Straightening the road

[george formby]

less lean.The reason we lean is to get around the corners right? If we straighten those corners there is less lean required. I thought the whole idea of straightening the road was supposed to make things smoother and safer. Discussing leaning on white lines while wet is a bit distracting.

I have been wrong before and it will happen again.

I concur wid the safety angle. Roads up here rarely require a drastic lane shift unless your avoiding gravel or the dreaded green spooge which we have now.
The problems start when riders straighten the road to maintain a higher average speed. A different mind set.

[willytheekid]

Im confused?...I thought that cornering was GOOD??



...so much for all that practice

[george formby]

Im confused?...I thought that cornering was GOOD??


...so much for all that practice

It's the best! Getting twatted sucks, though.

[GrayWolf]

Do you want to quote verbatim from Roadcraft because I think you're being a bit selective

In both the previous and latest issues, it talks about moving your bike from one side of YOUR road space (the left lane) to the other. It also says don't take a straighter course until you can see clearly across the bend. That may or may not mean crossing the centre line but in any event, it clearly says you have to see clearly across the bend. As crossing the centre line under those conditions is not legal in NZ and people sticking to their respective side of the road undoubtedly reduces the risk of accidents, it's not supported here.

This thread has all the hallmarks of matching Cassina's (in)famous saga about the South Island rider showing good Roadcraft

I did point out that I make sure I have a clear view through the bends, and just to respond to your point about the 'Police roadcrft' manual.....
This is a UK Police Rider on patrol on an unmarked 'busa.... note from about 20 seconds, the open 'S' bends that he 'straightens out'.

http://tinyurl.com/m9bbwvu

Whether here it is legal or not, it IS an accepted method of road navigation by many 'advanced' riders.
I certainly would not tell anyone who doesnt do it at any time they are wrong. In fact most of the time here, I see a large percentage of riders almost hugging the inner curb/line on bends.

[Blackbird]

I did point out that I make sure I have a clear view through the bends, and just to respond to your point about the 'Police roadcrft' manual.....
This is a UK Police Rider on patrol on an unmarked 'busa.... note from about 20 seconds, the open 'S' bends that he 'straightens out'.

http://tinyurl.com/m9bbwvu

Whether here it is legal or not, it IS an accepted method of road navigation by many 'advanced' riders.
I certainly would not tell anyone who doesnt do it at any time they are wrong. In fact most of the time here, I see a large percentage of riders almost hugging the inner curb/line on bends.

I take your point but pursuit riding by police is a whole world different from other riders who are less skilled. However, in NZ, the rules of the road take precedence, irrespective of whether a rider or car driver thinks it's a stupid rule or not. You're quite right about hugging the inner track too. A friend of mine used to do that and a few years ago, dropped his bike avoiding a sheep which he'd have seen earlier had he been closer to the centre line. I will freely admit that my views are heavily influenced by the fact that on the Coromandel Peninsula where I live, the number of cars and bikes cutting blind corners is appallingly high. Also, my IAM training over the last 3 years has conditioned me not to cut corners. Reckon this has been a life-saver on the Peninsula in particular

[Ulsterkiwi]

I take your point but pursuit riding by police is a whole world different from other riders who are less skilled. However, in NZ, the rules of the road take precedence, irrespective of whether a rider or car driver thinks it's a stupid rule or not. You're quite right about hugging the inner track too. A friend of mine used to do that and a few years ago, dropped his bike avoiding a sheep which he'd have seen earlier had he been closer to the centre line. I will freely admit that my views are heavily influenced by the fact that on the Coromandel Peninsula where I live, the number of cars and bikes cutting blind corners is appallingly high. Also, my IAM training over the last 3 years has conditioned me not to cut corners. Reckon this has been a life-saver on the Peninsula in particular

I think you hit on something there (pun not intended). I accept there are loads of people on here who have been riding for years and years. However those 'years and years' might equate to being on the bike twice a month over the summer months on the same roads and thats it. Its easy then to think of yourself as really experienced and not take heed of well thought out, evidence based theory and practice from experts who do this for a living.

So we take the Coromandel as an example, it seems to be a magnet for the weekend biker who refuses to accept there might be a better way of doing things and yet they constantly get into trouble and come off second best.

I will maybe get blasted now for discounting experience other than my own, not my intention. Just saying a smart approach is to consider that a bit of training and reflecting on what you do on the road can make a huge difference. If you think you have nothing to learn you probably missed the point.

I can see the thinking behind straightening the road but the rules here say otherwise if it means crossing the centre line. Knowing that you make your decision whether to or not and accept the consequences. Maybe the major point is you can make your ride safer and more enjoyable by taking steps to maximise what you can see and that means making the most of the road available to you.

[Erelyes]

http://tinyurl.com/m9bbwvu

5:17.... hahahahaha