Would you lane split with a blast?

[just_some_dude]

I was just wondering if anyone has ever tried to lane split with a Blast. I feel as though it may not have the acceleration ability to really move when needed.

It seems as though a car can accelerate faster than the Blast.

Any thoughts?

 

[xtremelow]

Don't lane split myself as I don't feel it is worth the risk physically and or financially. MI it is illegal.

Assuming you live in CA where it is legal I would stay away from it on a Blast as the only thing you need to have a bad day is anyone with an attitude about bikes and you may end up on the wrong side of a cage match[smirk]

 

[MAGIC]

Illegal in IL as well. I do it sometimes on my XB anyway - only when it's hot outside and traffic is literally crawling (5 - 10 mph). In these conditions I would lane split on the Blast. Anything faster I would stay away from splitting.

 

[upthemaiden]

Lane splitting doesn't really have anything to do with acceleration, and everything to do with you being able to read traffic really well. I do it downtown on my bicycle all the time so it's really nothing to do with HP. It's not really something you want to do if traffic is actually moving, pretty much just a gridlock thing so cars shouldn't be able to accelerate at all. All you need to do is keep an eye out for car doors and people who may decide to change lanes.

Wish I could do it on my XB when I get stuck in traffic but I don't.

 

[just_some_dude]

Do you normally limit the amount of distance you lane split or will you do it for miles?

 

[theoctopus]

I frequently lane split for miles. I commute into Los Angeles on my bike on the regular, and it can be 2.5 hours to cover the 30 mile distance if you sit in normal traffic. Luckily, the space between the carpool lane and the fast lane is extra large, so there's plenty of room to work with. Also, in CA the carpool lane is a double yellow line (cannot cross) most of the time, with only certain sections opening up for transfer of vehicles. Makes it easy to split lanes for long distances, then shift over into the normal traffic pattern when vehicles are changing positions.

 

[just_some_dude]

Lane splitting doesn't really have anything to do with acceleration, and everything to do with you being able to read traffic really well....

I guess what I meant by acceleration is when you get to that car that wants to cause a problem. To be able to take off without worrying about them being able to accelerate faster or even catch up.

To give a more clear example, let's say I'm lane splitting on the highway going about 15 mph. There's an opening up ahead and I am looking to fit myself back into the lane. But the car next to me isn't too happy I'm lane splitting, so they speed up to make it difficult to get into the lane I need.

Or, I filter through a light to the head of the pack. Next to me is a driver pissed that I "skipped" everyone and wants to run me off the road when the light turns green.

I don't think the Blast accelerates fast enough to deal with those situations, but I could be wrong.

 

[J_Undisputed]

In either of those situations, you're on a bike... You lose. Not because of your displacement. Because the amount of force they need to apply to give you a real bad day is minimal to them.
To answer your question, if you're hoping to out run them or beat someone to a spot, it's conceivable but not likely. If you get there microsecond before, you're counting on their reflexes and distance judging not to hit you. Its kind of one of those questions that gets filed under "if you have to ask, you're not ready... and its already a bad idea to think about it..." Just my opinion of course...

In NYC, its illegal to lane split. I'll only do it traffic is stopped for a prolonged amount of time and I am trying to keep the bike from overheating.

 

[sk8ace]

I bet it would be just fine, the blast is prob faster than most cars light to light. Just make sure you get the jump on people. Don't sit there and rev, be quiet just until the light goes green

I wish I could have lane split last weekend on 79.. UGH that traffic was horrible.. stop and go for an hour on top of a 2 hour ride. I have burn marks on my legs from my frame heating up. I didn't feel like pissing everyone off and getting run over from someone with road rage or risk a cop seeing me.. so I sat there sweating to death lol

 

[ezblast]

All the time - it is why my bars have all been shortened, and I do not use expensive barend mirrors but fold-able inexpensive barend mirrors.
EZ

 

[just_some_dude]

It's illegal for more than one vehicle to occupy a lane space (unless it's 2 motorcycles), but it's extremely tempting to do.

I'm not really worried about the police, more worried about the craphole that opens his door or cuts me off on purpose.

 

[squidbuellie]

i myself wouldn't ride a blast (245lbs) but if that was what i was riding hell yeah i would lane split.

I'm not really worried about the police, more worried about the craphole that opens his door or cuts me off on purpose.

getting cut off is the nature of riding no different then going around a oil spot or dodging some debris on the road. you would have to worry more riding in the city(san francisco) with people parking there cars and opening there doors with out looking, then some frictional person opening there door on the freeway(only in the movies). on top of that opening a car door on the freeway to hit a motorcycle would more then likely be classified as attempted murder.

 

[SWATcltch]

I've never lane split, as of now but I'd like to try it some time. If you really wind the engine out through the gears then yes a Blast is quicker light to light. As for being quiet until the moment of the strike, that wouldn't work for me. Kerker exhaust is just a little on the loud side.