Ducati Monster Forum

I've been a New Jersey resident for 30+ years, and as of 3 months ago I relocated to Southern California (my dream location) for work.  I brought over my Yamaha R6 sportbike and used that for a little while, commuting from Irvine to LA (5, 55, 405, and 101...reverse for coming home).

Since it's lane splitting is pretty much illegal everywhere else, it's definitely something I have to get used to.  I admit, it's amazing for getting past the LA traffic, but it's very nerve racking haha.  When I'm by myself, I used to split about 15mph if cars around me are stopped.  If they are moving, I can go up to 30mph.  If I see a rider behind me, I'll let him pass, and I'll follow.  In that case, I can 90% of the time stay with them up to about 45mph.

I must say, you CA riders definitely have a unique skill.  I can ride, and I can ride pretty well, but lane splitting is an entirely different skill.  Not to mention, the CHP bike cops, split in standstill traffic at 50+mph.  If they encounter a spot that's too narrow, they'll swing around the entire vehicle and come back splitting again.  Amazing.

Anyway, just wanted to see if anyone had any tips to get better.  I know practice makes perfect, and I've improved a lot.  I sold my R6 for a brand new 2012 Monster 796 ABS, which is a little wider at the handlebars.  That will probably make me a little nervous at first.

Here's my Introduction post if you want to see pics/know more about me.  :)

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=54802.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=54802.0)

PS: When I type out a post larger than the text field, the screen jumps around every time I type.  Anyone else encounter this issue? 

1. Be at a comfortable speed!
2. Be where the cars aren't.
3. try to time it so you dont stop at the lights, monsters will balance themselves at 1-2 mph, but you have to be steady!.
4. smile at the drivers as you go past - really freaks em out.

Congrats on your Monster! I don't live in Cali but I lane split on a very regular basis. The key is to,

1) Not ride above your comfort limit
2) Beware of the road condition between lanes. Those painted stripes are slippery!
3) Don't go too fast between the cars. I usually find that a speed differential of about 20-25 mph is fast enough for me.
4) Pay attention to cars well ahead of you to see if any of them would change lanes. Usual things to look out for are indicators, cars driving in the right or left side of their lanes, etc.
5) I try to "line up" the cars so they're pretty much next to each other when I pass them. Since they see each other, they're unlikely to switch lanes at the last minute even if they don't see me. I feel this is a safe technique.

But then again, I haven't been riding for too long so maybe some of the other board members here will have better advice!

1.anticipate what the  drivers on both sides will do
2.stay in control
3.go slow

Keep your eye on their front tires without focusing on them too much, just sorta scan for movement in that area with your peripherals.  that'll telegraph any sudden movements on their end.

I like to keep my high beams on during the daytime if I'm splitting.  Wont blind them and gives a better chance to have them notice you before they do anything dumb.

Congrats on getting out...  I was out there for a while, but got sucked back!

I commuted by bike, so I got plenty of practice splitting in the bay area.  If traffic is dead stopped, IMO going 45 between cars is a bit fast.  I also never liked following another rider.  You can't see far enough ahead, and I didn't trust them or their brake lights for my own safety.   

If traffic is moving more than 30-40mph, it isn't lane splitting, its being a squid.  Be careful when approaching stopped cars on the freeway, coming up to a jam, people always dart between lanes. 

enjoy the weather!

I only ride 5mph over the flow of traffic heres why
Motorcycle Crash Lane Splitting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GH8D2EqDZs#)
this was on the 91 and the 55 he was going way way to fast.

When you do split lanes to get up to a light when you get there, put the nose of your bike, or the whole bike if you can fit it in front of the first car, that way they see you, they cant haul ass of the line, and they see you!

its very intimidating but do it comfortably, at a safe speed, and if you hit somebodys mirror ride like hell!

Never mind that he was going too fast, the asshole that pulled out of the HOV lane crossed the double yellow. A big no no.

Hopefully he sued the shit outta the van driver.

well the biggest thing i forgot to add to my last post that i always never never do is: Never assume a driver isnt going to do something, the first time you do is the first time they'll prove you wrong. The rider assumed since the double yellow was there that nobody was going to cross, wrong move.

Watch out for truck mirrors that stick too far out at head level or things sticking out of the backs of trucks, especially low light hours.

It really is something that you get more used to though. Be careful.

