Can you do this on your nt700v?

I've seen guys on GS's with wide panniers lane splitting in SoCal traffic. Couple times I thought they would clip a car, but nope.... Even the the cops on a fully outfitted HDs or BMWs, they make it look easy in heavier traffic.

The spouse and I have done Thailand on both scooters and 500cc bikes. Once you get the hang of it and are good at making sure the space you want to fit into isn't skinnier than the widest part of your bike, easy peasy.

But this guy..... either he has purposely sped up the video just a bit, or he is dong this way too damned fast. Gonna catch up with him one day
 
Daboo said:
So, a question comes to mind that perhaps the California riders can answer. What happens if a rider breaks someone's mirror off, or scrapes the side of their vehicle? Does the rider keep going?

Chris
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Lane Splitting is covered in the law under CVC (California Vehicle Code) 21658.1. ARTICLE 1. Driving on Right Side [21650 - 21664].

To answer your question. Yes, most of us keep on going as stopping in traffic is very dangerous. Under the proceeding CVC quoted below, these drivers are impeding our progress and are breaking this law in doing so. I have clipped mirrors many times.

We are protected under CVC (California Vehicle Code) 22400, which states the following. ARTICLE 2. Other Speed Laws [22400 - 22413] .

(a) No person shall drive upon a highway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic unless the reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, because of a grade, or in compliance with law.

No person shall bring a vehicle to a complete stop upon a highway so as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic unless the stop is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.

Getting back to the video. That looks a lot like my commute to and back from work Monday through Friday. I also Lane Split on city streets when it is advantageous to my trip.

Here's some additional information regarding Lane Splitting for you all interested in knowing more about it. 10 Things to Know About Lane Splitting in California.

Let me know of you have any further questions on this subject.
 
Daboo said:
That was part of my quandary. On one hand, if you clip someone's mirror and break it off, that will cost them around $150 or more to fix. Chances are, that money comes directly out of their pocket because it is below the deductible many of us have. On the other hand, where do you pull over to exchange insurance info?

I'm not really talking about the person who purposely tries to keep motorcyclists from splitting lanes. More of the person who is doing what they should and some klutz like me wobbles a bit and hits their car. Or the guy who is moving really too fast through the traffic. Eventually, he's going to hit someone's car.

And he just rides away as nothing happened? And the motorist with the car that is damaged just has to suck it up? Wow.
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Honestly, the laws that govern Lane Splitting do not cover instances such as you described. Most likely you would refer to other CVC sections for guidance to find an answer. CVC 20002 generally covers accidents, not much there as a guideline to prompt a driver to pull over. CHAPTER 1. Accidents and Accident Reports [20000 - 20018] .

What you are asking about is called a "Collision" as defined in the California Drivers Handbook, see page 90 using this link. California DMV Drivers Handbook. As mentioned in the Handbook, it defines damages of $1,000 or more in property damages to others property requiring to be reported within 10 days. So, your suggested damages involving busting off a mirror does not qualify or need to be reported. :shrug1:

The take away from this information that I found clearly states $1,000 minimum in property damages would be that threshold. Thus warrants the rider to pull over to meet with the driver of the other vehicle to exchange insurance information.

Sorry if this upsets you or any others in any way, however, the laws and guidelines bring this conclusion.

I do not know what more can I tell you regarding this subject.
 
You have already explain why I don't live there with 40 million other people. I don't have a spec of interest in riding like that. I'll take my chances with the snow, deer, logging trucks and manure wagons.
 
Brillot2000 said:
Lane Splitting is covered in the law under CVC (California Vehicle Code) 21658.1. ARTICLE 1. Driving on Right Side [21650 - 21664].

To answer your question. Yes, most of us keep on going as stopping in traffic is very dangerous. Under the proceeding CVC quoted below, these drivers are impeding our progress and are breaking this law in doing so. I have clipped mirrors many times.

We are protected under CVC (California Vehicle Code) 22400, which states the following. ARTICLE 2. Other Speed Laws [22400 - 22413] .

(a) No person shall drive upon a highway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic unless the reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, because of a grade, or in compliance with law.

No person shall bring a vehicle to a complete stop upon a highway so as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic unless the stop is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
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In the work I do I spend a lot of time interpreting codes and legal statutes.....and I really don't believe the law would support your interpretation of the statute you listed - and the statute does not give you any legal right to damage their property. If traffic is slowed or stopped - the drivers have no choice but to slow down as necessary.....they are not violating the statute you quoted.

More than likely you are guilty of "hit and run".

Put yourself in the position of the person in the car for a moment - they are stuck in traffic, have no option but to sit and wait and curse the traffic.....and then a crazy motorcycle rider crashes into their mirror and rides away? Is it any wonder many folks don't like those of us who ride motorcycles?
 
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While we are not allowed to lane split in Tennessee I still often end up in close proximity to autos which is why I took off my large lids and put the smaller ones back on. I have also seen many sport bikes that have mirrors that can be rotated back out of the way. They appear to be stock mirrors. I guess if one is going to lane split it pays to set your motorcycle up to be as narrow a possible.
 
