| Author | Message | ||
     Bigblock |
This Norcal Buelligan is moving to brooklyn next week and I'm looking for good roads and riders, and am wondering about a few things. How is "lane sharing" looked on in NY and the city, can you get away with beanie helmets, stuff like that. My bike will be arriving in NY early April, I hope spring has sprung by then, we've had unusually nice warm weather here for almost two weeks now. Thanks NYC, I hope the great weather follows me... Ray | ||
| Court |
1) How is "lane sharing" looked on in NY and the city? Completey differenty. It's done...but it's an entirely differnt creature. 2) can you get away with beanie helmets? Yes | ||
| Henrik |
Ray; why on earth would you want to leave NorCal for NYC  Count on spending 1 - 2 hours of video-game like City Survival Riding (CSR) to get to some decent roads. Then, count on those road having been visited so frequently by crazy riding squids, that the local constabulary consider them a prime fishing spots - like shooting fish in a barrel. Because or the CSR, I'd strongly advice against riding with only a beanie. I once was cut off and high-sided in the rain on Delancy. I was *very* happy to be wearing full gear (Thanks Court) considering the 45 foot slide that followed. Interesting to note, that not one car stopped and not one person came to help until I plain stopped a car and ordered the driver out to help me get the bike up - I'd broke a couple of ribs and using my left side much wasn't an option. Because of the very heavy traffic load in the City, most roads get slick as soap (no kidding) in the rain, so be careful. Lane splitting is done, but count on some (insert unpleasant expletive here) cutting you off at some point. The NYPD and NJPD frown on that kind of behavior, and depending on your attitude can earn you a warning (please remember to say "Thank You"  or a big fat ticket. There is pretty good riding if you head up towards the Catskills or out towards the Poconos, but it'll be a full day of riding to the tune of 250 - 400 miles before you're back home. Henrik | ||
| Buell2001b |
Ray; why on earth would you want to leave NorCal for NYC lol yes why? have you lost your mind. make sure you get an anti theft for the bike and full coverage. Remember its NY and its next to NJ. enough said. | ||
| Bigblock |
Why oh why oh why???????????????????? I have an absolutely wonderful girlfriend of 3 years whose only flaw is she hasn't moved out here yet. I have my choice of full time employment in NY, I've been hurting for good work here. I have a few good friends and I have family in NY. I hope that's reason enough, but I ask myself that every day! And yes, it is quite possible that I have lost my mind. I don't usually wear a beanie, but sometimes the weather is just right, and you need to feel the wind. I never put a helmet on until it became law, then it was beanie helmet for years, I ended up using a full face after I got my Buell, and since I got my Arai, I use it 99.9% of the time. I lived in NY for a year and a 1/2 a couple years ago, but I didn't have my bike in NY then, it was still out here. So I have some NY experience, just not NY cycle experience. Thanks for the feedback, Court , Henrik and 2001- any other sage advice, hints or Ideas gladly accepted. Any one interested in getting together in NY for a ride, bike talk or a beer- let me know- Thanks again, Ray | ||
| Buell2001b |
you might wnat to try this in manhatan NY. in Summer ride the bike around 6AM on a sat morning. Its is quite an experience. The city is dead becuase people are sleeping from the clubbing they just left arounf 4am. the sun is just rising and you can go fast and cruise with hardly any traffic. the best steet to do this is the one on central park if you are going from south to north. its sweet. maybe we get together next time i visit NY. | ||
| Buelluk |
Big Block, If you want to go helmetless , you can always venture up to CT and take your chances with the numnuts on I-95 | ||
| Bigblock |
I-95!? I've driven on that road, not exactly what I'd call a real motorcycle friendly place! I like the idea of that am central park ride, though! Let me know when you in NY 2001. Keep the info coming guys, thanks. Ciao for now, Ray | ||
| Gomo |
If you ever want to head north about 1 1/2 hrs let me know. We could do some riding in the Hudson Valley/Catskill area. No shortage of great roads, just not enough hours in a day to do them all. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
I would like to see a picture of the girl that made a Northern California Buelligan take complete leave of his senses:-) | ||
| Jersey_thunder |
I have an absolutely wonderful girlfriend of 3 years whose only flaw is she hasn't moved out here yet. YOU HAD THE PERFECT SET UP!!!!! NEW YORK???...GO BACK WHILE YOU STILL CAN!!! T | ||
| Bigblock |
"Had the perfect set up." Hmmm, that's funny, I've heard that before... She says she will give California a try in 2 1/2 years or less, and I am going to be seriously pushing the LESS... | ||
| Bigblock |
Seems my image file is too big, so no pic for you, Jon... Gomo, I very well may take you up on that offer... And it seems more real every day, the bike mover just called today, he is picking my bike up tomorrow, I thought I had untill I leave next week, but I guess they are running ahead of schedule. My bike is leaving before me, now I have to go!!!!!!!!!! I can't back out now, I'll be Buelless. Not a happy place! Well, I always have wanted to ride cross country... Ray | ||
| Bigblock |
