Lane splitting

[Mrtinajero]

Does anyone know if its possible or safe to lane split with a full touring xs1100? I'd really like to because there its a lot of traffic at times here and it would make things easier but I don't want to kill myself at the same time

[cywelchjr]

It's not as easy as it is without. The fairing's not that big a deal, the bags are the worst part and the bags on yours aren't really that bad. The Vetter bags on mine give mine a really fat a$$, which makes lane sharing (gotta use the proper legal terminology don't ya know) a bit more of a challenge, but it's still doable under the right conditions. But before you try, you gotta learn the width of the bike really well. If this is your first bike, I would suggest taking the MSF beginning riders course, if this is your first full dresser, I would suggest finding a large parking lot and spending some quality time with it learning to maneuver and low and medium speeds (higher speeds won't be a problem), and practice getting used to the brakes, if you've ridden other bikes, these brakes are not going to feel like others you've ridden, but properly cared for they work pretty well, it's just that in stock form, they are NOT 2 finger brakes, they take the whole hand to really bring the bike to a quick stop.

BTW, I bought my XS11 down in Elk Grove back about 2 1/2 years ago. Got it for $800 and rode it home.

[forexbob]

By lane splitting, you're talking about riding up between two rows of cars?
I don't believe it's legal and with or without fairings it would be dangerous.
I remember doing this once when I was kid...and somebody opened their door. I wasn't going fast so stopped easily enough, but car drivers aren't going to appreciate you jumping the queue.

Just my 2 cents

Bob

[Shacknasty]

I ride the mean streets of SoCal and lane split as a way of survival. I know how ya feel. I am fortunate enough to have a couple of bikes that are built for their intended purpose. I got a pair that are skinny little lane splitters and then there's the bike with the fairing and bags.

The touring rig gets ridden a little differently, no splitting traffic moving faster than about ten mph. I still split at lights, but with a lot more caution. I do love my anorexic lane splitters.

Let us know how it goes for ya.

[Mrtinajero]

Okay. Good points. I had an 81 suzuki gs650g so I know how to. I think i'm just going to need to practice a bit before I even try it. Or i would have to take off my bags and fairing before I do it. better safe then sorry. I'm going to practice and give it a try. I'll let ya'll know how it goes

[g15usmc]

By lane splitting, you're talking about riding up between two rows of cars?
I don't believe it's legal and with or without fairings it would be dangerous.
I remember doing this once when I was kid...and somebody opened their door. I wasn't going fast so stopped easily enough, but car drivers aren't going to appreciate you jumping the queue.

Just my 2 cents

Bob

Late Splitting/Sharing is legal in California. In fact in heavy traffic on the highway, bike cops will wave you by...I just watch the cars if they are close then i dont do it, if they are about 4or 5 feet apart I'll do it... normally only at traffic lights or in heavy traffic jams only though, and thats to just keep the bike from over heating or having to shut it off...And if CA if someone opens up a car door on you they will get a heavily fined, first for reckless endangerment and if you actually hit them, they can get charged with assault...due to what they are doing is meant to harm you...would be hard to explain to a cop and a judge why you opened your car door all the way while driving down the road at slow speeds... - explained to my by Motorcycle CHP

BTW it was also legal in FL at one time...Is it still legal? Or socially Acceptable still?

[psycoreefer]

I pretty sure that your info is wrong,
lane splitting isn't legal anywhere in the US, however it isn't specifically illegal in CA, and it is accepted by CHP as OK.

[bikerphil]

MC laws by state...

http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/...t.asp?state=FL

[DiverRay]

I lane split with the BMW almost every day.(my commute vehicle) The thing to remember is if the fairing fits, so will the rest of the bike. I find the mirrors are the ONE thing that get in the way!
As a "help" for safety, I run HIGH BEAM when lane sharing, and I will flash lights if I see a car trying to squeeze the lane. I've had people do all kinds of things because I was sharing, but so far they have missed.
BTW, nice looking bike!

[jwhughes3]

Lane sharing

Here is the poop from the CA.gov Highway Patrol website - allowed as long as speed and circumstance is prudent (i.e. if the cop don't have a problem with you its OK)

http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html

Here is an excerpt page from the site laneshare.org

http://www.laneshare.org/ca.htm


John

(who has split a lane or two in CA and its scary there - in TX I would likely get shot)

[g15usmc]

MC laws by state...

http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/...t.asp?state=FL

Phil, I like the Link...

I pretty sure that your info is wrong,
lane splitting isn't legal anywhere in the US, however it isn't specifically illegal in CA, and it is accepted by CHP as OK.

psyco go smoke some more reefer... If there is no rule specifically forbidding a specified act it cannot be illegal... and being in the Marine Corps we have these Briefs from CHP and other entities talking about different things such as motorcycle safety, and Rules and Regulations etc. And as quoted from both the San Bernardino County Sherriff as well as CHP LANE SPLITTING AND SHARING IS LEGAL! that means that it is not Illegal...we could go back and forth all day but if you dont trust me, you should ride over here to CA from NV and ask the Sherriffs as well as the CHP's a judge, the Govenator or anyone you choose that works in a government organization and deals with Law's. It is legal!

Sorry for the rant and take no offense to this as I just dont like to be wrong and when I'm not I like to let everyone know that even a blind mouse can find the cheese and not get snapped some times...

[psycoreefer]

Phil, I like the Link...

psyco go smoke some more reefer... If there is no rule specifically forbidding a specified act it cannot be illegal... and being in the Marine Corps we have these Briefs from CHP and other entities talking about different things such as motorcycle safety, and Rules and Regulations etc. And as quoted from both the San Bernardino County Sherriff as well as CHP LANE SPLITTING AND SHARING IS LEGAL! that means that it is not Illegal...we could go back and forth all day but if you dont trust me, you should ride over here to CA from NV and ask the Sherriffs as well as the CHP's a judge, the Govenator or anyone you choose that works in a government organization and deals with Law's. It is legal!

Sorry for the rant and take no offense to this as I just dont like to be wrong and when I'm not I like to let everyone know that even a blind mouse can find the cheese and not get snapped some times...

1st - your not sorry or you wouldn't have posted it
2nd - It "could" be illegal if a cop doesn't like what your doing.."allowed as long as speed and circumstance is prudent" - basically thats a catch all, if a cop sees you splitting and doesn't like the color of your bike, he can write you saying its wasn't "prudent".
3rd - I've ridden in CA quite a bit actually, I've even split lanes there - and I wish it was legal everywhere but its not.
4th - Asking a cop if something is legal doesn't mean it is, I'll bet you I could find a cop in CA that would say splitting isn't legal. I've even seen posts from people who were written tickets by a PO that claimed it was illegal no matter what.
5th - Don't assume you know what someones screen name means.
Last I will not post to this thread again.

[benxs1100]

Wrong Post.

[forexbob]

Late Splitting/Sharing is legal in California. In fact in heavy traffic on the highway, bike cops will wave you by...I just watch the cars if they are close then i dont do it, if they are about 4or 5 feet apart I'll do it...

Thanks for the explanation. I find it very interesting that this is allowed. Maybe I should check with the local cops.....

Although. I'm not so sure I want to be dead right about something. I have become very distrustful of other drivers.

[g15usmc]

Thanks for the explanation. I find it very interesting that this is allowed. Maybe I should check with the local cops.....

Although. I'm not so sure I want to be dead right about something. I have become very distrustful of other drivers.

I feel you there...thats why i dont do it very often, only when traffic is stopped and or when im worried about the bike over heating...