Take it nice and slow when lane-splitting between cars stopped at a red-light. Beware of opening doors and pedestrians trying to run across between stopped cars.

5mph even with standstill or crawling traffic? I can walk faster than that. I just think that's a bit overly cautious.

for somebody whos never done it before, i dont think its the smartest idea to have him out there going 25 between cars.

You were implying that is the only safe speed, not that that is the speed to begin at. I don't disagree that he shouldn't be out there splitting at 25mph if he's new to it.

There is no rule.  Its' not safe.  People in cars are either dumb, distracted or demonic -- usually 2 out of 3.

Lane sharing should be done only when it's possible to get thru unless you like eating asphalt.

+1

I live in LA also, and I share lanes when its possible to do so. That being said, I've had some really close calls on the freeway when not sharing lanes let alone riding right next to a car/driver that's completely pissed that he/she has to sit in traffic.

My advise, as a fellow SoCal'er. Start off a lot slower than you think you need to. Going around a car on the freeway when there is a small opening in the lane next to you will still get you to your destination faster than the car that got on the freeway behind you. If you're gonna do it keep your peripheral vision on a swivel. Like it was mentioned earlier, keep an eye on a few cars ahead, watch for signs like a car turning its wheel, watch for the quick turn signal (LA drivers are notorious for the one flash signal), if it's during the day (I recommend not sharing at night until you're completely comfortable during the day) try watching their mirrors to see if they are looking to get into another lane (LA drivers are also notorious for not using signals at all). Most importantly, I recommend getting into lane 1 (furthest left lane) as soon as you can. There's a lot less going on over there than there is in the right hand lanes, i.e. people getting on and off the freeway.

Good luck and ride safe.
 [thumbsup] [Dolph]

I commuted in San Francisco Bay Area traffic for a few years, and I'm real comfortable doing it. 

#1, Don't split unless the cars are side by side.   Don't weave through the gaps.   The cars will move over on you if there is a gap, but won't change lanes into each other (usually).

#2, Split with your high beams on, they can't tell if you are the cops or not.

#3, Focus, focus, focus.   Don't mess with your Ipod, don't watch the mirrors, don't look around, watch where you are going, watch the mirrors on cars to see if they see you, watch the front wheels, to see if they are turning towards you, watch for doors being opened in front of your because someone's pissed that you can get through while they have to wait (it happens).

#4, Don't go faster than you feel comfortable, safe at.   I split pretty fast, but I've been doing it for 30 years.   Years ago, I was splitting through Morgan Hill, CA, heavy traffic, when I hear a beep behind me, I move over, it's an old guy (I was a young punk at the time) with a pudding bowl helmet, goggles, and a scarf on a BMW K1200RS, I tucked in behind him, and he starts splitting at between 100 and 105 mph, through nearly stopped traffic.   Very uncomfortable for me, I backed off to a more comfortable (for me) 70ish.  I used to see him about once a week for a couple of years.   He looked comfortable doing it, too. 

The first couple of tips were told to me by a CHP motor officer. 

One tip:

if you have a headlight modulator, people seem to think you're a cop and move out of your way.

i used to (illegally) lane split in NYC and it was impressive.  i felt like Moses.

Hahaha   [clap]

Thank you for all the replies guys.  I don't post much (since I'm usually at work when I browse the net :P), but I definitely read everything.

It's been a few months now and through reading here and other motorcycle forums, I gathered a lot of tips.  Plus, riding ~100 miles a day every weekday has gotten me very comfortable.  Yes, I have a 100 mile route trip commute (Irvine to LA).I feel much more comfortable and I only ride within my own limits.  Even if I'm following a better splitter, I will hang back, and eventually let them go ahead if I feel I cannot keep up safely.  I find that I seem to be "middle of the pack" now in my splitting (err...sharing) skills.

I'm a little wary near/passing police cars and motorcycle units however.  I know that lane sharing is a "sketchy" law and since there isn't really anything specifically prohibiting it, there isn't anything allowing it per se.  You have to do it safely, and it's very easy for the law to say you were splitting unsafely.  Plus, are there areas you're not allowed to split?  In the city?  On the entrance ramp to a freeway?  (The type where there's a light there, letting on a set of cars at a time?  I've never seen this before, as it appears to be a CA thing).  Can I split up to the light?

