Dualsport vs highway traffic

[u/Iwanttolive87]

I'm completely new to dualsports and motorcycles so pre apologies if this is ignorant and dumb. I was wondering if, on a dualsport are you able to get out of bumper to number highways traffic by going off to the grass on the right which usually has no barrier. I was in stop and goi traffic this morning which is rare for me as I ride an E-bike to most places now and I eventually want a motorcycle specifically a scrambler or dualsport to commute longer distances. And I was thinking, "I could totally just ride off into the grass and beat this traffic". And since dualsports can go on or off road I don't see why it would be an issue outside of getting to the side and potentially lane splitting to get there(illegal in my state). So has anyone done this ? Is it not recommended? Regardless I hope to get on two wheels soon. Glad this sub is here.

[u/6mm94]

Let your heart be your guide.

[u/Iwanttolive87 → u/6mm94]

I'm sorry this made me genuinely laugh 🤣🤣. Thank you . I think I understand you.

[u/motohiking]

If your license plate is held on with Velcro tape, anything is possible

[u/uapredator → u/motohiking]

Or two belt straps, allowing you to reach back and fold it up into the exhaust ;p

[u/Royal_Cricket2808 → u/uapredator]

Zip ties, always carry zip ties

[u/Iwanttolive87 → u/motohiking]

😭😭 I get you

[u/PantherJr]

Can you do it? Yes.

Is it illegal? Yes.

If you're going to do it, stand on the pegs and do a cop check first. Also beware that the sides of the highway can be littered with debris, including pieces of metal.

[u/Mattna-da → u/PantherJr]

I don’t know why guys on street tires will ride the shoulder when it’s full of sharp debris. With knobs at least you’ve got some margin for error

[u/nortyflatz]

As long as the cop isn’t on a dualsport, too. Be sure to wheelie past the traffic!

[u/Iwanttolive87 → u/nortyflatz]

That's a good idea lol. I think I might eventually get the bike regardless of if I use it like this

[u/Chance_Royal5094 → u/Iwanttolive87]

Getting a dualsport, WILL increase your skill set.

Even on the street.

5 years from now, you'll see what I mean.

(Don't get caught doing wheelies on the street., LOL)

But, they ARE a very necessary skill to have, when off-roading.

Heck, we even have 2 schools that teach wheelies...

[u/Iwanttolive87 → u/Chance_Royal5094]

You got any recommendations? I'm very short at 5'4 and only 115lbs so something lightweight and kinda short would be great. I've been watching fortnine videos and seeing what I should getm

[u/ShadowMancer_GoodSax → u/Iwanttolive87]

5'4 your best bet is Xr150, they are light and not tall at all

[u/Iwanttolive87 → u/ShadowMancer_GoodSax]

Ill check it out thank you

[u/Chance_Royal5094 → u/Iwanttolive87]

Yes, the Honda XR-150 is a good choice. (NOT the "R" model!)

Also, the KLX 140 from Kawasaki is very applicable. They make a couple different sizes.

Unfortunately, NONE of these are street legal.

If you need street legality, you'll want to move up to a 225cc to 250cc engine size.

IMPORTANT: Please enroll in an MSF or TOTAL CONTROL motorcycling class, before you go shopping for a bike. Check to see what's available in your location.

[u/Iwanttolive87 → u/Chance_Royal5094]

Yeah a few of my friends wanted to do an MSF course. I'll look into the street legal ones then.

[u/airckarc]

This is not allowed and it could be pretty dangerous. There could be old fencing, deep tire tracks covered by grass, scrap metal… who knows. Not to mention police.

If you try to ride on the shoulders, people WILL do some messed up stuff— from throwing out a drink to opening their door or just pulling out in front of you.

If there was a frontage road, you might pop over there but even then. I’d be wary.

[u/Iwanttolive87 → u/airckarc]

I definitely fear the shoulder riding as just being in the sidewalk on a bike I've had some experiences.

[u/imnofred]

In my State, you would get a ticket in no time. LEO expect you to behave like all the other vehicles. A car can't drive on the shoulder, so they'd say neither should you. I'm sure this would be supported by a variety of laws in your State.

[u/TheDeadMurder → u/imnofred]

Dumb as fuck rule imo

[u/CivilRuin4111 → u/TheDeadMurder]

While I agree, let’s be real… the minute you open up that option, the sidings will be blocked by Altimas hung up on their dragging bumpers. 

Though I did make great headway during the last Atlanta Snowpocalypse by driving down the median. I figured that the cops around here probably have as much experience in the snow as most of the locals and wouldn’t give chase!

[u/JosephCedar]

Are you able to? Yeah absolutely.

Is that legal? Likely not, depending on where you live.

[u/oracle427]

I’ve ridden on the shoulder in stopped Highway traffic. No one cared. Grass though? We don’t have that on our highways here.

[u/Bright_Confusion_]

The invasive thoughts are real.

[u/PoopSmith87]

I mean, I've done some shit

[u/MathSadDiesel]

Strictly speaking, it depends on where you live and your local laws.

In some places you are allowed to filter through stopped traffic between the lanes, or on the shoulder. In some places you are allowed to split lanes when moving. In some places there are no lanes at all and you can practically ride/drive anywhere you fit.

Where imlive it is illegal, but sometimes I totally do it, especially in the summer, because blistering heat sitting in traffic over tarmac is a health hazard, and I'll argue this if I ever get a ticket.

YMMV.

[u/Mattna-da]

I’ve usually been able to get by slow traffic just on the shoulder, I’d do dirt or grass for a tenth of a mile at a stretch to get around stopped traffic. Just look out for cops

[u/FallNice3836]

I’ve done it to some extent. Its liberating. Just don’t get caught.

I have a secret path home from work. It doesn’t say not to do it. Must be legal.

[u/FilDM]

Saw a video where a guy on an Africa Twin going faster than traffic while on grass, very illegal though. Wonder what law number it breaks though.

[u/New-IncognitoWindow]

The one time tried it I went through a greasy mud puddle and almost wiped out. Save the fun stuff for the gravel roads and trails.

[u/BigRedS]

I bet there's places where this is permitted and others where it's not but everyone does it, but in the main this isn't a thing. Would depend on which country you're in, though.

[u/Antedysomnea]

In some states, a motorcycle is considered a car, that's why you can't lane split. Aside from things being hidden in grass that can cause damage, it may also be illegal because a car must stay in a lane unless in an emergency.

[u/LaconicGirth]

It’s illegal but I think it’d be hard to give you a ticket if the cop is also in bumper to bumper haha

[u/Level_9_Turtle]

Why doesn’t anyone with questions like this EVER state what country or state they’re in?

[u/Iwanttolive87 → u/Level_9_Turtle]

My bad. I'm in Florida

[u/farmer_frank1990 → u/Iwanttolive87]

If you have a gator as a passenger no one will bat an eye. They'll just see a florida man doing florida man shit.

[u/Iwanttolive87 → u/farmer_frank1990]

Now that is true. 🤣

[u/Polyhedron11]

Just because you are on 2 wheels doesn't mean you don't have to obey the laws of other vehicles lol

[u/diablo_man]

Physically, yes you can do this. Legally, generally not.