Road Positioning

[BillyC]

Despite what a lot of people have said... I *was* taught to offside on my Bikesafe. As a technique on contry roads to improve and give earlier visibility on bends, it's invaluable - but I think you need to know what you're doing.

I've seen people go wide, get an excellent view, and when they've seen an approaching car (further away than they otherwise would have done), they panicked... not realising the extra time and space they had to get over, and scrub off some speed.

Having said that, I've had a great time offsiding this weekend.

Originally Posted by Red Herring

... stuff in response to cheeky comment...

Of course, I wouldn't want to make the assumption that you couldn't learn anything, just a pity you have to wait until August.......

Thanks for the bite. Unfortunately due to work/life balance, I don't have the time to commit to something like IAM. However, I can easily plan for 2 days that are 6months away, so BikeSafe suits me. BikeSafe is also free.

FYI, it may be worth me noting that I'm in the market for a used ST1100 (P ideally). Not in a rush, just keeping an open eye for the right bike.

Originally Posted by BillyC

Despite what a lot of people have said... I *was* taught to offside on my Bikesafe. As a technique on contry roads to improve and give earlier visibility on bends, it's invaluable - but I think you need to know what you're doing.

+1.

I regularly "off-side" and generally speaking, it feels fluid and provides a really positive feeling of my riding.

If I'm hooning, I tend not to "off-side" and I concentrate far more, which inevitably leads to a more stressed ride. Even that has it's uses, which is exactly why sometimes I go out to purposefully hoon.

But if I want to arrive somewhere in good time, and feel relaxed, I generally set off earlier and ride a little slower. This is also the time when I "off-side" more, purely out of choice.

You pay for the use of the road, use it!

HTH

I think saying no to people to move to off side is IMO a sensible thing. You would have muppets that just passed the test doing so. I use it now and then but most of the time I don't as I can make progress without doing so.

Its clear that the IAM still has a lot of PR work to do to loose the Pipe and Slippers reputation.

Im a member, Ive passed the test, I dont think its made me better than anybody else, but it has made me better and safer than I was previously was.

[BillyC]

Originally Posted by Dave The Rave

I think saying no to people to move to off side is IMO a sensible thing. You would have muppets that just passed the test doing so. I use it now and then but most of the time I don't as I can make progress without doing so.

I don't think anyone would expect the technique to be used by a novice rider. It takes someone with good road experience to recognise when it is appropriate to use.

It has only a few benefits:
1. Improves visibility on bends
2. Flattens bends allowing a faster line
3. Can, in some circumstances straighten what would otherwise be a bendy road - shortening the distance travelled.

As someone above said, you pay for the road: if it's there, and it is safe to do so, use all of it.

Originally Posted by BillyC

and it is safe to do so, use all of it.

Well said Billy forgot that bit Comes as general knowledge but still

Originally Posted by Dave The Rave

I think saying no to people to move to off side is IMO a sensible thing. You would have muppets that just passed the test doing so.

Bah, why when considering anything with even the slightest element of risk these days, must we evaluate that risk based on the lowest common denominator

[BillyC]

Originally Posted by Flamin_Squirrel

Bah, why when considering anything with even the slightest element of risk these days, must we evaluate that risk based on the lowest common denominator

Because of the socialist oppressive regime currently in place, that you are more than familiar with. The stupidest person is stupid, therefore we're all stupid.

Originally Posted by BillyC

Because of the socialist oppressive regime currently in place, that you are more than familiar with. The stupidest person is stupid, therefore we're all stupid.