Question for all you motorcycle enthusiasts

[pagan22]

Why do all the motorcyclists I encounter on the road ride as close as they can get to the center line?

"Sec. 660 -(1) A person operating a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, low-speed vehicle, or moped upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable..."

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/ (S(n0qrcfzj13refqryrwpkvc55))/ mileg.aspx?page=getobject& objectname=mcl-257-660&que ryid=7596016&highlight=mot orcycle

I hug the my right side when I see motorcycles approaching me that are riding like that. However, it's like they challenge me by crossing the center line forcing me onto the shoulder instead of hitting them head on.

This isn't a rare occurrence and I'm worried that one day there will be something on the shoulder, so I won't be able to avoid a collision. I drive a fairly large vehicle. Chances are I'd be okay while the motorcyclist would be dead with a broken neck.

[Pete]

pagan22 wrote:

Why do all the motorcyclists I encounter on the road ride as close as they can get to the center line?
"Sec. 660 -(1) A person operating a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, low-speed vehicle, or moped upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable..."
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/ (S(n0qrcfzj13refqryrwpkvc55))/ mileg.aspx?
page=getobject&objectname= mcl-257-660&queryid=759601 6&highlight=motorcycle
I hug the my right side when I see motorcycles approaching me that are riding like that. However, it's like they challenge me by crossing the center line forcing me onto the shoulder instead of hitting them head on.
This isn't a rare occurrence and I'm worried that one day there will be something on the shoulder, so I won't be able to avoid a collision. I drive a fairly large vehicle. Chances are I'd be okay while the motorcyclist would be dead with a broken neck.

That law does not apply to motorcycles. When riding alone it is suggested that you ride on the left side of the lane. When riding with others you ride staggered with one bike on the left, usually the lead bike, and another on the right and alternate that pattern for the rest of the bikes.

[Yooper]

Another reason is that when you pass a motorcycle, you have to fully move into the passing lane when doing so. Too many motorists try to pass by just moving over enough to clear the bike.

[Hurley35]

There are two grooves in any standard road lane made by the tires of cars. The inside one, or the one closest to the shoulder is called the "riding goove". The outside one, or the one closet to the center line is called the Suicide groove. For a single biker to ride in the suicide grove makes that groove aptly named. Experienced and trained riders don't ride in the Suicide groove. When riding shotgun on a two-lane road most experienced riders will go into a staggered shotgun formation (one bike slightly ahead of the other) This allows the person riding in the Suicide groove to move right when oncoming traffic approaches. It is only when on a multi-lane road or a highway that experienced riders will go into a full Shotgun (side-by-side) riding pattern, and then only when they are confident of the experience and ability of the rider next to them.

[Hurley35]

Yooper wrote:

Another reason is that when you pass a motorcycle, you have to fully move into the passing lane when doing so. Too many motorists try to pass by just moving over enough to clear the bike.

That is exactly correct. By law, a single motorcycle is entitled to a full traffic lane and motorist must respect that.

[Gentle Taz]

Hurley35 wrote:

<quoted text>That is exactly correct. By law, a single motorcycle is entitled to a full traffic lane and motorist must respect that.

I would add to that that the center of the lane is a bad place to ride. It can be slippery there with the oil dripped from numerous vehicles.

[Shoeless Eluder]

I don't know about all that technical stuff "the suicide grove" . If I am on a four lane I stick to the "suicide grove" but try never to ride next to the vehicle in the lane to the left either a little ahead or a little behind just in case I have to make an evasive move. I am an experienced rider and on a two lane I always ride in the " suicide grove" Its where I feel comfortable .But with that said I never challenge on coming traffic and never cross the white line into head on traffic I don't know why anyone would do that except maybe they are just stupid .I never feel comfortable riding near the shoulder especially on country roads where there are lots of hidden driveways .And I agree with Hurley if you are in a group of riders its good to know who they are and how they ride or you are just looking for trouble.

[Shoeless Eluder]

Gentle Taz wrote:

<quoted text>
I would add to that that the center of the lane is a bad place to ride. It can be slippery there with the oil dripped from numerous vehicles.

Yep you are right Taz the center of a traffic lane is very slippery especially in the rain and its no fun riding the hump anyway.

[Car Guy]

I always prefer the "suicide groove" on 2 lane roads for the simple fact of giving you a little extra reaction time & space from folks pulling out of drives, or crossroads.
also wonder what pagan drives, that they consider a fairly large vehicle? a standard full size pickup is just about 7' mirror to mirror, standard lane widths are approx 12' wide, leaving you an average of 1/2 of your fullsize vehicle width EXTRA. also the way I read the post pagan "FEELs" challanged "Like" they cross the line, not saying they do, in which case they sound Parinoid, and probably shouldn't be on the road :)

[Donna C Ionia]

My son is a motorcyclist of 25 yrs and he says that when you ride closer to the center the cars following you can see there is a motorcycle ahead and not pass the car ahead of them not knowing this, Also on coming traffic see's one headlite and may think it's just a car with a lite out if your to the far right of the lane. although he doesn't belive in hugging the center line, it's too dangerous riding that way. He has had many cars pull out in front of him not yielding to a cycle and had to dump the bike to keep from being hit. He is a very safe driver and what we are concerned for is, there are many people buying cycles to cut gas cost and they haven't had the experience riding them, look at how many have been hit and killed in the last month. My newphew was also killed on his three years ago after having just a month.They are to be respected and driven with a defensive attitude or it can be your life!!

