Hoppalong
Well-known member
... but I can't tell you how many blank stares I get when I tell people I prefer them...
They're not staring at you blankly, they're staring at you in disbelief (as am I).
... but I can't tell you how many blank stares I get when I tell people I prefer them...
They're not staring at you blankly, they're staring at you in disbelief (as am I).
So you'd prefer when people erratically swerve out of the way for you when you're splitting, as opposed to staying where they are and being predictable? The lanes in CA are plenty wide enough for both a car and motorcycle to fit. No reason for them to swerve out of the way for us, and again, I'd prefer predictability over crazy movements that can confuse or scare other inattentive drivers.
I'd genuinely like to hear your reasoning behind this.
What you call "erratically swerve out of the way" I call acknowledging my presence and extending courtesy to me.
What you call "staying where they are and being predictable" might actually be that they don't know I'm there, or worse.
And as to why they might be staring in disbelief? you're talking about forcing your way into their already established lane position. You're like the ungrateful house guest that complains about the accommodations.
:rofl Now you're making statements about my character?
What I'm really saying is those people who are driving, don't see you until you're at their rear bumper, then swerve into the shoulder quickly to "make room." IMO that's not "acknowledging my presence and extending courtesy to me," it's erratic and unpredictable
Want to move a little? Cool. But please don't leave the roadway to make room for me.
I've been splitting lanes since the early eighties, and rode through the motorcycling boom of the nineties when there were more motos on the road. I didn't need it then, and don't need or want it now.
I'm in the boat that I wish cars would keep doing what they're doing. There's enough room for me to fit.
If they swerve over real quick, it's a red flag to me. Maybe they're not moving for me, maybe they got spooked by something and they might swerve right back too far the other way. Just drive normal and I'll get through. If there's not enough room, I'll wait til there is.
Get outta here with your logic. :x
You can come over here with your logic. I want drivers around me to act calmly and predictably. I can totally see some reactionary swerving because they’ve spotted me.... right into the guy splitting the other side. “Immediately hug the far edge of the lane if you see a motorcycle approaching from the rear” said no statute or drivers handbook ever. I like being acknowledged... with a howdy finger :thumbup
Perhaps you missed the sarcasm in my post. If you scroll up a ways, you'll see that I stated pretty much the exact same thing that I quoted... hence my sarcasm.
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In my unpublished, 3500-word Lane Splitting Guide (yeah, it's a bit tedious :rolleyes), I emphasize:
PM incoming.@DataDan, Could you point me in the direction of the lane-splitting guide?
Great thread, I'd like to add some bits earned from experience:
1. Know your bike. Every bike has a different width and low-speed character. I promise myself five months to get truly in-sync with a new bike before splitting. You might find a new bike has potentialy tight-squeeze contact points you didn't expect (esp with luggage).
2. In the neighborhood, some roads are just no good for splitting, or some blocks of specific roads. Older towns are inconsistent.
3. Road rage from cagers is a reality. Many years ago I had a pickup driver on I-405 in LA deliberately swerve-over and try to door me as I passed at a low delta, maybe only 3-5mph, but at 25mph overall rather than 65. He was in a mood to violently take out his traffic jam frustration on random people. In the wrong, but his intent's not important to my medical bill if I hadn't been able to dodge! After that I stopped splitting on the interstate, because those unpredictable idiots are real. Splitting at intersections is a safety move, splitting on the highway is just impatience. Meditate, follow the way, ctfo.