White lines
White lines
I was just wondering. I have lived in Cali all my life and was wondering how you guys that live in states that does not allow lane splitting keep their bikes cool during the hot summer in grid lock. I remember going across country and seeing guys stuck in traffic in 100 degree weather and thinking man their engine must be runing so hot. I go to Vegas a lot during the summer and it gets well over a 100 at times and the traffic is killer there on the main strip. I asked on guy in front of the HD Cafe what he did during the super hot days. He told me that most of the HD guys dont drive in traffic during the day and only come to the strip at night when it cools down a bit. Last summer I was there and it was 102 at 11 at night. Do you guys just have to stop and let her cool down before continuing or do you just white line it anyway. I know many states consider it wreakless driving. Here in Cali I could not think of driving in the middle of all the cages during traffic time. When I drive my car to work it takes me twice as long to get there and to get home. All that and I leave and go right before the main rush hour.
I remember when going through Portland Or. My buddies and I were stuck in major traffic. We decided to white line it even though it was not allowed in that state. Here in cali for the most part people give ya room when they see ya coming because they are used to bikes going in between. There they took it so personally. We got people honking their horns like mad and trying to box us in or cut us off. I guess the felt that we were cheating or somthing. LOL.
Anyway, Just wondering what all of you do who do live in states allowed did to keep you engine cool during the summer in traffic.
Talking about hot nights. Our club has a ride once a year called the "Hot *** Run" Actually last year it did not happen but the year before we went to Death Valley here in sunny ca.
Some left during day and some left during the night. I left during the night to try and miss the hottest part of the day. When we got to Baker at 1130 or so it was 103 degrees. We were amazed that it was that hot during the night. Then after gasing up we headed off for the last leg of the trip to Death Valley. When we got to Death Valley it was 119 at about midnight. It was crazy. The guy said that day it was 130. We stayed at a place called Furnace creek Inn. that night. It was so damn hot that the air cond. did not really work unless you were standing right next to it. The next day it cooled off a bit for the ride home. When we left at 10 in the morning it was about 123. The Pres of the club said that the next time we have that run we will camp out instead of staying at the Inn. Yeah right.
I remember when going through Portland Or. My buddies and I were stuck in major traffic. We decided to white line it even though it was not allowed in that state. Here in cali for the most part people give ya room when they see ya coming because they are used to bikes going in between. There they took it so personally. We got people honking their horns like mad and trying to box us in or cut us off. I guess the felt that we were cheating or somthing. LOL.
Anyway, Just wondering what all of you do who do live in states allowed did to keep you engine cool during the summer in traffic.
Talking about hot nights. Our club has a ride once a year called the "Hot *** Run" Actually last year it did not happen but the year before we went to Death Valley here in sunny ca.
Some left during day and some left during the night. I left during the night to try and miss the hottest part of the day. When we got to Baker at 1130 or so it was 103 degrees. We were amazed that it was that hot during the night. Then after gasing up we headed off for the last leg of the trip to Death Valley. When we got to Death Valley it was 119 at about midnight. It was crazy. The guy said that day it was 130. We stayed at a place called Furnace creek Inn. that night. It was so damn hot that the air cond. did not really work unless you were standing right next to it. The next day it cooled off a bit for the ride home. When we left at 10 in the morning it was about 123. The Pres of the club said that the next time we have that run we will camp out instead of staying at the Inn. Yeah right.
RE: White lines
Longhair, I'm also a Calif Kid...in my x-cntry travels I just said screw it and split lanes as its kinda second nature. Since I ride an Ultra, in addition to being pinched off, blocked etc. ...I get to hear them MF truckers bitch to each other bout it. Kinda nice to rile em up.
To my knowledge, it's not illegal to "split lanes" but illegal for 2 vehicles to share the same lane....therefore when I split lanes I try and weave the line, sometimes even using t/sig.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,950
Likes: 4
RE: White lines
I live in semi rural AZ and don't really need to ride the line, but down in Phoenix they allow motorcycles to use the car pool lanes. Riding between lanes is lawful (I believe) here but muchly discouraged.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,679
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From:
RE: White lines
FYI.....
[color=#0033CC][i]Lane-splitting: Is it really OK to do that?
It's legal in California for motorcyclists to weave between traffic lanes to pass slower cars, but that doesn't make it safe.
