Why I got a helmet cam and use it all the time.

[fastwin]

+2 Right. Who gives a shit if you were in the right if your are dead? I could care less if they ever pass a lane splitting law in my home state. I ain't doin' it! Way too many stupid, drunk, distracted cage drivers as it is. Toss that weirdness at them and all mayhem will break loose. No thanks!

Anyway, this thread is proof why so many police officers love their dash cams. Videos don't often lie.

[Triple J]

Lane splitting is actually safer than not, provided it isn't done recklessly. This month's MCN has a great article on the accident rates in states (basically CA) and european countries where it is allowed. The statistical analysis shows accident rates for motorcycles are lower where lane splitting is allowed, and the accidents that do occur are usually less severe (i.e. being hit from the side vs rear ended). Hard to argue with that, and there's a reason why the CHP continually defends the practice.

I was stuck in a traffic jam in CA leaving the GP race this year (although the traffic wasn't due to the GP race). The group I was with had all agreed not to split since we'd never done it before, but after seeing a ton of motos pass by us, we eventually joined in. It was fantastic! We were probably only going 20 mph or less, but it didn't feel unsafe in the least bit and 99% of the drivers actually moved over for us.  

Of course this assumes that the lane splitting doesn't piss off the drivers so they try to hit you. However, if they're used to it they realize it isn't a big deal and are cooperative for the most part. If WA ever allowed it I'd probably hold off for a few months until the drivers got acclimated, but then I'd be all over it.

Everyone can rip on CA, but riding a moto there is fantastic since a lot of the drivers are very courteous to moto riders.   Not to mention the weather and nice roads.

[justinrhenry]

If I had a helmet cam and used it all the time I'd have a stockpile of videos of people trying to change lanes on top of me. 

[The Mad King Pepe']

Who gives a shit if you were in the right if your are dead?

to provide closure for my family & friends and to help protect my family from legal issues (suppose the accident involved other people and the insurance can't or will not cover it entirely).

As for lane splitting (or sharing), I'm pretty much in favor. There is a huge caveat here tho, and it's that both bikers and cagers need to be responsible. I used to lane split all the time in Italy (everyone does it there), but 99% of it happens in the cities in stop and go traffic. So even if there is an accident, it's likely to happen at 5 - 15 mph. When you're stuck in traffic with cars, trucks, buses you're breathing in their exhausts while your man-(or lady)-parts are not in the happiest of places. And from my point of view, it just does not make sense.

This sh!t on the other hand is ridiculous! I don't understand how this guy wasn't taken in for reckless driving:

[orangelion03]

^^^^^^Seriously STOOPID mother effers there.

[fastwin]

Triple J, I am sure you are right about lane splitting when it's done correctly and the cage drivers are aware that it's allowed and legal. But you are talking about intelligent, some what courteous California cage drivers not troglodyte, mouth breathing, cave dwellers with heavy brow ridges that we have in TX driving cars. There is a reason why we have concealed carry licenses. Some folks just need killing.

[SDkid]

troglodyte, mouth breathing, cave dwellers with heavy brow ridges that we have in TX driving cars.

I thought you might be talking about Colorado drivers for a minute.  There should be an Intelligence and Common Sense test to get a drivers license.

[fastwin]

Yeah, if there was there would only be me, you and a couple of others that would pass.

Watching that lane splitting video just pissed me off. Hell, I've been a bike rider for 47+ years and the video made me want to "door" him! What a dickhead. Crap like that reflects poorly on all riders. We all get dumped in the same barrel when some yahoo rides like that in heavy traffic. Wonder how much skin they would leave on the tarmac in a wreck all "geared up" like that in shorts, etc... Jerks. 

[lemond]

I am debating on either the DriftHD or ContourRoam....Any FHE or reviews?

[zarn02]

Regarding that lane-slitting video:

Made me cringe a bit. What a pair of douchebags.

[Artful]

I am debating on either the DriftHD or ContourRoam....Any FHE or reviews?

My ContourGPS was utter junk. the video was bad, the mounts were loose and vibrated (enhancing the junk video with junk audio), it frequently crashed, and every video had vertical pink lines in it randomly from sunglare. I've known folks that liked their products, but me personally? I'd go GoPro and never look back.

[rlgMcoupe]

RE: Changeable roads- they have roads like that in Rio, but it all just seems to work out.  Of course the cars are significantly smaller and drivers are even more aggressive, but not angry.  Alertness and horn use are the norm. For moving a lot of people one direction at different times of the day in limited spaces, I guess it's all you can do.

[matt922]

My ContourGPS was utter junk. the video was bad, the mounts were loose and vibrated (enhancing the junk video with junk audio), it frequently crashed, and every video had vertical pink lines in it randomly from sunglare. I've known folks that liked their products, but me personally? I'd go GoPro and never look back.

I've hardly used my contour 1080p but the record switch on the top is really finicky.  Not a fan of contour either.  Honestly i'd buy a waterproof model from a real digital camera maker before buying a go pro/drift hd/ contour.  As long as it has a tripod mount,one should be able to figure out a mounting solution (1/4" bolt = the common tripod thread).

[Artful]

The reason I'd still go GoPro over that option is the ruggedness of the polycarbonate case and that it is cheap to replace. You can launch that thing through traffic and the camera will almost definitely be protected. The video quality is top notch, and the wide angle lens captures more around you, especially handy for this use. Doesn't do you much good if the car that nails you is out of frame.

For the folks saying what's the point if you're dead - I think more than a few folks here have had non-fatal offs which could be real handy when your not-dead self goes to court.

[zooom]

I am debating on either the DriftHD or ContourRoam....Any FHE or reviews?

Drift...

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-video-camera-reviews/drift-hd/

and something other than the Drift or the Contour or the GoPro...

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-video-camera-reviews/replay-xd-1080/