Lane-splitting with a tourer?
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
If you're ever in Virginia, especially out in eastern VA and in the D.C./Maryland area, you need to assume that you are invisible to the cagers until they see you, THEN, after you're spotted, you become a target. I don't lane split after riding in this area for 30+ years, legal or not. There are few, and I mean VERY FEW,drivers that respect motorcyclists around here.
Don't follow too close here either or you'll see cigarettes and all kinds of trash flying at you. However, if you leave too big of a space, someone will almost always cut in front of you. All my rides around here, whether out of necessity or recreation are an exercise in caution. Thanks to the many backroads around here though.
I just want to give a warning to others if you're ever out this way.
Don't follow too close here either or you'll see cigarettes and all kinds of trash flying at you. However, if you leave too big of a space, someone will almost always cut in front of you. All my rides around here, whether out of necessity or recreation are an exercise in caution. Thanks to the many backroads around here though.
I just want to give a warning to others if you're ever out this way.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 834
Likes: 3
From: San Diego
I live in San Diego and lane split on my bagger as needed.
It is not so much as being in a hurry, but I don't like to sit/stopped/crawling in traffic when I don't need to, and as it is legal I take advantage of the rule.
As far as safety goes, we are all in charge of our own. Make your own decision if it is safe or not. I have been splitting lanes as long as I have been old enough to have a license.
For me, it is alot like riding a dirt bike in the trees, just don't catch a bar, and things are fine. If you do, you won't do it twice.
So don't go if you THINK you can't fit.
A big reason I do it at lights is the added safety of getting away from the wolf-pack of cars. I can shoot ahead to open road, breathe fresh air, and not look a the *** end of cars everywhere.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 963
Likes: 145
From: Displaced hillbilly
I'm pretty sure it's not legal in Florida.
I'm not into telling others what they should or shouldn't do, but I wouldn't do it. Seems like you are just putting yourself into a situation that could lead to a bad outcome, and I hate to read posts on this forum about fellow bikers going down.
Be safe out there!
I'm not into telling others what they should or shouldn't do, but I wouldn't do it. Seems like you are just putting yourself into a situation that could lead to a bad outcome, and I hate to read posts on this forum about fellow bikers going down.
Be safe out there!
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 534
Likes: 1
From: Lakewood,CA
I lane split year round. My rules to myself are, no more than 10 -15 mph faster than the flow, drop back in at 40, never in the rain, and like someone else said, if you get a bad feeling listen to it...
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Myrtle Beach S.C.
Tunnel Rat
I used to work Construcation In NYC ,I lived in NJ across the river there are bridges or tunnels you can use to cross If I was working up town then I took the bridge GW. If I was down town then I took either tunnel Now imagine bumper to Bumper inside a tunnel @ rush hour Yes I ran right down the middle all the time cause if you stayed in the tunnel you would die from the fumes also @ toll booths the cagers just love it
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From:
Nope. I used to do it on my Jap bike. It was only as wide as a doorway. But on the Glide? No way, and its irrelevant in WA any way. Besides, I don't commute that much. I ride for fun and what's the point of stressing out about lane splitting on a joyride? Slow down or if the traffics a bitch, stop and get a sandwich. Srsly, life is too short.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
I've never had a problem with lane-splitting with my E-Glide. Just use common sense and be conservative about it - there are obviously times when the cars are a bit too close and you'll want to hold up.
I've never had anyone give me a hard time about lane splitting. In fact folks seem to move aside when they do see me coming and give me more room. I don't lane-split like an idiot though (like the morons that fly between the cars at 20-30 mph) - I usually do just a few MPH faster than the cars them selves is all I do. It's just nice to be able to keep the bike moving and not have to do the endless stop n go every 10 feet creeping along in a traffic jam. Creeping in traffic on a motorcycle is exhausting esp in hot weather.
If the cars are moving at all I don't lane split - even if the cars are doing 10 to 15 mph thats fine all I want is to keep the bike moving so I fall into a lane and go with them. I only lane-split when the cars are at a crawl or virtually stopped. Otherwise I flow with them in a lane.
I've never had anyone give me a hard time about lane splitting. In fact folks seem to move aside when they do see me coming and give me more room. I don't lane-split like an idiot though (like the morons that fly between the cars at 20-30 mph) - I usually do just a few MPH faster than the cars them selves is all I do. It's just nice to be able to keep the bike moving and not have to do the endless stop n go every 10 feet creeping along in a traffic jam. Creeping in traffic on a motorcycle is exhausting esp in hot weather.
If the cars are moving at all I don't lane split - even if the cars are doing 10 to 15 mph thats fine all I want is to keep the bike moving so I fall into a lane and go with them. I only lane-split when the cars are at a crawl or virtually stopped. Otherwise I flow with them in a lane.
Last edited by Arizona; Oct 4, 2008 at 02:58 PM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 738
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
What's the rush???....I don't understand people on a bike that are in a rush....relax.... and
why would you put yourself in an even worse postion around cagers......
Life is fast enough..... and is't that the reason we ride what we ride????
why would you put yourself in an even worse postion around cagers......
Life is fast enough..... and is't that the reason we ride what we ride????