Thumpn said:
In the work I do I spend a lot of time interpreting codes and legal statutes.....and I really don't believe the law would support your interpretation of the statute you listed - and the statute does not give you any legal right to damage their property. If traffic is slowed or stopped - the drivers have no choice but to slow down as necessary.....they are not violating the statute you quoted.

More than likely you are guilty of "hit and run".

Put yourself in the position of the person in the car for a moment - they are stuck in traffic, have no option but to sit and wait and curse the traffic.....and then a crazy motorcycle rider crashes into their mirror and rides away? Is it any wonder many folks don't like those of us who ride motorcycles?
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Again, the State has not drafted many statutes other than California Vehicle Code 21658.1. There are not any other specifics on Lane Splitting guidelines or how damages sustained while participating in this activity are handled. My interpretations are only loosely formed on the CVC codes and the State's Driver Handbook that I found doing some brief research on the subject. They are not to be taken as actual hard facts, which I think you might have done here.

State Law Enforcement does not have any hard statutes or guidelines regarding the subject. All they have is their better judgment to lie back on. Motor Patrolmen are the worst when they part-take in Lane Splitting. I have personally seen many patrolmen doing 80+ MPH and coming within inches of the cars that are passing or swerving around.

I have spoken to many CHP officers over the years regarding this very subject, those who are motor mounted and others not. Each officer tells me something different and does not coincide with any of the answers that I have received over those years.

In the matter of "Clipping Mirrors", the common response that I have received on the subject is "not to worry about it and continue on your way." How can you argue with an answer like that was given to you by the State's Law Enforcement on several occasions?

Honestly, think that many people are reading into this too deeply due to their lack of understanding of this practice. Lane Splitting has been permissible in California long before I born and began to drive in this state. Recently in 2016, it was passed into law and put onto books officially in 2017. - California CHP - NEW TRAFFIC SAFETY LAWS TAKE EFFECT IN 2017

Here's the statement that was taken from the bulletin regarding Lane Splitting:

Vehicle Motorcycles: Lane Splitting (AB 51, Quirk) Current law does not change; lane splitting by a motorcyclist remains legal if done safely. This bill defines lane splitting as driving a motorcycle, which has two wheels in contact with the ground, between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane. The bill permits the CHP to develop lane splitting educational safety guidelines in consultation with other state traffic safety agencies and at least one organization focused on motorcycle safety.

Going onto the California DMV website, this is only a mentioned on their entire website regarding Lane-Splitting - California DMV - Lane splitting general guidelines.

I am just the messenger from California's point of view on the subject. Most riders on California's highways do not know any of the information that I present here. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. However, the laws regarding Lane Splitting are not defined themselves, therefore no one can be ignorant to them. What is a person to do in this situation? :confused:
 
If done properly, it keeps disasters from happening.
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Another "escape route" from rear approaching distracted text authors.

On the NT, mirror height allows for passage over or under a very large percentage of cage mirrors. The small pannier lids are not much, if any, wider than an operator's legs. Traffic that is bumper to bumper in both of the lanes being split reduces the likelihood of a cage changing lanes. Of course, if there are gaps, the danger of a cage pulling into you is increased. A common sense approach to speed while splitting reduces the risks involved too.

Being able to split makes dealing with to many cages on the road tolerable...
 
To me, if lane splitting is to be done safely, EVERYTHING must be done correctly by all motorists.... which seldom occurs. All it takes is a wee bit of inattention on the part of an automobile driver and a slight lane drift and you are a motorcycle sammich. I am not willing to expect perfection on the part of myself or my fellow motorists so I will stay in my own lane, thank you very much!

Mike
 
I am just glad I live in a mostly rural area where lane splitting is not required.
I think I would have to see and experience the kind of traffic problems that drive the rule changes to fully see all sides to it.
Just happy I don't have to. Leaves are changing color, need to ride a little to see them. That is more my style.

Brad
 
Hi guys, seems to be a contentious issue in the states. Filtering in the UK is legal and with our densely populated island you would look silly sitting in a queue on the motorway stop start for miles on end. My OP was in admiration of the skills of the Kiwi and showing just what he can do with our so-called bulky heavy bike. I think he's a master!
 
Watching this video I do not think you can call this lane splitting. Lane splitting is not hoping from lane to lane, this is nuts and foolish period.n If I rode this this fool, I never ride near him again. No skill just not wise riding.
 
Daboo said:
P.S. Phil, why do you have Kawasaki mileage awards? I thought you rode a Honda. Did you get a new bike? Or paint your NT bright green?
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Chris, I rode before I bought the NT in March of 2010. In March of '99, I bought a '99 Kawasaki Concours and rode it for 115,000 miles before I wadded it up in September 0f 2006. After that, I bought a 2nd (practically identical) '99 Concours and rode it for a bit over 50,000 miles before buying the NT.
 
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