Lane Sharing at a Light?
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 3,569
From: Idaho
If we're riding together you can stop next to me in the lane. If I don't know you then I get a bit protective of my personal space which is the entire width of the lane. And if I'm not riding with you and you try to pass me in my lane, if I see you coming I WILL shut the door on ya.
When riding with someone I know, we sit side-bye side at the light or stop sign to take up less space. Whoever is leading takes off first. Don't leave at the exact same time side-by-side. Always staggered when moving, especially so at low speeds. I really only ride with my brother so there are just two of us. But we don't separate. If one goes, the other goes with, the group doesn't get split up. We are safer together and people see us better. I'm not sure what larger groups do.
If I'm approaching a motorcyclist I don't know at a light, I'll typically pull up beside him, and a bit behind him. When the light changes, you let whoever was there first go before the other. If it's a stop sign, he goes, I wait my turn and then go.
EDIT: Not sure how it is other places, but around here we pull up by strangers at lights and check each others bikes out. Usually give nods or thumbs ups. I know some around this community only like other Harley riders, but if you're on two wheels you're cool by me. If it's a scooter I'll usually rev my engine by them like I want to race, usually makes them smile. People are too possessive of things. This is MY space, this is MY spot in line, **** everyone else, ME ME ME.
If I'm approaching a motorcyclist I don't know at a light, I'll typically pull up beside him, and a bit behind him. When the light changes, you let whoever was there first go before the other. If it's a stop sign, he goes, I wait my turn and then go.
EDIT: Not sure how it is other places, but around here we pull up by strangers at lights and check each others bikes out. Usually give nods or thumbs ups. I know some around this community only like other Harley riders, but if you're on two wheels you're cool by me. If it's a scooter I'll usually rev my engine by them like I want to race, usually makes them smile. People are too possessive of things. This is MY space, this is MY spot in line, **** everyone else, ME ME ME.
Last edited by Dane M; Mar 11, 2016 at 08:27 PM.
When riding staggered with friends when we pull up beside each other at a light we always pull away from the light in the same order we stopped. First man in, first man out it cuts down on confusion. Whichever way you do it just make sure everyone is on the same page or in a pinch you end up in a dogpile with everyone doing it different.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,349
Likes: 647
From: Vegas, baby!
Is it more weight because of another scooter, or is it that the second scooter causes one of you to be in a different position in the lane? I have no trouble tripping the sensor with my 'little' Sportster. I just ride, or stop, over an end, instead of the top or bottom, of the rectangular cutout in the pavement.
You guys do know that weight has nothing to do with triggering the traffic signals, right? Typically there are wires (embedded loops) in the pavement that create weak a magnetic field, when ferrous metals get close enough to affect that field, it sends a signal to the controller to activate the appropriate light cycle. The sensitivity of the loops is adjustable but often motorcycles don't have enough iron/steel to set them off. That's why two bikes work, twice as much metal.
The current trend is to use cameras mounted on the signal poles for detection rather than the embedded wires. Unfortunately, depending upon how they are set up, motorcycles can still go unrecognized.
The current trend is to use cameras mounted on the signal poles for detection rather than the embedded wires. Unfortunately, depending upon how they are set up, motorcycles can still go unrecognized.
Here I am bouncing up and down on my bike at intersections trying to get it to register.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,813
Likes: 2,554
From: UK
That sounds particularly stupid to me, but you may have a reason I hadn't thought of.
He'll stop doing it when a guy actually hits him and causes them both to crash.
