owning the road or being dominant.

[FROSTY:Me]

One thing ive noticed with a lot of newer riders is they tend to ride to the far left of the road.
It really bothers me so I figure best to post something up here.
Im talking here about a single lane in either direction type road.
The issues are --
1) by riding to the left cage drivers have a tendancy to drive like you aren't even there literally pushing you off the road.
2)You are harder to see for oncoming traffic and at intersections.
3)Its harder for you to see cars pulling out of side roads to your left.
4) a lot of the rubbish-nails etc seem to find their way to the left edge of the road.
I'd suggest riding in the Right hand wheel track on the road which generally puts you around a meter from the center line.
It also puts you smack bang in the rear view mirror of any cage in front of you--as long as you are using correct following distance

[In The Breeze]

Some bloody good points there Frosty. Have found it way too dangerous to stay left especially in a built up area. Kids playing is a biggun and as you said people pulling out they,they may not be able to see past the usual SUV parked up by their driveway so might pull out on you.
I still don't get how some don't ride with their lights on either-surprises me but each of us are responsible for our own safety. I expect people to do stupid things and it has kept me alive so far.

[Marmoot]

I normally ride on the centerline, slightly to the right. more right if I'm behind a car or is overtaking one. Furthest to right if Im overtaking a truck or bus (ESPECIALLY THOSE DAMNED STAGECOACH BUSES IN AUCKLAND CITY).

I ride to the left if there is a bike behind me.

[APPLE]

yeh man,i stay 2 the left of the white centre line rear vision,and side mirror visibility.But normally they hear me cumn anyways an dey move?

[Gremlin]

You'd think you were safe in the right wheel track... wouldn't you??

I have been undertaken twice by damn cars in about 7 months. Never tried letting myself be overtaken by travelling in the left hand wheel track.

If you are on a widish one lane (perhaps after merging or a median coming up) try riding in the middle of the lane. Riding in the right wheel track can put you far over to the right, and cars think they can undertake for some stupid reason.

The first time it really caught me by surprise to the extent I didn't even follow the guy and have a little chat.

[Riff Raff]

On the motorway where it's three lane I avoid riding in the centre lane - how often do you see two cars going for the gap in the centre lane at the same time. Had a close call the other day with that happening. If I'm in the left lane I stay on the right side of it, and if I'm in the fast lane I ride left of centre, and try to stay far enough back that I can be seen in side and rear vision mirrors.

[steved]

On the motorway where it's three lane I avoid riding in the centre lane - how often do you see two cars going for the gap in the centre lane at the same time. Had a close call the other day with that happening. If I'm in the left lane I stay on the right side of it, and if I'm in the fast lane I ride left of centre, and try to stay far enough back that I can be seen in side and rear vision mirrors.

Sounds quite similar to what I do. I strongly prefer the fast lane on motorways as it really cuts down on the chances of coming into contact with cars (they can only surprise you from two directions).

[Marmoot]

But normally they hear me cumn anyways an dey move?

you moan that loud eh?

[APPLE]

mate,with a pair of rs3 yoshies on?who wouldnt moan?

[Cookie]

Good stuff Frosty (as always).

Years ago when I first rode, I used to ride in the centre but had the odd scare when braking, suddenly realising I was sliding along the top of a nice smooth white arrow.

Now I am back on two wheels I much prefer the "right hand wheel track" position (as encouraged in the current Road Code) for all the reasons above.

I have had a few frights when our four wheeled friends have encroached on my space on the left though. One idiot recently actually overtook me on the left and then moved into the "safe following distance" between me and the car in front.

The right hand side is the place to be but I now keep a more regular check on my left so that even if someone does sneak up I am aware of them and don't get surprised by them.

[oldrider]

I still don't get how some don't ride with their lights on either-surprises me but each of us are responsible for our own safety. I expect people to do stupid things and it has kept me alive so far.

Hey I do not ride with my light on on the open road because it allows me the ability to flash the vehicles ahead who may not see me (That's all of them) when they are entering on to my road space from where ever.

Rural people are different to townies, flashing lights attract their attention. Don't you notice when drivers flash you to warn for Police ahead?

This includes animals birds etc, it is more affective than the horn or anything else at a distance.

I turn my light on as soon as I enter urban space because there is not enough time to flash and townies are more used to identifying bikes by their light.

Different strokes for different folk! Cheers John.

[oldrider]

One thing ive noticed with a lot of newer riders is they tend to ride to the far left of the road.
It really bothers me so I figure best to post something up here.
Im talking here about a single lane in either direction type road.
The issues are --
1) by riding to the left cage drivers have a tendancy to drive like you aren't even there literally pushing you off the road.
2)You are harder to see for oncoming traffic and at intersections.
3)Its harder for you to see cars pulling out of side roads to your left.
4) a lot of the rubbish-nails etc seem to find their way to the left edge of the road.
I'd suggest riding in the Right hand wheel track on the road which generally puts you around a meter from the center line.
It also puts you smack bang in the rear view mirror of any cage in front of you--as long as you are using correct following distance

Yes frosty and another point is on one way bridges, I always ride on the right side to stop those smart arse cagers who decide there is enough room for them as well as me! God damn this is getting far too frequent these days too. Cheers John.

[Swoop]

You'd think you were safe in the right wheel track... wouldn't you??

I have been undertaken twice by damn cars in about 7 months. Never tried letting myself be overtaken by travelling in the left hand wheel track.

If you are on a widish one lane (perhaps after merging or a median coming up) try riding in the middle of the lane. Riding in the right wheel track can put you far over to the right, and cars think they can undertake for some stupid reason.

The first time it really caught me by surprise to the extent I didn't even follow the guy and have a little chat.

Mirrorectomys are far easier to perform if the cager is on your left... or so I've heard...

[Quartida]

Hey I do not ride with my light on on the open road because it allows me the ability to flash the vehicles ahead who may not see me (That's all of them) when they are entering on to my road space from where ever.
...
I turn my light on as soon as I enter urban space because there is not enough time to flash and townies are more used to identifying bikes by their light.

Different strokes for different folk! Cheers John.

That's a very good point...I never thought of it like that. I always drive the cage with the lights on (which people have given me a fair lot of flak about) but that way actually makes a hell of a lot more sense. Even in a cage.

[Mental Trousers]

You'd think you were safe in the right wheel track... wouldn't you??

I have been undertaken twice by damn cars in about 7 months. Never tried letting myself be overtaken by travelling in the left hand wheel track.

If you are on a widish one lane (perhaps after merging or a median coming up) try riding in the middle of the lane. Riding in the right wheel track can put you far over to the right, and cars think they can undertake for some stupid reason.

The first time it really caught me by surprise to the extent I didn't even follow the guy and have a little chat.

I've had people try to do this shit, but each time I've seen them in the mirror and knew they were going to try it, so I moved to block them.

Still, one time this stupid bitch left the lane, crossed the metre or so to the carparks on the side and went deep into those angle parks to pass me on the left. Highly unimpressed with that particular piece of driving.