Best Lane Position on 2 Lane Roads | Oregon Motorcycle 2020

[@gerryurban]

One of the advantages of a motorcycle is that you have the whole lane to work with, so I use it all. I like to ride near the center line when there are no cars coming so I give myself more space to react to deer, dogs, or other creatures (and cars) suddenly appearing from the shoulder. But as an oncoming car gets closer, I move over to the right wheel track to keep some distance from a drifting/distracted driver. Also, if a car coming towards me is making a left turn I move far to the right to give both of us some reaction time if he starts to make the turn. Its all a matter of picking the least threatening possibility.

[@OregonMotorcycle]

Gerry Urban Great points! Thanks for commenting.

[@pnwgreg300]

I ride left tire track OR centerlane on the freeway. I've had numerous cars try to merge into the left lane because they can't see you if you're the furthest position away. The "oil line" is generally a myth but ya other debris could settle there

[@lunar-firefly]

I tend to shift between lane positions a lot. Either avoiding tar snakes, or because of how people are driving around me, or to better see ahead of me, or various other reasons. If someone is looking to pull out, or cross an intersection, I'll weave in my lane to make myself more visible too. Don't think you mentioned it, but driving a safe distance back from a vehicle can also make you a lot more visible to people. Plus it gives you more time to react if they suddenly brake, or if someone pulls out that doesn't notice you.

[@OregonMotorcycle]

Firefly excellent points. Thanks for commenting. I sometimes weave side to side entering a congested area to get more attention too.

[@eyesonly4451]

"Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right..." Oncoming drivers distracted by texting is a thing these days. But so are dogs, deer, and distracted soccer moms pulling into the road. So I'm usually nearer the centerline, but not glued to it.

[@Thirsty_Fox]

Good points -- but I'll add a really important note: For the case of riding alone (nobody in front or close behind you), you need to be conscious of on-coming vehicles that might pull out to pass. If you're holding the center line, a vehicle 1 or more behind the lead oncoming will see the empty road next to you when they go to pull out for a pass (especially since they're probably following closely). So when the oncoming has a passing lane, especially just as it becomes available to them, I temporarily move right so that I can be visible to subsequent vehicles. It's exactly the case you're describing at 4:16 (except you're the oncoming vehicle). And high vis gear (especially jacket/vest and helmet) helps your extremities be visible and easily identifiable over, around, and through the vehicles in front of you.

[@OregonMotorcycle]

Good points. Thank you!

[@jeffloucks2120]

All excellent points on lane positioning. Another mark against riding near the white line is you're more apt to encounter gravel or cut grass from a driveway, road or yard over there. Tighter right hand curves can be especially problematic. Being to the left third section of the lane not only allows you to see it sooner but lengthens your time to adjust accordingly. We used to run some tighter twisty sections of this one particular road known to almost always have gravel. It was common for it to span entirely across the lane but be somewhat bare where cars tires track. All basically goes back to your main point. Put yourself in the best position to see and be seen.

[@OregonMotorcycle]

Thank You for the reply. Great points!

[@russellborn515]

Good points. On blind corners I'll move more towards the white line, never know when you'll find a car crossing over into your lane. But most of the time, yes to staying near the double yellow.

[@ijursic]

Education and Inspiration from your number one station. (Edit) I stopped riding for several years as a new rider, after fishtailing in the center lane after a light rainfall.

[@OregonMotorcycle]

Wow! Glad your still here to talk about it. Thank You for the comment.

[@ijursic]

@@OregonMotorcycle I ended up sliding past the wheels of a semi. Thank you for making these videos that center on safety.

[@OregonMotorcycle]

ijursic your welcome. I plan on making more.

[@pg88corfu]

Very nice realistic and down to earth explanation on the demonstration! you find me totally agreed. only thing is that being at line 1 you may impede all the other "furious" riders coming from behind and want to overtake you no matter your speed... This is a reality in Greece btw... Fellow cb500xa 2019 rider here! peace ;)

[@OregonMotorcycle]

Thanks you!

[@VinceVideo53]

Thanks. I never really thought about it much since there aren't that many rural roads that don't have a lot of corners here in San Jose . Your point is well taken up there outside of Oregon City though. I do wish I could ride my Grom in the bike lane though, at least on the expressways.

[@dalevoigt8612]

Using lane position 3 when setting up a left hand corner in the USA has some advantage. First it opens up your vision so that you can see farther down the road. Next lane position 3 allows you to use a delayed apex which helps you to spend less time leaned over. Delayed apexes also helps prevent you from being swung wide out of the cornern and off the road.

[@OregonMotorcycle]

All very good points. This vid is more about straight line riding. I want to do more lane position vids and might do one for riding twisties.

[@dalevoigt8612]

@@OregonMotorcycle When there are vehicles that are at intersection on the left hand side of the road line position 3 is advised. The wider view helps them see you quicker and judge your speed beter. MC Rider did a video on lane positions that make you more visible to other vehicles. ."1 simple technique to make you more visible" kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJfIfJ5vmNRojLM

[@jamesohsum]

As usual, thank you for the great content.

[@OregonMotorcycle]

James Oh thank you too! ;)

[@ChiScoot]

Thanks for the tips man. Cheers.

[@RobertNixAlternativeArtist]

I agree with your lane positioning on a 2 lane road-when a truck is coming the other way would you move to just right of the center to escape the turbulence?

[@GruchKilla77]

Oh sweet lord ...

[@tweetchris46]

Great video. Just be conscious not to put your body/bike over the yellow line during left hand corners.

[@scrambledpegs2202]

Excellent video ...would add that I move away from the centre line for oncoming vehicles then back once they have gone. The reason is in case the vehicle drifts into my lane suddenly which occurs due to distraction etc (texting !$&#@!?). This is also important if there is a car ahead waiting for you to pass before turning across your side of the road. A few years ago only just down the road from here a motorcycle and pillion died when an oncoming car waiting to turn was struck from behind by another car pushing it into the path of the bike (it had its steering turned ready to go). Now I don’t know where the bike was positioned in its lane or if this would have made a difference but you have to put everything that you can in your favour. An friend who has ridden all his life says ride between the ‘hitable’ objects. Cheers from Downunder !

[@OregonMotorcycle]

Great points. I kind of naturally move away from on coming traffic at higher speeds, once I have a clear view of whats ahead. Thank You for the reply.

[@OregonMotorcycle]

I was taught at a younger age never to turn your wheels while waiting to turn, I wish everyone knew that...

[@vilkeshpatel7]

Hello Oregon Motorcycle Quick question regarding lowering kit. What do u think if install lowering kit will that be an issue with shocks or any other part of motorcycle. Model 2013 CB500x. Thank you

[@OregonMotorcycle]

Vilkesh Patel I don’t think you need a kit, but I could be mistaken. I believe all you need to do is rotate the triangle. The triangle is part of the suspension links that attaches to the rear shock. You should be fine as lots of people have lowered this bike.

[@vilkeshpatel7]

Oregon Motorcycle Thank You for quick reply. Thats what i was thinking but some youtube videos were showing get lowering kit n lower the forks height n all that so i was like let me ask you what are ur thoughts. As always helpful nature n give very useful information. Thank you