Total Motorcycle Community Forums

If there's no traffic, my position in the lane could best be described as random. When in traffic, I position myself so that traffic in front of me can see me in their mirrors (assuming they bother to look).

On two lane roads (one each direction) I ride in the left 1/3 of the lane.

If I'm on a 4 lane (two each direction) I ride in left 1/3 in slow lane, but right 1/3 in fast lane. I figure if I'm in the left 1/3 in the fast lane cars in the slow lane aren't going to see me in their side mirror.

I almost never ride in the center of a lane.

Depending on traffic conditions, I go for the middle or the left lane, depending on how fast everyone else is going. I like the left lane, if I'm not holding anyone up, because then I only have to worry about cagers doing dumb stuff on one side. The right lane is just brutal, usually, with people getting on and off, normally without bothering to see if the lane is already occupied.

The only time I really care about my lane is on bridges. I've got a mostly irrational fear of going down and being tossed over the edge to the river or street below. I go for a center lane in those cases. (Don't laugh too hard! at least two times in the last two years riders have lost control on one of the bridges downtown and fallen to the street below.)

To the left of the oil slick. As for choice of lanes I avoid the extremes. If some jackass is coming into my lane fast I want more than dirt or a concrete median for maneuver.

On FWY 3 or more lanes, if I wanna go fast I always ride on the most left lane and on the right portions of the lane.

If I ride on center lane or second lane from the most left. I will ride either left or right portion depend on the traffic. Keep in mind if you are at left portion all the time the car in the right lane will not see you and might cut in front of you.

When the road is straight and has just two lanes, I ride on the right-hand side of the lane close to the white line (bearing in mind that we drive on the left here). That keeps me on the crown of the road, off the camber and away from diesel spills, gravel and accumulated grot. It also give me better sightlines into left-hand side roads. On most bends I stay on the right-hand side of the lane up to about 40mph, after which I chose my position according to the curve of the road. Up to 40mph I'm going slow enough to react to any sudden hazards like oncoming vehicles and tightening curves, after that, I go wherever I can find better sightlines.

On multi-lane roads, I've never made up my mind what is best. Usually I just look for the best sightlines, though I try to make sure I'm visible in driver's wing mirrors when overtaking.

sapaul wrote:http://www.flamesonmytank.co.za/Traffic%20Wise.htm

Have a look at this and see what you think, there are some valid points.

Just remember we are backside forward or upside down to you I think.

Good stuff. However I disagree with these two:

"Oncoming Car Wanting to Turn in Front of you"

Sometimes cars in a hurry like to begin the turn before I actually clear the lane, putting their front right corner in this case in A to C's path of travel, so I feel it's safer to move from A to B so when they do this they don't clip my tail.

"Using a Car as a Shield"

About 20% of drivers around here don't know how to use turn signals, and if you move alongside the car and they decide to turn left...

In this case to be visible I'd slow down a bit and move toward the right half of the car I'm following so as not to be hidden from view.

Otherwise I like those diagrams. Especially the blind rise. People pass in the dumbest of places.

I ride on whichever bit of the road I'm least likely to die on.

Nibblet99 wrote:I ride on whichever bit of the road I'm least likely to die on.

Yes and I might add that my preference is mainly to ride on the surface....

Wizzard wrote:

Nibblet99 wrote:I ride on whichever bit of the road I'm least likely to die on.

Yes and I might add that my preference is mainly to ride on the surface....

Both wheels?