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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! :)
That just about sums it up. If you ever wanted to know what it feels like to go to Disneyland and always get to go to the front of the line, then come to California and ride a motorcycle. :D Thanks, SM.

 
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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! :)
Very well said. I couldn't agree more.

 
Big thumbs up there SacMike!

I finally bought a street bike due to lane sharing in Cali. I used to cover OC, LA, Ventura and Santa Barbara for my company. I once did the exact same route on consecutive days from Beverly Hills to Buena Park, one day driving, one day riding. The difference was an hour in favor of the bike. There were no significant differences in traffic or weather.

I have done it in other states, always with a watchful eye. I really wish Governor Brewer had signed the bill allowing sharing in AZ; although my commute to my office involves almost all carpool lane...

 
I was just in Europe on a motorcycle tour with a tour guide. When ever we hit a traffic back up, we just rode down the center of the road, sometimes for a mile or two. It was just crazy. We all talked that night about how that would get you killed in the US.

 
I won't say that I've never split a lane here in PA, but I don't do it often. Of course, traffic in Lancaster Country ain't like 605! I think it would be intimidating for someone like me, who hasn't ridden like that in those conditions, to lane share like you *crazy* Californites do.

 
Another daily lane-sharer here. Somebody mentioned splitting up to the front at stop signs - Believe that's called 'filtering' - I also do that, depending on the intersection, but try to stay extremely aware of the red-light runners while still beating the pack of cars off the line. There are lots of intersections where I know to just wait my turn.

 
As I was riding home after work today doing the lane-share slolom, I was reflecting on the comment made in the title of the post: "Rider ok, but was lane splitting too close." And it occurred to me, as a philosopher :graduated: , that there is no lane splitting "too close." There is lane splittting or hitting a vehicle; all lane splitting is close. That's what makes it so much fun (and challenging with bags)! :yahoo:

 
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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! :)
Very well said. I couldn't agree more.
Nope, best part of California is living where you don't NEED to lane split :rolleyes:

 
I don't really like to lane share but will if necessary and only at 35 mph or below or unless I'm following some other crazed FJR riders going home from some major FJR gathering in northern CA I will kick it up....

But I do like what my old Granny once said, "if you don't like the way I drive stay the heck off the sidewalks"......Be cool....PM. <>< :p

 
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