Lane Splitting
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 25,202
Likes: 30,162
All the time on either my Harley or the Goldwing. Handle Bars, Fairing and Mirrors define the width of the bike. It may not feel like it, but my old DRZ400 took up pretty much the same width as either my Harley or the Goldwing.
Splitting lanes during the Rush Hours is always easier. I suspect that the commuting crowd generally expects it and thus they almost always make extra room. A$$Hats are fairly rare. A rather interesting experience is to follow a CHP bike as they split lanes. It's like watching the parting or the Red Sea. Some drivers may have trouble seeing motorcycles . . . but this challenge doesn't seem to apply to Police Bikes to the same extent that it does to motorcycles in general. That said, modulated headlights definitely help . . . almost as much as following a CHP Motor!
Splitting lanes during the Rush Hours is always easier. I suspect that the commuting crowd generally expects it and thus they almost always make extra room. A$$Hats are fairly rare. A rather interesting experience is to follow a CHP bike as they split lanes. It's like watching the parting or the Red Sea. Some drivers may have trouble seeing motorcycles . . . but this challenge doesn't seem to apply to Police Bikes to the same extent that it does to motorcycles in general. That said, modulated headlights definitely help . . . almost as much as following a CHP Motor!
I love being right behind a CHP officer lane splitting. I've thought the same thing, how amazing it is that cars see him in an instant, as quiet as their bikes are, and they ignore me. It makes you want to get a gold helmet. A few months ago I made the trip from Simi Valley to San Diego and ended lane splitting all the way. Even then it took 4 hours. If I leave in either direction ay 7pm, I can make it in 2 1/2 hours.
I have my own rules and let many riders go past me. Following another rider almost ensures a nice sized gap.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,688
Likes: 1,902
From: Depends on who wants to know.........and why.
I love being right behind a CHP officer lane splitting. I've thought the same thing, how amazing it is that cars see him in an instant, as quiet as their bikes are, and they ignore me. It makes you want to get a gold helmet. A few months ago I made the trip from Simi Valley to San Diego and ended lane splitting all the way. Even then it took 4 hours. If I leave in either direction ay 7pm, I can make it in 2 1/2 hours.
I have my own rules and let many riders go past me. Following another rider almost ensures a nice sized gap.
I have my own rules and let many riders go past me. Following another rider almost ensures a nice sized gap.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 412
From: Studio City, CA via Rochester, NY
Been riding here in California for many years. Never have gotten comfortable with lane splitting. I'll do it here and there depending upon the situation but always very conservatively. Just not a fan. It's tough on my Street Glide. A bit less so on the Fat Boy but only because of the lower weight and center of gravity - it has Beach Bars which are pretty wide.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 494
Likes: 63
From: Bay Area, CA
I did when it happened to me. It isn't that common. Mine was at a stoplight as I was moving through the stopped traffic. I backed up and told the woman who was driving what had happened - she didn't even know I had tapped the mirror. There was no damage and she said thanks.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 345
From: Ohio
I've never lived around or even seen lane splitting in action, so forgive me if this is a stupid question;
If you're splitting between lines of bumper to bumper traffic and you get to a point where the traffic is choked or (for whatever reason) you can't split the lanes anymore... what's the law? Do you signal and pull in-between cars? If they're bumper to bumper are most drivers considerate enough to let you in? Does the law say they have to let you back in the lane?
Thanks
If you're splitting between lines of bumper to bumper traffic and you get to a point where the traffic is choked or (for whatever reason) you can't split the lanes anymore... what's the law? Do you signal and pull in-between cars? If they're bumper to bumper are most drivers considerate enough to let you in? Does the law say they have to let you back in the lane?
Thanks