By Jeanne Wright, Special to The Times
You're stuck on the freeway. All lanes have come to a dead stop, when suddenly a motorcycle roars past at high speed, inches away, scaring the wits out of you. It's called lane-splitting, a harrowing maneuver by motorcyclists to break through freeway traffic jams and bypass slow-moving vehicles. Although motorcyclists love it, motorists often find it annoying and dangerous. California is the only state that allows motorcyclists to drive between vehicle lanes if it is done in a safe manner. And as the number of motorcycle riders has increased, fatalities are up and lane-splitting also appears to be on the increase, says Sgt. Ron Burch of the California Highway Patrol. In 2003, there were 3,592 motorcycle fatalities nationwide, according to recent figures released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The death toll represents an 11% surge over the previous year in the number of cyclists killed. California led the nation in 2002 with 323 motorcycle fatalities. Though neither the CHP nor the NHTSA keeps statistics on the number of accidents involving motorcycles splitting lanes, anecdotal information indicates the practice has led to serious injuries and deaths. Of the five fatal motorcycle accidents Burch worked during his five years as a CHP motorcycle officer, two of them involved riders who were splitting lanes on the freeways. The other three involved excessive speed. "Motorcycling in general is inherently dangerous. It's startling that lane-splitting is even allowed," says Judy Stone, president of Advocates for Highway Safety, a national nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. "Drivers can't always see them coming, it surprises people." Stone, whose group advocates strong laws requiring all riders to wear helmets, says head injuries are the leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes. Stone argues that the rise in motorcycle deaths nationwide could be, in part, attributed to the fact that some states repealed helmet laws and others relaxed requirements on the protective gear. California, 18 other states and the District of Columbia require helmet use for all motorcycle drivers and passengers. In 28 other states, only those under a certain age, generally 18, are required to wear helmets. Three states — Colorado, Illinois and Iowa — have no helmet requirements, according to the group. ough motorcyclists often clash with safety advocates over issues such as helmet use, the lane-splitting issue has at least one rider organization concerned.
"We don't advocate high-speed lane-splitting. It's dangerous and stupid, not to mention illegal just about everywhere in the country," says Jeff Hennie of the influential Motorcycle Rider Foundation, also based in Washington. As vice president of the group's government affairs, Hennie says lane-splitting is certainly a way to reduce traffic congestion in California, but riders should drive responsibly, particularly "in this age of road rage."
"Many motorcycle drivers are very responsible and I try to make room for them," says Candysse Miller, of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. But motorcyclists who "speed and drive recklessly, racing between lanes … and driving in and out of carpool lanes are scary. I guess it's a 'live free or die' attitude."
Art Friedman, an avid California motorcycle rider and senior editor of Motorcycle Cruising and Motorcyclist magazine, says more research needs to be done in motorcycle safety, including a closer look at the advantages and risks of lane-splitting. Though it can alleviate traffic congestion, Friedman says, advocates of lane-splitting have to consider that "we have more people splitting lanes these days and cars are bigger and wider." Spe
[color=#0033CC][i]Lane-splitting: Is it really OK to do that?
It's legal in California for motorcyclists to weave between traffic lanes to pass slower cars, but that doesn't make it safe.
By Jeanne Wright, Special to The Times
You're stuck on the freeway. All lanes have come to a dead stop, when suddenly a motorcycle roars past at high speed, inches away, scaring the wits out of you. It's called lane-splitting, a harrowing maneuver by motorcyclists to break through freeway traffic jams and bypass slow-moving vehicles. Although motorcyclists love it, motorists often find it annoying and dangerous. California is the only state that allows motorcyclists to drive between vehicle lanes if it is done in a safe manner. And as the number of motorcycle riders has increased, fatalities are up and lane-splitting also appears to be on the increase, says Sgt. Ron Burch of the California Highway Patrol. In 2003, there were 3,592 motorcycle fatalities nationwide, according to recent figures released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The death toll represents an 11% surge over the previous year in the number of cyclists killed. California led the nation in 2002 with 323 motorcycle fatalities. Though neither the CHP nor the NHTSA keeps statistics on the number of accidents involving motorcycles splitting lanes, anecdotal information indicates the practice has led to serious injuries and deaths. Of the five fatal motorcycle accidents Burch worked during his five years as a CHP motorcycle officer, two of them involved riders who were splitting lanes on the freeways. The other three involved excessive speed. "Motorcycling in general is inherently dangerous. It's startling that lane-splitting is even allowed," says Judy Stone, president of Advocates for Highway Safety, a national nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. "Drivers can't always see them coming, it surprises people." Stone, whose group advocates strong laws requiring all riders to wear helmets, says head injuries are the leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes. Stone argues that the rise in motorcycle deaths nationwide could be, in part, attributed to the fact that some states repealed helmet laws and others relaxed requirements on the protective gear. California, 18 other states and the District of Columbia require helmet use for all motorcycle drivers and passengers. In 28 other states, only those under a certain age, generally 18, are required to wear helmets. Three states — Colorado, Illinois and Iowa — have no helmet requirements, according to the group. ough motorcyclists often clash with safety advocates over issues such as helmet use, the lane-splitting issue has at least one rider organization concerned.
