The Perfect Passenger

As the day started out on a crisp clear Saturday morning and going
into a beautiful Saturday afternoon, I decided to do some riding. With
school out on Monday, we were planning on dropping our son off at his
Grandmother's for the weekend. Well, being the brainiac(tm) I am, I
decided to pack him on the motorcycle and take him over there on my
way to starting my riding. Keep in mind this is a (just turned on
Friday) 9 year old who's riding experience in his whole life hasn't
added up to 2 tanks of gas (do the math). I've just kept him riding
around the town locally and a couple jaunts to Rockwall and Wylie and
such. When we were standing in the driveway packing up the motorcycle,
something he said let me know he didn't want to go to his
Grandmother's right then and wanted to spend the day with me (probably
"I don't want to go, I'd rather stay with you"). Well, we made a deal
that if he was good and minded me then he could go with me and spend
the whole day with me. In the back of my mind, I kept thinking "oh
boy, I'm planning on riding and taking someone along where I won't
enjoy the ride". MAN! Was I ever wrong. We stradled the bike and first
headed to Target to buy him some real riding clothes. I bought him a
long sleeve shirt and some Sponge Bob candy (the little guy needs
nurishment) and put the shirt on him in front of the store. After we
got set, we headed out to Arlington. I noticed after we were riding
down the highway, he was playing around back behind me, but it wasn't
like he was disrupting or not paying attention to what the motorcycle
was doing. After doing the Arlington thing, we were leaving and about
to get back on I-20 from Cooper. As anyone knows who's been there,
there's a swooping turn of a ramp that invites bikers to challenge the
posting to prove it wrong. Well, I pulled into that turn and without
any thought I figured I'd push it a little bit to see what Mike was
going to do. To my surprise, I looked in the mirror while I was going
into the turn and didn't see Mike. I went to moving to see if he was
really back there or if he fell off. He was right inline with me and
watching what I was doing without leaning out around me. We came out
of the turn and I leaned the other way to get on the highway...there
was Mike right inline with me again. Well, as the day went on and we
finished up the westside stuff, we heading east. As luck would have
it, the traffic shut down just west of downtown Dallas. I stopped for
a minute and thought about the situation...and decided to ride "my
ride". I picked up my feet and hit the line. I know, I know....I have
Mike on with me, but let's just see how he takes to this new cozy
riding between the cars. As we rode through there, he didn't budge or
say anything. He just sat there watching the cars as we went by them.
On a side note, WHAT'S UP WITH THESE BIKERS RIDING LIKE THEY'RE
DRIVING CARS? We passed a whole bunch of bikes that were sitting there
in that traffic and acting like they were driving cars. That just bugs
me. Ok, back to the story. Anyway, after we left the traffic trying to
get into Fair Park, I started thinking about going to Grand Saline to
check out this computer parts warehouse. Well, why not? Grand Saline
is only about 60 miles east of Mesquite and would be a nice ride. Mike
was used to riding on hot top highways, so we'll try it. Well, when I
got to the 30/80 cut-off, I went 80 toward Terrell. When we were
pulling into Terrell, Mike leaned up and said "where are we going?". I
told him we were going to Grand Saline and we would go home later.
Mike said "ok" and leaned back resuming the "Mike thing". Now, even
though 80 is a hot top highway that runs pretty straight, there is a
portion that has a few curves...and again, I kept having to check if
Mike was still back there. When we got to Grand Saline, we needed gas
so I pulled into a gas station and told Mike to get off the bike and
walk around a bit. I pumped the gas and he stood right there talking
to me. He said "Dad, I'm thirsty", so we made a trip inside and bought
a coke to share. When it was time to go, Mike was already on the bike
and ready. Some old man pulled up behind us and started making
conversation about how young Mike was. Well, as we rode back I found a
couple new roads to try out and hit those too. I had been hesitant to
run the bike where I was cracking the throttle open, afraid what Mike
might do. He doesn't really like the loud pipes (he's just not
impressed) and I don't hit the throttle because of the sound it puts
out and what he might do to react to the force of the bike jarring
under power. Well, when we were coming through Mesquite, I exited onto
Galloway and had to ride across Mesquite on Galloway. As luck would
have it, I was hitting the green lights perfect where if I adjusted my
speed I could make them. The first one came up and I had to gain speed
to make it and get around a car...I hit the throttle a bit. When I
did, I felt these hands tighten on my waist...not around my waist,
just the sides. I thought, "this is just a fluke...he didn't mean to".
Next light came up and I did it again thinking I'd find out one way or
the other. When I hit the throttle this time, I hit with a little more
temperment...and I felt those hands on my waist again. The third (or
might've been the fouth time) I got ready to hit the throttle, I
wanted to see if he was paying attention to me or the bike. I set up
and got ready, but instead of just twisting the throttle, I was going
to downshift and give a small jolt. I pulled in the clutch, and
"click"...next thing I felt was those hands tighten a little tighter
on the sides of my waist like he knew what was about to happen. I let
my fingers drop the clutch and BOOM we were gone. I finally turned
onto our street and was riding up the road to our house, Mike leaned
up and asked "Dad, was I good today?". I thought back about all the
passengers who've been on behind me. I thought about all the times I
had to struggle with the bike in turns because someone was looking out
around me. I thought about the many complaints I had from the
passenger about my riding "you almost killed me back there". I thought
about the many times I had to tell passengers "HANG ON!". And here's a
9 year old (since Friday) who has no serious time on a motorcycle and
rode better than anyone I've ever had on behind me. He didn't complain
about my riding. He sat behind me and watched what I was doing without
looking out around me. He didn't sit upright in turns, and he didn't
lean too far. He didn't complain or have to be told to get on the
motorcycle when it was time to leave. For putting about 240 miles on
his little butt, he did just perfect.

