where did everyone go?

[Robert Waters]

I heard someone say that it was a state law that motorcycles must drive on the left side of the lain. However, I took the Arkansas motorcycle driver's test and don't remember anything like that, nor had I ever previously heard of such a thing. Perhaps someone would be willing to write something about the law and also what about where and when it is the most safe to drive. I do like to drive on the inside lain most of the time because I believe it allows for more visibility and maneuverability if necessary to avoid something. I think driving on the right hand side of the road (especially at night) where there are lots of deer is more dangerous than driving on the left side of the lain. Your thoughts will be appreciated. Robert TotalHealth.bz Focus On Truth --------------------------------- Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Mike Frey]

I don't think that there are any state laws that require the bike to be on one side or the other. The most important thing is visibility: you being able to see others, and others being able to see you. I favor being just to the left of center. On a narrow road, I will move closer to center (or even over to the right) when I see an oncoming vehicle. Another thing to remember is that, when you take a curve, you are going to be leaning. You don't want to be so far to the left (or right) that you will lean into the oncoming lane. Some will say ride on the right hand side of the lane. Nothing wrong with this, unless you become less visible. Center of the lane is usually worst - that's where road debris is found - oil, stones, etc. Mike --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Robert Waters wrote:

> > I heard someone say that it was a state law that motorcycles must

drive on the left side of the lain. However, I took the Arkansas motorcycle driver's test and don't remember anything like that, nor had I ever previously heard of such a thing.

> > Perhaps someone would be willing to write something about the law

and also what about where and when it is the most safe to drive. I do like to drive on the inside lain most of the time because I believe it allows for more visibility and maneuverability if necessary to avoid something. I think driving on the right hand side of the road (especially at night) where there are lots of deer is more dangerous than driving on the left side of the lain.

> > Your thoughts will be appreciated. > > Robert > > > > > > TotalHealth.bz > Focus On Truth > > > > --------------------------------- > Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from

someone who knows.

> Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Randy]

Don't know about the laws of the land, but if riding individually we promote whichever third of the lane puts the rider in the best position to see and be seen. This means utilizing the width of the lane to your advantage, considering the riding environment is dynamic, always changing. I'm not a fan of group riding, but when the group goes from a staggard formation to single-file (translation: ride your own ride), the same applies and more space is put between the bikes. Randy Kuklis Senior Instructor Stayin'Safe Motorcycle Training --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Robert Waters wrote:

> > I heard someone say that it was a state law that motorcycles must

drive on the left side of the lain. However, I took the Arkansas motorcycle driver's test and don't remember anything like that, nor had I ever previously heard of such a thing.

> > Perhaps someone would be willing to write something about the

law and also what about where and when it is the most safe to drive. I do like to drive on the inside lain most of the time because I believe it allows for more visibility and maneuverability if necessary to avoid something. I think driving on the right hand side of the road (especially at night) where there are lots of deer is more dangerous than driving on the left side of the lain.

> > Your thoughts will be appreciated. > > Robert > > > > > > TotalHealth.bz > Focus On Truth > > > > --------------------------------- > Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from

someone who knows.

> Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Jeff Saline]

On Fri, 5 Oct 2007 07:00:44 -0700 (PDT) Robert Waters writes:

> I heard someone say that it was a state law that motorcycles must > drive on the left side of the lain. However, I took the Arkansas > motorcycle driver's test and don't remember anything like that, nor > had I ever previously heard of such a thing. > > Perhaps someone would be willing to write something about the law > and also what about where and when it is the most safe to drive. I > do like to drive on the inside lain most of the time because I > believe it allows for more visibility and maneuverability if > necessary to avoid something. I think driving on the right hand side > of the road (especially at night) where there are lots of deer is > more dangerous than driving on the left side of the lain. > > Your thoughts will be appreciated. > > Robert

<><><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><><> Robert, Looks like you're getting some really good info about how to pick the part of the lane that you should be riding in. I've never heard about a law saying which part of the lane you have to use. In some states it's ok to lane share with another vehicle. I think California allows lane splitting. In South Dakota it's illegal to ride side by side. There was a recent discussion on what part of the lane to use on the airheads list. Sorry I can't point you to it. But all the MSF experienced riders classes I've taken have briefly discussed lane position. I bet you could google more info on this than you'd care to read. : ) I don't/won't ride in groups that want to ride close together or do formation type riding. That just seems too dangerous to me. I'm not comfortable allowing folks I don't know ride close to me as I don't want to get run over. I personally use the entire lane as I see fit. And whomever pointed out it's a good idea to not let any part of your bike go outside lane, in turns or when going straight, sure made a good point in my estimation. I see that happen often in the Black Hills. And I know of a few accidents that happened this riding season where folks were hurt or killed because someone got out of their lane. I bet a quick call to the Highway Patrol could get you an answer on lane positioning in your state. Thanks for bringing up a safety issue with our sport. Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT

[raleturn]

