Fridgitator

A few days ago, I stopped by a buddy's house while I was riding around. He wasn't there, but another guy who I've met a few times pulled up shortly after I did on a bike he had just bought. It was a small Harley, no turn signals, no mirrors, parts held on with hanger wire, etc. He had just bought it, and was coming by to ask our mutual buddy for some advice about it. We got talking, and he knew a guy that had some things that a might be interested in for my bike. I agreed to ride with him to go look at the stuff. I had never ridden with this guy before; the few times that I've ridden with anyone, I have always ridden in a staggered formation on the opposite side of the lane and a few lengths back. Once we got underway, he kept waiting for me to pull along side and ride like a pair of motorcycle cops. I know that he couldn't see me without any mirrors, but I just don't feel comfortable riding side by side based on my own lack of experience, let alone not knowing if he's any more roadworthy than his bike. After a few stoplights, where I pulled along side to stop and then let him lead at a distance he figured out that I was not going to play CHIPS with him, and by the time we got where we were going he was obviously insulted or at least quite annoyed. He'll get over it or not, but I think I exercised good judgment in not putting myself in a situation that made my instincts want to scream.

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EstyinTX

You could have just told him at one of the stoplights you were not comfortable sharing a lane - maybe he wouldn't have been so mad, maybe not. But then again, you said he was on a Harley so HE PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE HEARD YOU lol!

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81 GL500 Silverwing
02 VF750 Magna
06 CMX250 Rebel
07 Heritage Softail

flitecontrol

The world is populated with ignorant people (note: ignorance is the state of not being educated, not the same thing as stupidity). Next time you see him, if the opportunity arises, explain why you didn't share a lane with him. If he doesn't understand, well some folks can't be educated.

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I'm keepin' all the left over parts. I'm gonna use 'em to build another bike!

2001 Rebel 250, 1989 Vulcan 750
Putting your bike info in your signature helps others help you!

Jakeman

I wouldn't lane share with some one I just started riding with either. You have no way of knowing what kind of rider they are and you can't just take their word for it. Everyone thinks they are a great driver/rider.

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EUS

I think you showed excellent riding skills. I will never share a lane even with someone I ride with all the time. I like to have my own space in a lane just in case. And you all know how fast just in case can happen. Our goal is to ride safe so that we have many years of riding in front of us. I wouldn't care what he thought of you, you have pretty much told us what you think of him. I think you must have been quite uncomfortable on that ride. Good for you.

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cagie

If you feel like the other person could have a ego problem, you could have done like I have in the past and told him that he probably didn't want to ride next to me since I never seem to be able to hold a straight line. That put the onus on yourself and not him. Of course I can hold line, but he wouldn't need to know that...

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Comments contained in my posts are not intended to cause physical or psychological stress and are mearly my two cents worth, and in this economy, that's cheap!
87 CMX250C 'the Pygmy Pony'
87 CMX450C 'Black Lithium'

Guba

I think you excersized good judgement.

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Some days beer tastes good...other days beer tastes better!

'07 Rebel 250 26,000 miles

flitecontrol

Lane sharing is a bad idea, period. If either rider isn't constantly on top of their ride, bad things can happen to both riders before either one has time to react. I never assume the cager sees me. Why would I assume another rider won't make a mistake?

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I'm keepin' all the left over parts. I'm gonna use 'em to build another bike!

2001 Rebel 250, 1989 Vulcan 750
Putting your bike info in your signature helps others help you!

JunkyardDog

Lane sharing is legal here in AZ, but I agree it is not a good idea. When I ride with someone else, I usually ride fairly close, or they do, but in a staggered formation, one to the right, one to the left, but always one in front of the other.

As far as cage herders, you have to always expect them to do something dumb, but a motorcyclist just can't afford to be doing dumb things. Those that do don't tend to last very long. They either get killed, or they have a bad accident and give up riding. Again, Darwinism in action. Jerry.

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Fridgitator

Thanks, Guys. It is indeed impressive to see a bunch of riders who know what they are doing ride in formation, but I'm not out to impress with my non-existent parade skills. I trust my gut. When it tells me that I need the whole lane, I listen.

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