Even though he doesn't like the pipes on the bike...he might turn out
to make a good biker after all!

 

LMAO.. Just in case it hasn't occurred to anyone, that's my grandson, he's
talking about.. Gonna be a dandy, guarantee it..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

Hey Brian!

Sounds like you both had a great time. I'm glad to hear that
he did so well on the back and that you two go to spend some good
quality time together. I'm sure his grandmother's would have been
just fine, but he'll probably remember the first real day of riding
with his old man. ;-)

I think kids are easier because in most situations they just
aren't afraid like most of us adults are. I snow ski and you REALLY
see it, then. The kids just fly down the mountain....it's not because
they are better, it's because they aren't afraid to just fly. My own
skiing improved dramatically when I stopped being so afraid to gain
some speed and just started saying "f**k it" and pointing my ski's and
going. Soon as I did that I was able to start skiing some blacks!

We have a lot to learn from kids if we'll just open our eyes
up again.

Personably, I don't lane split. Two main reasons.....first
off, it's illegal and I don't need a ticket. Secondly, because the
morons in cages around here will TRY to take you out just because they
don't like the fact that you are on a bike and can do that. I'm not
saying it's right or fair or whatever, but cagers have NO idea how
even just a little "bump" can kill someone at even very slow speeds.

Now I am not saying I have never done it, but it's pretty rare
and it really depends on the situation at hand.


--Fullstate

 

Here's a webpage that deals with it.
http://www.phuzzygnu.com/lanesplitting.html
I come to the opposite conclusion of the author of the webpage. It is
clearly violating several laws to split lanes, even though there is no
specific prohibition against it. In particular the riding in a single
marked lane, and passing on the left at a safe distance. I think 2 feet is
probably not considered a safe distance. Even if it was legal, I think it's
way too dangerous. Also, like stunters and loud pipes, it gives the general
public a negative view of motorcyclists.
Rob

 

In talking to some of my LEO friends in various jurisdictions, I have also
been under that impression for a long time... I am surprised to hear that
there is no factual law..

Everyone said they would write some type of ticket, but as I read

The officer bent on writing a ticket will usually resort to "unsafe
operation of a motor vehicle when he can't come up with anything else..


So I started looking,

I am pleased to know this, Stephan.. LOL... I "split lanes" frequently and
have done so, since I was in California for an extended period, back in the
eighties..

Of course,

Taking quite a bit upon myself and not being a student of the law or
anything, I will offer this one.. In one of the Dallas Courts, I talked to a
guy who was there to resolve a citation he received on his motorcycle.. The
officer had cited him for "unsafe operation of a motor vehicle".. He
elaborated and explained that he was "lane splitting" or "white lining".. He
was also a California biker and rendered a "not guilty" plea.. The judge, of
course listened and issued a "guilty" decision.. Don't recall the amount,
but it was a substantial fine..