I also find some instances where the "sensor" on the ground doesn't register my bike.  So I'm forced to:
*  Wait until another car comes along to trigger it.
*  Just turn right and make a u-turn.
* Or just wait until nobody is around and pass the red light (yes I did that once leaving my neighborhood).

I've never worried about passing cops, if your riding safely the most you'll get is a thumbs up or the nod. And there are ways around the red light situation such as installing a special magnet on the bottom of the bike on a concealed place such as your oil filter. Now i have one light on the way to work where i have this problem and no other cars ever come up to help the light change. I run it every day, keep you eyes peeled for oncoming traffic and go. And to add to this i did get pulled over for this by a LAport police officer (i work in the port of long beach) he asked me why i ran the red, told him straight up unless another car is there I'm not getting through that light. His response surprised me. He told me go ahead and do it, but please try to avoid it as much as possible. [leo] [thumbsup]

it would be worthwhile to read the actual words of the law.  I spoke with a few riders in southern california, and they all agreed there is some subjectivity to the enforcement of "safely lane sharing."  If you know what the words are, you'll see there is not an outline of where you can and where you cannot lane share, nor any really specific speed.  Just keep in mind, people in general are stupid and distracted because they're stuck in traffic.  Sometimes there just jealous of your ability to fly past them, and in that case the law doesn't matter because they have a rolling piece of metal that always wins against a bike. 

Enjoy your freedom there, I wish it was a more widespread law.

mainly seen your post on ht. I usually split from the fast lane on the driver side just so theres only cars to my right and gives me room to use the left shoulder in case it's needed to swerve from anyone.

Sounds like you've got it under control.  Good advice here all around (except for ducatiz, who is wrong; lane splitting, done rationally, is safer than sitting in the line waiting to get squashed).  There is no official rule, but the CHP unofficial guideline is not more than 10-15 over surrounding traffic, and traffic at no more than about 40 mph, at which point you should fall in and go at traffic speed.  Some local jurisdictions dislike the practice and are stricter, and may harass you now and then.

I lived, worked, and lanesplit in SoCal for over 20 years, and over 40K miles of just lanesplitting, and never got a ticket or had an accident relating to that.  I'm in NH now, and I miss getting to do that.

PhilB

http://www.ots.ca.gov/Media_and_Research/Press_Room/2012/doc/2012_Motorcycle_Survey_and_Safety_Month.pdf (http://www.ots.ca.gov/Media_and_Research/Press_Room/2012/doc/2012_Motorcycle_Survey_and_Safety_Month.pdf)


Survey by CA Office of Traffic Safety

"Lane splitting has been a subject for controversy and confusion for years. The OTS survey showed that only 53 percent of vehicle drivers knew that lane splitting is legal in California. Eighty-seven percent of motorcycle riders say they lane split, while seven percent of vehicle drivers admit to having attempted to prevent it."

they are lobbying to pass the same law in TX...the only comment I have is that...it helps my air cool bike i guess cooler other than that I'm scare to even thought about lane spliting ...i know i'm a chiken.

Which does not in any way prove your assertion that it isn't safe, nor refute mine that it's safer than sitting in a line of those same "dumb, distracted or demonic" drivers waiting for the guy behind you to make you the meat in a car sandwich.  The press release you reference says exactly zero about the safety and merits (or lack thereof) of lanesplitting.  Thanks for playing.

PhilB

 [roll]  They've been lobbying the lane splitting law in TX forever.  One session it is introduced in the House, passes then dies in the Senate.  The next session it is introduced in the Senate, passes then dies in the House.  Rinse. Repeat.  They have no intention of ever passing the law, but it makes for good PR with the voters to pretend like they're listening and doing something.

huh?  it wasn't offered as proof of anything, i just posted it.

but it's not safe.  on the spectrum of "safe things to do" motorcycle riding is on the unsafe end already.  "passing between cars staffed by idiots who think you're breaking the law and cheating" is wildly unsafe.  one needs a severe case of cranio-rectal inversion to miss that.

 [thumbsup]

im not saying don't do it, i am saying exercise beyond extreme caution.

You offered it as if you thought it was relevant to the conversation.

