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hueco
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« on: January 19, 2019, 10:02:58 PM » |
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When we are riding our mind is free to roam. Riding the other day what little of my mind is left. Roamed. Riding on the left or right side of the road is where most of the wear and tear is on the pavement. Cars, pickups, 18 wheelers deposit all their weight there. Causing pot holes,patch spots, dips and other irregularities in the pavement. Especially on the right side of the road. Riding in the middle of the road. We are riding on pretty much "virgin" pavement. Random thought.  |
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MarkT
Member
Posts: 5196
VRCC #437 "Form follows Function"
Colorado Front Range - elevation 2.005 km
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« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2019, 10:06:22 PM » |
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There's also more oil there. Just another thought. I typically ride mostly in the left tire track as I'm more visible there. Move to the right cresting a hill if I think of it. Always watching for potholes, flotsam in the road. And deer on the edges.
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« Last Edit: January 19, 2019, 10:09:05 PM by MarkT »
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Leathel
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« Reply #2 on: January 20, 2019, 12:05:39 AM » |
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If the road is good I usually run the wheel track nearer the center but there are lots of our roads that the wheel tracks are slick so I do use the center often, oil leaking vehicles are not as common as the used to so not an issue now over in NZ (you fail the vehicle inspection with bad leaks)
Wet conditions and the wheel tracks are like skating on ice in some of our local roads as they are worn smooth, the better road in the center out ways what limited oil slick in there....but that's over here
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16681
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #3 on: January 20, 2019, 05:03:44 AM » |
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I tend to ride in the track that gives me the best or most room for escape. On two lanes I ride mostly in the left track, on multiple lane roads I usually ride closest to where the traffic is giving me somewhere to go should another user of the road decides to join me in the space I am occupying. I don't know this is sound policy but it works for me. Well, it has. There was that time someone decided to pass me on a single lane using the left side emergency lane to get past me. Was not a good result. In that case, I should have been in the middle or left track. Live and learn.  Rams |
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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old2soon
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« Reply #4 on: January 20, 2019, 05:42:02 AM » |
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Depends on Where I am at the moment and lotsa other factors learned while driving a big truck all over Our Fair Nation. Some-NOT All-factors learned in a big rig are applicable to a M/C. The biggest transferable factor is observance-paying attention-situational awareness. While the center oiled strip has diminished sadly it is still slightly there. Just have to take yer own best shot. I don't always ride a Motorcycle but when I do ride I ALWAYS ride a Valkyrie.  RIDE SAFE. |
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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Oss
Member
Posts: 12761
The lower Hudson Valley
Ossining NY Chapter Rep VRCCDS0141
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« Reply #5 on: January 20, 2019, 05:48:49 AM » |
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I usually take the left track as the wash outs and potholes tend to be on the right (downhill) side of the local roads. Most important is leaving enough room between myself and the vehicle in front so I can see where the potholes are coming to meet me
Here in NY's Hudson Valley we are entering pothole season which will end before June. The buggers spring up like mushrooms do overnight after a rain and freeze/thaw
No riding today snow ice and rain still coming down
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If you don't know where your going any road will take you there
George Harrison
When you come to the fork in the road, take it
Yogi Berra (Don't send it to me C.O.D.)
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cookiedough
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« Reply #6 on: January 20, 2019, 05:52:15 AM » |
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Just me, but I either ride where the road looks in best condition or if all things fine on the road, I stay left of center (or center) to offer more wiggle room on both sides of the road for avoidance maneuvers but when oncoming traffic is coming at me, I usually go over to the right shoulder of my side for cars coming at me tend to gravitate towards MY LANE for some reason crossing the center line. I know 100% once years ago if I was NOT in the right side of my lane of traffic, the oncoming car was 3-4 feet coming at me in MY LANE. A head on collision if in center of lane or left side of lane would not end well. I see mostly HD riders hugging the center line even a few times their mirrors are on my side of the road as I am coming at them the other way thinking they have a death wish.
Oil slicks never really had an issue while riding where I live except after or while raining which I rarely ride in the rain, but more so the tar snakes around corners on hwy. and even more so sometimes if not oil slicks, but I think for some reason when I stop at stop signs in town, I always seem to go too far forward putting my feet down on the WHITE painted on the pavement and my shoes slip 80% of the time not getting any stickiness. I must have quick reflexes but scares the crap outta me for a split second when usually my feet slip away fearing the bike will go down on one side or the other. This happens to me a lot of times seeing as I have a bad tendency to go too far forward at a stop sign by 3-4 feet usually planting my feet down on the WHITE paint.
