Don't Ride in the Middle of the Lane?

[@RecreationallyCynical]

yeah, you're right. The only time I'd advise against riding in the center of the lane is if there's a lot of gravel/dirt on a windy road. Car tires tend to pick up debris and fling it off to the side, but not so much in the middle of the lane. On the windy uphill bit of the 150 out of Ojai towards Santa Paula there are a lot of dirt turnouts / lookout spots, and when vehicles reenter the road they bring a lot of dirt and gravel onto the road. Whenever I ride it I take it easy to avoid the large tan patches of dirt

[@drummerdavemax]

A good point! Thanks for watching & commenting!

[@davolbc]

My brother was riding his bike on a city street and during a curve a car hit its brakes and the city had just done some work on the street and they threw down I guess something similar to either sand or kitty litter to soak up their patchwork. Well when my brother went to break his bike went straight into the curb because it was on a curve and I won't go into the amount of injury but luckily he did not die in that accident. But he sustained life-threatening and lifelong injuries. My point is it's very important the pay attention to your road conditions at all times. I read a Harley and when I do I pay attention to what the road conditions are directly in front of me and traffic. Thanks for your comment.

[@davolbc]

On a side note my brother passed away from falling off his bicycle because he was partially paralyzed from the motorcycle accident and from the bicycle accident he had subcranial bleeding. He was only 34 years old or young. Just a reminder to be careful at everything you do even rollerblading can kill you.

[@davolbc]

Hey Dave! Nice to see a new video up. And yes I was thinking what you were saying before you said it. So yeah I avoid the center of the lane because that is where the oil drips most of the time and whatever but I don't want it on my tires. By the next hundred yards it will be off the tires anyway but like you said you don't want to have to stop a roughly or make a maneuver from the center of a lane because of this fact. So I ride middle left or middle right for the most part. It's just because I don't want to get caught having to break hard and I'm in the center of the lane. It might just be my city although I do write another City's but when I look at the roads there is oil or black in the center of the lane in most areas and I don't want to get caught trying to stop on top of that. Again nice to see you and your video ride safe and take care. Oh yeah on a follow-up note it makes it even worse if it's raining.

[@drummerdavemax]

True! ...& yes, the rain makes everything worse on a motorcycle! Thanks for watching & commenting! Take care! ✌️

[@gunn00r]

Generally speaking, the tire tracks are the cleanest parts of the road, so less debris or general gunk than in the middle of the road. Here in Germany, it's taught by driving schools and safety courses to ride in the left tire track when the road goes straight or in a right curve, and to switch to the right tire track when there's an upcoming left curve. Riding about 2/3rd of the way to the left in your lane helps with visibility and keeps you away from potential dangers lurking on the right side of the road (animals, pedestrians, garbage, cyclists, etc.). Positioning on the left for a right turn or on the right when preparing for a left turn also helps to keep the turn radius wider, so less lean angle when accelerating.

[@drummerdavemax]

I have to agree with you, and if the motorcycle classes are teaching that way, it must be the best option! Thanks for the comment! ✌️

[@maxw576]

Agreed, but I think it was more of an issue in the past as cars and trucks don't seem to leak as much now.

[@drummerdavemax]

That's a very good point I didn't even think about! 👍

[@michaelhoward142]

Quite true. But it doesn't take very much to be a problem. Don't ask me how I know! 😉

[@lunar-firefly]

Ay. Long time no chat :3 Lane position is also a safety measure not just against oil or whatever. It's also good to take positions to the left or right at stops so you don't get sandwiched between the car in front of you and one behind if you get rear ended. It also offers an escape if you need to get out of traffic very quickly. But that isn't the only time riders might have issues with oil. When it first rains... I think they say the first 30 minutes of rain? It draws out oil on the surface of the roads which can become very slick and unpredictable as well. After the first 30, it begins to thin out and wash into the drains so it becomes less concerning. Anyway nice to see another video from you. Hope you're doing well! Take care!

[@drummerdavemax]

Nice to hear from you! I hope you've been doing good! I agree with you about all that ...it was just a quick video & I didn't really get into much detail ...I was just trying to say, most of the time lane position is more important than worrying about avoiding the center of the road. Ride safe & take care! ✌️

[@davemurphy2020]

Yep roads in the states seem to be pretty good , here in the U.K. there is also a lot of grit on the roads that build up in the centre of the lane especially at junctions. I use all of the road which ever part is favourable for what I intend doing , nubies ought to stick to the near side and ride defencibly until they can read the road for traction etc. tho paying attention to the tram lines left by trucks is key. Interesting wheel loss situation at the back end of your vid wonder if the driver kept control.

[@drummerdavemax]

That's good advice for the nubies for sure! I started on a dirt bike, so out of habit I always ride like I don't have traction ...never really trusting my tires! Yea, the truck was the only thing that got hurt, luckily! When the wheel came off, I think the side of the truck slammed the center of divider, so his paint is going to be pretty scratched up! ✌️

[@michaelhoward142]

I still prefer to avoid the center of the lane but it's mostly because I try to make myself most visible to others or distance myself as much as I can from other vehicles -- depending on what I think is most important at that time. But you speak facts. "Drippy" vehicles are a big issue anywhere they are stationary. When they're moving down the road, slow drips are so spread out they aren't an issue. But sitting at a red light, the drips accumulate and create pools that will ruin your ride. 😱 Ride safe but have fun! 👍✌🏍

[@drummerdavemax]

Thanks! Take care! ✌️

[@DanielJLopes]

My reason to keep in the same position were car drivers sit in straight roads, is so that if we are lucky to have them look ahead, they can break before heating us.

[@drummerdavemax]

Yea, if they aren't looking at their phone instead, eh!?! Ride safe! ✌️

[@arthurcgans8198]

My dad always said not to ride in the center but he rode in the 30's - 50's when most cars leaked.

[@drummerdavemax]

Someone else said that in a comment too, & I think you're right! ...it was an old rule because of the old leaky cars! ✌️

[@GlassfilmWeddings]

Why aren’t your mirrors mounted like before?>

[@drummerdavemax]

I'm always changing things on my bikes. I might not even have that 701sm anymore! Ha ha! Life is constantly changing, my friend. Have a great new year! ✌️

[@randmo24]

I stay out of the middle because of screws nails and debris that cars straddle.