Triumphrat

scramble stash

I live in the rural interior of Florida. I travel two lane state roads with a limit of 60 and 65 mph. I found the right side of the oil line offers less blow by from the big trucks and fewer former dead habitants in the travel path. Coming up on an intersection however the left side of the oil line with high beams on gives me better visibility.
Do any of you have a preference and any reason for your location of travel? We on two wheels, have a greater path to choose.

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Got a light?

saphena

To avoid the right/left conflict - we drive on the proper (left) side of the road here - I "usually" position my self close to the crown/centre of the road but I'll move away from oncoming traffic.

Think in terms of a "safety bubble" and keep yourself at the centre of it. In other words, you want to keep your bike as far from trouble as possible. Oncoming traffic is your "worst threat" so move away from it. If no oncoming traffic, the edge of the road is your worst threat, followed by cars trying to squeeze past you if you leave a big enough gap.

As you approach junctions, move towards the crown to maximize your visibility but never compromise safety. The things to consider when choosing a position are safety, stability, view; in that order.

So, in order, where am I safest? Where's the best bit of road surface? Where can I get the best view/be seen?

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Bob - Ringer, not dead yet
Switch to reserve ~120 miles, fuel panic ~150

bobmig

For roads such as you describe I find the method taught by the various safety orgs makes sense. Keep to the left (auto) tire track. If you ride the right tire track it's too easy for some idiot to try to pass you in the same lane, and run you off the road. If you're in the left track anyone trying to pass in the same lane will have to themself run off the road. In the turns you place yourself so as to optimize the curve. If in the UK, reverse everything. :
Bob

Baltobonneville

I do the same, mostly on the left side of the lane. The oil patch in the middle makes me nervous.

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Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes RC, Unifilter, no snorkel, 118/40/Thrux needle/1 shim/3 turns, fly screen, tacho, Ikon 7610s, Hagon fork springs, Pirelli Sport Demons, D9 gauge panel.

Billbikes

I usually ride in the left tire track(in the US). I find that the right(outside) part of the lane has more breakup of pavement and debris. It's also easier for oncoming traffic to see you, not to mention if you are behind another vehicle, on the far right, you may be invisible.

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08 Bonnie...better on a Black...NH Peashooters...NewBonneville Low cafe bars...Napolean Barends...DeSnorked, Restrictor gone, 125 jets
You can take the boy out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the boy.

Decker

Whatever feels safe. I move around a lot in the lane depending on where traffic is, what lane I'm in, if I know that there is rough road ahead I will stay out of it's way. I don't think there is a definitive answer here, but I usually go where visibility and/or buffer room is greatest.

Granted, I live in an urban area, so my environment is changing every 1/4 mile or so.

koifarm

Pretty much the same as others. I generally stick to the left tire track.
If a car is coming, move to the right and back when it passes.
If a car is behind me, I slow down, get in the right track and motion for him to pass. If he doesn't I really slow down till he does. I hate having to watch my mirror to see what some clown is up to so my philosophy is to get him the hell off my ass.
In the same respect, I watch the road ahead for bumps, potholes, loose gravel on the turns and will steer to avoid that which needs avoiding.
Left turns, always in the left tire track.
Right turns, always in the right tire track.
Rain, even a light sprinkle, stay the hell away from the center at all costs and be very careful if you have to cross the oily center.

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Sitting on a cornflake waiting for the van to come!

bobmig

I suppose I should also add that keeping in the left track might give you that extra split-second of time should a critter of child run out onto the road. I know... probably not enough time to realistically do anything, but it makes me feel more confident just in case!
Bob again

p2gee

You have to be flexible for what ever the conditions are at the time , but in general, I like to keep my self lined up with the drivers side rear view mirror so they are aware I'm behind them. Therefore I am left of the oil line most of the time.

skiTTles

Aside from what’s already been mentioned I’ll throw out these practices:

-When coming up on a blind left or right hand corner move to the furthest-outside of the apex-bit of the lane, it gives you that much more time to see and be seen by the cager pulling out from an offshoot drive.

-Regardless of what side of the lane you’ve been riding in, when you come to a stop move your bike to the driver’s side of the lane, it increases your visibility to them (still though, keep your bike in gear and your eyes on your mirror with an escape route planned. Just in case they don’t stop for you).

-The safest place for a motorbiker (aside from the track) is the outside bit of the inside lane on a limited access highway (read: for left hand drives; the right bit of the left or ‘fast’ lane).

-If you are in the middle of a multi-lane throughway/highway move to the side of the lane that has the traffic passing you. Not being seen by a car coming up may give them the idea that your space is for rent.

No kidding, never understood this (and no doubt those would be the first cagers to complain about lane-splitting/filtering).

There you have it, the truth.