ignoring basic driving rules
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: GLORIOUS U.P. of MICHIGAN
While my intention was not to elicit debate, although a healthy exchange is always good.
The area I ride is predominately two lane with occasional passing lanes. When oncoming traffic is light I ride left of center for maximum wiggle room in this deer infested region. When ONCOMING traffic picks up I move right of center so approaching traffic and peek-a-boo passers can pick me out sooner. I rarely ride the center. I control the vehicle ahead of me with safe distance or giddyup to get ahead and in the clear.
The guy passing me in my lane was a phenomenon I had never before experienced in 46 years of riding. Do I have a right to my lane? Absolutely! Am I going to defend my right with a 900 lb. bike against a 3000 lb. truck? No, not today or any other day. Am I going to retaliate with a bat, hammer, ball bearings or a splash of viral serum. No. [not in broad daylight] Nor will I adhere to some by the book dogma as conditions on the road are ever fluid. Experience and a calm demeanor have served me well for a long time.
Oh, and I got a kick out of being called a "newbie". That's rich. I really enjoy this forum!
Ride Safe. Doug
The area I ride is predominately two lane with occasional passing lanes. When oncoming traffic is light I ride left of center for maximum wiggle room in this deer infested region. When ONCOMING traffic picks up I move right of center so approaching traffic and peek-a-boo passers can pick me out sooner. I rarely ride the center. I control the vehicle ahead of me with safe distance or giddyup to get ahead and in the clear.
The guy passing me in my lane was a phenomenon I had never before experienced in 46 years of riding. Do I have a right to my lane? Absolutely! Am I going to defend my right with a 900 lb. bike against a 3000 lb. truck? No, not today or any other day. Am I going to retaliate with a bat, hammer, ball bearings or a splash of viral serum. No. [not in broad daylight] Nor will I adhere to some by the book dogma as conditions on the road are ever fluid. Experience and a calm demeanor have served me well for a long time.
Oh, and I got a kick out of being called a "newbie". That's rich. I really enjoy this forum!
Ride Safe. Doug
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 237
Likes: 1
From: FL
I'm sure the righteous will object to my view until it happens to them. If a person enters your home with intent to do bodily harm you can STAND YOUR GROUND and take necessary measures to protect yourself. If you mention any type of justifiable defense on the road while riding folks think your off the deep end even though your just venting your frustration. Seems all we can do is tell about about our woes via this forum. unfortunately the ones who cause the problem don't subscribe or read it.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
Anyone who doesn't believe the center of the road has more oil, grease and debris of any kind than the tire tracks of the vehicles hasn't been paying much attention.
The oil and grease is usually not much of a factor, it is worse in the first few minutes it starts raining.
I usually ride left of center. I do move to center or even past when meeting traffic, especially trucks.
The whole lane is mine. I use it all to my advantage when conditions change.
I have never heard of anyone who reads the crap the dmv recommends and thinks that means it's the law. I have been riding in IL for over forty years and I haven't heard of anyone getting ticketed for riding off center of the lane.
BTW, the flashing brake lights are not illegal in IL anymore.
Dennis
The oil and grease is usually not much of a factor, it is worse in the first few minutes it starts raining.
I usually ride left of center. I do move to center or even past when meeting traffic, especially trucks.
The whole lane is mine. I use it all to my advantage when conditions change.
I have never heard of anyone who reads the crap the dmv recommends and thinks that means it's the law. I have been riding in IL for over forty years and I haven't heard of anyone getting ticketed for riding off center of the lane.
BTW, the flashing brake lights are not illegal in IL anymore.
Dennis
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Tulare County, CA
A couple days ago I was riding through a residential neighborhood and had some assclown in a mini-van blow a stop sign right in my path going well over 60mph. (I was riding northbound, and he was going eastbound from my left). I nailed my brakes and tried to swerve to the left. I just barely missed him - by inches literally.
Regardless of where in your lane you are, sometimes it just doesn't matter (as far as visibility goes) they won't see you because they're just plain not looking. Keep your eyes open, watch for and expect the other guy to do the most unpredictable thing, and the worst possible thing, and try to keep as many options available to escape.
Be safe.
Bill
Regardless of where in your lane you are, sometimes it just doesn't matter (as far as visibility goes) they won't see you because they're just plain not looking. Keep your eyes open, watch for and expect the other guy to do the most unpredictable thing, and the worst possible thing, and try to keep as many options available to escape.
Be safe.
Bill
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Iowa
I think you hit it right on the nail head.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 3
From: California
Yet bikers do it all the time out on the freeways and around town here in California, especially passing a lot of cars to pull up to the stop light. Some of the wildest road rages incidents I've witnessed was not when the car had to share the lane because a biker 'took possession' but when a car pulled up along side a motorcycle already stopped at the light. Seems that as a 'motorcyclist' some riders have a different view then when they are driving a car. Kind of a double standard.... for example, a motorcyclist splits lanes at 30 mph faster than the traffic and within inches of the cars. Now, take a car that passes a motorcycle that fast and close and watch the biker go ballistic, trying to extract revenge.
Last edited by UltraClassicElectraGlide; Jul 19, 2013 at 07:44 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 3
From: California
Yes the Illinois motorcycle rules of the road handbook states to ride in the middle of the lane, but, the person who made the book doesn't ride a motorcycle.
In motorcycle safety class we were told to not ride in the middle of the lane because that is where most of the leaking occurs from cars and therefore is the most slick part of the road.
In motorcycle safety class we were told to not ride in the middle of the lane because that is where most of the leaking occurs from cars and therefore is the most slick part of the road.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 5,282
Likes: 2
From: Northwestern Nevada
well first off your wrong for not riding in the middle of the lane. you allowed that car to share your lane imo. second I don't see you breaking the rules for riding faster that's a safety thing imo. I do it all the time. im always on defense and if that car would have passed me in my lane he would have got a boot in his door. you need to watch yourself because they don't care keep that in mind
Pick your fights and practice good offensive / defensive riding.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Dark Knight
General Harley Davidson Chat
91
Jul 23, 2009 05:55 PM