Lanesplitting isn't "wildly unsafe".  In the context of motorcycling, it's another practice about the same as any other, and *safer* than sitting in the lines.  The CHP guidelines as mentioned above are quite good, and if you follow those and are paying attention, lanesplitting is a perfectly reasonable traffic strategy.  It is legally practiced pretty much everywhere else in the world, as well as in CA, without mass deaths due to the "wild unsafeness" of it.  It's pretty much only in the U.S. "land of the free" where it is prohibited.

PhilB

Riding in the US is unsafe because car drivers are unaware of the rules of the road and many bikers also are inexperienced and ignorant of the rules.  Riding in Italy was a lesson for me -- the other riders I talked to clocked thousands of miles per month easily.  I found this the rule more than the exception.  It's a shock when you meet someone with a bike with more than 10k miles on it.  Of the bikes I own, 5 of them were bought used with more than 6-7 years but fewer than 5000 miles.  A quick look on Ebay you see the same thing.

I say splitting is wildly unsafe because it goes beyond the regular unsafeness of riding in the US, and as the survey from Cali shows, almost half of Californians don't even know it's legal and 7% were willing to admit they had actively tried to kill uh.. stop someone from doing it.  7% were willing to admit it???  How many didn't?

I'm not saying don't do it.  I am saying just be aware that you are moving into a more aggressive area of riding, and by aggressive I mean you are entering an area where people will try to kill you for it.

I don't live in SoCal or lane split for that matter but that pisses me off, 7% admitted to attempted murder?
I don't remember where i read it but I also read this stat recently, and the author of the article said something like, the next question should be
Q "Do you know it is legal for boats to be in the harbor at Long Beach?"
A "Really? I usually shoot at them with my RPG"

[clap]

Perhaps you should take up quilting.  I'm just short of 200K on my bike.

What the survey question shows is that while almost half don't know it's legal, most of those don't ever try to do anything about it.  And of the 7% that did admit of attempting to prevent it,, the vast majority of those don't do so by trying to hit the biker; they adjust lane postion to make it harder to get by them, but do not threaten or intend a collision.  In practice I see that happen a couple times a week, whereas in 25 years of regular riding in SoCal, splitting lanes regularly, I have seen attempted harm exactly twice.  And I've seen the aftermath of a bike getting rearended in stop-and-go traffic several times.

PhilB

I'd love to do quilting, but I spend too much time working, raising kids, drinking, traveling, shooting and riding.

"Most don't ever try to do anything about it".. that's right, and most people don't ever kill another human being, either, but people are still concerned about violent crime.  Fewer than 0.0005% of the population murders another human being, but we are all rightfully concerned about homicide.   (based on 16,000 murders per year average and a population of 300million)

Likewise, if 7% of car drivers self report that they actively tried to stop a bike from lane splitting, then it's reasonable to assume the real number is actually higher.  And given trying to stop a bike from lane splitting with your car is exceptionally dangerous to the rider, it's fair to say that lane splitting is an objectively dangerous activity. 

The probability of injury is low, but the risk is high. 

What's the real number of people who used their car to try to stop a motorcyclist from passing?  10%?  15%?

I call that attempted murder, or at least attempted assault.  I don't think I would have any trouble convincing a jury of the same thing.

[roll]  Well, now that you have demonstrated a complete incapacity for responding to, or even grasping, any of the points I've made in this argument, and are merely repeating things I've already responded to, I guess I can give up on bothering anymore.  You haven't logically supported your points, and haven't even tried to refute mine, so I'll just declare myself the winner and move on.

Don't split if you find it too scary.  Meanwhile, those who wish to incraese their safety in heavy stop-and-go traffic, and/or wish to increase their transport efficiency in a manner that has been found to be acceptable everywhere except the Nanny States of America, should do so if they wish where it is legal (CA) and fight to make it legal elsewhere.

PhilB

Perhaps you need to reread.  I replied to everything you said.

even your silly quilting comment.

It's not a rights issue.  It's not a nanny state issue.  It's not even really an issue.  It's just a change in the way some people would like to ride on the road.  That's all. 

...which I happen to agree with.

The same sort of people used to make the argument (oh, about 80 years ago) that we should drive on the right hand side of the road because it's safer -- drivers are on the outside rather than the inside and thus less likely to have their eyes dazzled by oncoming headlights...   [roll]

yeah.

Lane splitting would be very useful if it was legal everywhere.

However, saying it's not dangerous is absurd.  yet, I still do it.

