Road position

[CROSSBOLT]

Last week we drove the car about a hundred miles to see the replicas of the Christopher Columbus' ships, the Nina and Pinta. Noticed most of the motorcycles were Harleys and nearly ALL of them were NOT taking command of their road position. Many would ride in the right-hand tire track and the rest had no visible plan by wandering to an fro for no apparent reason like to "guard" their rightful territory. No scooters of any kind were seen. None of the Harley riders wore any protective gear other than a helmet although not all had even that. Lotsa shorts and t-shirts.

[Stig / Major Tom]

My scooter riding habit is different than most.
After retiring, while I ride for a couple of hours most days, I no longer mix it up in daytime traffic.
Yeah, I know and was taught in MSF class about taking command of my lane by riding in the L tire track.
In practice - I do not feel comfortable doing that, at least not on my small scooters on back country roads where the approach speeds are 90>100mph. Puts me too close for comfort to oncoming cars.

I rode the 500lb Burgman in that L track in the R lane on the multi-lane, divided highway....but I was ripping along at 70+mph. And always in light early morning traffic.

I've adopted a habit of many small scooter riders, in that when the road is clear I generally wave past cars when approached from the rear.

Again, my scooter riding window is early hours on smooth back roads - for a number of reasons.

(a deserted State park)

Stig

[Iahawk]

in just the few short years I've been riding I've gone from a left track rider to a completely fluid lane position. I regularly move from the left to right track depending on traffic, road conditions, road visibility and side street traffic.

With the increase in distracted drivers (cagers on phones) it's more important than ever to adjust lane position to stay safe.

[john grinsel]

After 64 years of riding and over1.5 million miles-----I move around in lanes check for best traction, surface condition, let idiots by....although some too stupid to take advantage of space I give them-----Freeway, right lane only, cops do not watch this lane....in the US south, the idiots that can be dangerous trouble always seem to drive in left lane.   Bright riding clothes might help being seen, white helmets look official

[Stig / Major Tom]

Edit, I  do ride left tire lane in a street full of parked cars. Get out there where we can see each other if a car approaches from a side street....also cars thinking of pulling away from curb can see me.
Stig

[CROSSBOLT]

You bet continually adjust position to protect your territory! I just did not see that in the Saturday Harley riders.