Played Pinball Today on the Freeway

[Wavex]

I don't hate lane-splitting. I'm not jealous. I simply avoid situations that warrant the need for it. I know where and what time the roads are jammed and what roads to take to remain moving. The slab is the very last place you'll find me, even in the middle of the night with no traffic. I bought my bike for the corners, not the straight lines.

Hey Eric, I challenge you to show me a way for my commute everyday where I could get home in less than 45 minutes without lane splitting, freeway or not Note that I get home safely everyday in 15-20min

It may be easy in your area to plan in advance and pick the way home where you know traffic will be moving, but I am sorry, LA is a different story.. you can try side streets, freeways, whatever you want, you will be stuck BIG time at some point of another if you don`t split.

I should film the few different options I have and post them on youtube for you

 

[Wavex]

Well I cant close it. So its open still.

sorry I could not resist (due to the other thread next door lol)

View attachment 5305

:rof:

 

[VEGASRIDER]

I should film the few different options I have and post them on youtube for you

This would be a very interesting thread, a video clip of our daily commutes around the world. See what other members rides are like. Anybody have a camera I can borrow?

 

[Wavex]

This is when I take the freeway and that`s only the last few minutes of it...............

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugpa_wGTGI4"]YouTube - Los Angeles Traffic.[/ame]

 

[bmccrary]

Like I said early.

You can show me all the statistics in the world. I do not agree with lane spliting nor will I ever. I have never crossed the Mississippi, so in the grand scheme of things, your right I havent traveled far. But I will tell you this. The drive between charlotte and lexington, mainly in Salisbury crossing the Yatkin River is sketch as hell. I dont know how many times I have been inches off that gaurd rail at 70 mph.

I avoid highways at all costs. Its just the way I prefer to ride. Freeways are straight and boring... I will only ride them if I have to make up some time.

As for commuting on the bike:
I dont know how you guys do it. I spent the last week commuting to class on my bike and hated every minute of it. The only reason I did so was because I had no money and the truck needed gas and bike was full. Commuting takes all the fun out of riding in my opinion, but like everything else its my opinion.

Enjoy lane spliting if you like. I will continue to wear my helmet everywhere I go regardless if the state doesnt require one. I will never lane split, even if its legal. Its just the way I prefer to ride.

Not to hate on anyone in here and I hope I havent come across as an ass to anyone either. I sincerly appologize if I have and please PM if I have offended you in anyway. I just feel strongly on the subject and I will continue to do as I choose. Just as I assume the rest of you will.

Enjoy your fourth!

Off to "The Gap" tomorrow!

later guys.

-bryan

 

[nimzotech]

This is when I take the freeway and that`s only the last few minutes of it...............

YouTube - Los Angeles Traffic.

Thank you again Wavex. That video proves once again that anyone that would not split lanes in LA traffic propably should not be riding a motorcycle. Because honestly what is the point of being stuck in traffic and in 100 degrees heat on a bike if you can as well be stuck in a nice air conditioned cager.

 

[Wavex]

Thank you again Wavex. That video proves once again that anyone that would not split lanes in LA traffic propably should not be riding a motorcycle. Because honestly what is the point of being stuck in traffic and in 100 degrees heat on a bike if you can as well be stuck in a nice air conditioned cager.

Exactly... plus, as anyone can see in the video, there was nothing "dangerous" about what I was doing... it's not like I was playing with my life or anything at 5-15mph :thumbup:

I think that the ppl who think splitting lanes should be illegal are the ones who live in areas where it`s not necessary, and consequently have never done it, and obviously don`t know how to do it... that`s all... and because of that, they think it`s a huge deal when in fact it`s really not :Sport: The guy in front of me on his Harley was doing it for crying out loud... that proves you really don`t need to be that good of a rider... LOL (j/k)

 

[VEGASRIDER]

Well lately, I've been taking the long way to work, which is the freeway because I don't want to be stuck at the red lights in this 110 degrees heat (I'm wearing full gear including riding pants). Today, a holiday of all days, they were doing contruction and had the three lanes down to one. The traffic was backed up for miles. Even though it's not legal here, I decided to split the lanes rather than just roast like a Las Vegas Prime Rib Special during the stop n go traffic. Even though there were plenty of room between the cagers for the most part, I had a lot of them give me more space to split. At least for today, the cagers were very accomodating.

