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Message started by Susan on 11/01/04 at 13:56:35

Title: Urban Riding Tactics
Post by Susan on 11/01/04 at 13:56:35

Saw this posted on another forum. The lessons are relevant to anyone driving a motorcycle in traffic:

Urban Riding Tactics (http://www.sportrider.com/ride/146_9508_skill/)

Title: Re: Urban Riding Tactics
Post by sluggo on 11/01/04 at 15:40:15

I too put many miles on the freeways of the l.a. basin on an older thumper.

i agree completly with the riders observations.

i only add this to the equation because i like to keep it real simple..

"YOU ARE INVISIBLE TO ALL CAGES"

plain and simple.

here are several other tactics that didnt make his list but are undersood by freeway riders/lane splitter.

watch heads and front wheels they will be the first indicator of a lane change.

a cell phone user with phone in right ear drifts right, left ear drifts left. generally......

obscure the license plate, that so when you pop sombodys mirror, or scrape the side they dont have it when they call 911 complaining about a minor incident. this also applies the to occasianal steel toe to door panel, or when adding to the "antenna" collection. :o ok i'm not proud of it but i do have a few. on the l.a. freeway its "war out there" for the daily commute. and the m/c is the lowest on the food chain. plus cages hate that we get to move at 25 - 30 mph when they only are doing 5 - 10. ever try riding 5 -10 mph for miles on end.. you quickly become a lane splitter.
i've been the head of 20 bike snake over mullholand in rush our many times. i've has chp's move over to let a smaller bike lead. when the cages feel the snake moving by they generally move over just a tad. that's generally..

Title: Re: Urban Riding Tactics
Post by Ed L. on 11/01/04 at 18:13:24

Here's a good site that has a lot of riding tips http://flamesonmytank.co.za/navigation.htm, I check in every few weeks cause they keep it updated.

Title: Re: Urban Riding Tactics
Post by Ed L. on 11/01/04 at 18:20:33

Well that didn't seem to work ??? oh well lets try it again http:www.flamesonmytank.com.za/navigation

Title: Re: Urban Riding Tactics
Post by Paladin on 11/01/04 at 18:56:40

I drive/ride pretty much the same in my Company van (http://www.dslretorts.com/Paladin/archives/000084.html)as on the Bike. Both vehicles are invisible. The above link speaks of placing yourself so others can see you in their rear-view mirrors. Why? Those of us who use mirrors saw the bike 10 car-lengths back. The others aren't going to be looking in their mirrors anyhow so why position yourself to be seen? I figure the other person is totally unaware of my presence and may place his vehicle anywhere it is physically possible for him/her to place it. It is my task to not be in the same location.

My bottom line is that I consistently obey only one law. It is a law of physics that cannot be broken: Two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time.

Title: Re: Urban Riding Tactics
Post by Greg_650 on 11/02/04 at 04:33:32

Paladin wrote:

Maybe some people do not use their mirrors very often, but with your headlight on you are at least taking the opportunity to be seen by the car ahead. If you drive in their blind spot you are contributing to your own "invisibilty". This also positions you so that oncoming traffic can see your headlight....especially for the person wanting turn left in front of you.

There are 2 ways to look at this, and I choose the proactive one.

Quote:

I figure the other person is totally unaware of my presence and may place his vehicle anywhere it is physically possible for him/her to place it. It is my task to not be in the same location.

This is simply a good defensive driving attitude.

Quote:

My bottom line is that I consistently obey only one law. It is a law of physics that cannot be broken: Two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time.

The best tactic is to position yourself to see and be seen. Drive defensively, but not aggressively. Just because some cagers are unpredictable or even stupid, doesn't suggest that a motorcyclist should be as well. Some cagers do not discriminate between bicycles, pedestrians, cars or bikes. That is their problem, but it doesn't have to yours.

Don't take a bad attitude out on the road. Don't follow too closely, scan ahead through traffic, use your turn signals and always be prepared to react. Just drive smart.

Title: Re: Urban Riding Tactics
Post by Savage_Rob on 11/02/04 at 05:48:45

It should also be noted that, unlike CA, many (if not most) other states have not legalized lane-splitting.

Title: Re: Urban Riding Tactics
Post by Greg_650 on 11/02/04 at 06:05:22

Savage_Rob wrote:

It should also be noted that, unlike CA, many (if not most) other states have not legalized lane-splitting.

It may be legal in NC, I'm not sure. I've seen it done, but personally, that practice scares the crap out of me. Too many negative possibilties.

Title: Re: Urban Riding Tactics
Post by sluggo on 11/02/04 at 08:01:02

lane splitting in the l.a. basin is a neccesity, not something done for fun. like i said in the earlier post the prospect of trying to ride a two wheel machine at 5 mph on the freeway is far more dangerous than riding between lanes.

now the legality of it. it is ok to do in any state that does not specificily prohibit two vehicles from occupying the same lane of travel. but i do not recommend it. it's an advanced riding skill that takes much practice, and big ole brass ones :o

Title: Re: Urban Riding Tactics
Post by Susan on 11/02/04 at 08:43:42

sluggo wrote:

Seems like it is probably safer to do in L.A. where people are more used to it than somewhere where people don't see it every day.

Title: Re: Urban Riding Tactics
Post by sunny on 11/03/04 at 12:17:04

i'm not 100% sure but i think lane splitting is illegal here in texas...

the only phrase i operate under is "i am invisible!"...

and, of course, i am one of those urban guerillas(but of the non lane splitting sub species).

Title: Re: Urban Riding Tactics
Post by Savage_Rob on 11/03/04 at 13:52:24

I may have missed it but I have been through the DPS and other state sites and tried to find anything referring to lane-splitting and came up completely blank. However, I would find it highly inadvisable. For the most part I am content with HOV lanes, where they exist.

Title: Re: Urban Riding Tactics
Post by sunny on 11/03/04 at 14:57:15

ed:
flames on my tank (http://www.flamesonmytank.co.za/)