# Fucking motorcycles **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 8, 2010, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012 "2010-09-08T03:11:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/81 "2010-09-09T04:07:02Z")
> [@sisu](#): > > I am a harley riding biker not a 1% bikie, there is a huge difference. Indeed. You’re not a criminal, just a douchebag. ---
**Author:** ![BayouHazard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@BayouHazard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BayouHazard)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/82 "2010-09-09T04:09:03Z")
I can see lane splitting…if traffic IS at a dead stop, or very close. It’s just that whenever I’ve encountered the phenomenon, no, it’s always some maniac, going hell-for leather through a clump of cars that are doing over the speed limit, and he (sorry guys, have yet to see someone female do this) will split lanes doing upwards of 80, weave through a tightly-clumped pack of cars in such a manner that if any one of them screwed up in the slightest, they’d all pile into each other and there’d be cars ricocheting off of each other and human body parts flying every which way. If/when I start riding I’m not going to lane split, no how, no way. ---
**Author:** ![GHO57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df788c/32.png) [@GHO57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GHO57)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/83 "2010-09-09T04:12:09Z")
[http://www.tiehallinto.fi/pls/julia/docs/8241.JPG](http://www.tiehallinto.fi/pls/julia/docs/8241.JPG) Is this lane splitting? I’m unfamiliar with the term. ETA better pic [http://www.mediapalvelu.info/lovari/images/image.php?id=3124](http://www.mediapalvelu.info/lovari/images/image.php?id=3124) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/84 "2010-09-09T04:13:05Z")
Well, I’ve got over 100,000 miles riding motorcycles in L.A. traffic. I can say that almost no rider behaved in the way you describe. Some, yes; but very few. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/85 "2010-09-09T04:13:52Z")
> [@BayouHazard](#): > > If/when I start riding I’m not going to lane split, no how, no way. I don’t think I could get myself to do it either (I don’t think it’s legal in WI anyways). My fear is that someone would change lanes, stick their hand out the window, open a car door, toss some garbage out the window, who knows. A lot of things can go wrong on a bike and I’d rather minimize them as much as possible. Personally I’d prefer it if no one lane split, because I’m worried _I’d_ be the one to change lanes, stick my hand out the window etc… ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/86 "2010-09-09T04:17:59Z")
> [@GHO57](#): > > [http://www.tiehallinto.fi/pls/julia/docs/8241.JPG](http://www.tiehallinto.fi/pls/julia/docs/8241.JPG) > > Is this lane splitting? I’m unfamiliar with the term. > > ETA better pic [http://www.mediapalvelu.info/lovari/images/image.php?id=3124](http://www.mediapalvelu.info/lovari/images/image.php?id=3124) [This is lane-splitting](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhKWDYuMGiw). ETA: Crossing the double-yellow is illegal. But usually CHP are pretty relaxed about it. Usually. . ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/87 "2010-09-09T04:28:23Z")
> [@GHO57](#): > > [http://www.tiehallinto.fi/pls/julia/docs/8241.JPG](http://www.tiehallinto.fi/pls/julia/docs/8241.JPG) > > Is this lane splitting? I’m unfamiliar with the term. > > ETA better pic [http://www.mediapalvelu.info/lovari/images/image.php?id=3124](http://www.mediapalvelu.info/lovari/images/image.php?id=3124) No, that’s illegal passing. ( I know, I was pulled over for doing just that. I passed someone within a very wide lane and the officer said “Do you see a dashed white line there? No, so that’s not a separate lane you can use for passing”) Lane splitting is when you have a two lane road (in one direction) separated by a dashed white line\* and you go between the two rows of cars. \*It’s illegal for any kind of vehicle to cross over a solid white (or yellow) line. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/88 "2010-09-09T04:35:58Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Lane splitting is when you have a two lane road (in one direction) separated by a dashed white line\* and you go between the two rows of cars. Generally, yes. But if there’s room between a car and a double-yellow line, you can ride there in California. Things you’ll get pulled over for: Riding on either shoulder; where the carpool lane is separated from the normal lanes by two sets of double-yellow lines, riding in the space between the double-yellows; riding unsafely, or at too great a speed. Things to notice in the video (I linked): When splitting lanes, the rider’s attention is forward. When changing lanes, he uses his mirrors. There’s actually quite a bit of room between cars. California drivers are used to lane-splitting motorcyclists and often edge over to give them space. Riders often wave thank-you. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Presidente](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c2a13f/32.png) [@El\_Presidente](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Presidente)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/89 "2010-09-09T05:07:34Z")
> [@bdgr](#): > > > [@Wallenstein](#): > > > > Or why not just wait in the queue of traffic like everybody else? 😕 > > several reasons. > > One, because motorcycles tend to overheat when sitting still to long. . . . . . . > Two, around here, heat exhaustion/stroke can be a real problem in the summer . . . . In stop and go driving it’s very common for someone to not be paying attention and bump the car ahead of them. No big deal in a car, usually no damage done. On a bike this can mean a lot of damage/injury. So let me get this straight. They overheat in traffic, can cause the driver to get heat exhaustion, and are deadly to the driver when rear ended. . . . . . . Is this a motorcycle or an un-airconditioned Pinto? Whats the joy of motorcycle ownership, again?:dubious: ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/90 "2010-09-09T05:38:38Z")
