Lane splitting on motorways

**want-a-harley** · 4th February 2009, 17:05

I have a question on the above, which may be a bit obvious/stupid?

I am fine with lane splitting/filtering (skill-wise). On the motorway are catseyes/lane markers stupidly slippery after rain? Apart from obviously trying to ride to the side of them is there a best method to attack this? I don't particuarly like going over them when it's dry.

Cheers

**riffer** · 4th February 2009, 19:27

Yes they are slippery.

My definition of stupidly so may vary to yours.

**Howsie** · 4th February 2009, 19:40

Not quite sure what you are trying to say mate, as you have answered your own question.

As above, yeap they are slippery so best avoided during rain.

Best way to attack what? Not riding on them?
Answer: Dont ride on them

Or are you trying to say "If i have to ride on them what is the best way to ride over them?" If thats the case then its best to ride over them with no sudden sharp movements or speed bursts. HTH

**Howsie** · 4th February 2009, 19:47

Not quite sure what you are trying to say mate, as you have answered your own question.

As above, yeap they are slippery so best avoided during rain.

Best way to attack what? Not riding on them?
Answer: Dont ride on them

Or are you trying to say "If i have to ride on them what is the best way to ride over them?" If thats the case then its best to ride over them with no sudden sharp movements or speed bursts. HTH

**want-a-harley** · 4th February 2009, 20:12

Originally Posted by Howsie

Not quite sure what you are trying to say mate, as you have answered your own question.

Or are you trying to say "If i have to ride on them what is the best way to ride over them?" If thats the case then its best to ride over them with no sudden sharp movements or speed bursts. HTH

Yes thats, what I'm trying to say, sorry my England no good. Like if I was do drift or a car suddenly pulled close and I have to go over them.

Cheers

**breakaway** · 6th February 2009, 13:30

They're only "slippery" because you're on a GN250. Once you upgrade to something with wider tyres you won't feel too unstable on them.

**xwhatsit** · 6th February 2009, 13:43

Originally Posted by breakaway

They're only "slippery" because you're on a GN250. Once you upgrade to something with wider tyres you won't feel too unstable on them.

Wider tyres have got fuck all to do with it. Contact patch size difference is minimal. Tyres are round in cross-section. If that was the case then we'd all be wearing 21" tyres instead of slowly shrinking them in diameter over the years. Possibly more to do with the standard GN250 vinyl tyre fitment, if he's still got the original hoops. And if you've seen the standard tyre profile fitted to the rear of a GN then you'd realise that because it's so square there's more contact area than on your GSXR600.

Cats eyes are slippery though. I used to have a problem with hitting them all the time, but over time you learn that the gap is much wider than you think and you can almost always run to one side or the other of the cats eyes and not brush cars with your knees.

**<Rhino>** · 13th February 2009, 07:07

If you have to go over them then go over as upright as possable, a lean will give the bike an opportunity to kick out from under you. (its not likely though, as the trye hit tarmac again you should be able to stand it up again) or at least thats my experience!

**davebullet** · 13th February 2009, 11:28

An idea... fix a cowcatcher to the front that will rip them up before you ride over them.

Seriously - if you have to - ride straight onto them and no sudden handlebar / body movements.

**klingon** · 13th February 2009, 12:01

I rode on more cat's eyes yesterday than ever before. That's because it was H-O-T and I wanted to keep moving, so I tackled some very narrow gaps. (Several times I had to stop because my handlebars wouldn't fit between adjacent cars' mirrors, but I just wiggled the bars until I got through).

To reiterate what others have said:
- Avoid the cats' eyes if you can (especially when wet)
- If you must ride over them, maximise your traction in other ways - stay upright and keep a steady speed
- Make sure you have decent tyres and they are at the proper pressure

Also lower your weight onto your pegs, and even raise your bum a bit off the seat. (Stops you jiggling uncontrollably as you ride over them.)

One more thing: Don't be scared of them. Practise riding over them just for fun when you have the road to yourself. You might get to enjoy that jiggly feeling! I think it's inevitable that you'll end up riding along them at some stage (when a car starts moving in on you or whatever) so you might as well get familiar with the feeling.

**Paulo** · 13th February 2009, 12:21

personally I'd avoid lanesplitting in the rain, people in cars tend to crash lots and do (more) stupid things when it's raining, Then again i don't really lane split even when it's dry, as I ride like an old man and enjoy my life too much.

**Swoop** · 13th February 2009, 15:56

Originally Posted by Paulo

personally I'd avoid lanesplitting in the rain, people in cars tend to crash lots and do (more) stupid things when it's raining

Kiwi's in cages are stupid. When it is wet they are even dumber and tend to park on motorways at the smallest sign of moisture on the road.
When it is raining their braincell is fully occupied with "oh fuck! Water! I had better slow down".

Bring on winter. Cats eyes are fine. Just ride on the top of them and you get plenty of vibrations going (Top Tip for the ladies).