"We don't advocate high-speed lane-splitting. It's dangerous and stupid, not to mention illegal just about everywhere in the country," says Jeff Hennie of the influential Motorcycle Rider Foundation, also based in Washington. As vice president of the group's government affairs, Hennie says lane-splitting is certainly a way to reduce traffic congestion in California, but riders should drive responsibly, particularly "in this age of road rage."
"Many motorcycle drivers are very responsible and I try to make room for them," says Candysse Miller, of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. But motorcyclists who "speed and drive recklessly, racing between lanes … and driving in and out of carpool lanes are scary. I guess it's a 'live free or die' attitude."
Art Friedman, an avid California motorcycle rider and senior editor of Motorcycle Cruising and Motorcyclist magazine, says more research needs to be done in motorcycle safety, including a closer look at the advantages and risks of lane-splitting. Though it can alleviate traffic congestion, Friedman says, advocates of lane-splitting have to consider that "we have more people splitting lanes these days and cars are bigger and wider." Spe
RE: White lines
I'd like to think I do it responsibly.....by the way the LEO's do it themselves so IMHO WTF is this guy thinking, probably patch holders or ricers hauling ***
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 567
Likes: 11
From: San Diego
RE: White lines
Also live here in SoCal. I split lanes on the way to work when trafic is slow moving. I do it responsibly. The other day as I was in traffic a CHP officer followed by two other harleys came by splitting traffic. You should see the way cars get out of the way when a cop is splitting lanes. It was the red sea opening up for us. Also it seems that people move over for the Harleys more so then for the rice burners. I thiuk its just the differences in riding styles.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,679
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From:
RE: White lines
By the way, I spoke to a 'friend' and got some more info (for Texas anyway)....
In Texas it is unlawful to split lanes in traffic, although if you are stuck in a traffic jam most LEO’s will let you. By the way the violation would be:
Failed to Drive in Single Lane 545.060
You can zip down the HOV, bus and other preferential lanes legally (but you might have some discussions with the city cops…)
TRC §680.013.
USE OF PREFERENTIAL LANE BY MOTORCYCLE.
A motorcycle may be operated in a preferential lane that is not closed to all vehicular traffic.
(2) "Preferential lane" means a traffic lane on a street or highway where motor vehicle usage is limited to:
(A) buses;
(B) vehicles occupied by a minimum number of persons; or
(C) car pool vehicles
I know that many fellow HD and custom bikers tell me that turn signals are not mandatory (but if you have them, the must work) along with gauges (speedo, etc.) as well as front brakes and you can mount your headlight, taillight and license plate wherever you want. Not totally true. You are supposed to have working front brakes, even on customs, and the location of the headlight, taillight and license plate is up to the mood of the officer.
Brakes Not on All Wheels - Motorcycle 547.802
Head Lamp Improperly Located on Motorcycle 547.801
Tail Lamp Improperly Located on Motorcycle 547.801
In Texas it is unlawful to split lanes in traffic, although if you are stuck in a traffic jam most LEO’s will let you. By the way the violation would be:
Failed to Drive in Single Lane 545.060
You can zip down the HOV, bus and other preferential lanes legally (but you might have some discussions with the city cops…)
TRC §680.013.
USE OF PREFERENTIAL LANE BY MOTORCYCLE.
A motorcycle may be operated in a preferential lane that is not closed to all vehicular traffic.
(2) "Preferential lane" means a traffic lane on a street or highway where motor vehicle usage is limited to:
(A) buses;
(B) vehicles occupied by a minimum number of persons; or
(C) car pool vehicles
I know that many fellow HD and custom bikers tell me that turn signals are not mandatory (but if you have them, the must work) along with gauges (speedo, etc.) as well as front brakes and you can mount your headlight, taillight and license plate wherever you want. Not totally true. You are supposed to have working front brakes, even on customs, and the location of the headlight, taillight and license plate is up to the mood of the officer.
Brakes Not on All Wheels - Motorcycle 547.802
Head Lamp Improperly Located on Motorcycle 547.801
Tail Lamp Improperly Located on Motorcycle 547.801
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From:
RE: White lines
I ride a lot of counrty and never really worry about any serious overheating....Hell, it's aircooled and the temp INSIDE that jug is a lot hotter then any ambiant air.
Gets warm on the legs, but if any air at all is moving, I don't thionk an air cooled motor will suffer...look at VWs...rear mounted and closed in...never a prob.
Gets warm on the legs, but if any air at all is moving, I don't thionk an air cooled motor will suffer...look at VWs...rear mounted and closed in...never a prob.