Thinking of riding my motorcycle in.

[theCryptofishist]

How is the traffic on the way in? is it stop and go or does it move in decent increments?

Most motorcycles have small radiators and puny fans (that is if they are water cooled, many are air cooled), you can't sit there idling for long.

Say I see my temp gauge rise, do you think the gate would be alright with me riding to the front, explaining why? I would even wait there, on the side, out of the way for as long as they require me to as long as it means by bike does not blow a gasket..

Stop and go.
No, the gate is not likely to grant you special priveledges. Too many people to keep track of things like that. Plan to arrive at night or on Tuesday when the line isn't as bad.

[stew]

Most motorcycles have small radiators and puny fans (that is if they are water cooled, many are air cooled), you can't sit there idling for long.

And simply turning it off instead of idling is not an option?

Say I see my temp gauge rise, do you think the gate would be alright with me riding to the front, explaining why? I would even wait there, on the side, out of the way for as long as they require me to as long as it means by bike does not blow a gasket..

If you are unsure about the reliability of your vehicle in slow traffic, don't take it to burning man. Even if you get into BM quickly, you still have to factor in that you will have to do the same thing again on the way out.

I have worked gate. I ride motorcycles. I'd take a car.

[FIGJAM]

I don't care if you want to split lanes.

My concern is that it's not like any line you've been in.

People are in and out of thier cars all the way to gate.

Watch for suddenly opening doors!!!

[stew]

Wow, what a bunch of self centered responses.
Boo Hoo, one guy got in front of me on my way to Burning Man. You would rather ...
*Rider sits exposed, on two wheels, in full gear, balancing in the ruts and dust.
*Air cooled, or poorly water cooled engine sits in the desert heat and overheats. Most are not designed to be stationary, and even with a cooling fan they get hot and the cooling fan sucks the battery life. Shutting it down runs the risk of not being able to restart.
*Sitting between vehicles on a motorcycle is one of the most dangerous places to be, especially when everyone around you is cracked out after driving for hours. Somebody even referenced the fact at how dangerous it is when exposed to traffic.

And why exactly would one want to ride a motorcycle to burning man?

[stew]

I don't care if you want to split lanes.

My concern is that it's not like any line you've been in.

People are in and out of thier cars all the way to gate.

Watch for suddenly opening doors!!!

Yes. "safety third" is a joke, not driving advice. In the line on the way in, nobody will check their mirror before changing lanes or opening a door.

[theCryptofishist]

psst. Stew. Mr. Chiff is not the original poster.

[worldwidewille]

[quote="mrchiff"]Wow, what a bunch of self centered responses.
Boo Hoo, one guy got in front of me on my way to Burning Man. You would rather ...
*Rider sits exposed, on two wheels, in full gear, balancing in the ruts and dust.
*Air cooled, or poorly water cooled engine sits in the desert heat and overheats. Most are not designed to be stationary, and even with a cooling fan they get hot and the cooling fan sucks the battery life. Shutting it down runs the risk of not being able to restart.
*Sitting between vehicles on a motorcycle is one of the most dangerous places to be, especially when everyone around you is cracked out after driving for hours. Somebody even referenced the fact at how dangerous it is when exposed to traffic.

So yeah, let's put the riders personal safety and equipment at risk because it will make add 5 minutes to your day. There's no need to be nice or care about anyone until after you pass the greeters, right? The guy wants to ride a bike to BRC as part of the experience, but nope, no way man, can't let you do it unless you sit in line like everyone else, because, you know, nobody is special and conformity is the first part of the experience. We can't be nice to cheaters.

And for any of you that are working gate and say you would put them in D-lot just to be punitive - I call BULLSHIT.[/quote]


Thanks for your input. I ended up not riding last year because the majority of responses were negative. My motorcycle is aircooled so i'd have to keep moving. Some people here get it and some don't but it was all about the experience. The Journey Home and back. Riding with just a backpack and crashing at friends' camps. I made arrangements for friends to pick up extra food. I think it's funny that because some can't relate to the experience i want (lane splitting wasn't the experience, only the necessary action to have that experience.). Either way, thanks for the input. The whole reason I asked was to not taint the experience of others with my perceived line cutting.

[mrchiff]

And why exactly would one want to ride a motorcycle to burning man?

Though I am not riding a motorcycle to Burning Man, I can understand why one might wish to if they had the rest of the logistics covered. There's great pleasure in traveling by motorcycle. It can also be a cost effective alternative. Maybe it's an extended trip with additional destinations after BRC. Maybe it's part of a life-long dream and a trip that has been planned for years.

There have been theme camps dedicated to MC riders - Airheads for one - so it's not like it's a new idea.

Why would somebody drive a 40 year old truck, RV, whatever with oblong tires, overloaded, and towing a trailer with lights that only work during the daylight hours? Ya got me, but that happens all the time and seems like it would be much more risky.

[CaffeineGirl]

As hot and dusty as it is sitting in line in a car with the windows rolled up, I really would not care if a motorcycle passed me. In fact, I would probably think they guy was nuts if he was just sitting there in the car line breathing all that dust and vehicle exhaust.

[christopherballdc]

I am shocked by you Britts in my nine years of living on your island i saw more lane splitting than in any other place i have been (well the Bay Area is actually up there with you) however you are right cueing is a national past time and it was described to me to be a post WWII phenomenon... when rationing when one would see a que there was a need to get in it and then find out what you were queing for,,,
I digress ,,,
Remember it is a choice ,,, you car drivers chose to take your car witch does not allow you to split lanes,,, the biker chose his bike which allows him to do it,,,, do not be mad at the biker for YOUR choice ,,, you could have brought a bike too,,, and yes it is traffic,,, any way you look at it,,,
so Mr Bike Burner,,, roll away,,, split lanes to your hearts content,,, and "bad form" to all the nay sayers...

[TT120]

Lane splitting is only legal in California. Nevada cops REALLY dislike it and you'll probably at least get a ticket.

I have considered riding my bike there as well but I would come a day later or at night to avoid all that.
Non riders have no idea how brutal it is to be stuck in a line like that for hours.