I ride on the side of the lane that gives me the best protection. For example I ride in the N. Ga mountains often, and I hug the white line. Why may you ask; the answer is simple. I do not have to pay for another's mistake if they blow a corner. I have seen bikes as well as campers cut across my side of the yellow line, and it would not have been pretty if I were there. On the interstate mind you I normally ride on the left side of the lane which allows me to go from one lane to the next with ease. Currently Ga does not permit lane splitting, so I try to position myself in the safest positon for me. Another defensive move I use is either be to the inside or the outside of the car ahead of me at a stop. That way if a person behind me chooses not to stop hopefully I will not get squished like a bug between them. To make a long story short, I try to choose the side of the lane which gives me the most safety and gives me an out if I need one.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Jeff Saline wrote: > > On Fri, 5 Oct 2007 07:00:44 -0700 (PDT) Robert Waters > writes: > > I heard someone say that it was a state law that motorcycles must > > drive on the left side of the lain. However, I took the Arkansas > > motorcycle driver's test and don't remember anything like that, nor > > had I ever previously heard of such a thing. > > > > Perhaps someone would be willing to write something about the law > > and also what about where and when it is the most safe to drive. I > > do like to drive on the inside lain most of the time because I > > believe it allows for more visibility and maneuverability if > > necessary to avoid something. I think driving on the right hand side > > of the road (especially at night) where there are lots of deer is > > more dangerous than driving on the left side of the lain. > > > > Your thoughts will be appreciated. > > > > Robert > <><><><><><><><><> > <><><><><><><><><> > > Robert, > > Looks like you're getting some really good info about how to pick the > part of the lane that you should be riding in. > > I've never heard about a law saying which part of the lane you have to > use. In some states it's ok to lane share with another vehicle. I think > California allows lane splitting. In South Dakota it's illegal to ride > side by side. > > There was a recent discussion on what part of the lane to use on the > airheads list. Sorry I can't point you to it. But all the MSF > experienced riders classes I've taken have briefly discussed lane > position. I bet you could google more info on this than you'd care to > read. : ) > > I don't/won't ride in groups that want to ride close together or do > formation type riding. That just seems too dangerous to me. I'm not > comfortable allowing folks I don't know ride close to me as I don't want > to get run over. > > I personally use the entire lane as I see fit. And whomever pointed out > it's a good idea to not let any part of your bike go outside lane, in > turns or when going straight, sure made a good point in my estimation. I > see that happen often in the Black Hills. And I know of a few accidents > that happened this riding season where folks were hurt or killed because > someone got out of their lane. > > I bet a quick call to the Highway Patrol could get you an answer on lane > positioning in your state. > > Thanks for bringing up a safety issue with our sport. > > Best, > > Jeff Saline > ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal > Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org > The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota > 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT >

[Michael Nelson]

On Fri, Oct 05, 2007 at 02:39:45PM -0000, Randy wrote:

> Don't know about the laws of the land, but if riding individually we > promote whichever third of the lane puts the rider in the best > position to see and be seen. This means utilizing the width of the > lane to your advantage, considering the riding environment is > dynamic, always changing.

That's what I do. I visualize the lane being in thirds. Generally when riding in a straight section in a wooded area I will ride in the middle of the left third... my reason is that it gives me just a fraction of a second longer to react to a deer running out in front of me. I try to spend as little time as possible in the middle of any lane, because that is where the flat tires live. When I see a left curve approaching I move over into the center of the right third. When I see a right curve ahead I will move into the center of the left third. The rationale for this on lefts is so my head and upper body aren't leaning over the centerline, and on rights it's so I can see as far as possible through the turn. On undivided (no painted centerline) narrow roads my philosophy changes. Since most of the roads like that I ride are canyon roads, visibility on rights is often blocked by a hillside. I tend to hug the right real close on blind rights. Yes I realize this increases the chances I will ride over gravel or dirt that has rolled down the hill, but I figure it's easier to quickly widen your line than tighten it. On blind lefts on these undivided narrow canyon roads I square the corner off, ie: I hug the right side of the road deep into the corner and only committ to the left turn after I can see around it. I can't tell you how many times this has saved my life, because if there is a car or truck coming the other way you can be certain they will be smack dab in the middle of the road without any concern for oncoming traffic. So, on a divided road, I use my lane however I see fit, and that means using pretty much all of it depending on conditions. On undivided, narrow canyon roads I use as little of the lane as possible and stay to the right unless I can see up ahead. Michael -- "It's not what I don't understand about religion that bothers me, it's what I do understand." -- Mark Twain San Francisco, CA

[hobbhavnklr650]

Not familar with any laws governing the lane position for motorcycles, but I can tall you four reasons I ride to the left side of the lane. 1)I can be seen more easily by other vehicles. 2)I can see other vehicles more easily. 3)I have more room to respond to a road hazard (rock, moose) 4)I claim the entire lane. If you ride to the right side of the lane, other vehicles will take advantage and use the left side when passing. I don't like that. Keith Idaho KLR --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Robert Waters wrote:

> > I heard someone say that it was a state law that motorcycles must

drive on the left side of the lain. However, I took the Arkansas motorcycle driver's test and don't remember anything like that, nor had I ever previously heard of such a thing.

