Road Position

[veeeffarr]

Hi,

Just a quick question, as I think it's the main part of my riding that would let me down on a test...

Where abouts should I be riding on a straight piece of road?

I usually ride about 2/3s away from the kerb (Favoring the white line) and I go slightly to the left of that for a right hander, slightly closer to the white line for a right hander unless there's oncoming traffic. In that case I will sacrifice visibilty for distance from danger by moving into the centre.

[Barry_M2]

Down the middle (of your lane I mean, not along the while line!).

[dainesefreak]

Should be about right, that's what I was taught, a long time ago admittedly. I was told before my test that the DAS bloke testing me was shit hot on his road positioning, especially at junctions and roundabouts. Apparently one of his favorites was to stick his huge Beemer up your inside if you were badly positioned giving you nowhere to go and an instant fail.

Quick addition - Not down the middle, slightly off to one side because the middle is where all the road debris/petrol/diesel goes.

[Sephiroth]

That's what I failed on .

[Barry_M2]

[dainesefreak]

The debris that cars and other four wheeled vehicles bounce of their tyres into the middle of the lane and petrol only spills out of the side at stations not from leeky fuel tanks. Oh and we're not talking about normal riding here, we're taking about what they expect to see you do to pass the test, I'm sure any qualified bike instructor will back me up.

[Sephiroth]

Diagrams would help if someone is bored.

I don't want to fail again on the same thing, and I'm sure Toby doesn't want to fail like I did .

[veeeffarr]

My road positioning is pish as it ish lol...

It's not that I don't know where to go, it's just that I have difficulty holding a completely straight line, and drift about a foot in either way sometimes.

[Sephiroth]

Don't do what I normally do and put your left hand on your hip

[alex_t]

i woudl say anywhere in the red area (too much time on my hand so drawn this hehe) but usually all the gravel n shit build up is in the centre cos nothing drives over it other than bikes. as long as u r not drifting every 10ft n keep a steady straight ish line i feel anywhere in the red..

https://www.devious-art.co.uk/position.jpg
____________________
[CBT - passed 29.04.06] [Theory - passed 19.05.06 *34/35*] [DAS - passed 09.06.06]

SV650, blue

[Makaveli_Rydah]

From someone who's just been taught this in training i can tell you it's dead centre in your lane
But as soon as you indicate right or left you have to manouvereto the side of the road you are turning and tuck right in
____________________
Bike History:- Vision / Phantom 100 / Aerox 100 / Runner VX125 / Honda VFR400 NC24 / Kwak ZX9R B3 / Honda CBR600 F / ZZR400 & K2 GSXR 750 / Suzuki VZ800

[Sephiroth]

That's what I was doing and he failed me on it!

[billygoat]

Not that this is of any use to anybody, but in Belgium the answer to this question is unambiguous: you have to ride at 2/3 of the road

just figured I'd add a continental perspective

[alex_t]

think its something like the centre 20-25% of the road..... if i remember thats what the insructor told me
____________________
[CBT - passed 29.04.06] [Theory - passed 19.05.06 *34/35*] [DAS - passed 09.06.06]

SV650, blue

[Dark]

[Sephiroth]

Here's a question for you all, since we've basicly covered which part of the lane to ride on when you're moving at a normal pace.

Where should you position yourself when behind a car in traffic on a test?


I myself put myself to the right of the car, so I could see the cars ahead.

Or I put myself to the left if the road was bending to the left.


What do you think of that one?

[Barry_M2]

I think on my test I was directly behind, so he could see me in his rear view mirror. You are not alowed to filter on your test so there is no need to see past the car in front of you, just keep your distance, and don't weave in the road.

My test was 12 years ago though!

[Sephiroth]

Hmm cheers.

What about busses/vans?

[alex_t]

centre too but far enough so u can see their mirrors. might be more the the right though, someone will know
____________________
[CBT - passed 29.04.06] [Theory - passed 19.05.06 *34/35*] [DAS - passed 09.06.06]

SV650, blue

[Sephiroth]

Cheers for that.

Well I've got twelve days to practise my arse off..


Alot of time before the test, but not long enough to get good me thinks!

I need a hug...

[SilvaRizla]

Well then you've got 12 days to go see an instructor, give him your predicament and get these types of questions sorted.

What he may do is follow you around for half an hour to notices your habbits, then he can give you some important pointers

[keyser soze]

i'd use all my lane,


i paid good money to use it (road tax petrol tax) and i damn well will

[Jamie.]

Your always taking the piss out of most people for posting stupid things. This is a stupid question and I feel its common sense, Why would you go in any other position on a straight road?

[Sephiroth]

Who's that referring to Jamie?

[Jamie.]

Toby R