First time lane splitter

[Fatjim]

Hey PB,

I'm no expert, and I'm not advocating anyone take advice from me (since I'm clearly a bit retarded); but here's some thoughts I have on filtering...

1. Speed is your friend.
I'm not waiting around for people to go through any sort of mental decision process about letting me through, I aim for about a 20 kph speed minimum delta. Momentum is your friend. You need to be decisive, so by the time cager realises that you're there, you're already past.

2. Side by side.
Filtering a gap between two parallel cars is safe. Well, safer. You don't get the random lane changes when that cages space is blocked by another cage. If you have a cage with an empty space next to it, if there are any brake lights ahead, you know that the cager will make a dive for that spot. Now, you need an IQ test to ensure that you're dumb enough to drive a car, so that diminished brain capacity is solely focused on steering the cage, and not on looking for bikes using mirrors.

3. The block.
Typically there are certain cars that will block you. Normally execs in Falcons and Commodores, or on the shore, there is a Audi Q7 who's owner is a moron. If you get deliberate blocking, look for an escape route, they're normally the type to hit the brakes to give you a brake check as well. I have removed keys from nasty types before, (or wing mirrors); but this is unadvisable unless there is a very good reason (not from a safety point of view, bullys are cowards, but I'm meaning that KatMan will tell you off).

4. Slow skills:
I've got an advantage since I'm a cyclist as well, but practice the slow speed skills. You can track stand a bicycle for a minute at a time with practice, and with a motorcycle, being able to ride very slowly with you feet on the pegs is a good skill. I can stop and stand without feet for a while, yeah, it's a party trick, but the point is that once you practice the balance and slow skills long enough, when you're in traffic the slow skills are one less thing to spend intellect on (since it's now intuitive and you don't need to think about them since you're a master (or a mistress?)).

5. Danger signs:
Quick looks in the mirror, or a quick look across to the next lane.
A stab of the brake light (followed by some random move)
Compressing traffic ahead (followed by lane changes)
Slippery cat eyes
Oil or diesel around bends on motorways
Aggressive small dicked execs in XR6/HSV types - and for that matter SUV's with tints - always hard to see past and alway unpredictable
People on cell phones, when you pass, they look towards you and the car follows...

Stay safe.

MBB

+1 on all this, especially 1 & 2.

Be confident, but not cocky. (whats the feminine of cocky)

[Katman]

(whats the feminine of cocky)

Uhmmm, Dangerously Bastardish???

[McJim]

Yes, that's me! I know a lot of you are very experienced with this advantage of riding but it has taken me quite a while to try it myself. Taking my bike in to Ellerslie at 8.15 in the morning on the Southern m'way was a 1st - 2nd - no make that 1st again crawl from Papatoetoe. My left hand was getting so sore as I watched countless bikes zoom past inbetween the lanes. So thinks I, this must be better than my pathetic slow progress, it's about time to give it a go. Well well well, I could get to like this! Admittedly I only did it while traffic was either stationary or very slow, and when I could see sufficiently far ahead that I wasn't heading for a closed in trap. I still was aware of other bikes zipping around and leaving me far behind in the congestion, but hey I was making much better progress than the last time I did the slow speed crawl up the motorway So here's to another first ticked off my list of things to do on my bike - who knows one day i might even get as far as a wheelie (hahahahahha, not very likely it's so far down my list that I'll probably never get there....)

Well done. I believe it's still part of the bike test in the UK to move along between two columns of sationary vehicles (reduces congestion and emissions). Make sure you stay within your comfort zone and abilities. It is a most useful aspect of motorcycling - I used to split from Howick to Ponsnobby...but used to have to get out of The_Dover's way each morning coz he went a bit quicker than I did!

[Littlewheels]

started really slow, now I think its one of the best things about having to commute everyday. I am careful thou' and have learnt where to expect cagers to do stupid things and where to be careful, on-ramps and the like. I usually keep out of the way of the big lads who zip through in the mornings, keep a good look out in mirrors.
starts my day off with a buzz, cheers me up no end not sitting in traffic, amazing what you see people doing when driving thou' !!!

[GrayWolf]

Hey PB,

I'm no expert, and I'm not advocating anyone take advice from me (since I'm clearly a bit retarded); but here's some thoughts I have on filtering...

1. Speed is your friend.
I'm not waiting around for people to go through any sort of mental decision process about letting me through, I aim for about a 20 kph speed minimum delta. Momentum is your friend. You need to be decisive, so by the time cager realises that you're there, you're already past.

2. Side by side.
Filtering a gap between two parallel cars is safe. Well, safer. You don't get the random lane changes when that cages space is blocked by another cage. If you have a cage with an empty space next to it, if there are any brake lights ahead, you know that the cager will make a dive for that spot. Now, you need an IQ test to ensure that you're dumb enough to drive a car, so that diminished brain capacity is solely focused on steering the cage, and not on looking for bikes using mirrors.

