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Lane Sharing. It’s called that in California, but most of us just call it splitting lanes. To my knowledge there are only two states that allow it and it’s always been legal in California. It is simply the process of passing another car while in the same lane because they are going slower than you want to go. It is mostly used on the freeway in lane 1, which is “the fast lane,” and generally you pass on the right side of the car in front of you. Mostly it’s done in stop-and-go or really slow traffic. Since two cars would have a rough time sharing one lane, it’s usually done with one car and one motorcycle.
This is a real privilege we enjoy that most every state doesn’t. If you’re ever caught in stop and go traffic, think what it would be like to just sit there with all of the cars! It is generally known that you should pass at maybe 5 to 10 mph faster than the car in front of you. That is considered a “safe” passing speed. People in cars are jealous that we get to do this, and I have had cars move over to block me so I couldn’t pass, throw things out the window and even open their doors to try and stop me. Wow, those drivers don’t even consider they could really hurt you. A real problem can occur when you have motorcyclists splitting lanes way faster than that. If you are going at an unsafe passing speed you have the danger of not being able to react to a car changing lanes or moving over and you hit them, which I saw happen just the other day.
BE safe out there! Enjoy this privilege and do it right so we can keep it.
2022 Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
Keeping the road-racing spirit alive.
When Ducati introduced the original Multistrada 1000DS in 2003, the company set out to pair supermoto handling with a tourer’s comfort and convenience. Ducati achieved that balance with a 17-inch wheelset, Showa suspension, and an 85-horsepower, 90-degree V-Twin. While the standard Multistrada V4 family now touts a 19-inch front wheel, the V4 Pikes Peak returns to the model’s sporty roots with 17-inch hoops, Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspension, and a 1,158cc Granturismo V4.
The latest Pikes Peak also adopts Ducati’s signature single-sided swingarm and Marchesini forged wheels that shave 8.8 pounds off the base model Multi. Renewed geometry adjusts rake to 25.75 degrees and elongates the wheelbase to 62.8 inches. Those figures may seem like a step in the wrong direction for the Pikes Peak’s sporty ambitions, but Ducati reports that the new dimensions strike a balance between agility, stability, and comfort. After spending considerable time aboard the V4 PP, it’s hard to argue with them.
In addition to the Multistrada’s superbike-derived V4 Granturismo powerplant, Ducati outfits the adventure bike in the same Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 suspension and Brembo Stylema calipers found on its Panigale V4 sportbike. Pairing that potent package with a Marchesini forged wheelset delivers the power of a perennial heavyweight with the agility of a twinkle-toed featherweight. Steering is light and direct. It holds a line with precision and predictability. The Pikes Peak is ready to tip in at a moment’s notice, and it dives into corners with the slightest input.
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