Santa Clara Questions

[Sidi]

Well I just landed a job in Santa Clara, I live in the far East Bay, and I have a couple of easy questions for ya’ll.

Traffic Questions:

1. The HOV lane on the Sunol Grade, do I need a FasTrak / 2 up to use it or not?

2. The Diamond lane on the surface streets I can use them while riding solo correct?



Service Question:

I currently use BRG Racing as the shop that works on my SV650, when I need it. Although commuting to Santa Clara makes it a bit tough to drop off my bike, since that is what I commute on.

1. Is there a shop in Santa Clara area that is just as good if not better (hard to believe there is one), and wont rape me for $$? If so what is the company name?

 

[oorahduc]

I don't have any suggestions about shops since I ONLY take my moto to Catalyst, but I will say DO NOT FUCK AROUND in Santa Clara. Do not get involved with their PD in any way.


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[Sidi]

ya i try not to play with LEOs that i don't know..

 

[limey]

For the HOV/toll lane this is my 2c:

- You can use any HOV lane as if you were a carpool, when riding a motorcycle. Thus you don't need Fastrak nor to be 2-up.
- If you carry your transponder it will be charged. The advice when using the HOV/toll lane says to put your transponder in the anti-static bag when you are a valid carpool. This is obviously not possible on a moto while moving, so I just leave mine at home. If I happen to take a bridge that day, my plate is registered, so all is good.

 

[iehawk]

Evolution Suspension or Santa Clara Cycles Accessories are 2 good places I know in/around the area.

 

[TheRiddler]

I don't have any suggestions about shops since I ONLY take my moto to Catalyst, but I will say DO NOT FUCK AROUND in Santa Clara. Do not get involved with their PD in any way.


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In a town full of college students I figured they were pretty relaxed. I also spot them EVERYWHERE. Their police force must be pretty big compared to the actual square mileage of the town.

Evolution Suspension has a good reputation but I've never visited. I've dropped by Santa Clara Cycle twice and they were friendly both times. But I don't think the latter does full service? They do a lot, though.

 

[limey]

Evolution Suspension or Santa Clara Cycles Accessories are 2 good places I know in/around the area.

+1 Evo rules.

 

[UDRider]

Another +1 for Evolution.

As for cops they like to do traffic enforcement on San Thomas between 101 and Monroe. Around commuter hours traffic is a charlie foxtrot, so either plan to commute on bike rain or shine or deal with grid lock traffic and rolling road blocks.

 

[XPEHBAM]

^^^ what he said.

I commute from Santa Clara to Redwood Shores, San Thomas & 101 are both gridlocked in the morning. Bikes are allowed in the HOV lane... thats what saves me, every day

I've had nothing but good encounters with cops around here. A few times they paced me and knew I was speeding by about 7mph in a 35mph and just grinned and did the slow down thing with their hand out the window.

 

[Sidi]

cool thanks ya'll.

I'll Leave my transponder at home from now on


*edit* sweet Evolution is on the same street that i work on

 

[BluesCruiser]

Yes bikes have access to all HOV lanes nationwide, not just in California, including the Sunol express lane. Once your license is registered with FasTrak you never need to carry it. When you sail through the tool booth it will take a pic of your license. If you owe a toll (like on a bridge) you will get charged for it automatically; if you don't (like on Sunol) you don't get charged.

 

[vostok4]

As people have echoed (live and ride in Santa Clara for 4 years now) LEOs are very cool here, don't be stupid and they'll keep being cool. That said there is a lot of them (and almost ever school has speed traps, so obey those "When Children Present" signs).

For shops, I'll use Santa Clara Cycle and Accessories for tires (their prices are insane), and to order parts in, I've gone to Double R Cycles (http://www.doublercycles.com/, close to your work) for a check on something and they did probably an hour or twos worth of work and didn't charge me a dime (they couldn't fix the problem). SCC actually refers to Double R sometimes, so I figure a good egg is likely to refer another good egg.

Evolution Suspension also has a great rep around here, although I've never gone to them myself.

 

[Sidi]

ok cool ya'll thanks. I've contacted the shops ya'll suggested. when they get back to me i will pick a winner

 

[OLeary]

never dealt with evolution but santa clara cycles has treated me right every time. I was pissed that a clutch cable took 6 days to get in but I cant blame ssc for shipping.