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Motorcycle riding question

we_dig_itwe_dig_it Member Posts: 6,614 ✭✭✭
edited September 2010 in General Discussion
Ok, Im not a motorcycle rider but I thought some of you guys could answer my question.

For the last few months I have noticed alot more motorcyles riding on or very near the centerline on the interstate we travel.

A couple of times I have tapped the horn to let them know I was passing them.

My wife seems to think maybe they feel like they are more visible to others drivers if they are more towards the centerline.

Is there anything to my observations or is it coincidence?? Seems pretty dangerous to me.
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Comments

  • MMOMEQ-55MMOMEQ-55 Member Posts: 13,134
    edited November -1
    Oil is in the middle of the road from cars dripping. U either ride on the left or the right but never in the middle.
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  • HandLoadHandLoad Member Posts: 15,998 ✭
    edited November -1
    M/C riders like to be on clean pavement, and will choose not to ride in the center of the lane, where there is Oil. If they ride near the shoulder, Motorists are tempted to try to go around, where there isn't room to do so, with the result that when opposing traffic approaches, the Motorist forces the M/C Rider off the road!!

    So, Defensive Riding Dictates that the Driver Side of the Lane forces Motorists to Signal and change lanes to pass, just like they would have to do if passing a Car.

    Smart, IMHO.
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  • HandLoadHandLoad Member Posts: 15,998 ✭
    edited November -1
    oops
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  • fishkiller41fishkiller41 Member Posts: 50,608
    edited November -1
    If U ever get a chance,pick up the workbook for the Motorcycle written test at the DMV.
    Riders are encouraged to ride on the side toward the center line to encourage other drivers (IN CARS) to not share the lane with them.
    Sounds weird but, that's what it says...
    It also, at night makes a bike resemble a car with only 1 headlight.(keeps oncoming cars away from the center line,supposedly)
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  • evileye fleagalevileye fleagal Member Posts: 4,238 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    its owning the whole lane then the oil is in the middile.
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  • we_dig_itwe_dig_it Member Posts: 6,614 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the replies. That makes alot of sense about the oil in the middle of the road.

    As long as the riders are aware of how close they are to the centerline. We have all had episodes where cars suddenly decide to cut over on you.

    Not alot of room for error on a motorcycle.
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  • andrewsw16andrewsw16 Member Posts: 10,728 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yeah, years ago in my early days of riding I tried riding in the right half of my lane and got put onto the shoulder by a car "squeezing" by. After that, it was the left half for me. [:D]
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  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    There are a myriad of reasons...visibility is one of them, other folks have addressed some others. Wild game is another reason...being closer to the center of the road gives someone more time to react to potential threats. I move around within my lane for the best visibility and for the conditions.
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  • hillbillehillbille Member Posts: 14,458 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dano
    I rarely ride left of center. Too many on-coming cars not paying attention.

    Right of center provides you with an escape route, however undesired it may be. [;)]



    not paying attention to a man in a pink tutu riding a honda 90????
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  • we_dig_itwe_dig_it Member Posts: 6,614 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dano
    I rarely ride left of center. Too many on-coming cars not paying attention.

    Right of center provides you with an escape route, however undesired it may be. [;)]




    Dano, for some reason I could see you riding in the side car.[;)]
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  • haroldchrismeyerharoldchrismeyer Member Posts: 2,213 ✭
    edited November -1
    I have been riding motorcycles on the road for about 30 years, and have always done that too. But one thing I have noticed over the years, the oil left by cars and trucks has decreased to almost nothing. The only time it is really an issue anymore is just when it starts to rain. Then it gets a little slick in the middle of the lane.
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  • NiccoHelNiccoHel Member Posts: 1,519 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    +3 on the oil, being pushed to the shoulder, and critters. also, its easier for them to see debris in the road by peering around the car ahead of them. i don't ride donorcycles myself, but a few buddies do.





    out of curiousity, do you move over in your lane to allow bikes to pass between you and another vehicle? if so, do you notice which bikers give a wave of thanks/acknowledgement the most?

    here in kalif, i've noticed that riders on older harleys give the wave most, then the crotchrocketeers, and the least likely to wave are the guys on brand new harleys or similar newer v-twins.
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  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by we_dig_it
    quote:Originally posted by dano
    I rarely ride left of center. Too many on-coming cars not paying attention.

    Right of center provides you with an escape route, however undesired it may be. [;)]




    Dano, for some reason I could see you riding in the side car.[;)]




    Your more likely to see him riding on the back...
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  • storm6490storm6490 Member Posts: 8,010
    edited November -1
    Safety!
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  • KEVD18KEVD18 Member Posts: 15,037
    edited November -1
    the current msf(motorcycle safety foundation) curriculum suggests that riders divide their lane of travel into thirds and to ride in the left third of that lane, with the left most third of the left most lane being the preferred positioning for all of the reasons mentioned earlier.

    granted, many of the riders out there are not msf graduates, but practice the same techniques because they are typically the smart play anyway.
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  • tneff1969tneff1969 Member Posts: 6,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by KEVD18
    the current msf(motorcycle safety foundation) curriculum suggests that riders divide their lane of travel into thirds and to ride in the left third of that lane, with the left most third of the left most lane being the preferred positioning for all of the reasons mentioned earlier.

    granted, many of the riders out there are not msf graduates, but practice the same techniques because they are typically the smart play anyway.




    +1 Kev
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  • MVPMVP Member Posts: 23,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    One more reason that I haven't seen mentioned is that more times than not, there is a lot more loose gravel and other debris on the pavement closer to the shoulder.
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  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Oil Center Deer right so stay near the center line. May move right if I see traffic trying to get on the same road as me and I have a car in front of me, that way they see me.
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  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dano
    quote:Originally posted by ECC
    quote:Originally posted by we_dig_it
    quote:Originally posted by dano
    I rarely ride left of center. Too many on-coming cars not paying attention.

    Right of center provides you with an escape route, however undesired it may be. [;)]




    Dano, for some reason I could see you riding in the side car.[;)]




    Your more likely to see him riding on the back...



    You still pizzed (and embarrassed) cause I wouldn't give you my e-mail address? [;)]






    Don't need it, sweetcakes...[:X]...although I do still have it.[;)]
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  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dano
    quote:Originally posted by ECC
    quote:Originally posted by dano
    quote:Originally posted by ECC
    quote:Originally posted by we_dig_it
    quote:Originally posted by dano
    I rarely ride left of center. Too many on-coming cars not paying attention.

    Right of center provides you with an escape route, however undesired it may be. [;)]




    Dano, for some reason I could see you riding in the side car.[;)]




    Your more likely to see him riding on the back...



    You still pizzed (and embarrassed) cause I wouldn't give you my e-mail address? [;)]






    Don't need it, sweetcakes...[:X]...although I do still have it.[;)]



    As long as you don't use it, there won't be a problem.





    Check your email...[:X]
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