Regional Differences? Perhaps?

As I think back to many many trips across the United States and into
Mexico, I recall many different riders and as many different riding
styles.

I was driving back to the hotel today, and while I sat at a redlight I
noticed a motorcyclist ride up. As he stopped, I couldn't help but
notice his lane placement as he stopped. He went up between the cars
and stopped at the front of the line between two cars. I thought about
the ignorant rednecks I've encountered across the country and thought
"man, most rednecks would be spitting mad and wanting to hit a
motorcycle. As the light clicked green, the motorcycle went through
the intersection between the cars and as it cleared the intersection,
the motorcycle went on his business. Wow! That's the way to ride a
motorcycle. That rider had it right. Instead of sitting behind the
cars taking a chance on being hit from behind, and/or taking up a
space a car could be in, this rider went between the cars to get to
the front. Instead of bolting into the intersection, the rider used
the cars on each side to block anyone that might be coming from the
sides and would hit him. Instead of going with the pace of the cars,
after the motorcyclist got through he went on and got out of
everyone's way.

I watched this and it dawned on me that there's quite a bit of
regional differences in how we all ride motorcycles. As everyone might
know, California doesn't have a law making it legal to ride a
motorcycle between cars....they just do it. Why then do they do it?
Why do we in Texas not do it? We don't have a specific law to make it
legal, but we also don't have a specific law against it. Riding in
Texas, most riders are afraid of passing another motorcycle without
jumping a lane or two before passing. The roads are the same, so what
could it be? The only places in the United States where a motorcycle
rider is afraid to ride between the cars and/or use the cars to it's
benefit is in the south. As I can recall, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee,
Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana are the places I've been and
watched motorcyclists sitting in traffic and not passing the cars
getting out of everyone's way.

What's up with it?

 

Hell..I have seen your Daddy do that many times. Hes a professional at
it. I have even seen him pass cars while another car was comming right
at him and they seem to know to take the shoulder or the ditch. Must
be those bright ass lights on the front of the Green One..lol

Redshad

 

I'm sure that I take more chances than necessary, during passing and
congested traffic situations.. In most cases, while passing .. I'll take the
line and leave that oncoming car enough room to clear.. Occasionally the
cage driver might panic and not realizing what I'm doing, he might move
to the shoulder.. At any rate, I'll be considering plan A, B and C.. while I
make such a move.. Not recommended for anyone with any lack of con-
fidence in his ability..

Lane splitting is another situation entirely.. and that is what Brian is
referr-
ing to.. That white line leading to the front of traffic while waiting for a
light
change is the key to the rider making his judgement of safety.. If that line
is not clear.. it goes without saying, the manuever is risky.. to say the
least.

A skilled rider will weigh the situation and proceed with proper safeguards.
Protection of the riders by the alongside vehicles is key consideration to
his safety.. Again.. this is a manuever that isn't recommended for every
rider.. Confidence in ability to execute the manuever is crucial.. lack of
that
confidence can cause errors which would contribute to collision..

Each rider is responsible for his own judgement and that judgement should
carefully exercised .. Bad judgement is a formula for disaster..

Bill Walker

 

I've noticed since I got the Blackbird that I can lane split much
easier and don't have a problem with riding through at much higher
speeds.

I've also noticed the more I do lane split, the more people around me
seem to be more accepted to it. Maybe that's because more and more
people from other parts of the country are moving into North Texas and
don't know riders in Texas are expected to be pussies and not lane
split? I don't know what the reason is, but it's interesting that most
of the places I see motorcycles sitting in traffic is in the
south....Georgia and Florida excepted. Weird, huh?

Ever lane split with Cookie on-board?

 

I guess self safety was, his intentions.
Good idea, I think?
..
The only thing, is; waiting there between the vehicles, means he was
likely withing
''chatting distance'' 15 to 20 inches from the cage drivers..on each
side of him-?-
That's the only part that I'd be a little self conscious about,maybe.

I'm not sure what I mean, but-----------?

I might try it, to seeeeeeee-?-

B. Jay Kana--
NETexas
02 Valkyrie Cruiser--

 

Bill-Walker responds to the Red-Shad
''I'm sure that I take more chances than necessary, during passing and
congested traffic situations.. In most cases, while passing .. I'll take
the line and leave that oncoming car enough room to clear.. Occasionally
the cage driver might panic and not realizing what I'm doing, he might
move to the shoulder.. At any rate, I'll be considering plan A, B and
C.. while I make such a move.. Not recommended for anyone with any lack
of con- fidence in his ability..
Lane splitting is another situation entirely.. and that is what Brian is
referr-
ing to.. That white line leading to the front of traffic while waiting
for a light
change is the key to the rider making his judgement of safety.. If that
line is not clear.. it goes without saying, the manuever is risky.. to
say the least.
A skilled rider will weigh the situation and proceed with proper
safeguards. Protection of the riders by the alongside vehicles is key
consideration to his safety.. Again.. this is a manuever that isn't
recommended for every rider.. Confidence in ability to execute the
manuever is crucial.. lack of that
confidence can cause errors which would contribute to collision..
Each rider is responsible for his own judgement and that judgement
should carefully exercised .. Bad judgement is a formula for disaster..
Bill Walker -




Keep those friendly comments coming.
(The ratings, the ratings) ;>/)

B. Jay Kana--
NETexas
02 Valkyrie Cruiser--