Crotch rocket lane splitters

[Fish]

I know it's legal but these guys annoy the **** out of me and I still give them room. Tonight on the 5 north in Carlsbad a guy buzzed by me within inches, he did the same to the truck in front of me and scared her enough she swerved as he passed. Turns out me and crotch rocket guy took the same exit. I rode his ass for a few hundred feet then backed off, with a car length in between us he turns around and gives me a back off gesture as we approach a 4 way stop. He abruptly pulls over and allows me to pass as I make a right turn, he follows me then pulls along side in the opposing lane in a two lane residential neighborhood. At that point I slow to a stop, roll down the window and ask what his problem his. He says I came within inches of hitting him, I respond by saying he did the same thing lane splitting by me and the car in front of me. He had no reply, gives me the bird and takes off full speed hitting 50 easily and reving his engine which we know is loud in a residential neighborhood. This douche in no way scared me but I think it shows the ignorance and stupidity of some of these bikers. I know all aren't bad, but this guy is lucky, I think I scared him when I called him out...f'n weiner. I was in my commuter ford focus and not the H2. I bet if I was in the 2 this wouldn't of happened.

 

[alrock]

Thankfully it's not legal here. Always forget about that when I'm in Cali and it freaks me out. When I lived out there I trained myself to look for them in traffic but as an occasional visitor you don't think about it.

 

[abearden]

As one of those lane splitters (admittedly, far more politely unless you're riding on the line blocking me), riding his ass was a dumbass move.

Yes, a lot of guys ride like dip****s, but they're far more maneuverable and have better spatial awareness due to visibility. On top of that, it reduces traffic. Besides, if they **** up you won't get hurt.

 

[Fish]

When I said I rode his ass it was up the off ramp at 35 mph to stopped, yha it wasn't right but he was an ass and I know all bikers aren't like that.

I just see it to much having a long commute between San Diego and Carlsbad, cutting it close, reving engines like a child, weaving between cars and cutting it close, just f'n chill and go with the flow speed demon.

and I don't think I should have to watch for bikers in my rear view while I'm concentrating on traffic in front of me.

 

[abearden]

At least you realize it, maybe next time take a breath and not so close.

I used to commute Torrance to Lake Forest, so I know what you mean. I pull in and let them by. A lot of times, especially when traffic is stop and go, it's actually safer for us to split to avoid being rear ended, maintains a clear view (cars won't block line-of-sight on debris in the road if you're near the line), and keeps the rider from overheating if they're one of the smart ones that wear gear.

As for watching for them, you really don't have to. They'll go around you and the fewer sudden movements the better, particularly in flowing traffic when your attention is needed most up front. Just double check those blind spots when changing lanes. It is helpful if you stay toward the left in the carpool lane, or make a bit of space in slow/stopped traffic for them to scoot by. I try to wave to the guys that do if I don't need both hands on the bars at that particular point in time. The only real pains in the rear are the guys that sit on the line blocking you (either intentionally or otherwise) and the dimwits that tend to weave back and forth in their lane instead of maintaining a lane position (position changes naturally over time, but some drivers have a period of 5-20 seconds line-to-line).

 

[Fish]

Too much trouble, we need to outlaw it like Az and other states. Sorry I'm just plain against it.

 

[Highatop]

So glad I live in the mtns. I ride, HD, and our roads are alot of fun curves some sharp and some not and some straight aways and lets not foget about the veiws. I always ride and drive alittle faster then the flo of traffic. This keeps me from bein stuck behind bad an slow drivers. Which I think, cause more problems due to people just goin crazy to get around them to free up traffic. This also goes for 2,3 and 4 wheels.. As for the rocket bikes, you very rarely get stuck behind them. They are gone but, me even ridin at 70 or 80 mph. They fly by me and scare the crap out of me on the bike. And on some of our roads, there a special ones that is a challenge even just ridin and even more for the rockets. And those are the ones we see slidin and crashin and seein long skid marks goin off the road, mostly. And that sucks to see.
After that ramble. My point is, there are just alot of bad drivers in cars and bikes. Bein on a bike, you have to be aware in traffic and go slower when splittin and or goin around on the shoulder in traffic. I have seen many videos of drivers just pull out of their lane w/ no warnin and clip a bike.
And remember, Loud pipes help saves lives and Drivers look twice before pullin out in traffic. Everyone be safe and pay attention...

