Ducati North America on the move

Hmm. Didja notice they don't say _where_ in California they're moving? Seems kinda odd to issue a press release that says you're moving if you haven't yet nailed down your destination. Are they keeping it a secret for some reason? Or are they just geographically-challenged easterners for whom "California" means "Los Angeles and environs"?



Then again, maybe this is a request for bids from California cities who want to bring in a new employer. What kind of tax breaks can we get for bringing X jobs to your city? Though, really, with parts and bike distribution outsourced, how many people are left for the HQ to employ? It's probably bigger than MO, but I'd bet it's smaller than, say, Lincoln-Mercury (who will probably be vacating their new Irvine digs and heading back to Detroit soon).

The reason it is legal in California is because air cooled motorcycles were overheating in the hot southern California climate. This in turn was causing the already horrable traffic as Mr. Burns can attest to even worse. The law by the way states that motorcycles can lane split in traffic up to 45mph. The motorcycle is not to exceed 5mph faster than surronding traffic. Therefore if traffic is going 15mph your top speed is suppose to be 20mph and so on until traffic reaches 46 mph then you are suppose to fall back into a lane and proceed as usual. So if you can convince the state of Wisconson or the city of Millwaukee (Which is the local indian tribe word meaning the Good Land.) I guess they new way back then that allot of beer was going to be made there. Well any ways back to the original subject. If you can convince them that the extreme heat of your state and gridlock make it sensible than you should be in there.



P.S. Send me some cheese and beer you hoser

With the big 4 Japanese manufacturers located in the Los Angeles metro area, my money's on Ducati moving to that same location. Perhaps the Irvine/Orange County area, but I can't seem them moving to NoCal, just doesn't make business sense.



Then again, Ducati has always been a bit quirky, so maybe they'll move to Bakersfield or Fresno...





v2-90

Re: lane spilting in CA

As coqui stated there is no law in Calif. that makes lane spliting legal or illegal.

However there are several laws that officer Ollie can use if he wants to give you a

ticket. And 4in6 was correct in that it is tolerated because of the major traffic problems

in LA and air cooled motorcycles were over heating. And another reasons is simply the

CHP does it. 4in6 was incorrect about the 45mph law, there is no such law in CA! Now down to

the practical matters. 1). Lane spilting violates the concept of space cushioning and see

and be seen (MSF rider course). 2) If your going to lane split, traffic should be at a virtual stop. With traffic moving even

at 15mph some idiot will try to change lanes, and that idiot will never see a motorcycle.

3) Only lane split in the #1 and #2 lanes (left most lanes). 4) Travel only about 5mph

faster than traffic, and move back into the #1 lane when traffic is moving. 5) Keep

your head and eyes up and looking well ahead for cars and trucks with huge mirrors. 6)

Cover your clutch and front brake.

Be safe, have fun and look good