Seattle,WA to Pleasanton, CA

[Speedygg]

IMO it feels safer than just hanging out in the mix - my biggest fear on the bike is getting rear ended by a hapless cager.  At least splitting puts me somewhat back in control.

+1

No worries guys :help: Piece of cake :scare2: Confidence is my middle name :russian_roulette:

All joking aside....I would have no problem doing this with my previous bike (SV650), but god forbid I scrape the side of a 100k ferrari with my big *** FJR in 100 degree heat wearing all my gear....F*ck!!!

 

[SacramentoMike]

god forbid I scrape the side of a 100k ferrari with my big *** FJR in 100 degree heat wearing all my gear....F*ck!!!

No worries. He can't catch you. :lol: :lol: :lol:

BTW, I'd add to JB's last paragraph . . . "and then you'll go back to Washington and want to move to California forever."

 

[Aasland]

+1 on what JB said.

As an Oregonian now Midwesterner riding in CA a few years back when traffic got heavy, it was a no-brainer to lane-split or filter to the front when the rest of traffic was stopped. Even riding a Fat Lady like the FJR there was plenty of room. Unlike the midwest, most drivers in CA expect bikes to lanesplit/filter and lined up in a straight line so you'll have a clear and straight path down the rows of vehicles (except for the oblivious woman in a Saturn Vue from Washington).

If I spent more time there I would probably be more comfortable splitting at higher speeds, but at the moment seemed perfectly sensible to limit it when traffic was stopped or very slow.

 

[phroenips]

9. KEEP THE RPMs UP. AND THE CLUTCH DISENGAGED

fixed.

 

[LowAndSilent]

Well, most of this is applicable to my trip as well, so thanks for the added input. Mental note: sounds like I will be needing to wet down my base-layer for California.

Hey LowAndSilent, I'll be leaving on either the 21 or 22nd of July and returning 25th. If we happen to overlap on dates, send me a PM and we can maybe hookup for at least part of the ride. At the very least, feel free to contact me in california if you run into issues. As in the movie "John Q", you my hero for helping out Perry with the final drive issue. That was outstanding. :clapping:

Speedygg,

I am heading out today, and it'll only take me two or three days so we won't overlap any. I'll be out in Montana for the GBU Rally when you head down for this.

I'll let you know what I find out about the area, and how a lane-splitting newb from WA handles traffic there. I can't wait to finally try it out. I'm probably going to find a lane-splitting "rabbit" to follow to see how it's done the first time.

 

[RsvlFeej]

I'm probably going to find a lane-splitting "rabbit" to follow to see how it's done the first time.

One more bit of advice for this exact scenario.

DO NOT FIXATE ON THE LANE-SPLITTING BIKE.

Traffic is still "Live" and what worked for the bike ahead of you 2-3 seconds ago is very much subject to change. Watch the cages, watch general traffic flow, stay off the lead bike's 6 by a comfortable margin.

 

[LowAndSilent]

I'm probably going to find a lane-splitting "rabbit" to follow to see how it's done the first time.

One more bit of advice for this exact scenario.

DO NOT FIXATE ON THE LANE-SPLITTING BIKE.

Traffic is still "Live" and what worked for the bike ahead of you 2-3 seconds ago is very much subject to change. Watch the cages, watch general traffic flow, stay off the lead bike's 6 by a comfortable margin.

Understood. I was more just going to watch to see "when", not so much "how". I hope I don't run into any traffic where I'll need to do it, but you never know. It'd be good to experience it at least once.

Anyway, what am I still doing here typing this? Time to go ride!

 

[James Burleigh]

I'm probably going to find a lane-splitting "rabbit" to follow to see how it's done the first time.

One more bit of advice for this exact scenario.

DO NOT FIXATE ON THE LANE-SPLITTING BIKE.

Traffic is still "Live" and what worked for the bike ahead of you 2-3 seconds ago is very much subject to change. Watch the cages, watch general traffic flow, stay off the lead bike's 6 by a comfortable margin.

Yeah, this becomes a kind of intuition after awhile. For example, one of the scenarios where the risk goes up while splitting is when you get a big gap in one of the lanes that a car may elect to jump into. When the lanes are equally dense, less chance of that.

9. KEEP THE RPMs UP. AND THE CLUTCH DISENGAGED

fixed.

Well done. When I re-read my post I thought I should probably eliminate that line.

Anyway, what am I still doing here typing this? Time to go ride!

Don't forget to look us up. PM sent with cell phone in the event....