Can you use the HOV lanes?

Anybody does this? For how long? Thoughts?

What kind of bike?

Yes you can use the HOV.

I don't, but have friends that do it. They love it and use BMW enduro bikes. If I were to do it, I would get a HOG.

thinking about a hog too

just to try it out

if it doesnt work, then i'll just sell it

the commute in a sedan needs a change of pace

and it should help with traffic if i cut through when it slows down in non HOV areas

What is "suicide mission"?

[This message has been edited by jetch17 (edited 1/12/2012 6:51a).]

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just to try it out

if it doesnt work, then i'll just sell it

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must be nice to have balla' money

If it doesn't work out you can just buy a casket.

My buddies have bikes. I fear for them weekly in this *****hole of a city.

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What is "suicide mission"?

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dudes profile says he's from laredo. driving a motorcycle through houston rush hour is safter than walking down the street in laredo.

Do you have a motorcycle license? Have you ridden a motorcycle in heavy traffic before?

I was in training to be a MSF instructor before I moved to TX... it hasn't been worth it to get a motorcycle here because I'd have to ride three miles before I found any roads that were fun to ride.

Riding a motorcycle takes, on average, 2.5 times as much attention as driving a car does. You're giving input at four points -- all of your hands and both feet are occupied -- and managing your balance and lane position on top of all of the driving things that you normally have to do like paying attention to cars. It's also much more difficult to see behind you, and that's usually where trouble strikes in heavy traffic.

I don't recommend that anyone commute on motorcycle unless they've got their license, a good starter motorcycle (500cc or so), and a couple thousand miles on backroads first.

I don't know about motorcycles, but thumbs up for the last gif from Jetch.

Commuting on a motorcycle in Houston is a death trap. I have friends who work in the ER and they said you would not believe how often people come in from motorcycle crashes in Houston. At least sign up to be an organ donor before you take this on.

^
Quit being an alarmist. I've been riding in Houston for about a year now. I started on an 800cc Suzuki Volusia, and I''m on a Harley Heritage Springer now. Riding in Houston is not that bad, and the surface streets are worse/more dangerous than the highways. You can ride in the HOV lanes, and I recommend it whenever possible.

The Harley is not bad for commuting, but my Volusia was smaller and more nimble. If I was commuting to and from work every day in Houston, I'd want that smaller, lighter bike. Any of the midsize metric cruisers, or sport touring bikes would be good choices. Hell, even a Sportster wouldn't be bad.

However, SS is right. If you don't ride, take the MSF basic riders course, get licensed, and get legal. That alone will reduce your risk of having an accident. Non-licensed riders go down at much higher rates than licensed ones. Buy yourself a mid-sized, used bike and get some miles in on a variety of roads. You can buy a good, used bike on Craigslist all day long for under $5K, and quite a bit cheaper than that if you shop carefully.

Wear safety gear. If you want to ride without a helmet, pants or boots, then more power to you. Safe riding, however, is about risk mitigation, and proper gear, to include a helmet, eye pro, gloves, boots and a jacket, can greatly reduce your risk of injury. Trust me. I got nailed when some jackass in an SUV ran a red light at a 4-way stop. I had all my gear on, and I got up and blocked traffic while my bike burned to a molten hulk in the middle of an intersection.

Be seen. Wear lighter colors, and wear reflective stuff at night. Have bright lights on your bike. Now, I'm not a fan of the hi-vis yellow and orange, but I do tend to war light colored shirts in the summer, and all my black leather, to include my vest with my association's back patch, has reflective striping sewn on it.

If you are looking, we will be selling a 2001 HD Dyna Super Glide T Sport soon. Black night train engine, screaming eagle pipes. Saddle bags etc.

Asking 10,000, but may be open for negotiations.

Is a maroon color as well.

I commuted frequently on a Road King when I lived in Houston .... on a nice day, it's the way to go. Just go to work a bit early and it's that much better.

There's no way an '01 Harley is worth anywhere near $10k, though. Just check out eBay and you'll run into several bike brokers, and you'll get a good deal before you know it.

^
Depends on the Harley. I personally wouldn't think so for a Dyna, but I paid just under $10K for my 2000 Heritage Springer, and that was 3-6K below any others I could find for sale in Texas.

Far and away the best prices on used Harley's I've found in the state are ath Dream Machines of Texas, which is in Dallas and Austin.

Still, I'd like to see pics of your Dyna, if you'd care to post them.

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but I paid just under $10K for my 2000 Heritage Springer

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uh-huh.

I ride a 1200 Triumph Trophy and have no problems in traffic. The most important thing is to not let the ability to go faster, quicker become the way you ride. The second is to be more defensive than driving a car/truck.

The first part of defense is being visible and predictable when you ride in town. The second is experience. Get to know your bike by riding out of town and practicing turning, stopping, and starting in parking lots.

Riding Houston's freeways are very easy as they are mosly straight. However, those interchange flyovers can make a boring ride quite interesting.

I've commuted off and on since 2007 with a sports bike and my only accident was due to me having a dark visor and it was 3am and misjudged the lane divider. The accident was also in 2008. I'm selling my current bike now, BMW s1000rr, but only because I am reducing debt. Of course bikes are more dangerous, but if you ride insanely defensively and always think ahead, you reduce the risks greatly.

Material Ag, I had to go to Dallas to get it, but it was worth it. It had a little ding in the front fender, and some paint rub under the pillion. The bags were a little faded, but some Doc Bailey's fixed that.

I've only had my FLSTS since October, but I'm pretty sure its one I will keep, even when I get a new bike.

Just be sure to ride between the lanes of stopped traffic @ ~ 85 MPH

In Cali, where it is both legal and accepted, splitting lanes at 5-10 mph faster than crawling or stopped traffic isn't a bad thing. Trying to do it at highway speeds, or in places where it is illegal or unexpected, is suicidal.

maverick...great input

thanks

No problem, dude. Take the course, get legal, and get out on the road. Being out on two wheels is an amazing experience.