[QUOTE=AYLflyer;3683656]The rest of the civilized world does this, and it's fantastic.

Civilized world? I've seen enough motorcycle riders lying hurt on the highway in France to realize that its not civilized, its just riders started doing it and the law agencies didn't stop them.

 

Rickair7777 was only offering some personal insight for safety. I have no issue with that. I, too, have ridden motorcycles in Los Angeles on the freeway. The legal lane splitting is something I utilized sparingly. There are a lot of knuckleheads on LA freeways that have no regard for the solid white line and dart in and out of the carpool lane on a whim. Scares the heck out of me.
I noticed that the motorcycle parking at the LAX garages is very convenient. No bus ride to the terminal and a brief walk to the checkpoint.

When I rode, It was steel-toe boots, levis, and a leather jacket. Now in my old age, I prefer the air-conditioned comfort of my Mercedes, but I don't have to drive to LAX anymore. To each his own.

 

The cruiser/bagger riders have lots of bad outcomes. It’s usually not from high speed like the sport bikes, but from the culture where it’s cool to ride to a bar for a few beers, but not cool to wear a helmet, much less protective gear. Hit your head on the pavement at 40 mph with a helmet and protective gear and you’re probably sore the next day. Do the same without a helmet and wearing jeans and an t-shirt and you’re covered in road rash, that is if you’re alive. Motorcycles are like fast women. They’re both a ton of fun, but for god’s sake…….suit up.

 

Well I’m saying that as a rider who rode nearly every day for 10 years in SoCal, the majority of *weekday* work commuters do know and expect motorcycles to be splitting lanes between the carpool and #1 lane. It is routine to see multiple cars edge slightly to the left of the carpool lane to make additional room as a rider is approaching, and this usually dominoes.
Also, commuters on bikes are a lot more common in LA than other places I’ve been because it’s all-season riding. So it was not uncommon to be riding in a train of legit 3-5 bikes who just happen to be on the same freeway. Bikes are much more a part of freeway traffic in LA. It is a very different vibe than every other place I’ve been. The culture is different.

Yes there are the occasional bad drivers or even rage drivers (I’ve had both experiences and they get your heart rate up), but that can happen in anything in life. Even driving your car is a risk that most Americans blindly accept (40k die in wrecks a year I believe).

And for people who think lane filtering is just dangerous or reckless; there are way to lane filter. Ideally (per highway patrol guidance) you only go 5-15mph faster than the flow of traffic. This means that when you see a potential for a car changing lanes, you slow down so you don’t zip through their blind spot right when they’re turning. If there are no spots available for a car to change lanes, you can safely ride faster. Cars don’t often just randomly switch lanes directly into another a car so you can generally pretty much count yourself safe if you are between two cars.

This is very accurate. Weekday drivers kind of know the drill and it’s easy to expect what they’re gonna do. The weekend/holiday drivers are not as predictable and on those days I would filter at a slower speed.

 

Some people get lucky on motorcycles. Some dont. The simple fact is if you get hit you are naked. Period.

 

In the end that is the issue. I have had to many friends get maimed on Bikes. My brother raced bikes on the track and taught motor riding to CA police departments. He does not ride on CA streets. He says it’s not a matter of if but when you will get taken out. No one over 65 even sees a bike.
Post covid driving habits seem to make the issue worse. His name for bike riders is “Organ Donors”.

 

Buddy of mine did the motorcycle commute. Veteran rider. Crashed. Nighttime. Other driver didn’t see him. Out for four months, destroyed his luggage, flight kit contents all over the road. Put an end to that.

 

"I have had to many friends get maimed on Bikes."

I personally know five people that died. My uncle got tboned in his truck while i was in the truck with him and i rode with him once on his harley. He vowed to slow down at every intersection as careful as could be and then BAM hit my a auto parts delivery driver cracked his head open on the street and another rider held his hand and watched him die. Family tried to sue the parts company and the driver. Driver was an old man who didnt have anything. Wrongful death suit didnt pay them a dime. You can be the most defensive driver in the world IF you get hit you are most likely going to be a hurting puppy.

 

^^^^^^^

“Often times, the helmet can just option the family an open casket funeral”

-My Dad-

(Fireman/first responder”

 

I used to do it occasionally on turns when the weather was good. I enjoy riding, and parking is easier.

One of my sim partners yeas ago commuted on a Maxi-scooter, from the Woodlands, to Houston. His was a Suzuki Bergman 650 which has a huge secure luggage area under the seat, enough room for 2 full face helmets. He had a luggage rack on the back, where he put his Travelpro. His helmet and riding gear stayed stowed under the seat while he was gone.

There are several Maxi-Scooter brands. I have a Honda , but Yamaha makes one as well as Suzuki. They are very capable on the highway, they’ll all do at least 90mph, and have good windshields.

Weather is the biggest challenge that you will run into. Oh ,keep it covered while you are on the trip. The sun is brutal on bike seat and instruments.