Straightening the road

[swbarnett]

Why 'straighten the road' - I thought motorcycling was all about flowing through the bends and corners.

Do you always ride parallel to the center line? If not then why do you 'straighten the road' by apexing a corner in your own lane?

[ellipsis]

...the centre line is all about discipline...

[nzspokes]

...we have a line in the centre of the road that really should mean something, other than just being a line in the centre of the road...

Agreed. Crossing that line when it is safe to do so creates a habit. That habit can get you killed.

[george formby]

Agreed. Crossing that line when it is safe to do so creates a habit. That habit can get you killed.

Exacary. That's why it costs $150 if you get caught doing it.
Which begs the question. Why do I see so many drivers & riders cutting corners? Crossing the white line with an early apex through a blind corner.
Corner cutting cameras. That's a solution.

[Berries]

Agreed. Crossing that line when it is safe to do so creates a habit. That habit can get you killed.

Eh? You just said the habit was to do it only when safe. How do you get killed if you only cross it when it is safe?

[Katman]

Stopped watching after 30 seconds, when they hugged the centre line on a left. To "see further round the bend". Fuck that, prefer to leave myself a bit of a margin should I need it.

Precisely.

I was appalled that no effort at all was made to create space between the riders and oncoming traffic.

However, that position will allow you see further through a corner, you will see oncoming drivers sooner and vice versa, plus, you do not maintain that position should there be an oncoming car.

Did you not watch the video?

[nzspokes]

Eh? You just said the habit was to do it only when safe. How do you get killed if you only cross it when it is safe?

People create habits to how they ride. They then use this habit when they ride all the time. When they are tired, cold or whatever they revert to the habit. The habit of crossing the center line can get you killed.

[Drew]

Taken slightly out of context. That position is based upon your Safety, Stability and View (or SSV). Namely, if it's not safe or stable to be somewhere, then don't. However, that position will allow you see further through a corner, you will see oncoming drivers sooner and vice versa, plus, you do not maintain that position should there be an oncoming car. You are also able to read the road more easily as you can see more.

Being further to the inside of a corner (lets say it's blind) actually gives you less reaction time and less opportunities for action, ie, you tuck to the inside should it be necessary...

You're taking the piss, eh? Blind corner or not, that's fucking stupid.

Agreed. Crossing that line when it is safe to do so creates a habit. That habit can get you killed.

Guess everyone should stop overtaking anytime other than passing lanes then. I get fucked off with drivers who can't bring themselves to do it now though, so better paint all the centre lines yellow.

[pritch]

I couldn't watch the whole thing but saw two things I didn't like:

Straightening the road, I used to do that. When I got back into riding after a break I thought I had better do some reading and came across Nick ienatch's book.
He says don't cross the centreline, don't even ride with people who do. So I changed my ways. Besides it does seem a waste if after riding along a straight then when you come to a nice S bend you straight iine it. That would seem a technique better suited to someone who should really be driving a car.

Some here will already be aware that I disagree with the UK police technique on blind left hand bends as demonstrated in the video. A few years back there was a campaign in Britain to get the police to change that, but they would not.

[Erelyes]

People create habits to how they ride. They then use this habit when they ride all the time. When they are tired, cold or whatever they revert to the habit. The habit of crossing the center line can get you killed.

So you never pass vehicles unless there's a passing lane then?
Edit: Beaten to it by Drew

[Blackbird]

Some here will already be aware that I disagree with the UK police technique on blind left hand bends as demonstrated in the video.

Me Ron ? As always, it's a question of context. Positioning close to the centre line for a left - hander to get a better view and create more time for an appropriate response makes a lot of sense. HOWEVER, if a rider failed to sacrifice that position for oncoming traffic, it's plain dumb and if it was a Roadcraft test, it would be a fail. Roadcraft specifically talks about applying the rule flexibly to cater for each individual circumstance. There are blind bends and blind bends!

Unfortunately, it's impossible to discuss it rationally on a forum because it's one of those things which needs both demonstration and practice. Besides, it just feeds the trolls and fuckwits

[nzspokes]

Guess everyone should stop overtaking anytime other than passing lanes then. I get fucked off with drivers who can't bring themselves to do it now though, so better paint all the centre lines yellow.

The threads about straightening corners. Not overtaking. I tend not to overtake on corners.

Normal overtaking, go for gold. Make sure its clear and pin that fucker.

[Drew]

The threads about straightening corners. Not overtaking. I tend not to overtake on corners.

Normal overtaking, go for gold. Make sure its clear and pin that fucker.

I overtake on corners, just not blind ones. Anyhoo...

That habit forming thing still doesn't ring true to me though. The mechanics of riding can be habitual, I don't believe the direction we travel is.

[nzspokes]

I overtake on corners, just not blind ones. Anyhoo...

Fair call.

I may from time to time.

[Madness]

Besides, it just feeds the trolls and fuckwits

"The Cassina Effect"