Where's the traffic?

[Gone in 60]

This is pretty weird... my typical weekday commute is down the car pool lane or splitting between crawling traffic on a crowded freeway. Over the holidays it lightened up considerably, but I had expected it to return to normal with the new year, especially after a week in, when the kids went back to school. But, so far, it's been very light, running at weekend speeds.

Not sure if it's omicron, or the growing "anti-work" movement I've been hearing about, but it's weird. So far on the little 300, I've been running with the herd in the right lanes or doing 80 on the bigger bikes, and it would be just as fast to drive my car to work.

I shouldn't complain about a lack of traffic, I suppose...

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

The herd still lurks. They haven't moved anywhere suddenly.

Enjoy while it lasts.

 

[emptysea]

One should never complain about the lack of traffic. And, in my opinion, the causes are mostly Omicron and the 5 day quarantine for anyone who tests positive and people who are working from home or choosing not to work (the latter for a lot of reasons, not necessarily laziness).

 

[Gone in 60]

Quick follow up...

Well, forget I mentioned it, I guess.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

Quick follow up...

Well, forget I mentioned it, I guess.

How does the ordeal feel on the 300?

 

[Gone in 60]

Tight traffic is what this bike is made for. There are a few spots where traffic speeds up quite a bit. If there are cars behind me in the car pool lane, I'll slide over a lane or two to cruise below 70, then cut back in if traffic slows again. Just a little more thought process than the 1100 or the Bonneville.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

Tight traffic is what this bike is made for. There are a few spots where traffic speeds up quite a bit. If there are cars behind me in the car pool lane, I'll slide over a lane or two to cruise below 70, then cut back in if traffic slows again. Just a little more thought process than the 1100 or the Bonneville.

RE traffic: Excellent to read.

 

[Sparky80_imp]

so you're one of those guys that rides with the high beams on?

I'd get flashed repeatedly if I ran my high beams on the FJR, even in broad daylight. But, to each his own.

 

[Gone in 60]

Yup, high beam on in daylight. And I’ll have auxiliary LEDs up front soon as well as I do on my other bikes. Low beam at night for courtesy.

Never had any complaints, and want all the visibility I can get in freeway traffic.

 

[Obleo]

I agree G. O. I also ride with the high beam on and a set of Denali 2.0 auxiliary lights. Now if I could fit a train horn on , I might get some of the texter’s attention .

 

[peterbaron]

In broad daylight, I ride with hi beam on to be seen better.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

lol - I never ride with high beam on and when I need the horn, either my finger can't find the button (because Honda moved it), or in some cases, the horn decided to feel weak that day (older bikes). I usually adjust my riding path and then knock on the cage's side window getting the driver's attention. In almost all cases the extra light and horn wouldn't have helped because they driver simply was not paying attention.

If I am suspicious of an upcoming intersection (arguably the highest risk for any rider), in optimal position I may flicker or turn on my high beam to "freeze" the oncoming left turner (if required). This seems to work every time as their rolling turn stops dead.