> [@El\_Presidente](#): > > > [@bdgr](#): > > > > several reasons. > > > > One, because motorcycles tend to overheat when sitting still to long. . . . . . . > > Two, around here, heat exhaustion/stroke can be a real problem in the summer . . . . In stop and go driving it’s very common for someone to not be paying attention and bump the car ahead of them. No big deal in a car, usually no damage done. On a bike this can mean a lot of damage/injury. > > So let me get this straight. They overheat in traffic, can cause the driver to get heat exhaustion, and are deadly to the driver when rear ended. > .. > > Is this a motorcycle or an un-airconditioned Pinto? > > Whats the joy of motorcycle ownership, again?:dubious: they overheat in stalled traffic. Yes, the heat can be a problem in stalled trafic. Rarely deadly, but yes, you can get injured if rear ended while sitting still. So what is the joy? It’s fun the 99.99 percent of the time you aren’t stuck in traffic. VERY VERY fun. I miss it terribly. Is it dangerous, and a hassle some times? Of course. So are jet skis, boating, sking, skydiving, horseback riding, mountain climbing…you get the idea. It’s a trade off. It’s safer to spend your life locked in a bunker, it’s more fun to take risks. Every single one of us draws that line somewhere inbetween. Some of us draw it closer to the danger side than others do, so what? This happens to be a fun activity that is also an efficient mode of transportation. some of you find motorcycles annoying. motorcyclists find cars annoying. If everyone rode a motorcycel there wouldn’t be near the traffic jams, pollution, fuel crisis etc. But both sides have to share a road system, so it’s essential we make allowences for each other. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/91 "2010-09-09T06:05:08Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > > [@sisu](#): > > > > I am a harley riding biker not a 1% bikie, there is a huge difference. > > Indeed. You’re not a criminal, just a douchebag. Now now was someone mean to you at school today? Mate you ride a Vulcan 900, nice little bike and what I learnt on. A nice learners bike, see I can be nice to someone riding another type of bike. I don’t assume that just because you ride an entry level bike that you are scared of power and too poor to buy a big bike, do I? ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/92 "2010-09-09T06:41:24Z")
Motorcycle licensees need to be mandatory organ donors. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/93 "2010-09-09T06:58:43Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > Motorcycle licensees need to be mandatory organ donors. I am. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/94 "2010-09-09T07:03:46Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > Motorcycle licensees need to be mandatory organ donors. Everyone should be. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/95 "2010-09-09T11:30:08Z")
> [@bdgr](#): > > > [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > > > Motorcycle licensees need to be mandatory organ donors. > > Everyone should be. Actually, I like your idea better. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/96 "2010-09-09T11:59:15Z")
> [@sisu](#): > > Oh loud pipes save lives… Bullshit. The only time loud pipes could _conceivably_ make a difference is when a dumbass rider is lingering in a driver’s blind spot on a multi-lane road. A potentally fatal accident here would require the driver to change lanes into the motorcyclist with such alacrity that the motorcyclist is incapable of successful evasion (basically hitting the brakes or swerving away from the car). This is a pretty rare circumstance, and is easily remedied by not lingering in someone else’s blind spot (good policy whether you’re on a bike or in a car). Loud pipes cannot help at all with single-vehicle crashes, and cannot help at all with cars that turn left in front of riders or blow through stop signs and red lights. Amazing to think I’ve ridden as far as I have on quiet stock pipes and not been killed yet. Not even once. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/97 "2010-09-09T12:04:26Z")
I’ve seen people pull out in front of ambulances with lights going and sirens blazing that they did not see or hear, I doubt loud pipes are catching many drivers’ attention. Our Ducati’s were always loud enough with their stock pipes, loved that noise they made! ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/98 "2010-09-09T12:36:58Z")
Plus, we make quality-of-life versus safety choices all the time. Otherwise it would be illegal to drive anywhere except in an emergency. Noise adds to stress. It’s a physical, measureable phenomenon, which has medical consequences if not leading to a reduction in lifespan. Although I’d support loud pipes if they only activated at speeds above 5 mph. I swear the only time I actually hear pipes are when I’m at a fucking red light, when the near subsonic rumbling sets my stomach churning and the stress hormones flowing. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/99 "2010-09-09T13:15:07Z")
> [@sisu](#): > > Now now was someone mean to you at school today? > > Mate you ride a Vulcan 900, nice little bike and what I learnt on. A nice learners bike, see I can be nice to someone riding another type of bike. I don’t assume that just because you ride an entry level bike that you are scared of power and too poor to buy a big bike, do I? 😃 Yanking your chain, mostly. Not all H-D riders are assholes, I’ll grant that, but just about every asshole rides an H-D. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an asshole on a Kawasaki or even on a Goldwing. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012/100 "2010-09-09T13:47:02Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > I swear the only time I actually hear pipes are when I’m at a fucking red light, when the near subsonic rumbling sets my stomach churning and the stress hormones flowing. Those loud pipes drive us all nuts, but you have to learn not to sweat the small stuff. A loud motorcycle really isn’t worth giving yourself an ulcer or a heart attack over. > [@Bosstone](#): > > Not all H-D riders are assholes, I’ll grant that, but just about every asshole rides an H-D. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an asshole on a Kawasaki or even on a Goldwing. You do realize that Kawasaki makes the infamous [Ninja](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guS_5N0MEX0), right? But I’ll give you that it’s pretty rare to see someone riding a Goldwing like an asshole. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-motorcycles/553012.md?page=6)