401 traffic time riding a bad idea?

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I was on the 401 today and the sign said check for motorcycle when changing lanes. Nice to see they are looking out for us however you wonder if people can read now a days that get driver licenses.

I would also avoid the 401 near Trafalgar as that new outlet malls open and has created a mess of traffic on the 401. Like to know the smart people who thought that was a good location. I'm guessing they will start shutting down that off ramp in both directions.
 
I have been in the situation where I merged onto the 401 during rush hour and immediately regretted my decision. Get off at the next exit and just ride Sheppard. I ride a ninja 250 so it is easy enough to lane split and filter my way to the front of the pack. No one minds and in 35 degree weather I would rather filter and lane split than overheat and get heat stroke
 
That's a good point about alternatives to beat the traffic. The Don Mills diamond lane beats the DVP almost all the time.
 
I'd be more worried about my carbed bike or me starting to overheat sitting in traffic.
ATM I just cut off when I approach stop-and-go and take a parallel side-street to a highway.
 
I ride in rush hour, both ways e'erday, son. #rideordie

soo much exaggeration on here: has anyone ever overheated on their machine on the 401? If the thing ever stops, it only does so for MAX 30 seconds - after that you can weave your way through the wave of "stopped" cars, and get moving again.

It's not THAT bad - there are definitely worse places to drive & ride in the world - you (we) people have it GOOD!
 
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For what it's worth if you can see the drivers face in their side mirror or inside mirror they can see you.
There is no one answer and yes it's annoying to drive in stop and go
Worst for me was night, light rain, an hours worth on the 401 around construction and it was not cars but trucks weaving for position at 4-5 kph in two lanes - hard to keep the bike moving that slow and react to sudden braking and acceleration - talk about an ant's eye view. Literally no place to get off as construction was in the right lane and shoulder and left lane was nailed up against the concrete - not fun.

I notice agression at rush hour and on Saturdays.

Was weird last night we picked up kids Fz8 around 8 pm and traffic was a zoo in Brampton even on the less popular routes and then all the way down into Mississauga....felt like 6pm not 8 pm

Are we becoming like LA??

••••

Had to laugh last night on the last 50k of 1750k jaunt to the Catskills - traffic was heavy but moving fast before Stoney Creek going towards TO.
I was cruising middle lane at 125 or so indicated and this 250 Ninja 2 up goes zinging by in the fastlane. :confused:

First I thought must be larger Ninja but skinny tires so I caught up - had to see this.

Girl rider with teeth bared in the wind - huge grin - crouched the motor absolutely flat out - passenger looking bewildered
Gave her the thumbs up as I went by - surprised at the speed the little motor handled and traffic was heavy but fast.
Gutsy kid
Guess it was just shot home from school or something as saw them in the rear mirror pull off the exit.

Made me grin.

I find fast moving but max heavy traffic the highest risk.

That said.....cruising the NY thruway yesterday at 140 dolt pulls on to the highway and with 1/4 mile of entry ramp still left pulls right in front......laid on the horn and skimmed by as close as I could to give him a fright...... ( it did - I could see the reaction in the rear view mirror :D )

He flat out did not look.
I suspect if I was a transport driver he would be bug splatter.....he didn't look.

Now I had the other lane but I was going way fast compared to him and while I could have pulled over to the left I couldn't believe he would pull into the lane - I was ready just in case but goes to show the idiocy.:rolleyes:
 
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Kri$han said:
I ride in rush hour, both ways e'erday, son. #rideordie

soo much exaggeration on here: has anyone ever overheated on their machine on the 401? If the thing ever stops, it only does so for MAX 30 seconds - after that you can weave your way through the wave of "stopped" cars, and get moving again.

It's not THAT bad - there are definitely worse places to drive & ride in the world - you (we) people have it GOOD!
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Honestly, people that complain about Toronto drivers must have never driven in another large metropolitan city. Toronto is definitely not worse than the large majority of them, and probably better than most.
 
Kri$han said:
I ride in rush hour, both ways e'erday, son. #rideordie

soo much exaggeration on here: has anyone ever overheated on their machine on the 401? If the thing ever stops, it only does so for MAX 30 seconds - after that you can weave your way through the wave of "stopped" cars, and get moving again.

It's not THAT bad - there are definitely worse places to drive & ride in the world - you (we) people have it GOOD!
Click to expand...

Yes. ~32*C, 11am. stop and go from where the 403 hits the 401, all the way out into Oshawa. it took me 3 hours to get to the 115. Normally I'd do it in under an hour. I wear a pretty thick leather jacket though (it's the only one I have; it's meant for winter.)


Traffic itself I have no problem with. Sure the drivers suck, but with proper lane positioning and keeping your eyes open it's relatively safe. I normally leave a good space infront of me incase I need to speed up, and rarely will I have another driver pull infront of me or the person behind me get agitated.
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