positioning advice needed to help pass my test

[colin1]

I have had two bike instructors who have given me conflicting advise.

Maybe I shd pm the guy on here who is an examiner but i have forgotten his name.

You lot shd probably have some idea tho.

One instructor says I should always be to the left of centre of the lane I am in.

The other instructor says that I should be to the right of centre when approaching junctions where vehicles emerging have limited visibility. This way they will see me earlier.

I know the second advice is safer but I want to pass my test and the sensible safe way isnt always the way to pass your test.

I know I have to abide by what the DSA thinks is safe if i want to pass.

So pls just tell me what I need to do to pass.

Also, how wd an examiner react if I turned up at the test centre a few weeks b4 the test and asked him a few short questions like that ? I know who is the one likely to be assessing me so it wd be nice to have his interpretation of best practice.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[0ddball]

I just passed mine about 2 weeks ago so it's all pretty fresh in my mind.

I just rode in the centre of my lane most of the time unless turning. If the road surface was bad in the centre i would ride just left of the centre.

I think thats what it says in the dsa book i have too.

[colin1]

thnx
i shd probably get a dsa book rather than relying on my instructors

ive got roadcraft somewhere but i cant remember where i put it.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[mchaggis]

Slap bang in the centre of your lane, unless you're distancing yourself from a hazard (eg blind junction on left or cars threatening to pull out). You want to be on the left hand side of the road on a right hander, and not any further to the right than centre on a left hander. Mirror and lifesaver before any road position change.

Now if I can just get that U-turn down...
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Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[Keith]

I think some schools have a slightly different approach.

Last year when I was doing my training prior to the test, we were tought "just left of centre" by all the instructors. So obviously, I got into the habit of staying in that position at pretty much all times.

I just stayed a little to the left on the test itself and got a pass with 1 minor for observation, the road positioning was complemented by the examiner. So you wont go wrong staying just left but I've heard of other people being tought different things.
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Aprilia RSV Mille R Edwards Replica - Aprilia RS250 - Suzuki GSXR600 Supersport Race Bike

[The Old Geeza]

All instructors have their own approach and 'ideals'. So it always seems they contradict each other when your faced with different instructors. I had the same problem myself. Two training days, two different instructors, two different methods of riding.

Personally, I don't think this is good for learners, but that's life!

However, the Official DSA Publication - motorcycle riding, the essential skills states on page 102 - Road position...

As a general rule, keep to the centre of the lane. On a single carriageway (two-way traffic) that is halfway between the centre of the road and the left side.

Your position will depend on

the width of the road
the road surface
your view ahead
any obstructions

Your position should allow you to

be easily seen by traffic ahead, particularly vehicles emerging from junctions
be seen in the mirror of any vehicle in front
move over to the left to create more room for oncoming traffic that's passing stationary vehicles or other obstructions

Keep clear of the gutter where there are often potholes and loose grit

Keep clear of the centre of the road. You might

obstruct overtaking traffic
put yourself in danger from oncoming traffic
encourage following traffic to overtake you on your left

... and so it goes on.

But the examiner will not be that critical about your road positioning. Just don't ride constantly to the right of centre.

When I took my test, I stayed slightly to the left of centre during general riding, since this kept me out of all the crap which spews from other vehicles - engine oil, diesel and the like. When I approached a queue of traffic, I positioned myself in the centre of the lane and stayed at least one car length from the vehicle in front. That way, they could see me clearly in their internal mirror. When I turned left, I moved as far over to the left at the junction as possible. This closes any gap available for (say) a cyclist or other bike to get into. When I turned right, I moved as far over to the right at the junction as possible for the same reason. When I was passing parked vehicles on the left, I also rode as close to the centre line as possible in order to take into account any idiot opening their car door without looking.

I think I'll stop at this point, otherwise I'm going to end up giving a complete training day instruction !

Basically, you need to ride for your own safety. And it's THAT which your examiner will be looking for.

Hope this helps.



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Horse Power was safer when the Horses had it!