Taken Down Splitting

[nitehawk]

I was splitting lanes between the carpool and the #1 lane when a truck cut out of the carpool lane (no look, drift, hesitation), across two double yellows, right into my path. Traffic was slowed but smooth, and I was too relaxed, not minding the gaps. I reacted late, started to brake and realized I wasn't even going to come close to stopping short and tried to turn with the truck into the open space in the next lane. I ended right up next to the rear fender when the handlebars jerked. I'm not sure if there was contact, bump in the road or i just lost control in a hard turn, but after a quick wobble I low sided. Not sure what the exact speed was but I would say I landed going about 45. Kept my leg out from underneath the bike, landed on my shoulder and slid for a brief moment. Then tumbled once, caught myself on my back by bracing my elbows/arms, trying to make sure I didn't roll anymore. At that point my head did snap back a bit, not too hard though, and I slid to a stop. Quickly checked back down the road for oncoming cars, and then just relaxed for a second. Injuries minor. I have a somewhat bad shoulder from years of baseball, and it was a little tweaked from the initial impact but didn't hurt really that much, and not until the next day. Healed in a couple weeks (until i threw it out trying throw in a soccer ball with a bit too much gusto). Ended up with a little road rash on the side of my calf, which I've had worse playing baseball as well as a little on the sides of my wrists. I was weather a leather jacket (with elbow, shoulder and back armor), jeans, some light weight over-pants (with knee pads), and leather work boots. Driver never stopped.

Biggest lesson learned was never get complacent. Just because traffic is smooth doesn't mean people won't do really careless things. I know better then to not mind the gaps and to be better prepared for unexpected lane changes, no matter how illegal they are. I make this drive every day I just let myself to too comfortable. That and California cops are dicks to motorcyclists. He was more concerned with getting my back over to the right side. The first thing out of his mouth was can YOU move it. Not, are you OK, can you walk or any sort of concern for my well being. When I told him it would roll but it couldn't turn because the handle bar was pinned down, he was no longer concerned enough to help.

Here's some pics of the damage. The estimates to fix came in at a high enough point that I decided to sell it if I could get enough for it (let someone else deal), which i did. Found a newer one in good condition. Color change =)

Album: Ninja 250 Crash



Gear did a great job. Small whole in the shoulder, and some scraps on the back, and nothing to my upper body. I think I can patch the shoulder and be good to go. Any concerns?



The knee pads saved my legs for sure. But the friction burned through the nylon and jeans below the knee pad. I was wearing short/summer gloves, but kept my hands off the ground, so they came out pretty good. Just slight scrapes got through the gaps. Still wearable, but I will be looking for some light weight gauntlets when I can afford it. I feel like the helmet took more friction damage than anything. I've hit my head harder snowboarding. I haven't used it since, because I've seen and heard a lot of people state that you shouldn't really use a helmet after any contact, but would like to hear any opinions on this case.

[ninjamunky85]

That sux bro, glad to hear you're mostly ok.

You slowed down and crashed still going 45?... How fast were you lane splitting?

[alex.s]

sorry to hear it bro. was this on the 5N near santa ana a couple days ago? i saw a blue ninja 250 crashed on the inside shoulder. maybe it was you? hope all goes well.

[JELY1990]

Sorry about your crash man. Hope you get your bike in order and your shoulder stops bothering you.

Sounds like not only were you not paying attention, but also splitting way too fast. You said you were braking and swerving and went down at 45 mph? So you were probably splitting at what, 55 mph at least. In my opinion the CHP guidelines are right in that splitting should be kept under 30 mph and no more than 10 mph faster than traffic. Sucks you crashed, but it was mostly your fault.

[dave42]

Glad that you're not badly hurt but yeah, you gotta really pay attention when you're splitting. Don't go faster than you can react, watch those gaps, watch those heads inside of cars.

Pretty sure you already have all that figured out by now. Sorry that you said hello to the pavement, man.

[modded]

Good to hear you're alright man! What kind of insurance did you have?

[Lychee]

Your helmet is done. Heal fast buddy. We can all learn from your experience.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by nitehawk

...........Traffic was slowed but smooth, and I was too relaxed, not minding the gaps.............Driver never stopped...............Biggest lesson learned was never get complacent. Just because traffic is smooth doesn't mean people won't do really careless things. I know better then to not mind the gaps and to be better prepared for unexpected lane changes, no matter how illegal they are..............

Good lessons !!!

Very sorry about your accident, Josh

[Ktam]

Always sad to hear another ninja down, but it looks like you've got everything handled pretty well so good on you!

Lane splitting always seems situational to me...I can agree if traffic's at gridlock but at city speeds seem a bit sketchy - no splitting whatsoever up North .

[tnr4]

Originally Posted by Lychee

Your helmet is done.

Yup. Not even close to a questionable case. That one's a paperweight.

Glad you came out alright. Heal fast.

[greg737]

Even with pictures this didn't happen. I've been informed numerous times right here on this very forum that lane-splitting is perfectly safe and nothing could ever possibly go wrong.

[himynameisjoe]

Originally Posted by greg737

Even with pictures this didn't happen. I've been informed numerous times right here on this very forum that lane-splitting is perfectly safe and nothing could ever possibly go wrong.

There's always a critic.