 

[HavBlue]

haha I take the 91 everyday and yes, I call it the "parking lot"

You are a bit exaggerating on the 25Mil ppl lol... the whole Socal area has less that 25 million ppl... LA + Orange County has something like 15 million inhabitants, so a little fewer actual drivers but I get your point :rockon:

Really though, I think ppl make a huge deal of lane splitting when it`s really not that "crazy" if done properly... and doing it properly doesn`t require a rocket science diploma either... just be reasonable and split when traffic is super slow... and don`t go flying between cars like a mad man and you`ll be fine. LA traffic is very dense indeed, but ppl who tell me it's insane and unreal and sooo dangerous don`t really travel much... try riding in Paris... or most large european cities, or my worse experience ever, try riding in Rio de Janeiro... then you`ll see what real challenging riding is.

I`d like to try asia... I hear it`s fun there too lol

There are 5 Southern California Counties X. San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, LA, and Ventura. Look at their total population and keep in mind 2 hours will get you from one to any of the others at the right time. This is also why they call the surrounding forests "urban forest environments."

 

[xj750_Pete]

I`d like to try asia... I hear it`s fun there too lol

Asian traffic looks like pure chaos. Its probably why they drive the way they do here in California.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFoP2TxvbRw&feature=related"]YouTube - Crazy intersection Hanoi Vietnam. Drukke kruising Vietnam[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzh94TEf4w0"]YouTube - Vietnam Traffic[/ame]

 

[Wavex]

There are 5 Southern California Counties X. San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, LA, and Ventura. Look at their total population and keep in mind 2 hours will get you from one to any of the others at the right time. This is also why they call the surrounding forests "urban forest environments."

There are actually 7 counties that make up Socal... and the total makes for about 21Mil ppl. Out of 21mil ppl, I don`t think 21mil ppl actually drive everyday... there are kids, and old ppl... and the ppl who do drive, don`t all end up moving through all these counties, the vast majority moves within 1 or 2 counties max in their commute... that`s all I was saying, you were exaggerating a little bit :thumbup:

 

[Wavex]

Asian traffic looks like pure chaos. Its probably why they drive the way they do here in California.

YouTube - Crazy intersection Hanoi Vietnam. Drukke kruising Vietnam

YouTube - Vietnam Traffic

lmao, do you think lane splitting is legal there? buahaha that's crazy indeed.

 

[Wavex]

Thank you again Wavex. That video proves once again that anyone that would not split lanes in LA traffic propably should not be riding a motorcycle. Because honestly what is the point of being stuck in traffic and in 100 degrees heat on a bike if you can as well be stuck in a nice air conditioned cager.

Hey nim, just for the record, even though I am all for lane splitting, I would not recommend splitting at 70mph, like it seems you were doing... I am not saying I`ve never done it (when I do, I know I am putting myself in a potentially sticky situation...), but the majority of my splitting is when cagers are moving slow... :rockon:

 

[Nelly]

Like I said early.

as for commuting on the bike:
I dont know how you guys do it. I spent the last week commuting to class on my bike and hated every minute of it. The only reason I did so was because I had no money and the truck needed gas and bike was full. Commuting takes all the fun out of riding in my opinion, but like everything else its my opinion.

Enjoy lane splitting if you like. I will continue to wear my helmet everywhere I go regardless if the state doesn't require one. I will never lane split, even if its legal. Its just the way I prefer to ride.

I think you have just describe perfectly the difference between a rider and a biker.
I on the other hand hate driving a car and would avoid it as best I could. I love riding my bike, getting from A to B in the time it should take. Lane splitting in a safe manner and not just riding because my bikes tank is full.

Thats the way I prefer to ride mate, each to their own.

Nelly

 

[bmccrary]

I think you have just describe perfectly the difference between a rider and a biker.
I on the other hand hate driving a car and would avoid it as best I could. I love riding my bike, getting from A to B in the time it should take. Lane splitting in a safe manner and not just riding because my bikes tank is full.

Thats the way I prefer to ride mate, each to their own.