7% of drivers admit to trying to stop (run over?) a biker who is trying to lane split. 
0.00005% of Americans are murderers.

Try to think....

about it.

Well, no.  You have completely failed to address my points at all regarding the relative safety of lanesplitting vs. NOT lanesplitting, and how dangerous it is to sit in stop-and-go traffic.  You have completely failed to acknowledge the difference between blocking a lane (the great majority of attempts to stop a lanesplit) vs. vehicular assault (which you continue to falsely claim all attempts to stop a lanesplitter are).  Those are relevant points to the argument you have not replied to.

Fail.

PhilB

Sitting in traffic is dangerous.  Lane splitting is dangerous.  They are both risky activities.  I also didn't comment on your need to inhale and exhale. 

I do not address things that did not need addressing.

Thus...

Your fail, sir.

 [popcorn]

wish it was legal in florida  :'(

lot of good suggestion here.  Especially going slow as you want.  Move over for faster peeps and don't take it personal when that dude gets bent and goes around you because you held him up for 10 seconds.  Going slow gives the cars time to see you and generally they'll give you room if you give them time to react.  I laugh when I talk to kids who split way too fast and wonder why people don't move over.

My only tip to add is I always wave to people who make even the slightest effort to give me room.  Wave, thumbs up, peace sign, whatever.  The more you acknowledge their effort, that you noticed it, and that indeed you are a soft squishy human being inside that gear, the less likely they are to dehumanize us and make rash decisions.  Rash decisions like running us over or clipping you as you go by.

I've also been known to give people non-verbal feedback when they cross the double yellow (finger wag), talk on their phone (hang up your phone hand sign), or text/data on their phone (point at my eyes through my visor and point forward).  Never had any retaliation from these, but at least it lets them know one person noticed them being a shithead.

Oh, and watch out for tourists (rental cars and out of state plates).  Some of them think they're the highway patrol and will pinch your lane.  I'd never do it, but I know of people who cause many rental cars to be returned missing one mirror.

Soooooooooo, lane splitting is for when traffic is stopped or can you do it when everyone is moving? I ask because I have never done it (splitting). If you are going along the interstate and ride between cars is that splitting or just stupid? Just askin'

lane sharing can be done at any time, done legally when done 'safely.'  'Safely' is up to the officer's discretion.

In the morning I've been known to lane share at highway speed.  In the afternoon traffic heavier and I normally do it only up to 50 or so.

I try to only do it at highway speeds if I'm removing myself from an unsafe situation.  Like if I'm feeling boxed in or someone's tail gating me.  There have been many times, conversely, where I've not passed someone who is driving erratically because I don't want them side swiping me when I lane-share by them.

splitting/lane sharing is more art than science.  to me, the 'feel' of traffic is different in different spots, and some place I don't feel comfortable doing it, even if there's room.  Near interchanges especially as people are changing lanes a lot, or in areas that are prone to accidents.

If I'm in completely unfamiliar territory I generally don't do it at all unless traffic is completely stopped or stop/go/slow crawl.  And even then I'm only at 10-15 mph.

Keep in mind lane sharing does not exempt one from the law.  You're still bound by speed limits, basic speed law, lane controls (no crossing solid lines), and signaling.  Not saying you will get a ticket for those, but blatantly flaunting them in front of highway patrol will generally get you a ticket for something.

note: this is all based on California driving.  your (general you) mileage may vary.

Thanks for clearing that up more for me. I've read about and even wanted to try it, but Virginia has a none happy view of that. There are times when I'd like to blast between cages but due to fear and my feeling that it's illegal in VA I choose  not to.

yeah I'd be SUPER cautious about doing it anywhere it's illegal.  Not so much for the legal ramifications, but more about people who think they're Judge Dredd and would give you some vehicular feedback.  Not sure how it is in VA, but I know people in other states (or even in CA, where it's legal) where John Q Public Fairness Police Officer decides to dangerously block you from filtering at a light or running you into a ditch because you dared to lane share.

Are you serious?  Are you unable to see the connection between sitting in traffic vs. lanespltting as the two alternatives available if you are in heavy traffic?

What euphemism is appropriate here?  I'll go with "amazing".  You're "amazing".

PhilB

(http://planetsmilies.net/tired-sleeping-smiley-17401.gif)

take it to pm gentlemen...

and I use that 'euphemism' extremely loosely.