The vast majority of motorcycles are water cooled and have been for some time.
Incidentally, lane splitting isn't being abused when motorcyclists do it to go faster than cars; that's the whole point.
Incidentally, lane splitting isn't being abused when motorcyclists do it to go faster than cars; that's the whole point.
Lane splitting is an exception, and a pretty hair-raising one at times because people are constantly jockeying to get into the next lane over which looks faster, without signaling. And then there are the people who actively attempt to prevent lane-splitting, by pulling onto the line when they see you coming.
Maybe around the SF Bay Area we are the exception to the lane splitting exception because I see countless motorcycles lane split at all speeds on the freeway during my commute. I would NEVER intentionally get in the way of a passing motorcycle. That is just wrong and dangerous. However, I don't really go out of my way to move over for them either. See... I also drive in the middle of my lane, just like all the good motorcyclists do. :)
(disclaimer: I don't drive bikes and we don't have too many of them on the roads most of the year)
I've only ever lane-split when traffic is essentially stopped; at that speed, having somebody suddenly change lanes in front of me would suck, but I wouldn't expect to die from it because I'm moving slowly. It's a lot different when an SUV swerves into you as you're both going 75 on the freeway.