Position on the road?

**slofox** · 13th October 2008, 10:12

Scene: You are on the highway and your side of the road has three distinct areas on it - you can clearly see a left wheel track, a right wheel track and then there's the bit in between. As well as the indeterminate bits to either side. So where do you like to ride? (Mostly anyway)

I have heard it said that you should occupy the right wheel track since it discourages loonies from trying to squeeze past you. But personally I like to keep my distance from the oncoming traffic on the other side of the road. The left track however, is a little more left than I feel totally comfortable with. The zone between is reputed to be knee deep in oil droppings (worse than sheep droppings BTW) and be slippery......although personal experience does not bear this out. Overall I guess I sit in the LH track, although this can vary with traffic volume etc etc. What is you preference? And why, if you can be bothered explaining.......?

**MSTRS:Me** · 13th October 2008, 10:20

There have been lots of threads/posts about this. Generally, the right wheel track is your best place. But be prepared to move about as the situation demands.

**PirateJafa** · 13th October 2008, 10:24

Anything that misses the dirt is good enough for me.

**Oakie** · 13th October 2008, 10:26

Between right wheel track and centre line in the dry so I can get a decent view of the traffic ahead but pretty much in the right track in the wet.

**yod** · 13th October 2008, 10:27

RH track, for vision mostly

**PHATVW** · 13th October 2008, 10:27

I'm a newbie and have been told to ride somewhere around the right wheel track, but really depends on how much traffic there is... there's always some dickhead who trys to squeeze past you if you keep left too much

Also if you ride on the right wheel track, I figured that the person in front and behind you will be more likely to see you...?

**MSTRS:Me** · 13th October 2008, 10:36

Originally Posted by PHATVW

I'm a newbie and have been told to ride somewhere around the right wheel track, but really depends on how much traffic there is... there's always some dickhead who trys to squeeze past you if you keep left too much

Also if you ride on the right wheel track, I figured that the person in front and behind you will be more likely to see you...?

You have been given good advice.
On straight sections stay to the right. If you are between two cars, anyone overtaking the one behind you will know there isn't a 'gap' to pull into.
On twisty stuff, then position yourself to the right whaen approaching a left hander, and move left for right handers. This gives you a greater distance of visibility into/through the approaching corner.
And be consistant. Someone may be wanting to pass you, and if you are not being predictable...well.

Unlike the cock I tried passing for ages on the Taupo road yesterday...finally resorted to taking him and his pillion on an uphill lefthander. I hope my pillion let him know his riding was shite...

**slofox** · 13th October 2008, 10:47

Originally Posted by MSTRS

There have been lots of threads/posts about this. Generally, the right wheel track is your best place. But be prepared to move about as the situation demands.

Ahhhh yes - the search engine is my friend........which I did not think to use....duhhhhhh...........

**Big Dave** · 13th October 2008, 10:54

Anywhere not horizontal.

**Hitcher** · 13th October 2008, 11:00

Position on the road was the hardest thing to relearn in the USA and Canada, particularly on freeways. That and remembering that the driver in the cage in front of you was sitting on the lefthand side of the vehicle.

**fatzx10r** · 13th October 2008, 11:03

i alway's just stay close to the centre of the road, which is usualy the rh wheel track. but if im in a right hand doubble lane for instance i'll stay in the left hand wheel track of the car in front. i think it give's a better chance of being seen by other veichles that may be pulling out of a side

**CookMySock** · 13th October 2008, 11:11

RH half-lane gives me best visibility and command of the situation.

I too have wondered about slipperyness of various parts of the road. Basically I have given up trying to figure it out and just ride where I have the best vis/command, and stop worrying about slippery shit - the road basically isn't slippery and I should start trusting it and corner the bike without fear, and its working ok for now - haven't ended up in the hedge yet. Finding that isolated spot of gravel still worries me.

I don't get this "getting stuck behind traffic" crap. Just pass them??

Steve

**Ixion** · 13th October 2008, 11:14

On a straight 100kph road, usually about centre. Gives best options for avoidance , can go left or right. I'm assuming that there is nothing close in front. On a windy road, all across the lane as one corner runs into the next

If there is, or on an urban road, around right wheel track, better visibility and more room to dodge.

Alternatively, the footpath is always good.

**sunhuntin** · 13th October 2008, 11:14

i tend to sit in the right hand wheel track, depending on the scenario. i have had a few times where it appears ive gone too far right and some cunt has squeezed past on the left. last one im sure the guy was stoned. most normal people would look up if someone screamed fuck through an open driver side window.

so mostly, im either on the right, in the middle or weaving between the two... literally weaving back and forwards.