187 replies to this topic

[headshrink]

Was it a Prius? Those things are out to get every motorcycle rider out there.

No, an older model corolla I think.

At my worst I get significantly better mileage than a Prius... maybe they are just jealous.

[headshrink]

where are you getting this from? do you ride a motorcycle?

Of course. My comments come from my personal experiences and observations (individual results may vary).

I assume you ask because of statements I made that could be classified as sweeping generalizations or stereo-types.... and that I won't deny. I also assume you have experiences that are contrary to those stereo-types, etc..... that I would also expect.

[Ram_it!]

Wow, I wish I had seen this thread earlier. I ride a motorcycle and yes, I do lane split. As mentioned by some others, I only do it when I feel safe. I find it funny when people that have never ridden a motorcycle trying telling those that do, what safe is. These people dont understand the issues, defensive reiding techniques or justification on why we do what we do. These poeple are so used to their cars and have such a narrow mind to this topic. Why do I lane split? Well, to me its safer. Has anyone had a friend rear ended on a bike becasue the car didnt see him? I have and its not pretty. Going through the cars at a red light gets me out of the cars direct path. On the freeway, there are many motorcycles that are air cooled like mine that need to be moving in order to not overheat. Yep, cars dont every really think about that. I just find it funny listening to the comments about those that lane split. I am still laughing but I must commend the posters that have said its not the lane splitting, but rather the lane splitter. It can be done safely IMO but yes, just like every goog thing still left in this world, there are some that do it wrecklessly. I find it rather intresting that some are disgusted by a motorcycle lane splitting that is legal but yet I still see peopel everyday on their cell phones that is now illegal. One of these days I am sure California will change the law so you cant lane split but until then, I will. This state has taken away just about everythign good all becasue of you freeking do-gooders out there. I can still remeber as a kid riding in the back of my dads pickup truck with no seatbelt. Try that today and your in jail.

Let me leave off with one comment to the car drivers. I can lane split, and yes, i do get there faster than you! get over it. You want to lane split? then buy a bike.

[headshrink]

Ram_it! - Good summery! I forgot to mention that point about the air-cooled bikes too.

[supermom]

ha Ram it---just to be clear--all those points were made before. I agree with them/ but I'm feeling a bit like the devils advocate today ....

Si, in response to the air cooled bit.....the state of california does not allow me to run an air cooled vehicle on public roads. Some thing about EPA.

Something about it is the drivers responsiblility to own a vehicle that is liquid cooled in California.

What's good for one goose should be good for all.

So, if motorscyles need to committ an unsafe act (like lane splitting) because they are air cooled and could end up stalled out---then they should not be allowed to be operated on public streets. Period.

Sorry--that excuse I just find really deplorable from the bikers mind frame. Not that I don't like bikes. Heck I even want one. But I just don't like feeble excuses.

[chris v]

ha Ram it---just to be clear--all those points were made before. I agree with them/ but I'm feeling a bit like the devils advocate today ....

Si, in response to the air cooled bit.....the state of california does not allow me to run an air cooled vehicle on public roads. Some thing about EPA.

Something about it is the drivers responsiblility to own a vehicle that is liquid cooled in California.

What's good for one goose should be good for all.

So, if motorscyles need to committ an unsafe act (like lane splitting) because they are air cooled and could end up stalled out---then they should not be allowed to be operated on public streets. Period.

Sorry--that excuse I just find really deplorable from the bikers mind frame. Not that I don't like bikes. Heck I even want one. But I just don't like feeble excuses.

Horrible....just horrible. You can't compare cars with motorcycles ever... we don't have to smog our bikes so what now?

[Bill Z]

Si, in response to the air cooled bit.....the state of california does not allow me to run an air cooled vehicle on public roads. Some thing about EPA.

Something about it is the drivers responsiblility to own a vehicle that is liquid cooled in California.

That's a new one on me, care to site something that will back that up? If it's true, how come all air cooled motorcylcles are still allowed on the streets. How come Mylo is allowed to drive his VW bus and all of the VW bugs aren't banned from the roads. They are vehicles. How about mopeds. There are streets in Cameron Park where it is legal to drive your air-cooled airplane on the street.

