Newbies can't split

[SimJen]

Had what looked like a newbie on a turqoise 250 spada tail me down Te Rapa last night. Scary looking ability.
Got to the lights at the Mill St/Ulster St intersection and said newbie decides to attempt to split the middle of the traffic, but paying no attention to the lights....just as he gets near the front everyone takes off and he almost gets sandwiched between a couple of cars, slams his brakes on and almost gets squashed. Heard a few car drivers say "OOH" as it happened.
Jeez mate, learn to read the lights and don't give bikers a bad name.
I don't like mentioning shit like this as we all make mistakes but it was an easy one to avoid....

[Wasp]

I dont get daily practice at splitting (unlike most) so when im out on a ride more often than not i'll sit in traffic and let the others that im riding with go ahead. better safe than sorry in my opinion.

[ManDownUnder]

Yeah - take it easy and split on the easy stuff before taking on the more dynamic stuff...

Too many factors will get the inexperienced very very flattened...

[skelstar]

I occasionally will split up through traffic even if the lights have gone green. I tend to merge into a gap when the cars next to me take off. I dont think its a major worry until the cars get fast enough to move across in a hurry...you just have to use your judgement and be prepared to be a bit cheeky.

You dont always have to split to the front of a queue.

[Big Dave]

FWIW

When I was cautioned for lane splitting recently the cop said that 'observed experience, skill and competency' (or words to that effect) were something they also considered in whether you got yanked for lane splitting or not.

I translate this to mean that if you look like you are going to do yourself or someone else an injury they will ping you.

If you are sensible and confident there is more tolerance.

[Fishy]

The most nervous looking person I have ever seen on a bike was a guy on an 06' blade last Friday down the southern motorway.

He sat beside me then behind my car (possibly saw my GSX-R sticker on the back window) then tried to pass me with a bit more speed, he nearly hit my mirror on the way past and came close to rear ending a 4WD.

He looked as though it was his first time on a bike.

[Swoop]

^^^^^^ good info Dave!

[McJim]

The Dover witnessed my lane splitting technique on the southern motorway this morning.

I am a noob and freely admit it - this is why I was travelling behind the car in front and Dover gave me a friendly wave on the way past.

As Clint Eastwood said "A man's gotta know his limitations"...and I do.

[The_Dover]

The most nervous looking person I have ever seen on a bike was a guy on an 06' blade last Friday down the southern motorway.

He sat beside me then behind my car (possibly saw my GSX-R sticker on the back window) then tried to pass me with a bit more speed, he nearly hit my mirror on the way past and came close to rear ending a 4WD.

He looked as though it was his first time on a bike.

Yeah, I still didn't reckon much to the honda but thanks to Swindlespot for the test ride.

[Fishy]

Yeah, I still didn't reckon much to the honda but thanks to Swindlespot for the test ride.

Nah I knew it wasn't you, his helmet wasn't hot boxed and wafting the sweet smell of skunk out into the air.

[SimJen]

I thought confidence was killing cage drivers.....or so the road signs tell us. Obviously bike riders can handle our confidence a little better