08-20-2016, 01:33 PM
(08-20-2016, 01:16 PM)jerrycon_imp Wrote: I am the guy who recently claimed to filter only (stopped traffic) and not lane split (moving traffic). Imagine my surprise today to find myself splitting through lanes of slowly moving cars at 56 kph (35 mph). It felt safe up until that speed. That's when I stopped splitting.I just started riding again after taking a month off. Too hot for leathers, so I broke out the road bicycle for the last few weeks.
But I must confess that Black Beauty seems to have a mind of her own. Leaving the pool hall today, I was firm in my decision to take local streets home. Minutes later, there I was on the freeway once again, at one time doing 137 kph (85 mph). For me, it is good that the CB is no more of a sport bike than it is. I often tell people that I am an old guy who likes to ride slow. It is possible that scientific measurements might indicate otherwise, at least occasionally--if not often...
(08-20-2016, 07:46 AM)Randy B_imp Wrote:(08-20-2016, 07:41 AM)dsinned_imp Wrote: I hope the CHP and/or DMV puts out rider safety "minimum guidelines" while lane sharing. The new law seems sorely lacking without some sort of safety guidelines.
I think a speed limit of 10 to 15 over surrounding traffic should be recommended and a maximum speed of a lane splitter no higher than 25 mph.
Surely, the relative difference in speed (i.e. 10 to 15 mph) has a crucial affect on rider safety's reaction time with respect to defensive driving and "AVOIDING" would-be collisions.
A maximum speed of 25 MPH would never fly. There would be open revolt and just about nobody would follow that rule.
A maximum speed of 25 MPH would never fly. There would be open revolt and just about nobody would follow that rule.
I went for a short ride yesterday evening and took the fastest bike in my garage, the 2015 ZX-10R. I just wanted to make sure I still knew how to ride.
That bike seemed to have a mind of its own. Swift, comfortable, agile, and of course very fast.
I really think you have to ride the bike the way your mind tells you to ride it.
Trying to "take it easy" is going to get you into more trouble. Motorcycles need to be ridden to the advantage of the owner, not to follow rules designed for pedestrians, bicycles, or automobiles.
We can't be seen very well and have no real protection. Unlike bicycles and pedestrians we cannot just jump off the roadway or stop on a dime. (OK, bicycles can't stop on a dime but we can jump onto the sidewalk.)
Motorcycles are the most vulnerable, but most agile, vehicles on the road but those advantages have to be exploited through skill and good judgment.
That's why you ended up back on the freeway, and why you found yourself splitting lanes.
Otherwise, why not just leave the bike parked in the garage? Use it. After a month off, the thrill is back, bigger and more addictive than ever.