Dark line in the road

[sepher]

Not sure if this is to do with my tinted visor, but going along alot of roads and I see this dark strip about a foot wide going right down the middle of each lane throughout the whole length of road. It's basically where car's havn't driven, I understand that. But is it safe to drive in this part? Seeing as its slap bang in the middle. I'm going round bends on a dual carriageway and I'm avoiding it like the plague just in case

Also if I'm going through a spill of something on the road at speed (just looks wet and dark, random patches of it), national limits and above say, does this affect my tyres grip on the next corner?

[njd27]

You get all sorts in the centre bit: loose road chippings and oil and whatnot. I generally keep just to the right of it: it's a slightly stronger road position for visibility as well.

[doggone]

The bit between the tyre ruts will be less worn and you might find it more grippy in the wet - but generally best avoided as it's slightly more likely to harbour puncture material.

[jjdugen]

Its all the engine oil mist and droplets from trucks and cars, I tend to keep clear.

[supZ]

ride on the payment
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CBR954RR - Daily toy
CBR600RR - Trackbike

[Biker Alex]

[gooner_47]

100 points for a granny.

[yen_powell]

Sometimes in the rain this bit stays drier longer (the old oil repelling the water) and may even be grippier than the surrounding asphalt. As with all strange marks on the carriageway, treat it with suspicion until you're sure.
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[Frost]

I ride on it, but i keep an eye out of loose stones and patched of oil. If in doubt ride in the right hand side wheel grooves.

[binge]

I dont know why people get so worked up about road surfaces.

Even on a sports bike, unless you're carrying a pillion, or riding extremely stiff, and uncomfortably, then there is no reason why you should come off, even when riding over loose chippings.

The ONLY road surfaces which I avoid on my bikes, is wet manhole covers, and painted white lines (The really big ones which say "50" on them etc), and that's only when they are mid-corner, on an exceptionally fast corner.

Even diesel isnt that bad to ride on, Again, if it's mid corner, on quite a fast bend, then it may become an issue.




Ben

[kal9001]

I think one reason why in the wet it may be abit better is because the two tracks where the cars go tend to smooth the surface down leaving it quite slick in the wet. Usually in the middle the surface is less smooth giving less chance for standing water.

In theory you could imagine there to be more crap in this area. Usually you do see more loose chippings and stones and crap but ive not seen much oil around here on the roads.
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Anyone stupid enough to think we will drag a load of wooden horses full of soldiers into our city is certanley stupid enough to drag all of ours into theirs!

[binge]

[Frost]

The only time i've ever hit the deck i wasn't mid corner, i was bolt upright. I put the brakes on approaching a roundabout in the wet and something on the road from the petrol station opposite had me on my ass the split second i touched the brakes.
On dry roads oil in the middle of the road isn't so bad as it sits down below the tops of the stones. On a wet road it floats on the top and is seriously slippy. I've seen a diesel spill on a round about spin a car out, nevermind a bike!

[colin1]