Me too.. good post and look forward to many responses.. BTW... good to see
your smiling face on here again..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

There are many infractions we can be cited for.. You named a couple.. While
on an extended stay in California, I was sitting in a parking lot on the
infamous Interstate 5, when a motorcycle CHiP pulled up to me and instructed
me to "white line".. He led me through about ten miles of the parking lot
and when we were clear (reasonably) he pulled off .. I stopped and visited
with him and he explained the system in California to me.. Afterwards, I
have "white lined", whenever prudent.. In instances where the traffic is
moving slowly but surely, it could be dangerous due to lane changing by
cages.. When the traffic is standstill or gridlock.. there isn't much to
worry about because they are stopped and can't change anything especially
lanes.. Also it makes it difficult for some asshole cop to chase or follow
you in that situation.. LOL pros and cons...Using your good judgement based
on your ability to handle the bike, etc.. is the best rule..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

Using your good judgement is the best call. If I was stuck in an endless
back up and traffic wasn't moving, I would be tempted.
Rob

 

Steve -

I am not going to argue about the fact that technically lane
splitting is not illegal in Texas. But, since it violates several
different laws you are really just splitting hairs. To me, the bottom
line is that if you lane split you can be cited for it. I don't give
a rats ass what you call it when the ticket is written, I have to pay
for it.


--Fullstate

 

Yep. As with all other infractions, it comes down to the opinion of the
officer on the scene.

Also, I'd imagine that if anything goes wrong, the cyclist who chose to
share a lane with another vehicle will be cited.

Agreed. All you need is some bozo in his pick-em-up who get irritated that
he's gotta wait while some &*$#@ biker gets to go past him, so he'll show
the biker by opening his door.

Thanks, but no thanks.

--
Albert Nurick


'97 Honda Pacific Coast
'93 Honda Helix
'87 Honda Helix

 

No one is recommending to anyone .. Each of us must use our own judgement as
to our capablities and control.. The discussion has been related to the
legalities of "lane splitting".. Many, like me have been under the
impression that the practice is illegal in our state.. I was informed in
California that bikers are encourage to split lanes and white line, in order
to alleviate congestion on the freeways and streets.. Some have been cited
for obstructing traffic, when they refused to comply.. Probably isolated and
may be extreme, but whatever the case, different strokes for different
folks.. One's own skills and expertise have to be considered.. As I say, I
wouldn't recommend anything to anyone about how they elect to operate their
motorcycle.. As many who have ridden with me can verify.... I ride my
motorcycle, my way and expect everyone else to do the same...

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

Sorry Steve, wasn't trying to be quite so ornery as I was. It's just
one of those things to me where you get down to arguing semantics, but
in the end I'd still be paying for a ticket. ;-)

I think most of us on the group have always appreciated your comments
and insightfulness when it comes to legal issues. I know that I sure
do!



--Fullstate

 

LOL - that is pretty funny. I don't ride two-up very often. Mainly,
for me, it comes down to two things:

1 - I won't take people on the back that outweigh me. To me, it's
just not very safe.

2 - when I am doing long rides and know I want to play a bit.



--Fullstate

 

Whoa. This is coming from a cop!?!??! I'm pleasantly surprised.

In CA that doesn't mean that the motorcycle tires are not on the white
line or over it, but that the *entire* motorcycle is not "hanging" into
another lane or onto the shoulder. At least, that's what some cops and
judges say when they need to keep their ticket quotas up. I imagine that
someone in Texas would try to make that same argument.

I still think it's practically criminal that lanesplitting isn't clearly
legal in Texas...most of the traffic lanes that I've seen around are wide
enough to facilitate easy lanesplitting...definitely wider than most CA
lanes these days.

RHSD
--
-------------

Red-Haired She-Devil

Asshole 110

www.casadiablos.com/rhsd_page.htm

reply to: shedevilatpoboxdotcom

 

Stephan is clearly one of the Good Guys. We're lucky to have his
perspective here in tx.motorcycles, not to mention his sound judgement out
there protecting all of us here in Texas.

--
Albert Nurick


'97 Honda Pacific Coast
'93 Honda Helix
'87 Honda Helix

 

Eh, considering the overly rampant overdevelopment I'm seeing in Texas
(which is SO Californian, btw), Texans aren't THAT different from some
other parts of the country in some aspects, heheheheh. I know that's not
what you were talking about, but still.

VERY cool. I hope your outlook becomes the norm in more places.

Like I very briefly touched on, I think it depends more on whether the
cop and/or judge wants to keep the ticket quotas up than what the law
actually *says*. That interpretative stuff can make for some interesting
decisions!

I've done the majority of my riding in CA, with a LOT of lanesplitting
thrown in there. Lanesplitting's a potentially dangerous practice, but so
is motorcycling in general. It takes good judgement and quick
reflexes...just like motorcycling in general. Once one gets the hang of
it, it becomes easier to see a potential iffy situation before it
happens, therefore one can avoid most nasty consequences when one needs
to.