> > Perhaps someone would be willing to write something about the

law and also what about where and when it is the most safe to drive. I do like to drive on the inside lain most of the time because I believe it allows for more visibility and maneuverability if necessary to avoid something. I think driving on the right hand side of the road (especially at night) where there are lots of deer is more dangerous than driving on the left side of the lain.

> > Your thoughts will be appreciated. > > Robert > > > > > > TotalHealth.bz > Focus On Truth > > > > --------------------------------- > Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from

someone who knows.

> Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Luc Legrain]

Darn... I keep looking at this post,the replies,the re:,re:, something does not tick..is it lain ? or lane ? could it be lien? or " any well define route or channel ". I know.. it's L.A.N.E .right ? Seriously, my state book states that a motorcycle has full use of the road between the white and yellow . Left is better for me ( I'm a Liberal.. ) --- hobbhavnklr650 wrote:

> Not familar with any laws governing the lane > position for > motorcycles, but I can tall you four reasons I ride > to the left side > of the lane. > > 1)I can be seen more easily by other vehicles. > 2)I can see other vehicles more easily. > 3)I have more room to respond to a road hazard > (rock, moose) > 4)I claim the entire lane. If you ride to the right > side of the > lane, other vehicles will take advantage and use the > left side when > passing. I don't like that. > > Keith > Idaho KLR > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Robert Waters > > wrote: > > > > I heard someone say that it was a state law that > motorcycles must > drive on the left side of the lain. However, I took > the Arkansas > motorcycle driver's test and don't remember anything > like that, nor > had I ever previously heard of such a thing. > > > > Perhaps someone would be willing to write > something about the > law and also what about where and when it is the > most safe to > drive. I do like to drive on the inside lain most > of the time > because I believe it allows for more visibility and > maneuverability > if necessary to avoid something. I think driving on > the right hand > side of the road (especially at night) where there > are lots of deer > is more dangerous than driving on the left side of > the lain. > > > > Your thoughts will be appreciated. > > > > Robert > > > > > > > > > > > > TotalHealth.bz > > Focus On Truth > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship > answers from > someone who knows. > > Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > >

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[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Luc Legrain wrote:

> > Darn... I keep looking at this post,the replies,the > re:,re:, something does not tick..is it lain ? or lane > ? could it be lien? or " any well define route or > channel ". I know.. it's L.A.N.E .right ? > Seriously, my state book states that a motorcycle has > full use of the road between the white and yellow . > Left is better for me ( I'm a Liberal.. ) > --- hobbhavnklr650 wrote:

Hmmm. Like anything, to far to the 'left' or to the 'right', playing/living in that area will likely get you ejected from the game, however you define the rules/game. What ever your track position or line, it is worse when lanes are wet, and double worse should you attempt to use the painted left-yellow, or the right-white as useable pavement. Those lines are definitly out-of-bounds when wet. Should it be necessary to cross those boundary lines, attempt to stand the bike vertical (if practical). Same for braking. Not much traction at a wet intersection on the painted surfaces. revmaaatin.

[E.L. Green]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "hobbhavnklr650" wrote:

> > Not familar with any laws governing the lane position for > motorcycles, but I can tall you four reasons I ride to the left side > of the lane. > > 1)I can be seen more easily by other vehicles. > 2)I can see other vehicles more easily. > 3)I have more room to respond to a road hazard (rock, moose) > 4)I claim the entire lane. If you ride to the right side of the > lane, other vehicles will take advantage and use the left side when > passing. I don't like that.

All those are good reasons and one reason why my KLR tires are usually in the left tire tracks of the car in front of me, but one thing I will say is don't be doctrinaire. It's all about expecting cagers to do the worst thing, and doing what gives you the best chance to avoid cagers when they do that worst thing. If I'm in the passing lane of an Interstate highway, for example, I'm pretty much in the middle of the lane because it gives me more time to react and get to the left shoulder if someone yanks into the passing lane in front of me, I'm not in the left of the lane though because I'm not visible enough there, but if I'm in an exit lane I move to the right of the lane because I'm expecting any moment for a cager to the left of me to move into my lane without looking and I need the space to give me time to hit the shoulder. And if I'm passing a car, either on the left or the right, on a freeway I move to the opposite side of the lane I'm in to give me more room in case the car suddenly decides he wants my lane. That's saved my life a couple of times. Then there's twisty mountain roads, but that's been covered elsewhere. The deal is, expect that around any blind corner there's an oncoming car and there's something lying in the road, and position yourself (and *SLOW DOWN*) so you can deal with it. Sure saved my life when I rounded a blind corner and there were two deer standing in the middle of the road. Because I had *SLOWED DOWN*, I could come to a stop and honk at them for about fifteen seconds as they stared at me, before they finally decided to bound off the road. In short, expect the worst, and put yourself in the best position to either prevent it (e.g. make yourself more visible, make it clear that you have ownership of a lane) or to cope with it if it happens (e.g. when passing on a divided highway, move to the opposite third of the lane in case the car suddenly decides to veer into your lane). On any given trip, I use the whole lane, left, right, and center. I'll mostly be at the dividing line between the left third and the center third, but I'll move around as necessary to make sure I'm visible and have sufficient reaction time to deal with stupid things drivers do. -E