Court, I might be interested in learning more of this "Creature" you call lanesharing in NY. As man whose precedes reputation him, all ears am I... Thanks Ray | ||
| Henrik |
Lane sharing; most traffic signs and indications in NYC are really just suggestions. For instance; those stripes on the road are really just there to indicate that it may be a good idea to ride/drive parallel to them rather than perpendicular to them. Likewise with the empty space between said lines; if you choose to ride parallel to the lines, you can choose to situate yourself between the lines ... or not. But you'll notice that it seems to be mostly up to the individual to choose what works for him/her. So in the city, what lane you're in and whose lane it is, and should someone be in that lane with you becomes quite blurred. Henrik | ||
| Bigblock |
Ah yes, I seem to recall something about the vagueness of lane choice in the City... Then, the real question is what happens to this Idea and the practice of motorcycle lanesharing as you head out of the city and upstate, or into Conn. or Jersey? Of course, I'm talking times of congestion here, not splitting lanes at 90 when the traffic is flowing 50! Ray | ||
| Yeags30 |
Ray i'm up in Albany and i'm a easy commute to the city and some nice mountain roads..... are u interested in the gotham motorcycle classic?? A bunch of us are going. Will probably meet up when we get there. | ||
| Henrik |
If you're spotted lane "sharing" anywhere outside of the City, you're likely to get pulled over. I've gotten pulled over twice heading back into the City through the Holland Tunnel. Likely about 1/2 hour of backed up traffic, so I "filtered", was spotted and pulled over. When they see that my license is clear, they usually let me go. I've been lucky so far. touch wood. Henrik | ||
| Sammigs |
Welcome back to the east coast and good luck Bigblock.  | ||
| Bigblock |
Thanks, Sammigs. Thanks for the info, Henrik. Yeags, I may well be interested, what are the particulars on the Gotham, date, etc.? If my schedule will allow...(or be modified) My bike should be in NY the first week in April, I hope, I just watched it ride away in that big Daily Direct truck- those liftgates will handle 8,000 lbs! | ||
| Court |
"lane sharing" in NYC is Russian Roulette and is the only thing I have ever been pulled over for. The good news is that the Buell and my old HD photo ID got me off with a warning. My riding mate, on his Honda CBR1100XX, was foolish enough to pull over with me and left with 3 tickets. First rule in NYC, is that the NYPD seems to have an affinity for HD/Buell. We closed Times Square one night for an "impromptu" photo shoot with the Guggenheim Riding Club thanks to some NYC Blue Knights. One of my favorite city rides are when Stephen (riding partner - Super Busa/KDM400/Bandit1200/KLR/KLR/KLR/3 Hondas) and I do our midnight full moon rides. We just wander the city and hit the various great joints for coffee, homemade cheesecake and famed pizza haunts lime J&M. You may notice that most the pics of the CityX I've posted (see "Living for the City" thread) are shot in the early mornings. Manhattan can be a wonderful place to ride. Welcome to NYC. You'll soon understand why it is the "Capital of the World". Leanr to understand the town and the frequency it vibrates at and you'll love it. Wearing a beany, or going to CT to ride helmetless, is no smarter here than in Mobile, AL or Sandy, UT. Use your head and cover it well. Court | ||
| Bigblock |
Hmmm, Thanks, Court, "lanesharing" comments noted... MMMMMM, I know a real good pizza joint in the east village (I'm not a NYC virgin, just on a bike) and bet those midnight rides ,must be pure joy! I'd ride much more at night if not for all the deer. I think I'll try and get a feel for the City (from a motorcycle pont of view) before I hop right into "lanesharing" and intentional rain rides! ( and helmetless on 95 just doesn't sound like fun to me!) How are fairly loud pipes treated on the east coast, I have a V+H muffler, probably a bit short on packing... Thanks youse Guys... Ray | ||
| Henrik |
There was an attempt at a crack-down on straight pipes awhile back. If you get pulled over for something else, NYPD *may* site you for noise as well - haven't heard about it happening often. And the usual scientific test is a night stick up the tail pipe and the V&H should be ok with the slanted exit pipe. You'll be fine. Henrik | ||
| Josh_ |
Henrik, did you sight the little something we left for you with Court? | ||
| Henrik |
Josh; no - haven't been in touch w/ Court for a few weeks ... but you peaked my curiosity. Henrik | ||
| Court |
>>>but you  | ||
| Arvebuell |
I used to live in the city and a motorcycle is the best...you can park anywhere so you dont need to take the subway. I think great roads are in westchester to fairfield, just backroads. I think the tatonic, saw mill, merrit and....to get into 95 is crazy. I got in Danbury HD a map of the best rides in CT...basically there is something called like scenic drives that you can find in any map (I did not know). Check this website too http://www.roadtwist.com/local_rt.html In general...the "officers of the law" were not bad with me...bikers I think kind of help each other too. Take care Bidblock | ||
| Arvebuell |
Hey...I found this article...I guess there is a motorcycle "scene" in NYC. Don't ask me but here the article and some motorcycle places: http://www.magpie.com/nycmoto/nytimes.html | ||
| Arvebuell |
About parking on the side walk and other stuff.. http://www.magpie.com/nycmoto/NYC-Moto-FAQ.html#sidewalk | ||
| Bigblock |
Thanks Arve, I'll definitely check out these sites Ray |