Also, the argument has been made that sitting in gridlock can actually
put a motorcyclist at greater risk for being rearended by the vehicle
behind them, since most likely the doofus behind them probably won't see
them. Hell, I had a friend who used to drive an Acura or some such
smaller car and got rearended twice by the same big 18-wheeler while
crawling along a completely gridlocked CA freeway. Thankfully everyone
was going slow so that the car was tapped more than hammered, but if it
had been a bike, more serious injury would've resulted.

RHSD

--
-------------

Red-Haired She-Devil

Asshole 110

www.casadiablos.com/rhsd_page.htm

reply to: shedevilatpoboxdotcom

 

I suggest it is not quite the same in "larger metropolitan areas" in
Texas. They build the same gestapo types here as in Houston, LA,
Atlanta, etc.

Charles

 

Hmm...

Sorry to start such a stir...

I was mostly referring to the fact that so many motorcyclists ride
like they're driving a car. Many of the motorcycles that we came up on
we didn't see until we were right on top of them. Most of the time
when there are wrecks in traffic like that involving a motorcycle it's
because someone in a car didn't see them and switched lanes or
something...and the motorcyclist thinks he has no where to go.

If someone splits lanes or not, that's their decision. I personally
don't like to stop. When traffic stops, I just go through it finding
the best path and using my best judgement to get through it. I don't
blast up a single line and such....instead I'll make my way through
the traffic and sometimes even falling back into the traffic until I
feel another path can be achieved.

Specifics that I make sure to stay within when I DO go through traffic
is:
Passing on shoulder when danger exists (legal in the traffic code)
Passing to the right of cars (legal in the traffic code)

And besides: I haven't found a ticket writing jerk-off cop who's
willing to drive his Crown Vic in the space I'm willing to ride my
motorcycle. They might puff up their chest about writing tickets and
throwing someone in jail, but it's a different deal to find a cop
willing to drive their car between other cars to catch me.

That reminds me of a training officer with the Dallas Sherriff's Dept
(years ago). He had a recruit with him and was going south on I-45.
They noticed a car driving into triple digits going north. The recruit
hit his lights and started turning around. The training officer asked
"what are you doing?". The recruit replied that they needed to go stop
that car and throw him in jail. The trainer flipped off the lights and
told the recruit to turn back around and don't worry about it. The
recruit looked puzzled and wanted to know why the trainer would say
such a thing. The trainer said "anyone going that fast is either a cop
or crazy....either way, we're not going to kill ourselves to find
out".

 

Your points about bicycles are well taken.. There is a great difference
between a bicycle and a motorcycle, however.. The motorcycle travels at
speeds comparable to the traveling automobile or truck.. The bicycle travels
much slower than the speed limit.. Highway speed is the reference I am
using in this comparison..Although your enthusiasm for the mode of
transportation is commendible, I'd caution to remember to travel far to the
right and in line with other bicycles traveling with you.. One of the
infuriating irritants to any motorist, be he driving a car or a motorcycle,
is to be trapped behind a group of bicyclist toodling along, abreast and
resticting passing zones..

 

Hey Bill -

I seem to recall, and you may too, a particular bicyclist that
was in the MIDDLE of the freaking road over a crest and around a bend.
Granted, I was traveling at excessive speeds, but glad that I was able
to correct for and avoid taking this person out. Had they been more
to the right, like their friend, it would not have been an issue.

I think this falls in line with what Brian was eluding to
earlier. That being that each situation requires thought and
consideration not only about yourself, but what others might do as
well.

--Fullstate

 

In this instance, the bicyclist was not in a group and there was no apparent
reason for the man and his wife (the bike was built for two) to remain in
their position.. For the sake of common courtesy, he could have moved to his
right to clear the lane for passing traffic..He chose to continue at a speed
of about 15 mph, maintained his position arrogantly defying and obstructing
the traffic..This is the attitudes and posturing that causes deaths and
accidents of motorists trying to avoid them.. Motorized vehicles also have
rights and expectations to travel the highways at accepted speed limits,
without the risk of dodging or inflicting harm on a thoughtless bicyclist
who doesn't have the common sense and courtesy to move to the right.. (note:
not on the shoulder).. Making a "statement" to exercise one's rights is only
an invitation to disaster.. Thankfully, the group of motorcyclests involved
in this incident, were seasoned and avoided any such accident by sheer
experience and ability..Many times, I have compromised my own "rights" and
taken the "safe" alternative, rather than risk the alternative of an
accident..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker