Silly little trivial motorcycle etiquette question

[Canyon Runner]

OK, first of all, I have been, and will continue, to read all of the technical and repair related posts on here with interest and facination. This is an amazing resource, filled with very kind and positive people. I am learning a lot, and I greatly appreciate every moment of it.

Secondly, since my 05 represents not only my first BMW, but also my first ownership of a bike of any size (riding it for 9 months now, better than 8K!), I thought I would ask a pretty silly question to the rest of the riders in here regarding etiquette. More just for fun than for any other reason. I hope no one considers this a devaluation of the boards focus on the technical.

Let's say you come in to a parking area (say around the town square in Prescott, Az, or insert your favorite little "run" town here) and the area is pretty full. But there is a space that currently only has a bike in it, or maybe two bikes but still some room. Is it considered a no-brainer that you should/ can pull your ride in with them, as long as you aren't in their way or crowding too much, or are some riders sensitive about this?

I tend to ride alone, and I have noticed that sometimes I will come back to a spot and a couple of other machines will have joined mine, and I certainly never mind (it is always fun to look at all of the variations on the theme of motorcycle) but I sometimes hesitate to pull mine in next to someone else's, just because I don't want to tweak on anyone's nerves.

But, then again, I guess I did pull her in to a long line of hogs out in front of the local bar in Gerome on a couple of occasions. I was wondering if the Harley guys would have a problem with this Bavarian in their midst, but I have generally found them, under the gruff exterior, to be generally friendly and genuine guys/gals.

So, what say you? Anybody here sensitive to sharing space with a strangers bike? Or has anyone heard of that?

[sjbmw]

I will park double up with friends, but will never invade the space of a motorcyclist I don't know. Harley especially. Never know which attitude you will get.

[Boxer]

Depends on the situation. If I see several spaces partially filled with several different kinds of bikes and there is nowhere else to park, I will join them. On the other hand if there are 2 bikes in a space and even though there may be room for me, I'd rather not invade their space and so I go look elsewhere.

Most people won't mind I'm sure, but you never know. I myself wouldn't want someone parking real close to me, even though there was room...unless it was my riding buddy.

[Sunbeemer]

It may vary from place to place, even from state to state. Florida's law says that a motorcycle should occupy one parking space by itself, but I think this is to deter people from squeezing their bikes in between parked cars. I've often seen a couple bikes parked together in one space, and have done so myself when there was plenty of space so nobody was crowded, especially mounting and dismounting.

A few weeks ago a guy pulled up beside me on a Honley (a Honda-Harley look alike) so close I couldn't open the right side case to load some stuff I'd just bought, so I asked him to back up a bit. There was plenty of room in the parking space for both bikes, just not where he decided to stop. It was no problem because I was there loading my left side case as he rode up, but if he'd left his bike there earlier I would've had to put my shopping bags down to move my bike to open the case, and I would have been less understanding.

If you consider the impact on others already parked when deciding where to park, it will probably determine the reception your bike receives when they return.

As usual, the Golden Rule applies.

[TonyT607]

I will park double up with friends, but will never invade the space of a motorcyclist I don't know. Harley especially. Never know which attitude you will get.

I gotta go with Herb on this one, but a few times I've doubled up with another beemer or two in a space and have never had a problem. Quite the contrary, it usually winds up being an opportunity to meet a new riding buddy or two.

[boxermania]

Actually I've never had much of an issue with parking. They way I look at it is, if there is room to park my bike without crowding the other biker(s) it is OK to park.

I must relate an incident a few years back. I had just tuned my bike, a red 94 Ducati 900 Monster and had also installed a jet kit along with a pair of Giacomo cans.

The Harley dealership had engaged a portable dyno for an open house and was offering 2 dyno runs for $10. I asked one of my friends to go with me, but he was busy and I wasn't going to miss the opportunity.

Talk about getting into the wolves mouth, as I showed up, me being the only non-Harley in a whole parking lot, with a Red 900 Monster. Went in and paid for the run, unfortunately, I had to wait....for a while. I thought I had BO, since no one came close to me or the bike.

Finally my number was called and the guy told me that he couldn't run my bike if it had more than 120 hp....most of the bikes dynoed that day were in the 50 hp range, one. a dresser was in the 60 hp range with pistons and cams, I told him I was nowhere near that figure and he decided to run it.

He got on the bike, cranked it up and started to make that glorious music typical of the Ducs......you should see the reaction of the atendees....they started gathereing around me and the set-up. After the first run a few came over to celebrate my bike, a few others came to ask me about the pull.....the second run once again got their attention and when that bike came down from the rollers and the guy said 87 hp am 78 ft/lb of torque I thought I was in heaven, because all the guys there surrounded the bike and started asking me all kinds of questions.

After enjoying the aftermath for a bit, I put my helmet on and rode into the sunset....what a great day and right into the mouth of the lion. I still don't like Hogs and never have owned or rode one.....

[BoiseBeemer]

Do be aware that most states will penalize you for "double" parking in a metered space. After a leisurely stroll around the Medford, Oregon downtown area a few years ago, my wife and I came back to the bikes to find a $10 parking ticket on EACH bike, and a note specifically explaining why.

The rationale, I suppose, is that although one of us might have been parking legally and the other might have been an uninvited spacemate, the officer wouldn't have any way of knowing which of us was legal and which wasn't. The only logical response (of course) was to give us both a ticket.

If your uninvited sharing of the parking space results in the original occupant getting a ticket, I suspect your intrusion will not be welcomed.

[Rockster1150]

As an Aussie I am surprised this is even a question, I would never squeeze close in on another bike but I have never had a problem on sharing spaces in 20years of riding. It may be the social attitude of the particular country, down under it is illegal to lane filter (split) but accepted practice by 50% of the driving population. I understand in some states of the US this is frowned upon to the extent it is just not done. ???

[Canyon Runner]

Interesting stuff! Never thought about the parking ticket aspect.

And I strongly agree about the Golden Rule (in general, actually...one of the few "truths" I really trust).

Although I do like the concept of meeting other riders through the chance of a shared spot, I'll probably muddle along with my current practice... when in doubt, find your own space. No sense tempting fate for a short walk to the next available.

Anyway, thanks for the thoughts!

-Kyle

[ROBOX]

Always double up, most bikers should not mind this especially if your are parking up a beamer - pardon the expression !

[pneuby]

....although one of us might have been parking legally and the other might have been an uninvited spacemate, the officer wouldn't have any way of knowing which of us was legal and which wasn't. The only logical response (of course) ...

SHOULD have been to avoid ticketing either, on exactly the same reasoning. Were I the supervisor on duty when a "customer" you came in to the station to complain, I would've apologized for the inconvenience on-the-spot, and put down my officer for a butt-chewing.

As to the question at hand, I have no problem with this. I always use my centerstand to avoid taking up more space than I 'need'. Unless, by using the sidestand, I can tactfully allow myself a buffer for somene that might park so close as to cramp my ability to gear-up and leave.

[wncbmw]

As a general rule, I avoid sharing a space unless I am invited. Some folks are picky about such things. In reverse, I don't mind coming out and finding someone has squeezed in, provided they leave me room to get out! Although the way some people handle their machines at low speed, perhaps I should!

Do be aware that most states will penalize you for "double" parking in a metered space.

Asheville, NC (where I live) used to host the Honda Hoot. They left for Knoxville and one of several complaints cited was the local PD ticketing the Goldwings doing just that! Seems foolish to me. As tight as parking is around here, to run off a group spending millions of dollars for being efficient in parking does not make sense and seems sort of petty! As long as the meter is feed, who cares? If it runs out, ticket them all!

[OU812]

I park where I want. Never Handicapped. No one ever messed with my bike.(even at a Harley Rally!)

[riceburner]

I remember going to the TT when it was all you could do simply to find a space 2ft by 6 on Douglas prom! There were bikes parked everywhere!

[Rog(UK) - Yorkshire Dales]

At some seaside town in the UK, if two bikes park in the same carspace, they pay nowt!!! That's the kind of parking charge I like.

At this time of year, when I go to the coast, I just park the bike in the nearest crevice and I have never had a problem with parking wardens.

Ride safely,

Rog

[Max Continuous]

For me, it all depends on the ride presently occupying said space.

If it is a Harley, no. I don't want any oil on my bike.

If it is a CBR, no. Probably ridden by a squid who runs a good chance of dropping it on my bike.

Goldwing, No. If he can't get it in reverse, I don't want to be the reason he calls the auto club.

Ducati, No. It is probably equipped with multiple proximity detectors and a loud siren.

A fellow Beemer, no problem. Just leave enough space to fold out the chairs and discuss the virtues of shared parking!



All in jest, of course! )

[hirsty]

Yep, not even a consideration in London - park wherever & whenever you can. You wouldn't believe how close they're jammed in the dedicated free m/cycle bays, which are always full to bursting during the working week.

I'll post a photo next time I'm in town.

[ErikU]

If a garage was full, or there weren't any other good places to park, I wouldn't hesitate about sharing a spot with another bike. So long as I didn't crowd, obviously.

I can't believe how uptight people get about silly things.

[BoiseBeemer]

I can't believe how uptight people get about silly things.

The only uptight people I worry about are meter Nazis with ticket books. If you come back to your bike and find the handiwork of one of those, write back and tell us how relaxed it made you feel.

[Canyon Runner]

I'm not sure if I can agree that it is a silly thing to try to take in consideration another rider's (or person's) possible feelings about an issue. Especially when it does not inconvenience or harm me in a meaningful way to do so.

I guess this was more of a survey question for me...to see if it was an issue that people could see as sensitive.

My plan is to park solo unless I am riding with others, and never be concerned (within reason) when somebody parks with me. That way, I'm just adding to the positive experiences out there.

When I'm alone, the walk will do me good, when someone parks with me, a chance to meet a friend.



Thanks for all the input! I would love to see those pictures of the bikes parked tight in London!

(And, if I was to meet a Nazi, I can only hope I am so lucky as to find him armed with only a ticket.)



Cheers!

-Kyle