 

[3Hummers]

Frequently you don't even hear these guys until they are right next to the driver side window. I have watched many of them split lanes are far too fast a speed. Accident looking for a place to happen. I always try to watch for them but you don't always see them until the last minute. Frankly I am surprised that a few more of them don't bite the asphalt.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

organ donors, I figure people who are careless like that will be dead soon enough - I just don't want to be the one on the stand trying to explain what I was trying to teach the guy when I ran over his nappy adz. With all of that said, years ago I had a motorcyclist get irritated at me for some perceived sin. He followed me home, I got out, he flipped his visor up and starts shouting. I don't know what came over me but I thought "boy, that chin guard would be a great handle." And then the fight began. I threw him over his bike by his chin protector. He left. I waved goodbye. Hopefully he learned that beside being totally vulnerable on a bike in traffic, he's not so safe off his bike either :mock:

 

[poncho1965]

As a former crotch rocket pilot, I have no prob remembering to look for them when I am in the fast lane. As Abearden says, stay to the left of the lane and let them do their thing. Signal well in advance of a lane change as well. I don't much agree with them lane splitting at any speed over 50 but in the end its their ass not mine.

 

[MaxPF]

And remember, Loud pipes help saves lives

Loud pipes are obnoxious and piss me off. I don't mind a throaty roar, but open pipes are bull$#!t.

organ donors, I figure people who are careless like that will be dead soon enough

Yup. Hopefully they filled out their organ donor cards so somebody benefits from their stupidity...

As a former crotch rocket pilot, I have no prob remembering to look for them when I am in the fast lane. As Abearden says, stay to the left of the lane and let them do their thing. Signal well in advance of a lane change as well. I don't much agree with them lane splitting at any speed over 50 but in the end its their ass not mine.

Sorry, but I disagree - drivers of cars shouldn't have to accommodate an idiot who wants to ride like a dumbass. If a bike ends up under my tire or stuffed into a concrete barricade because they were being stupid, I'm not going to shed a tear.

 

[poncho1965]

Sorry, but I disagree - drivers of cars shouldn't have to accommodate an idiot who wants to ride like a dumbass. If a bike ends up under my tire or stuffed into a concrete barricade because they were being stupid, I'm not going to shed a tear.

My point is, is that the practice is not illegal, and road courtesy works for cars, trucks, motorcycles. There are riders who are not dumbass's and lane split in a safe manner. I know I see more unsafe driving of cars way more then I see of bikers. Oh, loud pipes piss me off too! Especially Harley's, I'm discriminating here I know


Mike

 

[MaxPF]

My point is, is that the practice is not illegal, and road courtesy works for cars, trucks, motorcycles. There are riders who are not dumbass's and lane split in a safe manner. I know I see more unsafe driving of cars way more then I see of bikers. Oh, loud pipes piss me off too! Especially Harley's, I'm discriminating here I know


Mike

Being legal doesn't mean it's not a stupid thing to do. When your riding a few hundred pounds of metal and plastic with nothing around your ass except air, it's a REALLY BAD IDEA to buzz between rolling steel boxes that can turn you into a soupy goo with the flick of a steering wheel.

 

[poncho1965]

Being legal doesn't mean it's not a stupid thing to do. When your riding a few hundred pounds of metal and plastic with nothing around your ass except air, it's a REALLY BAD IDEA to buzz between rolling steel boxes that can turn you into a soupy goo with the flick of a steering wheel.

Agreed. It's not a practice I ever felt comfortable with, so I didn't do it. I still have to respect their right to be on the road. You learn quickly as a rider to never assume a driver sees you.


Mike

 

[Zach]

Generally I move over if I see them coming in traffic. Few years ago, I had an altercation with one. He was trying to get out of the carpool lane. I went around him, kid in car. He got pissed about that and swerved in front of me. I was driving the 2. Wrong choice on his part. Then back off and tried kicking at my door. Wtf was he thinking. I win no matter what. Then he decided to tailgate me. Whaa? Brakes and I have a spare tire ornament. ****ers on bikes in so cal are stupid. Not all but most. Used to see them all the time on my drive to work. Laying in the ground. Love to have a bike, but four wheels for me.

