Which road position?

[Seigi]

Which is the correct road position to pass my test (For usual no-hazard riding)? I went for a lesson today as I've been riding on a CBT for about 9 months and decided it's time I get my A2 license and the instructor told me that my positioning is wrong because I'm riding in the advanced position (i.e. tire track next to line in middle of road) and that the DSA wants me to ride in the middle of my lane (i.e. in between tire tracks).

Is this correct? I couldn't believe it at first as I've been riding in the "advanced position ever since passing my CBT because it just makes sense "See and be seen" so they say.

Can someone clear this up?

Thanks,
Seigi.
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2008 Honda CBR125 (sold) / Suzuki DL 650 V Strom (Current bike)
Mod 2 Passed: 03/09/2013

[BakesBeans]

I was told to 'command my lane' which generally means in the middle. I dare say because some CBT learners get bullied off the road.

I soon changed to the tyre track when some debris was in the road, which I didn't see. Also makes sense so you can be seen.
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Current: Kawasaki ZX636
Previous Bike: Honda CBR600F ABS, Yamaha XJ6 F Diversion ABS, Honda VFR400 NC30

[Benson_JV]

I was always taught and always follow, roughly where the right hand side wheel is in a car. Or imagine the lane cut into fifths if you will, I aim for the 4th segment.
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Willson - "If you go out on that CBR600 in the winter, you're going to do more miles on your side than on your wheels."
Riding: CBR600FW Driving: Audi A6
Previous Bikes: '96 Bandit 600, '96 GPz305

[SQL]

On a CBT and I ride in the right hand of my lane.

[writernick]

I'm no expert but I did get my full license recently so here is how the examiners expect it done (IIRC): Imagine your lane is cut into three segments. You should ride in the middle segment by default - by riding in the middle you are commanding your lane.
You should only be in the 1st segment if about to turn left and in only be in the third segment (near the line) if you are about to turn right or if you are passing parked vehicles.
If your ride in the right hand part of your lane all the time then you are inviting vehicles to undertake you.

[Seigi]

[-Matt-]

You wouldnt get failed for being a bit left, bit right or centre so long as doing so doesnt put you in danger at any point of course - personally i stick and always understood as a general rule ride central. Some roads have a camber that can draw you towards the gutter the further to the side you go which can be one problem. Plus water tends to run off from the centre so its also generally safer in the wet i find.

[adam277]

I'm usually in the center as that is how I got taught. I change my position depending on the road conditions and traffic. I always try and stick central though.

[J.M.]

For the purpose of the standard bike test, there are 3 positions in the road.

Position 1:
Towards the left of your lane. Check your mirrors and move in to this position before a right hand bend to help improve your view around the corner.

Position 2:
Towards the center of your lane or very slightly offset. Cars should be able to see you in their mirrors but you shouldn't be in position 1 or 3. Use this position as standard.

Position 3:
Like position one, except you keep towards the right of your lane and it applies to left hand bends.

If you look in to more advanced riding you get about 5 positions to play with (of which you normally use position 4 by the sounds of it). But for the purpose of getting your licence, the 3 position approach is fine.

It's only a short ride. Ride to make the examiner happy rather than your personal preference. If your instructor is telling you something, just follow it.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Ribenapigeon]

I ride to the right of centre and did so in my tests and passed Mod 2 twice (old rules then new rules). This is not the kind of thing people fail for. I dont recall seeing any threads here when people have failed where road position while riding along was an issue. Road position at junctions and distances to vehicles is probably more likely to be a problem.

Good luck.

Its worth mentioning that whatever position you choose just remember that you should always do a lifesaver before changing position. People are always failing for forgeting to do that.

[Motorhate]

I was always taught to have a DLP (Dominant Lane Position) which means more or less centre for normal riding and to the right when going round bends to get a better view.
The trouble is, a lot of motorists think that motorcycles should be over to the left so as they can overtake them. Case in point here (from a supposed driving instructor!!):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-SOphSk-S0

From what I can see, this rider was perfectly in the right and the motorist was an ignorant impatient twat. Kudos to the rider for keeping calm and not lamping the driver for running him off the road like that.
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Current - Harley Davidson FXDB Street Bob | Harley Davidson FLTR Road Glide | Harley Davidson Road King
GONE - Honda CB500 Ratbike | Yamaha FZ750 | Yamaha XVS1100 | Kawasaki VN2000 | Kawasaki ER-6 F | Harley Davidson XL883L Sportster

[Ribenapigeon]

I would say the collision on the pootube link was a 50/50. The ped bois positioning approaching, negotiating and exiting the roundabout was crap. Approaching between lanes then holding that ambiguous line all the way through to exiting. The driver should not have tried to overtake such a shittily ridden ped and held back until the scootwit had settled into a lane. So IMHO its a 50/50.

[Motorhate]

[Ribenapigeon]

They were both in the wrong, single lane exit or not ped boi was being ambiguous. Just inviting trouble. He would have failed a test negotiating a roundabout like that.

The trouble with our system is that its confrontational. There's little ootion for coming to a compromise when both partys are at fault in some way.

[j.silvs]

Also treat any parked car/obstacle as a kerb and go central to that and the broken/solid lines.

Obviously if there is an oncoming car you either hold back or judge whether you think the gap is safe to go by

[Ribenapigeon]

I had another look at the vid, while the exit is marked for single lane its clearly two lanes wide so just more reason for scooterpooper to be more definate in his position choice. If you watch the vid all the way through there's another scooter comes along who does keep a good position well to the right.

[thepuma]

Just right of centre for me. Never have any trouble there....although saying that I tend to find I drift a lot whilst riding so I dunno...depends on the road conditions etc.
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YBR125 (SOLD) - CBR250R(SOLD) - CBR650F(SOLD) Current - Street Triple
765 RS

[Doovy]

I do the SMIDSY weave all day long for shits and giggles
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Yamaha RXS 100 > Honda CD 250 > Honda Hornet 600 > Honda CBR 600RR > Yamaha RXS 100 > Kawasaki ZX6R J2 > Yamaha FZ1