[dave42]

Bring up that specific quote please. Should be easy since you've seen it numerous times.

[Slick_Stevo]

Originally Posted by greg737

Even with pictures this didn't happen. I've been informed numerous times right here on this very forum that lane-splitting is perfectly safe and nothing could ever possibly go wrong.

^^^ troll

sorry to hear about your accident nitehawk. could have been alot worse, glad you are okay

[lgk]

Originally Posted by greg737

Even with pictures this didn't happen. I've been informed numerous times right here on this very forum that lane-splitting is perfectly safe and nothing could ever possibly go wrong.

the same could happen just riding normally.
its always up to the rider to manage risks, even if the cager is actively trying to kill you.

whether or not lane splitting is involved doesn't really matter, if you think about it.
the danger is still there.

[nitehawk]

Originally Posted by alex.s

sorry to hear it bro. was this on the 5N near santa ana a couple days ago? i saw a blue ninja 250 crashed on the inside shoulder. maybe it was you? hope all goes well.

This was actually back in late October, but close. 405S just before the 5/55.

Originally Posted by JELY1990

You said you were braking and swerving and went down at 45 mph? So you were probably splitting at what, 55 mph at least. In my opinion the CHP guidelines are right in that splitting should be kept under 30 mph and no more than 10 mph faster than traffic. Sucks you crashed, but it was mostly your fault.

Originally Posted by ninjamunky85

You slowed down and crashed still going 45?... How fast were you lane splitting?

I was doing about 55, and traffic was about 45. So more than the 30 guideline, but within the 10 mph difference. I generally don't split that fast, but the median is so wide its hard not to feel that its safe. Not to mention traffic is usually full speed or less then 30. Sadly, I'm one of the slow ones on these freeways. Ironically the worst offenders are the CHP bikers themselves. They've whipped past me splitting faster than I ever ride even on an empty road. No emergency, just cruising. Scary stuff.

In my opinion, I blame myself. Sure, legally the person in the truck would be to blame and I hate the guy for what he did, especially not stopping, but its my life out there. I have to own up to what risks I take.

[250rr]

Originally Posted by nitehawk

In my opinion, I blame myself. Sure, legally the person in the truck would be to blame and I hate the guy for what he did, especially not stopping, but its my life out there. I have to own up to what risks I take.

Great attitude. Way to take ownership over what you can control. Who cares about the idiots out there that you can't control anyway.

[menikmati]

Sucks to here you went down. If traffic is moving at 45MPH, is there really a need to lane split? Traffic is moving at a decent pace at 45, I can understand if it was sub-20 or stop-and-go.

[LT505]

Edit: Nvm its not.

And sorry about your crash dude Glad you are okay!

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by greg737

Even with pictures this didn't happen. I've been informed numerous times right here on this very forum that lane-splitting is perfectly safe and nothing could ever possibly go wrong.

That's what I was told about motorcycles in general!

[Darling Ninja]

@nitehawk - Sorry this happened to you and glad you're okay!! I don't mean to reiterate what others have already said, but I will, because I also live in California and I split lanes.

Here is the CHP guideline regarding speed:

2 It is not advisable to lane split when traffic flow is at 30 mph or faster --- danger increases as overall speed increases.

- At just 20 mph, in the 1 or 2 seconds it takes a rider to identify a hazard, that rider will travel approximately 30 to 60 feet before even starting to take evasive action. Actual reaction (braking or swerving) will take additional time and distance.

- Braking and stopping distance varies greatly based on a multitude of factors (rider, machine and environment).

- As speed increases, crash severity increases.

[Coolbpf]

Lane splitting at anything over 15? Are you kidding me? You're not the ghost rider dude. Slow down, get a cruiser or something :P

[Driddle]

Originally Posted by Coolbpf

Lane splitting at anything over 15? Are you kidding me? You're not the ghost rider dude. Slow down, get a cruiser or something :P

Says the guy not from california ^^
You just don't understand ;P

Sorry to hear about that though. Hope all is well now!

[greg737]

Here is the CHP guideline regarding speed:

Quote:
2 It is not advisable to lane split when traffic flow is at 30 mph or faster --- danger increases as overall speed increases.

- At just 20 mph, in the 1 or 2 seconds it takes a rider to identify a hazard, that rider will travel approximately 30 to 60 feet before even starting to take evasive action. Actual reaction (braking or swerving) will take additional time and distance.

- Braking and stopping distance varies greatly based on a multitude of factors (rider, machine and environment).

- As speed increases, crash severity increases.

Obviously the CHP doesn't understand anything about the mad skilz that lane-splitters apparently possess.

[rasta]

Granted, I'm still a n00b, so I have alooooot to learn. But it seems to me that this was 10000% preventable

[sunspots]

Have had my bike for a little over 2 weeks now, been casually riding for little over a week now and I had my first close call light night. I was in the inner of 2 lanes making a left turn.
A SUV that was in the lane to the right of me, turns cuts me off in the turn and gets to the lane to the left of me. I was probably a foot away from touching the car with my front.

[Joshorilla]

That's the problem with lane splitting, you're in the cars blind spot and you have no safe exit.

[lgk]

There's always an exit.

[massacremasses]

He went over a double yellow... I hate people that do that... Stay in or get out at a break.