 

[Fish]

As a former crotch rocket pilot, I have no prob remembering to look for them when I am in the fast lane. As Abearden says, stay to the left of the lane and let them do their thing

I was in the slow lane and the ass buzzed me on the left. Even when there is no traffic and everybody is traveling full speed, bikers still feel the need to go 20+ mph faster than everyone else and lane split. In slow traffic I understand...

as for pipes and being loud, I always hear a Harley approaching from behind, but crotch rockets you don't hear until their next to your door and scare the **** out of you. Either way I'm against it but it seems the crotch rocket guys are usually the ones driving like jerks. Just like the incident that happened in New York recently.

 

[ABNTROOP]

I was in the slow lane and the ass buzzed me on the left. Even when there is no traffic and everybody is traveling full speed, bikers still feel the need to go 20+ mph faster than everyone else and lane split. In slow traffic I understand...

as for pipes and being loud, I always hear a Harley approaching from behind, but crotch rockets you don't hear until their next to your door and scare the **** out of you. Either way I'm against it but it seems the crotch rocket guys are usually the ones driving like jerks. Just like the incident that happened in New York recently.

the left lanes not the slow lane fish... :wink:

 

[Zach]

Oh Matt, just wait till you having them passing you doing wheel stands. Saw that one night three if them. Actually was impressive as they were probably doing 90. I rode one once. Buddy of mines, got it up to 120, got scared and was done with it. It was a long stretch in the middle if nowhere

 

[H3Ray]

Here in Florida it's illegal so I never see it.
These Punks eventually die off ...
Speed kills ... Young, dumb and I will live forever - they think.
Also, we pack heat in Florida. My H3 occupies my Kimber 45. Auto.
Stand your ground - if the Punk physically comes at me, I can legally pull my Gun and shoot if I feel my life is threatened.

 

[H3Ray]

Loud pipes is a myth and a lame excuse to have loud pipes.
Today, loud pipes are very annoying and can damage old people's hearing.
Harleys today is a lifestyle, the dirty leather, nasty tattoos, the outlaw mentality like in the Movies; Easy Rider. This lifestyle lets 9-5 working married men have an outlet to go nuts away from the wife, his idea of fun perhaps. Not mine.

 

[ABNTROOP]

Oh Matt, just wait till you having them passing you doing wheel stands. Saw that one night three if them. Actually was impressive as they were probably doing 90. I rode one once. Buddy of mines, got it up to 120, got scared and was done with it. It was a long stretch in the middle if nowhere

LOL! Back when I had a job, ( now I can say last year and it sounds even worse), I had these two douchebags that worked down at he docks and looked and acted like they got puked off the sons of anarchy set cut me off every day as they would ride up the right shoulder and cut in wherever. No wave, no courtesy, just billy bad ass mentality. Used to rub me wrong. Envisioned planting my brushguard between his ears.

 

[ABNTROOP]

Here in Florida it's illegal so I never see it.
These Punks eventually die off ...
Speed kills ... Young, dumb and I will live forever - they think.
Also, we pack heat in Florida. My H3 occupies my Kimber 45. Auto.
Stand your ground - if the Punk physically comes at me, I can legally pull my Gun and shoot if I feel my life is threatened.

?? We have stand your ground in Washington too dude but seriously? You know you're still gonna end up in court regardless. Don't be the next Zimmerman lol!

 

[ABNTROOP]

Loud pipes is a myth and a lame excuse to have loud pipes.
Today, loud pipes are very annoying and can damage old people's hearing.
Harleys today is a lifestyle, the dirty leather, nasty tattoos, the outlaw mentality like in the Movies; Easy Rider. This lifestyle lets 9-5 working married men have an outlet to go nuts away from the wife, his idea of fun perhaps. Not mine.

I look at my wife, roll my eyes and two words sum it up. "Wild Hogs"

 

[Zach]

LOL! Back when I had a job, ( now I can say last year and it sounds even worse), I had these two douchebags that worked down at he docks and looked and acted like they got puked off the sons of anarchy set cut me off every day as they would ride up the right shoulder and cut in wherever. No wave, no courtesy, just billy bad ass mentality. Used to rub me wrong. Envisioned planting my brushguard between his ears.

Lmao! We had two guys from the, Vagos try to blow buy us on the way to a run in a tight section on the highway. You would be surprised what a tad drift to the left does.

 

[ABNTROOP]

Love it! Size always wins! Makes me wish I was black with a 18" cock