Nelly

Yes, but I just like to ride for enjoyment. Not for commuting.

There are few "rules" I have for riding.

-no GPS, only a map
-Limited plans. (making hotel reservations on busy weekends, is ok) Other than a few points of interest are nice.
-Ride within limits
-Pack rain gear

When I go riding, I dont like to be bothered. I just want to go on an adventure. Not to work or school. The first day I rode to class I was like damn, I wanna go to the mtns now....

-bryan

 

[Se7enLC]

I just don't get it....

1). Motorcyclists often complain about cagers not seeing them or not looking for them. Campaigns exist to get drivers to look more carefully for motorcycles on the road. It's fairly common knowledge that "I didn't see him" is the reason given when a car nails a motorcycle.

2). A big complaint that motorcyclist have is that cars will often "merge into" them, either on the road or at intersections. Sharing their lane. Bikers are instructed to adopt a lane position to make themselves more visible and to prevent cars from sharing with them.

3). And yet - some motorcyclists (like the O.P.) have the nerve to complain when they run into a car when they are lane splitting! And then they have the nerve to just drive off. That's called a hit and run where I come from. If some motorcycle hit my truck with their handlebars I would be pretty angry. Neither the truck nor the car did anything wrong or illegal - they are just driving and are well within their marked lanes.

Lane splitting is illegal in most places for a reason - and even in places where it is legal, it's *highly recommended* to be done only among slow/stopped traffic and only within ~10mph of the traffic. This gives the cars enough time to see you coming and gives you enough time to slow down if there is not enough room. At highway speeds, drivers are mere feet from other vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed. We have to make an assumption that cars will remain in their lanes unless they signal and change lanes - or at least wait for an empty spot in the adjacent lane and shift into it. Without that assumption, we have to view EVERY car on the road as a near-collision, and even at 20mph, that's too fast to prevent that kind of accident.

If I'm in heavy traffic in a car and I see a spot to the left of me, put on my blinker, switch, and get nailed by some motorcycle who decided it was fun to go 30mph faster than me up the line, I feel no remorse for his stupid ass.

 

[nimzotech]

I just don't get it....

1). Motorcyclists often complain about cagers not seeing them or not looking for them. Campaigns exist to get drivers to look more carefully for motorcycles on the road. It's fairly common knowledge that "I didn't see him" is the reason given when a car nails a motorcycle.

2). A big complaint that motorcyclist have is that cars will often "merge into" them, either on the road or at intersections. Sharing their lane. Bikers are instructed to adopt a lane position to make themselves more visible and to prevent cars from sharing with them.

3). And yet - some motorcyclists (like the O.P.) have the nerve to complain when they run into a car when they are lane splitting! And then they have the nerve to just drive off. That's called a hit and run where I come from. If some motorcycle hit my truck with their handlebars I would be pretty angry. Neither the truck nor the car did anything wrong or illegal - they are just driving and are well within their marked lanes.

Lane splitting is illegal in most places for a reason - and even in places where it is legal, it's *highly recommended* to be done only among slow/stopped traffic and only within ~10mph of the traffic. This gives the cars enough time to see you coming and gives you enough time to slow down if there is not enough room. At highway speeds, drivers are mere feet from other vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed. We have to make an assumption that cars will remain in their lanes unless they signal and change lanes - or at least wait for an empty spot in the adjacent lane and shift into it. Without that assumption, we have to view EVERY car on the road as a near-collision, and even at 20mph, that's too fast to prevent that kind of accident.

If I'm in heavy traffic in a car and I see a spot to the left of me, put on my blinker, switch, and get nailed by some motorcycle who decided it was fun to go 30mph faster than me up the line, I feel no remorse for his stupid ass.

Lane splitting is legal here in SoCal :Flip: So there.

 

[FZ1inNH]

It's not anywhere else so be careful... you will likely get "Tony Stewarted" :Flip:

 

[nimzotech]

Thank you guys you just made me appreciate California more than ever. Didn't realize some other states were so behind in traffic laws.

 

[FZ1inNH]

Thank you guys you just made me appreciate California more than ever. Didn't realize some other states were so behind in traffic laws.

You mean all 49 others?