Straightening the road

[Berries]

Plenty (of bikers) have died through their actions on the road that they had thought safe ... and often ... done on the road many times before without incident.

Then it wasn't safe was it?

If you are straightening a corner, which is what this thread is about, and you can see right through it, can see no oncoming vehicles, no intersections or driveways and no other hazards on the road all the way through it then how is it unsafe? I will ignore comments about falling off while crossing the centre line.

[FJRider]

There are a few posters on here with that attitude.

Only idiots do the unsafe riding on the open road. A few of those on here too ...

[FJRider]

Then it wasn't safe was it?

Hindsight is a wonderful thing ...

... and you can see right through it, can see no oncoming vehicles.

On familiar roads ... that seems simple. But "Things" that were not on the road prior .. (sheep/cattle/parked cars etc) and NOT seen prior ... have a habit of popping up.

Driver/rider responsibility to ensure it IS safe.

Get it right .. :

get it WRONG ...

[Berries]

Stop the planet.



I want to get off.

[G4L4XY]

Pfft no wheelies, no knee-down....They're pretty keen on riding on the painted lines in wet weather though

[swbarnett]

Get it right ... no problem.

Get it wrong ...

Which is exactly my point. A given action can't be labelled dangerous if, when done right, has almost no chance of ending in disaster.

[swbarnett]

They're pretty keen on riding on the painted lines in wet weather though

A lot of the painted lines I've seen on the open road are the least of one's worries when it comes to grip problems. They're often very old and worn down to almost nothing.

[scumdog]

Which is exactly my point. A given action can't be labelled dangerous if, when done right, has almost no chance of ending in disaster.

Pfft...the cemeteries are full of people that thought along those lines...

[FJRider]

Which is exactly my point. A given action can't be labelled dangerous if, when done right, has almost no chance of ending in disaster.

Given actions are one thing ... given circumstances are another. You only know ANY road as well as the last time you traveled it.

A bit of tar seal may have lifted ... a diesel trail may have been left over the apex of the corner ... a gate nearby may have been left open letting stock on the roadside .... the list goes on.

UNKNOWN dangers have NO danger ... right .. ??? (well maybe ... until you find them)

And when that happens ... "It (still) wasn't MY fault ... because ..."

[Berries]

Given actions are one thing ... given circumstances are another. You only know ANY road as well as the last time you traveled it.

A bit of tar seal may have lifted ... a diesel trail may have been left over the apex of the corner ... a gate nearby may have been left open letting stock on the roadside .... the list goes on.

And on and on. But these are all dangers which could affect the lane you are in just as much as the lane you might stray in to if straightening the road.

[swbarnett]

Pfft...the cemeteries are full of people that thought along those lines...

You do realise that that's all any sentient being is capable of?

EVERY action we do (not just on the road) unless it's the first time is based on either our own or other's experience i.e. if it has worked many times before why shouldn't it work again under the same circumstances.

[swbarnett]

Given actions are one thing ... given circumstances are another. You only know ANY road as well as the last time you traveled it.

Which is exactly why I said "when done right". You're talking about times when it's done wrong.

[george formby]

Given actions are one thing ... given circumstances are another. You only know ANY road as well as the last time you traveled it.

A bit of tar seal may have lifted ... a diesel trail may have been left over the apex of the corner ... a gate nearby may have been left open letting stock on the roadside .... the list goes on.

UNKNOWN dangers have NO danger ... right .. ??? (well maybe ... until you find them)

And when that happens ... "It (still) wasn't MY fault ... because ..."

Concur. A lorra accidents happen close to home or on familiar roads. Familiarity breeds, er, lack of thinking I guess. The feds may well straighten the road but they have a far better reason for doing so than Joe Public.

I'm all for developing good habits. The centre line is not an optional suggestion. Crossing it is laziness & unnecessary. Most of the time.

I know a few roads round here intimately but never get any quicker on them. My speed is dictated by how far I can see & stop. The visibility never changes. Straightening out a series of bends that you can see through strikes me as being unmotorcycling. More lean vicar I say.

[swbarnett]

Crossing it is laziness & unnecessary. Most of the time.

While I agree with the above as yet no-one has yet answered the real question - why is is considered unsafe if done properly?

I know a few roads round here intimately but never get any quicker on them. My speed is dictated by how far I can see & stop. The visibility never changes.

No argument here.

Straightening out a series of bends that you can see through strikes me as being unmotorcycling. More lean vicar I say.

In that case why do we deviate from the curve of the corner at all? Do you have a problem with the likes of Rossi and Marquez straightening their road?

[george formby]

While I agree with the above as yet no-one has yet answered the real question - why is is considered unsafe if done properly?

If done properly then it has no consequence. My experience of other road users straightening the road is mainly on blind corners which has potentially horrendous consequences. A bad habit created by thoughtlessness.
Considered road position is exactly that. Conscious & considered.

In that case why do we deviate from the curve of the corner at all? Do you have a problem with the likes of Rossi and Marquez straightening their road?

I think that perfectly highlights the risk of straightening the public highway without considered reason. Crossing the centre line to increase safety is valid. Doing so to be quicker is cock. My only problem with Rossi is the time it's taking him to get back on top. No probs at all with MM, might even try the elbow down front wheel save meself. In my lane of course.

Hope that bold bit is not shouty.