Motorcycle.com

Grover · 06-06-2002, 11:42 AM

Here's my off-topic comment for the day...

I've ridden through Cali twice now and I've decided one of the best parts about it is lane-splitting. While there are those who scoff at such behavior, in my defense, I only did it when traffic got really gnarled.

The question I would like answered is: What steps were taken that lead to lane-splitting being legalized in California, and what are some opinions on how to lobby for it in my own state?

Perhaps I should mention that "my own state" also happens to be the home of a certain Motor Company that builds big, slow, and heavy motorcycles that generally wouldn't fit well between lanes anyway.

coqui · 06-06-2002, 12:03 PM

Continued off topic....

There are no laws, as far as I know, which make lane splitting legal/illegal in California. Meaning there is no law making it illegal and there is no law saying it is legal. It is up to the discretion of the Police officer to decide whether you are driving in a safe manner. For the most part they don't bother you as long as you are lane splitting at pretty slow speeds, in the 25mph ball park. Keep the rubber side down.

Coqui...

wwalkersd · 06-06-2002, 12:33 PM

Hmm. Didja notice they don't say _where_ in California they're moving? Seems kinda odd to issue a press release that says you're moving if you haven't yet nailed down your destination. Are they keeping it a secret for some reason? Or are they just geographically-challenged easterners for whom "California" means "Los Angeles and environs"?

Then again, maybe this is a request for bids from California cities who want to bring in a new employer. What kind of tax breaks can we get for bringing X jobs to your city? Though, really, with parts and bike distribution outsourced, how many people are left for the HQ to employ? It's probably bigger than MO, but I'd bet it's smaller than, say, Lincoln-Mercury (who will probably be vacating their new Irvine digs and heading back to Detroit soon).

Captain_1 · 06-06-2002, 01:32 PM

California is a good move for Ducati. The automakers all have design centers bordering the pacific for good reason. California is the bellwether of future (especially auto related) trends. Besides, the weather is better in California. Arrivederci Pompton Plains.

Captain_1 · 06-06-2002, 01:52 PM

Ducati N.A. reorganized (axed management) several months ago due to disappointing U.S. results. The new management team has been well received by its retail organization. I don't know Ducati N.A.'s current headcount, but it would probably occupy less than 5% of L-M's Irvine office including a large showroom. It will be interesting to see if Ford moves L-M back to Dearborn. My guess, Mercury gets absorbed into Ford Division, Lincoln gets to stay with direction from PAG.

KPaulCook · 06-06-2002, 02:48 PM

Careful you have said something bad about Harley, you are bound to infamous on this site now.

Poser · 06-06-2002, 03:02 PM

Ok, I am just jealous. I live near the Pacific but spend about ten months of the year being a wet rider. California is a good place for Ducati.

neko · 06-06-2002, 03:35 PM

Damn, I knew I should have tried for a job with them earlier--I used to live 2 miles from their (NJ) HQ. Cali will be much better for them.

4in6 · 06-06-2002, 05:48 PM

The reason it is legal in California is because air cooled motorcycles were overheating in the hot southern California climate. This in turn was causing the already horrable traffic as Mr. Burns can attest to even worse. The law by the way states that motorcycles can lane split in traffic up to 45mph. The motorcycle is not to exceed 5mph faster than surronding traffic. Therefore if traffic is going 15mph your top speed is suppose to be 20mph and so on until traffic reaches 46 mph then you are suppose to fall back into a lane and proceed as usual. So if you can convince the state of Wisconson or the city of Millwaukee (Which is the local indian tribe word meaning the Good Land.) I guess they new way back then that allot of beer was going to be made there. Well any ways back to the original subject. If you can convince them that the extreme heat of your state and gridlock make it sensible than you should be in there.

P.S. Send me some cheese and beer you hoser

v2-90 · 06-06-2002, 05:50 PM

With the big 4 Japanese manufacturers located in the Los Angeles metro area, my money's on Ducati moving to that same location. Perhaps the Irvine/Orange County area, but I can't seem them moving to NoCal, just doesn't make business sense.

Then again, Ducati has always been a bit quirky, so maybe they'll move to Bakersfield or Fresno...

v2-90

06-06-2002, 11:42 AM	#1
Grover Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 175	Re: Ducati North America on the move Here's my off-topic comment for the day... I've ridden through Cali twice now and I've decided one of the best parts about it is lane-splitting. While there are those who scoff at such behavior, in my defense, I only did it when traffic got really gnarled. The question I would like answered is: What steps were taken that lead to lane-splitting being legalized in California, and what are some opinions on how to lobby for it in my own state? Perhaps I should mention that "my own state" also happens to be the home of a certain Motor Company that builds big, slow, and heavy motorcycles that generally wouldn't fit well between lanes anyway.

06-06-2002, 12:03 PM	#2
coqui Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1	Re: Ducati North America on the move Continued off topic.... There are no laws, as far as I know, which make lane splitting legal/illegal in California. Meaning there is no law making it illegal and there is no law saying it is legal. It is up to the discretion of the Police officer to decide whether you are driving in a safe manner. For the most part they don't bother you as long as you are lane splitting at pretty slow speeds, in the 25mph ball park. Keep the rubber side down. Coqui...

06-06-2002, 12:33 PM	#3
wwalkersd Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 246	Re: Ducati North America on the move Hmm. Didja notice they don't say _where_ in California they're moving? Seems kinda odd to issue a press release that says you're moving if you haven't yet nailed down your destination. Are they keeping it a secret for some reason? Or are they just geographically-challenged easterners for whom "California" means "Los Angeles and environs"? Then again, maybe this is a request for bids from California cities who want to bring in a new employer. What kind of tax breaks can we get for bringing X jobs to your city? Though, really, with parts and bike distribution outsourced, how many people are left for the HQ to employ? It's probably bigger than MO, but I'd bet it's smaller than, say, Lincoln-Mercury (who will probably be vacating their new Irvine digs and heading back to Detroit soon).

06-06-2002, 01:32 PM	#4
Captain_1 Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 157	Re: Ducati North America on the move California is a good move for Ducati. The automakers all have design centers bordering the pacific for good reason. California is the bellwether of future (especially auto related) trends. Besides, the weather is better in California. Arrivederci Pompton Plains.

06-06-2002, 01:52 PM	#5
Captain_1 Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 157	Re: Ducati North America on the move Ducati N.A. reorganized (axed management) several months ago due to disappointing U.S. results. The new management team has been well received by its retail organization. I don't know Ducati N.A.'s current headcount, but it would probably occupy less than 5% of L-M's Irvine office including a large showroom. It will be interesting to see if Ford moves L-M back to Dearborn. My guess, Mercury gets absorbed into Ford Division, Lincoln gets to stay with direction from PAG.

Sponsored Links	Remove Advertisements
Motorcycle Forum Advertisement

06-06-2002, 02:48 PM	#6
KPaulCook Banned Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 2,756	Re: Ducati North America on the move Careful you have said something bad about Harley, you are bound to infamous on this site now.

06-06-2002, 03:02 PM	#7
Poser Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 238	Who cares what they do in California, anyway Ok, I am just jealous. I live near the Pacific but spend about ten months of the year being a wet rider. California is a good place for Ducati.

06-06-2002, 03:35 PM	#8
neko Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 8	Re: Ducati North America on the move Damn, I knew I should have tried for a job with them earlier--I used to live 2 miles from their (NJ) HQ. Cali will be much better for them.

06-06-2002, 05:48 PM	#9
4in6 Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 77	Re: Ducati North America on the move The reason it is legal in California is because air cooled motorcycles were overheating in the hot southern California climate. This in turn was causing the already horrable traffic as Mr. Burns can attest to even worse. The law by the way states that motorcycles can lane split in traffic up to 45mph. The motorcycle is not to exceed 5mph faster than surronding traffic. Therefore if traffic is going 15mph your top speed is suppose to be 20mph and so on until traffic reaches 46 mph then you are suppose to fall back into a lane and proceed as usual. So if you can convince the state of Wisconson or the city of Millwaukee (Which is the local indian tribe word meaning the Good Land.) I guess they new way back then that allot of beer was going to be made there. Well any ways back to the original subject. If you can convince them that the extreme heat of your state and gridlock make it sensible than you should be in there. P.S. Send me some cheese and beer you hoser

06-06-2002, 05:50 PM	#10
v2-90 Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 73	Re: Ducati North America on the move With the big 4 Japanese manufacturers located in the Los Angeles metro area, my money's on Ducati moving to that same location. Perhaps the Irvine/Orange County area, but I can't seem them moving to NoCal, just doesn't make business sense. Then again, Ducati has always been a bit quirky, so maybe they'll move to Bakersfield or Fresno... v2-90 __________________ -------------------------------- v2-90 powered by a Pantah...