Hey California Riders - did you ever think about lane splitting on the Spyder?

[hjazzyherm]

There's no way on earth I'd ever try "lane sharing" here in California or any other state (including Texas).....it's just not an option. Even the two-wheelers take their own lives in their hands doing it! It just doesn't make sense as there's no place here that I'd want to get to earlier than I had planned. Commute traffic (going and coming) is a killah! Nah! I'll just take my time on my '08 RT and just take the smoove ride home or wherevah!

[Bob Denman]

They do seem a bit broad across the shoulders for that sort of thing; don't they...

[MickeyFisher]

I wouldn't try to split lanes, but I was kind of wishing I could while I was stuck on the 5 yesterday. I have been using the HOV lanes since I got here last week, and have been around a few police, never had anyone even give me a second glance.

[ICE]

I use the HOV lanes up and down the San Francisco peninsula and never have any problems. I have numerous friends in law enforcement and all agree that they would not pull over a Spyder for using the HOV lane since it is considered a "motorcycle". On a different subject they are about evenly split on weather they would pull me over for my Glo-riders. The code is a bit fuzzy!

[boborgera]

I took my sons Busa out for a ride, Now that's a bike made for lane splitting,
But i would never lane splt with any other bike i own,

[Bob Denman]

Doing a litle splitting at the "double-ton", Bob???

[daveinva]

There's no way on earth I'd ever try "lane sharing" here in California or any other state (including Texas).....it's just not an option. Even the two-wheelers take their own lives in their hands doing it! It just doesn't make sense as there's no place here that I'd want to get to earlier than I had planned. Commute traffic (going and coming) is a killah! Nah! I'll just take my time on my '08 RT and just take the smoove ride home or wherevah!

I lived in L.A. for a while, had no idea what lane splitting was until I kept finding motorcycles passing by my car door while I was stuck in traffic. I was PLENTY peeved before I knew that was legal.

I remained plenty peeved until I learned WHY lane splitting is done: it's most emphatically NOT to "beat" traffic, it's to avoid traffic. You put lots of cars in close proximity to each other, the risk of fender benders and accidents increase. Stick a vulnerable motorcycle into those tight jams, and it gets risky in a hurry.

Of course, lane splitting only works when it's legal-- *car* drivers need to know that bikes can do it, and drive accordingly. Otherwise, I agree, it's a recipe for disaster.

But since I learned the reasons why, it makes a lot of sense to me. I don't think every state could, or even should, implement it, but California seems to do just fine with it.

[SpyderLady]

"Since you do not need a motorcycle license to operate it, the Can-am classes as a normal vehicle"

I have never heard that the Can-Am classes as a normal vehicle and does not need a motorcycle license to operate. I do not know about your state, but if you come to MO please make sure you have a motorcycle license because it is required in most states that I ride in

[boborgera]

"Since you do not need a motorcycle license to operate it, the Can-am classes as a normal vehicle"

I have never heard that the Can-Am classes as a normal vehicle and does not need a motorcycle license to operate. I do not know about your state, but if you come to MO please make sure you have a motorcycle license because it is required in most states that I ride in

If a motorcycle license is not required in your home state, And as long as the Spyder is registered in that state and the driver of the Spyder has a drivers
licence from that state you are legal in all states.

[Allmag]

My question would be how does the DMV register the Spyder as a motorcycle or? If a motorcycle then it is legal to ride in the carpool lane.

[boborgera]

My question would be how does the DMV register the Spyder as a motorcycle or? If a motorcycle then it is legal to ride in the carpool lane.

Post this question in the California Thread, I'm sure someone who has a Spyder in California will know.

[daveinva]

"Since you do not need a motorcycle license to operate it, the Can-am classes as a normal vehicle"

I have never heard that the Can-Am classes as a normal vehicle and does not need a motorcycle license to operate. I do not know about your state, but if you come to MO please make sure you have a motorcycle license because it is required in most states that I ride in

California is a weird beast. You can "drive" the Spyder with a car license, but pretty much everything else in the law requires consideration as a motorcycle.

There's license reciprocity across state lines. I'm not 100%, but I think *all* states recognize each others' licenses in that regard (although, only for riding through-- if a California Spyder rider moved to Virginia for example, they'd need to get their M license to ride the Spyder here even if they've been riding their Spyder for years under their auto license).