I'm not saying you're wrong, I know this state has kooky laws, but could you please cite it.

[supermom]

That's a new one on me, care to site something that will back that up? If it's true, how come all air cooled motorcylcles are still allowed on the streets. How come Mylo is allowed to drive his VW bus and all of the VW bugs aren't banned from the roads. They are vehicles. How about mopeds. There are streets in Cameron Park where it is legal to drive your air-cooled airplane on the street.

I'm not saying you're wrong, I know this state has kooky laws, but could you please cite it.

My point exactly.

Silly goose.

[Bill Z]

My point exactly.

Silly goose.

Huh?!

[Ram_it!]

ha Ram it---just to be clear--all those points were made before. I agree with them/ but I'm feeling a bit like the devils advocate today ....

Si, in response to the air cooled bit.....the state of california does not allow me to run an air cooled vehicle on public roads. Some thing about EPA.

Something about it is the drivers responsiblility to own a vehicle that is liquid cooled in California.

What's good for one goose should be good for all.

So, if motorscyles need to committ an unsafe act (like lane splitting) because they are air cooled and could end up stalled out---then they should not be allowed to be operated on public streets. Period.

Sorry--that excuse I just find really deplorable from the bikers mind frame. Not that I don't like bikes. Heck I even want one. But I just don't like feeble excuses.

I call BS on this one. Find me where air cooled engines are illegal?? BS, but your ignorance lies in the new emmision standards aimed at motorcycles limiting the pollution they can emmit. It was determined that in order to meet these, many bikes would have to go to liquid cooled and employ technology not normally found on bikes.

All vehicles are air cooled to one extent or another. Block air to your radiator and see how happy your car gets? In my case, my bike is technically considered oil cooled but it still primarly relies on air cooled.

I dont use the engine heat as a reason to make it legal but just one of the many resons I do it. If you had a 20k dollar motorcycle, you too may want to prevent it form overheating.

[chris v]

I really don't care what people think as long as it's legal, I and many others will do it. So don't squeeze us or try and block us or your liable to get your mirror kicked off or your headlights adjusted.

[Darth Lefty]

ram_it, what did you get after you sold your ST?

(Can't imagine trying to lane split on that monster!)

Just so everyone's clear on this, I lane split because I can and it gets me a free pass to the front of the line. I tend to presume that complaints about this are mostly founded in the feeling that this isn't fair to the poor people in their cars. I think this is really the core of it, not safety or air cooling or the fine points of its legality.

I love talkin' motorcycles

[chris v]

Ah yes, getting to the front of the line....
Anyone ever lane split at Ikes? Those who know will understand what I'm talking about.

[ducky]

That's a new one on me, care to site something that will back that up? If it's true, how come all air cooled motorcylcles are still allowed on the streets. How come Mylo is allowed to drive his VW bus and all of the VW bugs aren't banned from the roads. They are vehicles. How about mopeds. There are streets in Cameron Park where it is legal to drive your air-cooled airplane on the street.

I'm not saying you're wrong, I know this state has kooky laws, but could you please cite it.

I've never heard of anything saying air-cooled engines aren't allowed. Besides VWs, there's also Corvairs, which granted some think were unsafe at any speed, but are still allowed on the road.

[Bill Z]

ram_it, what did you get after you sold your ST?

(Can't imagine trying to lane split on that monster!)

Just so everyone's clear on this, I lane split because I can and it gets me a free pass to the front of the line. I tend to presume that complaints about this are mostly founded in the feeling that this isn't fair to the poor people in their cars. I think this is really the core of it, not safety or air cooling or the fine points of its legality.

I love talkin' motorcycles

I agree on both points. Car drivers feel motorcyles are taking cuts, and they are, but the car drivers fail to realize that the benefit to the motorcyclist to beat the traffic and get home sooner also benefits them. it's one less car stuck in traffic causing the congestion. If all motorcyles were to vanish and be replaced by cars, the traffic would be worse. If all cars were eliminated and it was just motorcycles, the amount of traffic jams would greatly diminish. I bet the same stretch of roadway could handle at least 2 and possibly 3 to 4 times as much traffic if everyone rode a 2 wheeler.

BTW, very cool emoticon you found I like it.