

DAMHIK

:angry: