[Chagall1012]

Hello,

Looking forward to meeting fellow Ninja 1000 owners. I've had my bike for about 6 mos. and about 4K miles and I love it.

 

[ToNY97]

Welcome year-round lane-splitting member.
What year and color?

 

[ydo]

Welcome. You have the best weather for year-round riding, but you also have the worst traffic.

Actually you're minutes away from some great roads over there...jealous.

 

[Chagall1012]

My 2012 is Kawasaki Lime green and black. Pretty much stock.

and yes, we have a solid combo of the best roads and the most congested roads. Keeps your lane-splitting skills sharp.

 

[ToNY97]

If I have to choose between 2 over taxed and regulated states like NY and CA, I'll take the better weather.

Weather and Lane splitting trumps congestion.

Actually when I was there in April, I didn't think the freeways were that bad. I drove at different times on different roads and never came to a standstill.
I could get used to no potholes.

On an unrelated note, I would have invested in water desalination plants instead of high speed rail.

 

[Chagall1012]

Yes, thankfully it is rare that you have to come to a standstill on the freeway. If it happens, it is usually because you are on a single lane transition road (from one fwy to another) in heavy traffic or you're lane splitting in traffic and the driver in front of you encroaches the lane due to texting or other phone related activity.

in 30 years of motorcycling, I've never seriously ridden outside CA. Are the cops in NY keen on pulling you over if they see you splitting? Hate to rub it in, but I can't imagine riding w/o being able to split lanes.

and most Californians live in denial that our tax dollars are going to some high speed rail between northern and southern CA that will probably ride like most public transportation here rides: mostly empty.

 

[ToNY97]

I might lane filter at a stop light but I rarely lane split. I don't know how aggressive the cops are about it but we know we don't have an excuse if we're caught.
It's amazing that of all the states, lane splitting is legal in nanny state CA.
"Yes means Yes."

 

[cowasockee]

Absolutely no lane splitting in the fine midwest city of Louisville, Ky. People don't expect it, and it'll surprise the heck out of them, and, thusly, it's a good way to get hurt.

 

[OCBrit]

So glad I "chose" the right state to emigrate to as far as legality of filtering/lane-splitting - even after a fair-few years off 2-wheels it still comes naturally to filter/split lanes!

Chagall, have you ventured south yet? Some really great roads and I have some friends who really know the best routes!

 

[Chagall1012]

South, as in south of Orange County? I've done both grades of Palomar and the roads between Fallbrook and Murrietta and also Julian and Sunrise Hwy. Those are nice twisties. I usually prefer those in the winter since they don't get as cold. My favorite route though is north to Angeles Crest Hwy to Wrightwood then across the 15 fwy to Crestline via Hwy 138, then down Hwy 18. On the way home we go up the east fork of Glendora to Azusa Canyon. About 280 miles and a lot of fast twisties and good technical turns.

I'm sorry, I got caught in a tangent. Which roads do you like?

 

[OCBrit]

Well south of you generally, but you got one the routes I was talking about - up to Palomar although there is a fair bit of freeway riding to get to the interesting bits. I've only done it the once a month or so ago and it was amazing! I also like the Ortega Highway to Lake Elsinore, although i just do it as an out and back route, with a relaxed lunch stop at Hells Kitchen.

 

[Chagall1012]

You know, I've been through Ortega Hwy as an out and back route probably a dozen times in the last year, but I have never stopped at ****'s kitchen. It's usually not open when we first pass there at the crack of dawn and we are usually tired and itching to get home on the back route. Plus my bike does not have enough chrome to qualify for a parking spot there.... hahaha.

Next time you stop at **** Kitchen, take a little detour to the South Main Divide. It's just east of ****'s Kitchen and it goes south up the hills just past the fire station. It's about 6 miles of fast turns and amazing views of Lake Smell-some-more. And even better, there's usually no one up there.

In fact, I'll be passing through there this weekend. Temecula Motorsports is having a Victory factory demo ride. I'm not into cruisers but their demo rides are usually really nice. Plus they have a nice spread for lunch...

 

[OCBrit]

Don't let the type of bikes parked outside put you off, the guy who founded the place is a self confessed sportsbike rider and wanted to open a place where all riders were welcome. I must admit I go during the week for lunch with a neighbour of mine (60+) who does ring the neck of his Honda ST. I just enjoy the low pressure ride and a chance to get out!

I will have to take the additional route you mention next time I head out there though.

I must admit if I was to consider heading towards the cruiser market then Victory would the first I would look at after the Triumph Rocket. Let me know about the next demo day, unfortunately I have 2 separate things that have already grabbed me this weekend.

 

[Edeh]

Awe played on those roads many many times on my first Ninja back in 1985! Palomar - say no more!

 

[Chagall1012]

Palomar is great. it has a few turns where the actual radius of the turn decreases as you go through the turn forcing you to adjust speed. Especially the south grade of Palomar. If you can time it when the photographers are out there, you can see your pictures as you're slammed through a turn online. Pretty cool.

Hey OCBrit, went to the Victory Demo at Temecula motorsports. It was a lot of fun. My favorite was the Hammer 8-Ball with a 250 mm rear tire. The instrument panel even showed a gear indicator and tachometer. Not common on a cruiser. It was nice, but I was very happy to get back on my N1K!

 

[OCBrit]

Ah yes, the reducing radius turn - the classic sphincter tightening event for almost all riders! A true test of a rider and why I keep "education" closer to the mind!