Split'en Lanes

[mro]

Was wondering how many XS'ers split lanes.
Heavy traffic, stop and go I do.


mro
btw
Few days ago was splitting lanes on 580 east.
Went by a CHP standing next to his bike in the center divide, little further was the rear half of another bike (kaw LTD??) did not get a good look. Accident had been cleared except the bike remains...

[midnight1980]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igaacsGRK4w

i wouldn't and if i did like a few times in the past only if the cars are totally stopped.

[mason79]

yes i go thru faster than most other bikers in rthis los angeles traffic, so i/m a decent rider in that respect, i would like to learn how to wheelie and do stoppieess, stunts, wrong bike?

[JWSanders]

You forgot to add: "Can't do it here, it's not legal"

Cars worry me enough as it is though. If they legalized it here I could see many horrible things happening to bikers.

People here drive like they are unaware of anything on the road besides them. And half the time they are on their damn phone.

[mason79]

yes motorcycles are dangerous, there is a stigma associated with our sport and it is well deserved.

[xsivebiker]

Once again I must agree with JW Sanders!
It's not legal here in WV; although I've done it a few times at a traffic signal, i.e. the car coming up behind me can't get stopped in time so I go up the center to avoid a rear end collison. Once I actually went up the white line [to the right of the stopped vehicles] while a tractor-trailer skidded PAST to the left, of the two vehicles in front of me!
I just can't stress enough that one should NOT pull up close to a stopped vehicle -- -- -- always leave enough room to go around it!! I always leave enough room to go around a stopped vehicle on either side of the stopped vehicle; it's saved my "arse" several times. Never take for granted that the next vehicle coming behind you will be able to stop in time.
SO MANY times I see a bike pull up to within three feet of a stopped vehicle -- -- -- 'reminds me of Molly Hatchet, Flirtin' With Diseaster!!
Otherwise, on a superslab I've been tempted a few times but usually when I center the bike on the center line the cages get the message and move over.
One other point that enters my mind is "if" I'm shooting up the center line -- -- -- what IF the cages narrows the space between the vehicles???? That's another reason I've never tried it on a supperslab [can you say, JEALOUS Road Rage by the cages??] I just don't trust the cages enough NOT to weave while in motion!
Ride Safe,
Greg
'80 XS1100-G "Christine"
'87 GL1200-I
'93 KLX650-I

[planedick]

Varies...

On the superslab I will weave in and out of lanes passing staggered vehicles while I'm going well over the speed limit and sometimes at signals, depending on the situation. When the traffic stops on the freeway I will split lanes and most cages here will give you room if they see you. Best way is to follow another biker doing the same thing and most all cages will move over for you.

[tsears]

splitting lanes

That is the reason I first bought my XS11. I had a commute that involved 45 minutes of max 15 mph freeway traffic each way ... that traffic was often stopped completely. MRO - it was from So. San Jose to No. San Jose up on 101 and 880! It was only about 20 miles. (BTW ... have you been to the Donut Factory lately?)

The bike cut that to about 20 minutes. I was ever so careful and just went a little faster than the cars. It is dangerous, but I probably gave myself back hundreds of hours a year over the years that I did it.

In normal traffic, I almost never pass anyone, even though I can.

I've worn out every rear tire I've ever had right in the middle.

Splitting lanes in traffic helped me keep sane.

You should see them in third world countries ... The Philippines is where I've been and that was just insane.

[midnight1980]

[i]-- -- 'reminds me of Molly Hatchet, Flirtin' With Diseaster!!
[/B]

yep i agree
http://www.mollyhatchet.com/

[motoman]

Not legal here...........................and the western slope of beautiful Colo., don't have to deal with all that crazy traffic, plus have all the amenities of the big city.............Also noticed that Tuscon, Ariz. didn't have to bad of traffic problems while visiting there a couple weeks ago...............and splitting is legal in Arizona either..............now Pheonix, that's another story with all the traffic.......crazy!..........Thanks, but no thanks.

[planedick]

Video..

After watching that video that Midnight posted, which looked like my riding with a helmet cam, I think I'll do much less lane splitting. That video scared me and thinking back, I scare me when I do that.

[tsears]

video

Wasn't the guy in the video sometimes going a bit fast to be splitting lanes? And he often stayed in the middle when it wasn't necessary, right next to the car in the the other lane?

Didn't he go up the side once (illegal anywhere)?

I think you are really taking chances when you split cars that are staggered, i.e. the car to the left or right could easily change lanes, going through you.

[mason79]

if they are staggered, my speed in approach and my active moving over to the lane that they may move into, preclude their getting into me even if they swerve hard and gun it.

[mro]

I agree it's not the safest way to travel, but when it's a 10 mile parking lot don't have much choice on an air cooled bike.

Many times have been coming up to go between and have one or the other slide over to narrow the space between. Most are just unaware and don't see you coming. Others are just mean spirited


mro
[QUOTE](BTW ... have you been to the Donut Factory lately?)[\QUOTE]
Mean the place on Industrial Blvd, if so no.
Machine I sold em needs very little service.

[Pat Kelly]

I see no reason to split lanes here in Modesto. I do see others doing it all the time but just to be 1st to leave the stoplight (and be 1st to the next stoplight).
It's one thing to prevent the bike from overheating (the original intention) but with all the new bikes watercooled, it's just an excuse to go around everyone and leaves a bad impression on others on the road.

The flip side to that is that bikes splitting lanes is fewer vehicles slowing everyone else up.