1/3 orientation

[soyavenger]

in the safety course, we were told to ride in the left third of the lane. makes sense, you can see around the car in front of you, the drivers around you are better able to see you, the guy passing the car behind you wont think youre an empty space to swing into, you have more of an escape route if the guy in front of you stands on the brakes.

two things i thought of recently, one, what about when its raining? on one hand, the water tends to collect in the ruts left by cars in the 1/3 and 3/3 part of the lane. on the other hand, the oil left by cars falls in the 2/3 part of the lane. oil and water mix like, well, oil and water.

two, when i took my computerized test to get my endorsement here in oregon, the only question i missed was this one, the test said i should be in the middle of the lane. was i dreaming? was my computer snafu?

[happycommuter]

The MSF instructors play the odds.  They give information that is best for most situations.  Exceptions I can think of:

• cresting a hill on a two-lane road - get closer to the lane center lest a car be hugging/crossing the line on the other side
• Real curves - start at far outside of corner for visibility
• Divided highway - stay right in the left lane to prevent people merging into your 'empty' lane.  Similar tactic if there is traffic entry from the right in the right lane

I don't have a set answer for the rain rut/oil center quandary.  If you can stay in the track of the car tire ahead of you, that's probably best.  Slick center spots become less of a concern after heavy washaway, which would be when ruts start getting dicey...

[ninskrillz]

Ya thats not necessarily true, I am constantly changing my lane position, mostly based on traffic and road conditions.

[Bumblebee]

Ya thats not necessarily true, I am constantly changing my lane position, mostly based on traffic and road conditions.

+1
And changing lane position semi-unpredictably so cagers won't think they can take the 2/3rds of a lane that I'm not currently using though they'll still try it anyway.

As for the computer test, don't worry about it and now keep learning.
The one question I missed on the test was when parking downhill, you're apparently supposed to turn the handlebars to the right. In reality it'll fall over if I do that. They had no correct real world answer on the test.

cresting a hill on a two-lane road

If it's a rapidly arcing hill, I'll stand up to get a better view of what's coming over it. It also allows cagers to see me sooner. Saved my derrier a few times.

[skramer360]

I usually ride in the left 1/3 of the lane if its a one lane road, unless the oncoming cage is taking his 1/2 out of the middle which happens frequently on back roads.

[niteman]

I do not have nearly as much experience as others here, but my strategy involves continuous decisive lane positioning. IOW, I am constantly observing the conditions and what lie ahead in order to decide what lane  position I should align myself in. I almost never stay in the center "slick" portion of the lane unless I feel that to be the safest at that moment.