View Poll Results: Is it safe to ride in the wheeltracks of the car in front?

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  • Yes

    54 84.38%
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Thread: Riding in the wheeltrack of the car in front of you?

  1. #1
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    Riding in the wheeltrack of the car in front of you?

    i think that is a very bad idea!


    why?


    where are the major blind spots in a car?


    your views please!
    i wouldnt want to be caught dead in the same grave as me.

  2. #2
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    7th July 2005 - 12:00
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    Well the only other place to ride would be inthe centre of the lane, and in this weather that means a lot of oil and stuff coming up out of the tarmac... I think I'd rather keep a safe stopping distance and ride in the wheel track.

  3. #3
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    i see people are voting but not commenting!


    so come on why do you think its safe to ride in one of the biggest blind spots of a car?
    i wouldnt want to be caught dead in the same grave as me.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Karma View Post
    Well the only other place to ride would be inthe centre of the lane, and in this weather that means a lot of oil and stuff coming up out of the tarmac... I think I'd rather keep a safe stopping distance and ride in the wheel track.
    i didnt just mean in this weather, i meant generally...
    i wouldnt want to be caught dead in the same grave as me.

  5. #5
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    Personally i think riding in a cars right wheel track is a good idea not only in wet weather riding and for the fact you may miss some of the oil spots on the road, But i believe (And i guess this is vehicle dependant i.e type or model of car, truck, bus etc...) that the car infront has a clear veiw of a biker riding in their right wheel track. I for one have seen many a biker behind me in my xr8 riding in my right wheel track and once i've seen them i take special precautions to make life easier for them!!


    just one of many different opinions i'm sure.

  6. #6
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    Probably because the REAL blindspot is actually to the right of the RH wheeltrack.

    In my car the mirrors are correctly adjusted. The blind spot is about 1 metre from my right shoulder. It's not really blind as I can almost cover it with peripheral vision - a quick glance right can fill the blind spot.

    I can see motorcyclists in my RH wheeltrack in both RH mirror and centre mirror.

    I cannot see the motorcyclist while they are overtaking me however. Does that mean motorcyclists should never overtake cars?

    Ever sat too close to the car in front between the wheel tracks and the driver drives straight over a piece of 4X4 timber? you don't see it until it's 1 metre from your front wheel and you're travelling at 120kph about to overtake? the front wheel slides or stops and you're surfing down the tarmac on your arse followed by 200kg of angry bouncing metal...

    Right wheel track + 2 second rule = happiness and joy.

  7. #7
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    i do it, the right wheel track, but i dont follow cars for long, only just b4 i pass them, etc

    www.PhotoRecall.co.nz

  8. #8
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    I was always taught from day one of learning to ride that riding in the wheel
    track is the safest place, you miss the majority of oil spots plus your less
    likely to get a puncture as they've just driven over where your riding.
    Also cars, trucks what ever flick debris to the centre of the road as well
    as the centre of your lane.
    And in the rain they have already displaced water from your line.
    In my opinion it's not a blind spot at all unless your too close.

  9. #9
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    I find that for most vehicles if I ride in the RH wheel track then I can not see the face of the driver in front in either of his mirrors. I tend to postion myself in such a place that I can see the face of the driver in front, and that is usually in the same part of the road that I'd be in if I was driving a cage. ie, just to the left of the wheel track, and to the right of the centerline.

    For some vehicles like 4x4s, trucks, busses etc, its immediately to the right of the wheel track.

    But the over riding rule is to always be able to see the driver in front through his mirrors.
    Time to ride

  10. #10
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    Good place to be, dryer in the wet, swept clear of debris. And the big one: gives you a chance to step 1M to the right if the car does something stupid, and that extra road can make all the difference. Is not however a licence to creep up on the following distance.

    The one time it's not a good idea is following a dual tyred truck, they pick up crap and eventually chuck them at unsuspecting bikers. I once had 1/2 a briick miss my head by not very fucking much.
    Go soothingly on the grease mud, as there lurks the skid demon

  11. #11
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    I'll ride in the wheeltrack but hang back so I'm visible in the mirros. If you are close to a car then no - never.

    On wet days (he says looking out the window) it's ok to do becuase it's the drier place on the road - but yes, do it with caution. I live by the rule that I need to see the eyes of the driver/rider in front of me. It applies to this situation too.
    $2,000 cash if you find a buyer for my house, kumeuhouseforsale@straightshooters.co.nz for details

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by canarlee View Post
    i see people are voting but not commenting!


    so come on why do you think its safe to ride in one of the biggest blind spots of a car?
    If you ride in the outer wheel track, and back far enough,you would be in the car drivers view via his door mirror, so as i see it that must be safer if you can be seen, also i agree about the oil and crap on the road if you ride in between wheels.
    You know it's going to be a bad day when you jump out of bed and miss the floor.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by DMNTD View Post
    Agreed...100%
    I usually won't ride in the RH wheel track as I've been hit by a piece of wood,rocks/stones etc after they've been flicked up. Wasn't pleasant.

    However like KF I tend not to follow cars/vans/trucks if I can safely over take
    more logic to my argument!
    i wouldnt want to be caught dead in the same grave as me.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cave Cleaner View Post
    If you ride in the outer wheel track, and back far enough,you would be in the car drivers view via his door mirror, so as i see it that must be safer if you can be seen, also i agree about the oil and crap on the road if you ride in between wheels.
    That depends on how far out from the body of the car the wing mirror is, and on the shape of the side of the vehicle etc. There are a lot of vehicles that have a blind spot extending back a long way directly in line with the wheel track. Position yourself with respect to the mirrors rather than the wheels and you'll be a lot safer.
    Time to ride

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jantar View Post
    That depends on how far out from the body of the car the wing mirror is, and on the shape of the side of the vehicle etc. There are a lot of vehicles that have a blind spot extending back a long way directly in line with the wheel track. Position yourself with respect to the mirrors rather than the wheels and you'll be a lot safer.
    now that is more my way of thinking!

    i just couldnt think of the words lol
    i wouldnt want to be caught dead in the same grave as me.

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