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2019, 05:56:05 AM » |
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When we are riding our mind is free to roam. Riding the other day what little of my mind is left. Roamed. Riding on the left or right side of the road is where most of the wear and tear is on the pavement. Cars, pickups, 18 wheelers deposit all their weight there. Causing pot holes,patch spots, dips and other irregularities in the pavement. Especially on the right side of the road. Riding in the middle of the road. We are riding on pretty much "virgin" pavement. Random thought. I hardly ever ride in the middle. That's where more nails and screws live. I count on the cars "cleaning" the road of such hazards. |
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« Reply #8 on: January 20, 2019, 06:25:37 AM » |
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Most important is leaving enough room between myself and the vehicle in front so I can see where the potholes are coming to meet me
Plus if middle lane riding the angle of escape past a vehicle in front (if needed) is much harder to achieve. |
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16799
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #9 on: January 20, 2019, 06:50:10 AM » |
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Try to pick a good line and hope for the best... ?  -Mike |
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #10 on: January 20, 2019, 08:09:25 AM » |
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I won't ever ride in the middle. If I can't get a window seat, I'm not going.  ______________ On bikes, I am constantly changing my position for best visibility (to see or be seen), best road surface (and avoiding bumps and animal carcass), best safety, and best escape plan. Some of my riding buddies think it's schizophrenia, but it's not, my mom had me tested.  |
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« Last Edit: January 20, 2019, 09:35:10 AM by Jess from VA »
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Sorcerer
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« Reply #11 on: January 20, 2019, 08:34:31 AM » |
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Were I place me and the bike is dependent on traffic and road conditions. I ride a lot Wisconsin back country roads. Left hand curves, is there an road or driveway, has sand, gravel washed onto the road? Most left handers my first choice is the left wheel track. That decision can change in a flash. Interstate clover leafs my initial choice is the right wheel track. I’m especially paying attention to the left wheel track looking for the dark strip of diesel fuel from the trucker that forgot or lost his fuel cap. When just running down the road I pick the right side of the left wheel track.
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NautiBrit
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« Reply #12 on: January 20, 2019, 03:10:00 PM » |
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When I'm on my CanAm Spyder I have no choice and ride left, right and center. On 2 wheels, I'm like most here and adjust to the conditions.
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George
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Avanti
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« Reply #13 on: January 20, 2019, 04:08:46 PM » |
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I ride what I call "Line of Sight".
I try to place myself in a position that gives me the furthest view of the road ahead and where I am in the soonest line of sight of the oncoming traffic and or verticals waiting to make a left-hand turn.
In other words, if I can not see the driver than they can not see me.
This means that riding high or riding low is a decision based on many conditions, type of road, road quality, traffic placement, weather, day or night driving and many others that pass through my thoughts.
There are many wrong places to be and only one right place to be in a given moment. We can only do our best to be in that one right place when that moment comes and it will come, when our life depends on it.
Stay alert, have fun, leave a way out and ride safe.
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Mr Whiskey
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« Reply #14 on: January 20, 2019, 04:18:26 PM » |
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I won't ever ride in the middle. If I can't get a window seat, I'm not going. ______________ On bikes, I am constantly changing my position for best visibility (to see or be seen), best road surface (and avoiding bumps and animal carcass), best safety, and best escape plan. Some of my riding buddies think it's schizophrenia, but it's not, my mom had me tested.
DITTO! |
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Peace, Whiskey.
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rocketray
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« Reply #15 on: January 21, 2019, 03:21:43 PM » |
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here in Dallas it may not rain for months ..all those cars stop at intersections and drip stuff on the center of the road..slick as can be..so brake and stop in the tire lines |
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flsix
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« Reply #16 on: January 22, 2019, 04:38:55 PM » |
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Usually stick to the tire ruts on either side. The center seems to have a lot more debris and is slick with oil when wet.
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2013 F6B
ESCHEW OBFUSCATION
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Raider
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« Reply #17 on: January 22, 2019, 06:58:41 PM » |
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I won't ever ride in the middle. If I can't get a window seat, I'm not going. ______________ On bikes, I am constantly changing my position for best visibility (to see or be seen), best road surface (and avoiding bumps and animal carcass), best safety, and best escape plan. Some of my riding buddies think it's schizophrenia, but it's not, my mom had me tested. Jess, was it you who was asking about BikeSafe a while back? This sounds a LOT like what we teach. |
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #18 on: January 22, 2019, 07:08:18 PM » |
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I won't ever ride in the middle. If I can't get a window seat, I'm not going. ______________ On bikes, I am constantly changing my position for best visibility (to see or be seen), best road surface (and avoiding bumps and animal carcass), best safety, and best escape plan. Some of my riding buddies think it's schizophrenia, but it's not, my mom had me tested. Jess, was it you who was asking about BikeSafe a while back? This sounds a LOT like what we teach. Wasn't me Raider.. |
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