Motorcycles On The Southern State

[FUNKMAN]

When driving home from the game in Amityville, I hit a bunch of traffic. It was stop and go almost all the way to the Varrezano. I would have to say that at least 15 motorcycles passed between me and the cars in the other lane, narrowly missing hitting the cars.

I'm pretty sure it's illegal to do so and i have to be honest, it kind of gets you a little t'd off. For brief moments you would like to catch one in your rearview mirror and just veer to the right or left as he's passing you and nip his backwheel a little bit, i'm sure it would be either "his fault or no fault", but I'm thinking more "his fault"

Then my morals take over and i start to think about something else.

It's a strange thing but do you get slightly uncomfortable driving behind a motorcycle? It seems you are so used to driving behind a car that you almost forget the motorcycle is there and thinking more about the car in front of him.

One time i was stopped at a STOP sign and(wasn't in a rush, thankfully) and I had an open view(100's of yards) of the road to my right and left, and I saw nothing but open road. I proceeded and out of the corner of my right eye I saw a glimpse of metal, there it was, a motorcycle that I never saw before. I had plenty of time to hit the brake but it got me thinking "what if i was in a rush?" This guy might not have made it home that day...

So how do you feel about it....

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This message was edited by FUNKMAN on 6-30-03 @ 11:23 AM

[GaryWyze]

[color=purple]Mixed emotions on this one.

On the one hand, I do tons of driving (just hit 100,000 on my truck of just over 3 years), and am constantly amazed at the stupidity of some bikers out there. The kind you're refering to are called "squids" in the biking world, and more times than not they are young kids with motorcycles way beyand their riding abilities.

Even stock sport-bikes today can do 0 to 60 in under 3 seconds, and most won't top out until about 140 to 155 m.p.h. Throw in some jetting (which just about everybody has done these days, my bike as well) and things like removing the speed-top-off chip and ultra hi-grade gas, and that rockets becomes even more powerful (and in the hands of the stupid, even more deadly).

But on the other hand, I had all intentions of riding my bike out there on Saturday. It was only at the last minute that I opted for the truck (I haven't done much riding of late, and figured it wasn't worth the hassle). But if I had, and had I been sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, I too may've been riding through the cars (or "splitting the lane," as it's known among bikers). I wouldn't have been doing so at some outrageous rate of speed, but sure as shit wouldn't be sitting there at a stand still either.

For one thing, some bikes are air cooled, and quite literally need to keep moving or they'll overheat. Secondly, in that kind of situation, many bikers feel that it can actually be more dangerous to be in between two cars during stop and go traffic. As is the case with STOP signs, most drivers aren't that great at judging distances absent a bumper in front of them. I learned that /lesson the hard way one Sunday morning, when my 1st bike and I were sent sideways through the intersection by the old man stopping behind us.

I'm okay with riders riding through stalled traffic, but if they're gonna do, they shouldn't be going any faster than say 30 m.p.h and some extra revving to warn drivers is always a good idea too. Look at it this way, they're actually lessening the line of traffic for you and everybody else.

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[Tazz]

I have nothing against motorcyclists. I chose not to do it because I am a pussy, and do not wish to die by having my face rubbed off by the pavement.

However, what makes some (very few) motorcycle riders act like complete fucking pricks? There is no need to drive 100 miles an hour on the highway. I don't even do that in my car. I only ask, because some asshole cut me off the other day, and I had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting him. That last thing I need is to clip his back tire, and have both him and the bike fly through my windshield. Slow down, cool guy.

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[GaryWyze]

[color=purple]I'm not against riders going over 100 m.p.h., I've done so on my bike (and even in the Pathfinder sometimes).

I like riding/driving fast, BUT it's all about doing so at the right place and time. And I agree, a crowded roadway ain't it.

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[JustJon]

I was driving a week or so ago on the highway (I think it was on the TZ, but not entirely sure), and traffic was moving at a good clip, lots of cars but no slowdown. A lil ahead of me and to the right, a guy on one of those sportbikes pulls up into a wheelie and then zooms off between cars weaving in and out.

I just thought what a jackass and wondered if he'd nail a car that was switching lanes, or vice versa.

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[UnknownPD]

The effect of these guys on the sports bike has been felt by just about every biker in New York. The rates for liability insurance have skyrocketed over the last couple of years. The average price for liability on a 600cc sport bike (Queens) went from $325.00 year in 02 to $455.00 in '03 about a 40% increase. Even the rate for my two cruisers went up signifigantly.

[McNabbShouldDie]

My dad rides motorcycles(Harley's, not those Japanese shits) and I just hope he doesnt do stupid shit like riding between cars when hes riding. Hes pretty safe I think because he crashed back in the those crazy 1980's and had to wear a neck brace and get 12 pins inserted into his shoulder. Plus hes pushing 50, old people dont go crazy stuff.

EDIT: This is my 1500th post, go me.

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Good morning heartache, your like an old friend, come and see me again. - Rancid

This message was edited by McNabbShouldDie on 6-30-03 @ 4:35 PM

[petrol]

I've been riding for 12 years and hate it when bikers like that skip past traffic - it gives me a bad name.

On the other hand... I have used my small size to get around Manhattan, I would hate to drive a car in the city, plus I can park almost anywhere.

Now, in the defense of motorcycles, most are air-cooled... meaning, if you're not moving your getting pretty close to overheating, esp in the hot summer. You have two options, pull to the shoulder and let it cool off, or drive on the shoulder/ between lanes.

And yeah, it's illegal to have two vehicles in the same lane.

my 2cent. - e

[ag]

not to say all bikers do this but I get really pissed when these people on their crotch rockets decide to go onto the shoulder while stuck in traffic. What the fuck makes you so special that you have to get about 5 cars ahead of me & cut everyone and their uncle off???????? Times like that Ive been tempted to open my car door all the way as they try to fly by me.

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