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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: johncam4 on July 17, 2004, 02:50:42 PM

Title: do you lane split to the front of lights...
Post by: johncam4 on July 17, 2004, 02:50:42 PM
when you are 3, 4, 5 rows back or something...do you ever just split to the front.
Title: do you lane split to the front of lights...
Post by: Flash on July 17, 2004, 03:33:32 PM
Click here (http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10665&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=) for my earlier post on lane-spliting vids. You will especially enjoy the one entitled "arrogant punk" (second on the list). Just scroll down the page and you will see my post.
Title: do you lane split to the front of lights...
Post by: pantablo on July 17, 2004, 05:34:25 PM
I do it without exception. I also lane split on the freeway (in traffic). But its not illegal here in CA to do any of the above.
Title: Re: do you lane split to the front of lights...
Post by: mjm on July 17, 2004, 05:45:25 PM
Quote from: johncam4when you are 3, 4, 5 rows back or something...do you ever just split to the front.

Lane splitting is only legal in California - most states will allow you to share a lane with another motorcycle - but not a car.

Lane splitting is a stupid way of training ignorant car drivers that is is OK to join us when we are in the left third (that would be the right third for the UK crowd) of our lane while waiting to make turns etc at lights - a situation that I have had cause to discuss on a personal level with more than one driver.  

DO NOT DO IT WHERE IT IS NOT LEGAL.
Title: Re: do you lane split to the front of lights...
Post by: 96gs on July 17, 2004, 08:03:12 PM
Quote from: mjm
Quote from: johncam4when you are 3, 4, 5 rows back or something...do you ever just split to the front.

Lane splitting is only legal in California - most states will allow you to share a lane with another motorcycle - but not a car.

Lane splitting is a stupid way of training ignorant car drivers that is is OK to join us when we are in the left third (that would be the right third for the UK crowd) of our lane while waiting to make turns etc at lights - a situation that I have had cause to discuss on a personal level with more than one driver.  

DO NOT DO IT WHERE IT IS NOT LEGAL.

I heard that it was legal in 28/50 states. It is in alot of states but I don't know them all.
Title: Re: do you lane split to the front of lights...
Post by: pantablo on July 17, 2004, 11:48:59 PM
Quote from: mjm
Quote from: johncam4DO NOT DO IT WHERE IT IS NOT LEGAL.

Lets all be clear about this. Lane splitting is NOT LEGAL in ANY of the 50 states. However, in CA there is no SPECIFIC legislation against it, like there is in the other 49 states. So its kind of a loophole.

So in CA its NOT ILLEGAL, but its not legal...make sense? You can do it but you can get a ticket for unsafe lane changes or any assortment of others at the LEO's choosing.

Every other state has specific legislation against it. Doesnt mean you dont see people doing it though.
Title: do you lane split to the front of lights...
Post by: crash on July 18, 2004, 12:24:34 AM
Quote from: FlashClick here for my earlier post on lane-spliting vids. You will especially enjoy the one entitled "arrogant punk" (second on the list). Just scroll down the page and you will see my post.
!!! someone please tell me what the song in the scooter vid is! pleeeeease
Title: do you lane split to the front of lights...
Post by: Cal Price on July 18, 2004, 12:32:23 AM
I do it only if I am sure I can be seen and only for the odd car or two in length. Also when turning left (right for most of you) Our legislation seems to be the same as CA, in itself it is not illegal all the while you get away with it but have a prang and it's down to you. I have heard of insurers getting difficult so nothing new there.
Title: do you lane split to the front of lights...
Post by: JamesG on July 18, 2004, 04:56:56 AM
I usually don't do it here as it both unlawful and unexpected by cage drivers, so they usually get startled or upset ("Hey, I can't do that so why should he be able too, waaaaaaaaa...")

But I have occasionally ridden up past a few cars on the far right line to make a right turn at red lights.  Donno if you consider that lane splitting.
Title: do you lane split to the front of lights...
Post by: charleym3 on July 18, 2004, 05:31:34 AM
Yeah, well, Just because we can doesn't mean we should.
Title: do you lane split to the front of lights...
Post by: mp183 on July 18, 2004, 06:36:57 AM
Splitting lanes is a fact of life.  I'll go in between the cars depending on speed.  On the Thruway if they are moving below 30mph.  In the city below 20 mph.  On a good day it takes me a little less than 1 hour to go 29 miles.  In the car it takes over one hour.  On a bad day it can take hours in the car and on the bike an hour and 15 minutes.  I would have to be an idiot to sit in traffic instead of splitting a lane.  In city traffic if the  traffic is moving at a resonable pace I'll move up toward the light and get behind the first car.  When the light changes I can usualy pass one of the other cars in another lane and I'm at the front of the pack until I get behind the pack at the next light.  Which I tell you is never far away.
Your have to be cool when you split lanes and most people will not mind.  You always get one idiot that will but just take it easy and you will lose him in a split second.  The way I see it, the world owes it to me to let me split lanes since I am saving the environment.  In the battle for turf the SUV drivers can keep the rest of the word but I'm not going to give them the 18" between the cars :cheers:
Title: do you lane split to the front of lights...
Post by: Steve-C on July 18, 2004, 07:16:35 AM
I split to the front if I'm more than 1 car back, what's the point in having a bike otherwise?!

Still as said it's not illegal over here and I only do it when traffic is below 30mph on the freeways or pretty much stationary round town.  Gives me a buzz, but I'll only do it with caution.
Title: do you lane split to the front of lights...
Post by: Steve-C on July 18, 2004, 07:42:24 AM
Crash -

It's the theme from the movie 'Pulp Fiction'

Steve
Title: do you lane split to the front of lights...
Post by: gitarman on July 18, 2004, 09:09:44 AM
I have cars try to lane split with me. If I'm to either side they come up almost right next to me! and this was at 30 mph! I shot that lady a death look and she quickly backed off. Also one road I travel on a regular basis has construction barrels on one of the lanes but no construction is done. I regularly use that and cut through slow traffic. Its not wide enough for cars/cops to follow me in so I guess they get pretty pissed.
Title: do you lane split to the front of lights...
Post by: Flash on July 18, 2004, 10:07:17 AM
Quote from: crash!!! someone please tell me what the song in the scooter vid is! pleeeeease
It's also the theme song from the movie Pulp Fiction: Miserlou by duck Dale & his Del-tones[/color]. I got the info. from this website.

Apparently, this is also a famous piece that has been reproduced by many, many artists. If you go to www.fye.com and search for Miserlou you will find 3 pages worth. Even the beach boys had this in their collection. Some are spot on, others are close, and a few are unrecognizable. Click here for a sample from the duck Dale Anthology. It is spot on.
Title: do you lane split to the front of lights...
Post by: crash on July 18, 2004, 01:05:14 PM
suet! thanks!  :)
Title: do you lane split to the front of lights...
Post by: pantablo on July 18, 2004, 01:57:28 PM
Quote from: charleym3Yeah, well, Just because we can doesn't mean we should.

its safer to split lanes than sit in traffic. your odds of being rear ended are much higher (car drivers nto likely to see you but the car in front of you instead) than your odds of crashing while splitting lanes.
Title: do you lane split to the front of lights...
Post by: Flash on July 18, 2004, 07:34:40 PM
Hey crash,
click here (http://polihale.com/waiakea/30188.wmv) for a Nissan commercial with duck Dale playing Miserlou

If you want to download the song, then right click here and save as (http://217.106.229.127/51493-1090241355-b6f44cac7f29ddb22c1c4a781ba196e8/Miserlou.mp3) (be aware, this is from a Russian website and the download is slow, even on my DSL)