I can't be the only one...

[TL_Music]

I can't be the only one which has had this happen...

I'll be splitting lanes at low speed thru slow traffic, then I'll come across a car with several people in it. All at once and exactly as I pass them everyone in the car screams at the top of their lungs (with the windows down). Every time is scares the living crap out of me. At this point I think something has happened which requires my attention and every time it catches me off guard. It usually ends up being a group of kids, but not always.

I've had this happen four times in 2 years. Twice I almost wrecked into a car because of it.

One time it was a group of four girls in a truck, I actually stopped in the middle of traffic in front of them and started to get off my TL (this was in stopped traffic on 101 in Marin). At this point they freaked out and finally realized that they had almost caused me to wreck. They had this terrified look on their faces and sped around me to get away (they probably thought I was going to take my displeasure out on them) - WHICH I WAS!

Anyone else had this happen? Jealous people never cease to amaze me.

[Wondertwin]

No, lane-splitting is illegal in like 49 other states...

[f4X]

I wish I could lane split...

Being yelled at by a bunch of girls isn't all bad

[bobpeckham]

Lane splitting is crazy even in the 1 state it is legal in!!!

Last time I was in Orange County I saw this lane splitting and a guy almost got clipped by some grandma who wasnt looking and that was all I needed to see. I hate the idea but it is ok if you like it obviously.

The worse thing is states with no helmet laws and you see people going 100 mph with no helmet!

[TL_Music]

I forgot that it's illegal pretty much everywhere else....I suppose that answers my question.

Bottom line is that for the most part I get treated like crap.

I've had people throw stuff from their car trying to hit me, I've had people swerve to block my path, I've had people follow me trying to get me to wheelie, I've had people TRY TO HIT ME on purpose, I've had people turn on their windshield wipers and water to get me wet.....I could go on and on.

[Schussboelie]

OK, just for the record, lane splitting is riding on the line between two lanes with slower traffic, right?

If so, we (almost every Belgian biker) always do it.
It's not really legal but the cops understand and let us go.
Unless ofcourse you're way overdoing it...

I've done it a lot, for miles at a time (long traffic jam) but never had people yelling at me, luckily.
You really do need all your wits to keep an eye on all those cars that most of the time don't see you.

Luckily for us, a lot of car- and truckdrivers are getting used to it and even make way before you get next to them...

[TL_Music]

Yeah...that's what I'm talking about. ...and the same goes here too, many people do get out of the way and allow me to pass. For the most part it's not a big deal. Traffic is horrible here in Cali and it's pretty much a must-do for me. TL gets pretty hot pretty quick. Hell, I've even followed CHPs on their new BMW RS's. They don't care and they understand why it's necessary.

[f4X]

Originally posted by TL_Music
I forgot that it's illegal pretty much everywhere else....I suppose that answers my question.

Bottom line is that for the most part I get treated like crap.

I've had people throw stuff from their car trying to hit me, I've had people swerve to block my path, I've had people follow me trying to get me to wheelie, I've had people TRY TO HIT ME on purpose, I've had people turn on their windshield wipers and water to get me wet.....I could go on and on.

That would really piss me off big time! What does it matter to them, you aren't going to delay the traffic any longer, they should be happy that some one is able to get through faster. Well that is how I would look at it. If I see some one in a big hurry on the freeway, I get out of the way. If some one passes me on a 2 lane road, good for them! Maybe they have an emergency they need to get to, maybe they are just idots, but I don't know. I have had to run red lights and drive insane before when my friend needed to get to his medication, if I didn't run the lights and drive 50 in the city, he could hae died. I have just wanted to drive fast before, and I appreciate it when people get out of my way.

Grrr

[HandJuice]

I hate the dumb ass, dangerous fuckers that speed up on my tail, switch lanes real quick, slow down to my speed and signal for me to do "some trick" and try to get me to race them. Almost been hit by more than just one of these geniuses. I have had this happen on the freeway and in town and it is always some group of stupid ass high schoolers with brand new licenses with the lamination still warm from the DMV. Those fuckers make me wanna spend a couple rounds out of the Kimber. I'd just be making the roads safer.

[Hammerit]

Re: I can't be the only one...

Originally posted by TL_Music
I can't be the only one which has had this happen...

I'll be splitting lanes at low speed thru slow traffic, then I'll come across a car with several people in it. All at once and exactly as I pass them everyone in the car screams at the top of their lungs (with the windows down). Every time is scares the living crap out of me. At this point I think something has happened which requires my attention and every time it catches me off guard. It usually ends up being a group of kids, but not always.

I've had this happen four times in 2 years. Twice I almost wrecked into a car because of it.

One time it was a group of four girls in a truck, I actually stopped in the middle of traffic in front of them and started to get off my TL (this was in stopped traffic on 101 in Marin). At this point they freaked out and finally realized that they had almost caused me to wreck. They had this terrified look on their faces and sped around me to get away (they probably thought I was going to take my displeasure out on them) - WHICH I WAS!

Anyone else had this happen? Jealous people never cease to amaze me.

Ever raced? Lane splitting is nothing if you used to first lap madness. I love it...

What pipes you got? - Blip your throttle a coupla times when you pass a car with open windows. That'll scare the shit outta THEM, instead of you.

[TL_Music]

I've never raced, but I'll be doing some track days this year.

Lane splitting doesn't both me. I've been commuting on the tiller for 4 years now going roughly 100 miles every day. Lane splitting is a must. The occasional idiot is what pisses me off.

BTW - Micron slipons. Nice 'n loud.

[Andrew TLR]

I'd love to be able to split lanes here in northern VA. Traffic is just about as bad as SoCal. Maybe worse??

[dsly1]

imagine how all the other cars feel as your twin rumbles directly down beside them un-announced.. probably the same feelin

[TL_Music]

Perhaps.....but then again they aren't exposed like we are. A tap from a bike may dent a fender, a tap from a car could kill you.

[dragonbro]

i don't commute on the bike, but i've done my share of lane sharing. i like to call it lane sharing and not spliting.........it sounds more friendly to me that way. i've also been scared by stupid punk kids screaming or honking or sticking their arms and legs out the windows. those people are dumb and view us as entertainment for their traffic bordom. they don't understand that we are trying to keep our engines cooled down and avoid being smashed from the behind by someone who is drinking their coffee, talking on the phone and driving a 4 ton SUV. most of the time i don't have any trouble and people move over a bit and give me some space to "share" the lane. i also wear ear plugs to help kill the wind noise, i helps dull the sound of people yelling at you too.