EVERYDAY MOTORBIKE INSTRUCTOR. Using road position to minimise vulnerability

[@elitechungdokwan4321]

When I'm teaching students my advice on positioning is that the best position is the safest one at that given time even if it means moving into an oncoming lane, but 'only' if it is clear safe to do so. Forward planning and flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and road conditions are what I teach to determine the safest and most appropriate road position. That being said, I did enjoy watching the video to take on board your evaluation of road positioning, so much appreciated for that.

[@RJHMotorbikeTraining]

Thanks for your comment, we will hopefully help new riders between us all. Your are correct, as mentioned in another comment, flexibility is key. Creating a bubble of safety around you using road position, distance from vehicles and effective observations.

[@1320alibaba]

Your advice is pretty much what I was taught for my mod2 and I passed with flying colours, no minors. Not too bad for a 61 year old grandad :-) You've got a new subscriber.

[@RJHMotorbikeTraining]

Thanks. Glad you passed. Thanks for subscribing

[@NBMoto547]

I agree with most of this apart from maybe turning right at a T-junction I would favour being in position 2 because if a car is turning right into my road and cuts the corner then I wouldn't want to be in position 3.

[@RJHMotorbikeTraining]

Thanks for your comment, we will hopefully help new riders between us all. Yea I get what you are saying I guess it is a compromise between keeping the flow of the traffic going and not being hit by cars cutting corners. I find that if I get to the end of the T junction before any car is pulling in from the main road then they tend not to cut the corner. It is usually as we meet at the same time.

[@Old_Geezer]

I feel the biggest missing message from your commentary here regarding positioning is "flexibility". There's nothing wrong with what you're advising, and I appreciate it's probably aimed more at and comes from a position of teaching riders what might be expected of them, for example, through the eyes of an examiner whilst on test just as much as in their day to day riding and there's nothing wrong with that either - it's a sensible enough starting point. One of the beauties of a motorcycle over most other vehicles is the ability to be able to use the entire width of their own lane to often considerably enhance safety, vision and visibility - something which constantly changing hazards and situations make a very powerful advantage and that should be used and exploited to the full. I personally find that whilst useful as a verbal communication aid for explaining lane position, something I'm sure you would agree with when training riders with the help of rider to rider communications, the 1,2,3 approach can also encourage a rather rigid mindset, especially among the less experienced and can consequently limit the future assessment and planning capabilities of some. The "best" line or position for any given situation can change from moment to moment and road to road at any given time or day and a rider needs to learn to make constant adjustments on the fly as and when circumstances dictate. There are so many factors and variables that can require an alteration from that which might be considered optimal. As advanced motorcycling philosophy teaches - safety should be the overriding concern in all aspects of your riding and that certainly applies to road positioning - there is no point having maximum forward vision for example, if it compromises your own safety in some other area. The ability to recognize and accurately judge those times is paramount. One stretch of road, can present a multitude of different considerations at different times and can be affected by traffic conditions, weather, road surface hazards and changes etc. etc. Approaching a right hand bend in "position 1" for example, carries no advantage if it puts you on a poor surface reducing traction and stability. Equally, that same position could be fine in dry conditions but severely compromised in the wet. Positioning is something that is and should be influenced by sharp, timely and competent observation and effective reading of the road which is the cornerstone really, of everything that follows thereafter. Information, (Take, Use, Give) Position, Speed, Gear, Acceleration. The acronym and system drummed into many a rider during enhanced or advanced training rides and assessments and for good reason - it works and provides a great framework for all riders, regardless of experience, to formulate an excellent "riding plan" whenever or wherever they ride.

[@RJHMotorbikeTraining]

Thanks for your detailed and informative reply, we will hopefully help new riders between us all. As mentioned in another post, flexibility is definitely the key. I once had a student who followed an instructor's advice and went into Position 1 on a right hand bend on test but there had been a storm the night before and it was full of mud and broken branches etc He obviously failed. Only follow advice if it is safe to do so, be flexible and as you say not rigid.

[@Old_Geezer]

@@RJHMotorbikeTraining 🎯👍

[@nickhedges8193]

Pointless having a full face helmet if you drive with the front up