Nearly Thorwn Off On 680 E

Cato85 · 10-23-2008, 2:04 PM

Ok, so I know this isnt a crash but i was looking for critique from fellow fireblades.org peoples.
Let me start of by saying i have ridden dirt for many years but as for street this is my third year.
the scene: im on 680 E splitting #1 & 2 lanes (carpool & fastlane) traffic is dead stopped im moving at about 25-30 mph. traffis starts to crawl 20ft at less than 5 mph. im just passing two cars on either side of me and the car ahead of the one im passing in the #2 lane decides to A: not look for lane change B: just yanks that dame wheel C: floors it to get in between two cars in the #1 lane, just as im coming up to their drivers quarter panel. with no time to stop or to turn normally, I jam up on the rear brake throw the rear out, dip the front end left as hard as i could to get in front of the car in the #1 lane i was passing. so now i have the rear kicked out to the right, headlight is pointing at K-rail (concrete center divide) dead on, bars are turned all the way locked right. i had to psyche myself up to let go of the rear brake because of the bucking bull syndrome almost got bucked off. my arse came atleast 4" off seat. And all this literally happend in 20-30 feet. got a little blue from the car on my exhaust pipe (stock) smallest little thing too, looks like a little kid put a little bit of crayola blue less than 1/2" long 1/8" wide stripe. in my head this was the only course of action. heres the break down, no space behind offending car to drop behind, plenty of space in #1 lane for me and the offending car although i had to cut it close to the car i was passing in the #1 originally. helmet damn near tapped his front corner lens.

Any ideas on how i could have done this differently, once again i had no time to slow, avoid, pass. no space either. maybe if you have had an experience with this or just some critique would be great. no damage other than the blue, although my arse went numb from the pucker thank you all, this web site is an invaluable tool for all riders. thanks Fireblades

bettingpython · 10-23-2008, 3:45 PM

Although spliiting is not illegal in california, and the CHP permits it it's dangerous for the very reason you described, cagers who have rectally inserted their heads for a visual perspective of their colons.

Glad you didn't wreck or get run over. Short of not splitting coming to a straight line panic stop between the cars you were passing would have probably been a better solution. Braking and swerving is never a good idea, brake then swerve or swerve then brake.

Cato85 · 10-23-2008, 3:57 PM

oh and by the way there is a medical procedure called a glassectomy so those people with their heads up there can see where they are going.... i just didnt have enought space, time, stopping distance

Twincam · 10-23-2008, 5:56 PM

I nearly had the same problem, two lanes filled with stationary/slow moving traffic on either side and a section in the middle which had no barriers etc.

Rolling down about 10/15 MPH on the right hand side (just slightly on the section in the middle) and keeping revs up to alert drivers... Stupid tw@t in a people carrier decides he wants to do a U-turn...

No indication or checking his mirrors, he yanks on the steering wheel and goes for it. Now bearing in mind it was raining, as I applied the front brakes she locked up and started juddering (was going over painted white lines).

I hit him straight onto the front door and front wing (shows where I was when he started doing it) and the bike fell onto its right hand side. My son (who was on the back) was now standing and I was under the bike.

His immediate response was to get out and ask "What the hell were you doing...?" (I was still on the floor).

A lot of factors play a role within it, speed, distance apart, how fast and how much he had pulled out by etc.

Glad your ok

Cato85 · 10-23-2008, 8:37 PM

ouch that dosent sound like it was fun at all what are the laws for lane splitting over there. here its an at your own risk and if there is a collision its your fault unless you have a really good lawyer.

Twincam · 10-23-2008, 8:42 PM

There isn't a law, its perfectly legal just as long as its safe and your not driving dangerously through it...

Luckily there was a track day biker who first drove off but then I managed to catch up to him - havent needed him though.

The Fireblade has £2360 worth of damage, not sure if they will write her off.

Cato85 · 10-24-2008, 5:20 PM

thats getting close to 50% of value depending.... usually out here if the frame is even scratched a little it is totaled.

bonham · 10-24-2008, 6:44 PM

I've done a fair amount of lane splitting in CA, where it is not legally allowed - it is simply not prohibited. It's a speedy way to navigate traffic, but it can go wrong in a hurry.

Judging by your description, And ignoring the car for the moment, I'd say that you failed to identify the risk of an open gap in traffic, and you were going too fast for the conditions. If you split lanes, you eliminate one of the biggest 'get out of danger' escapes we have, lane position.

If lane-sharing were legal here, I would be doing it whenever appropriate. But when we do, we have to accept the increased risk at which we put ourselves. I'm glad you made it through with yourself in one piece.

bjay51d · 10-25-2008, 2:41 AM

Twin ,Not to sound like a di(k but i would never lane split with my son on the back...

Twincam · 10-26-2008, 9:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjay51d

Twin, Not to sound like a di(k but i would never lane split with my son on the back...

Its a sensible coment, but why wouldn't you? (just want to find out)

Random Info: My son is now 17 and has started riding his own bike (RXS100)