3. The block.
Typically there are certain cars that will block you.

4. Slow skills:
I've got an advantage since I'm a cyclist as well, but practice the slow speed skills. You can track stand a bicycle for a minute at a time with practice, and with a motorcycle, being able to ride very slowly with you feet on the pegs is a good skill. I can stop and stand without feet for a while, yeah, it's a party trick, but the point is that once you practice the balance and slow skills long enough, when you're in traffic the slow skills are one less thing to spend intellect on (since it's now intuitive and you don't need to think about them since you're a master (or a mistress?)).

5. Danger signs:
Quick looks in the mirror, or a quick look across to the next lane.
A stab of the brake light (followed by some random move)
Compressing traffic ahead (followed by lane changes)
Slippery cat eyes
Oil or diesel around bends on motorways
Aggressive small dicked execs in XR6/HSV types - and for that matter SUV's with tints - always hard to see past and alway unpredictable
People on cell phones, when you pass, they look towards you and the car follows...

Stay safe.

MBB

Hi PB
I agree with whats above but would also like to put a point or two forwards 'extra' on the speed issue.
I commute the Hutt motorway every day, and yes I do lane split. However there are other bikers who I have had be quite abusive/agressive, because I am going 'too F***ing slow'.
When you do decide to lane split, going through stationary trafffic is certainly the best first step. However when you do decide (if ever) to lane split moving stuff can I please suggest these points.
Speed! I WILL NOT lane split at speeds higher that 50-55kph. YEH slow! Two reasons, firstly if the worst happens? Hopefully the damage wont be too severe to Bike and rider. Secondly? This is where I get the hurry up from some riders. Some make the mistake of going by the (relative speed ....) difference between them and the other vechiles. So you are only travelling 20-30kph faster than the cages, they are doing 50kph. Real Speed? 70-80kph. Thinking distance, reaction distance, braking distance and the bikes manouverability, all these are affected by speed.
I think the best words were some I read in a book a few years ago, high risk is taken by those with no imagination of the end result.

[HungusMaximist]

I've smacked into at least a good 3 or 4 car mirrors in my days of traffic filtering along the motorway. Did feel a bit guilty at first, usually I do a wave of apology afters speeding past and hoping they don't jolt down my plate or chase after me.

You could I say I was a bit too enthusiastic but it usually happened when I was going a bit too slow for my liking and probably concentrated too hard.

I agree speed is definitely your best friend but it pays to not to get side-swiped.

[Kiwi.in.transit]

wahoo, big ups to you It's great to hear you managed it safe and sound. I'm still at the 'too timid' stage. I would LOVE to lane split through the rush hour traffic... but the confidence isn't quite there yet... rush hour traffic intimidates me to no end. Hopefully my first lane split will be as successful as yours! (when I get there...)

[MarkH]

Good on you Princess for giving it a go, keep it up!

At about 3:30pm today I jumped on the southern carpark from the Mt Wellington onramp (heading north) and off again at the Ellerslie offramp. I was glad I wasn't driving a car!

[PrincessBandit]

... I'm still at the 'too timid' stage. I would LOVE to lane split through the rush hour traffic... but the confidence isn't quite there yet... rush hour traffic intimidates me to no end. ..

Hey thanks for that Kiwi.in.transit - you certainly do need to be assertive (the expression "he who hesitates is lost" kinda comes to mind ) but that doesn't need to translate into aggression. Don't feel rushed or pressured to try it any sooner than you feel up to it, as the last thing you want is your first time to put you off trying it again. (Sounds a bit like... oops, won't go down that track ) lol.
Big thanks to those who have shared their advice and experience to give us novices a hand up. Much appreciated!

[Marmoot]

Loved the Ducati filterer on the NW carpark this morning...
C'mon mate, it was only a community constable, in his Vectra. Show some balls and filter past them!

Can't spare the $150, sorry.

[stify]

Can't spare the $150, sorry.

but it's so much more fun split n past the five o

[Swoop]

Can't spare the $150, sorry.

Is that yours with the carbon [arrow?] pipes?

[Marmoot]

Is that yours with the carbon [arrow?] pipes?

Oh *phew* no. Mine is with standard exhaust and a sexy female on the back seat.

I mean, I lanesplit anywhere! it's a challenge for me! No way I would stand still in a traffic, especially when there's cops around!!

[FJRider]

I don't know what the fuss about lane splitting is... passing stationary(almost or not) traffic, isn't that big a deal. Try passing unfenced sheep on the side of main highways, on one wheel, at 180 km/hr, standing up ....in 3rd gear... just like Carver...

(my hero... they should have a hero parade... oh yeah...they do...)

[stify]

I don't know what the fuss about lane splitting is... passing stationary(almost or not) traffic, isn't that big a deal

well it was one day last week on the southern for some twat on a bmw touring ting with bags on the side....he hit 5 cars, lost a mirror an just about took his own head off on a truck deck...fark i cracked up