Lane Splitting

Lane splitting is a subject that is often motorists' minds. Maybe you hate lane splitters, especially that idiot that nicked your mirror. Maybe you hate them because you're stuck in traffic and they're not. Well, the reality is that EVERYONE loves a lane splitter, and you mother would approve if you split lanes too.



Preposterous statement out of the way, let's discuss the issues:

Lane splitting is not dangerous. Not by itself, though. In fact, lane splitting keeps you from being rear-ended. Did you think about that? When approaching stopped traffic, try to split. This is for your safety.

Let me get a technicality out of the way first: in California it's lane sharing, as you're not supposed to be riding on top of the lines, but on one of the lanes, with another car. Also, in case it is not obvious. Splitting is not legal in most US states... actually, probably only legal in California.

From wikipedia: lane splitting:

The Hurt Report, published in 1981 and based on accident data gathered in the 1970's, concluded that lane splitting reduces rear end crashes and improves motorcycle safety. FARS data from the United States Department of Transportation shows that rear end collisions with motorcycles are 30% lower in California (the only US state where it is legal) than in Florida or Texas, states with similar riding seasons and populations.

The Oxford Systematics report commissioned by VicRoads, the traffic regulating authority in Victoria, Australia, found that for motorcycles filtering through stationary traffic "No examples have yet been located where such filtering has been the cause of an incident."

“ Lane splitting is more than a congestion reducer or a convenience for the road denizens who are willing to accept and manage more risk by motorcycling. It is a tool that can literally save a biker's life, especially in situations where they're being tailgated, crowded, or flat-out ignored by others. „
—Tim Kreitz, moto-journalist & MSF riding instructor

I bet you never saw it that way.

Splitting safely involves several guidelines:

1. Watch for other drivers
   
2. Watch your speed
   
3. Practice
   

Watching for other drivers is crucial. As you already know, people drive distracted, don't use their signals or just don't see or expect you. Nightmare scenario is a driver suddenly changing without warning and without seeing you. What do you do?

This is where your other skills come into play, and are the next two points:

Watch your speed. If you're going too fast, you won't have time to react and you're more likely to be unseen. How fast is too fast? More than 10mph faster than the slowest lane could warrant an extra pause for thought. Again, this is ballpark, as the more skilled you are with your bike, the easier you can get out of trouble at faster speeds.
I usually don't split if traffic is decent and moving along. In the end, my fail proof excuse for doing it is to avoid getting rear-ended, which is less plausible if everyone is doing 65mph and I'm passing at 85 (hypothetically). Yet another reason to slow down is to keep drivers comfortable. Last thing you want is a pissed off driver around you.

You'll likely encounter many riders going faster than you. Don't get pressured, pull aside into a lane and let them pass you. Pushing your limits on a motorcycle is what gets people into bad situations. As you gain experience (or lose good judgement), you'll figure out what speed is comfortable for you. That's ultimately the goal.

Practice, practice, practice. Those mirrors look awfully close, and those trucks awfully big. Stay well within your comfort zone and learn the quirks. Things to be on the lookout for:

• Weaving drivers: Most people have an oscillating pattern, some much wider than others
  
• Road crappiness: Lanes abruptly changing height can give you a good scare at first, as the road will upset your bike. In time, you'll deal with these just like you deal with gusts of wind. Yes, they will make you crap your pants the first time, but you'll be ok.
  
• Invisibility: A noisy exhaust helps (though pisses off your neighbors), but in general just assume people haven't seen you, or even the car next to them. Be prepared to brake or swerve. Your "safety pocket" (which you will learn all about in your MSF course) is smaller now, which is why it is good to reduce your speed.
  

In case you're wondering: no, the lane reflectors won't make you wipe out, they're just bumpy to remind you you're splitting, not sharing. tsk, tsk.

Which one is for me?

First: let's make it clear that there is no such thing as "the right motorcycle". You can ask around and the only consistent thing you will get is a bunch of different opinions. Here goes another one:

Let's assume you're reading this because it will be your first. You probably don't need my opinion if you've already owned one. What kind of motorcycles are there?

Most generically: sports, cruiser, tourer, off-road, moped. Do take a look at wikipedia for details and a better description of all types.

What do you picture yourself riding? As simple as the question looks, there's a few things involved in the answer: what kind of bikes do you like more, what you'll likely use the bike for. Clearly, a responsible person would start by analyzing his or her needs and base the selection on this critera. However, bikers are clearly insane, so let's just pick one that you like.

In all seriousness, while you will likely base at least part of your decision on its utility, you're also very likely to switch your ride once you've ridden for a while. Plus, let's face it: bikes are fun so just get some eye candy.

Moving on to the useful part of the article, keep a few things in mind: Your bike will give you better mileage than your cage, but if you're freaking out about it, consider that smaller engines have better mileage in general. You can get 60mpg from a 250cc, while you'll get 45mpg from a 750cc (ballpark figures). Also, you probably care about how long you'll be sitting on it. Are you commuting a few miles to work? Don't worry much about comfort. Are you planning on visiting your uncle Jesus in Mexico? Look at cruisers or tourers or start working on your core muscles if you plan on getting that sweet superbike.

That brings me back to the original question: what do you picture yourself doing on your bike? Commuting on it and occasionally taking it out on the weekend? Where will you take it out; the super slab, the twisties or the sand dunes?

Think about it, and share your thoughts in the comments. Yes, that means YOU.

Choosing a motorcycle: luggage space

When you consider what kind of motorcycle to buy, don't worry about space for luggage.

Two wheels, four burners ... just one snag | Herald Sun

Clearly you can simply not care about your safety, if carrying things is important for you.