[pagan22]

Car Guy wrote:

I always prefer the "suicide groove" on 2 lane roads for the simple fact of giving you a little extra reaction time & space from folks pulling out of drives, or crossroads.
also wonder what pagan drives, that they consider a fairly large vehicle? a standard full size pickup is just about 7' mirror to mirror, standard lane widths are approx 12' wide, leaving you an average of 1/2 of your fullsize vehicle width EXTRA. also the way I read the post pagan "FEELs" challanged "Like" they cross the line, not saying they do, in which case they sound Parinoid, and probably shouldn't be on the road :)

I drive a full size pick up with extended bed. Sometime I'm hauling oversize trailers that are wider than the truck.

And you obviously didn't read what I wrote.

When I see a motorcycle coming at me that is dangerously close to the center line, I hug *MY* white shoulder line and often cross it to hit gravel because the bike crosses the line coming into my lane. If I hit him head on and kill him, I can just imagine the lawsuit even though the accident wouldn't be my fault because he's a moron.

I find in Allegan county, specifically on M-222, which is a nice straight road, motorcycles often ride side by side and not staggered like I see on the freeway.

[Pete]

Car Guy wrote:

I always prefer the "suicide groove" on 2 lane roads for the simple fact of giving you a little extra reaction time & space from folks pulling out of drives, or crossroads.
also wonder what pagan drives, that they consider a fairly large vehicle? a standard full size pickup is just about 7' mirror to mirror, standard lane widths are approx 12' wide, leaving you an average of 1/2 of your fullsize vehicle width EXTRA. also the way I read the post pagan "FEELs" challanged "Like" they cross the line, not saying they do, in which case they sound Parinoid, and probably shouldn't be on the road :)

I agree, I have never heard these labels. I ride solo on the left side of the lane. I think it gives you maximum visibility. There are other factors like how close you are to the vehicle in front of you and the lights on your bike. The whole idea is to maximize your visibility and sometimes that involves moving in the lane to make other traffic aware of your presence.

[Hurley35]

pagan22 wrote:

<quoted text>
I drive a full size pick up with extended bed. Sometime I'm hauling oversize trailers that are wider than the truck.
And you obviously didn't read what I wrote.
When I see a motorcycle coming at me that is dangerously close to the center line, I hug *MY* white shoulder line and often cross it to hit gravel because the bike crosses the line coming into my lane. If I hit him head on and kill him, I can just imagine the lawsuit even though the accident wouldn't be my fault because he's a moron.
I find in Allegan county, specifically on M-222, which is a nice straight road, motorcycles often ride side by side and not staggered like I see on the freeway.

I did read your original post and I just have to point out an issue with your wording...

"Why do all the motorcyclists I encounter on the road ride as close as they can get to the center line?"

Notice you said ALL motorcyclists I encounter? Obviously that isn't the case. Perhaps it's just the motorcyclists you happen to notice. 90% of a bikers job is to make sure the cagers see us, so if you are noticing them that's a plus, even if I choose not to ride in that particular groove. I don't know of anyone who actually crosses the center line while riding (at least on purpose) and by law motorcycles are allowed a full lane of traffic unless the choose to ride shotgun.

[MIbowhunter]

I hug the left line to deter anyone that passes me from behind from coming back over into my lane too soon (although it makes me more vunerable if they do). But "hugging the line" doesn't mean I cross into the oncoming lane.

[Shoeless Eluder]

pagan22 wrote:

<quoted text>
I drive a full size pick up with extended bed. Sometime I'm hauling oversize trailers that are wider than the truck.
And you obviously didn't read what I wrote.
When I see a motorcycle coming at me that is dangerously close to the center line, I hug *MY* white shoulder line and often cross it to hit gravel because the bike crosses the line coming into my lane. If I hit him head on and kill him, I can just imagine the lawsuit even though the accident wouldn't be my fault because he's a moron.
I find in Allegan county, specifically on M-222, which is a nice straight road, motorcycles often ride side by side and not staggered like I see on the freeway.

Must be an Allegan county thing.

[Offering My Truth]

Thanks to so many of you for some great info. Not being a motorcycle rider myself, I never thought about the groove thing and the slippery middle.

From an ignorant point of view (mine), it makes sense that bikers would position themselves towards the left of the lane simply because that's where the driver sits in a car. I would think the habit of driving a car would make you want to be towards the left of the lane, matching the view to which you are accustomed.

[Shoeless Eluder]

Offering My Truth wrote:

Thanks to so many of you for some great info. Not being a motorcycle rider myself, I never thought about the groove thing and the slippery middle.
From an ignorant point of view (mine), it makes sense that bikers would position themselves towards the left of the lane simply because that's where the driver sits in a car. I would think the habit of driving a car would make you want to be towards the left of the lane, matching the view to which you are accustomed.

I think you hit the nail on the head . Never did like riding like I was a passenger .Thanks

[pagan22]

Hurley35 wrote:

<quoted text>I did read your original post and I just have to point out an issue with your wording...
"Why do all the motorcyclists I encounter on the road ride as close as they can get to the center line?"
Notice you said ALL motorcyclists I encounter? Obviously that isn't the case. Perhaps it's just the motorcyclists you happen to notice. 90% of a bikers job is to make sure the cagers see us, so if you are noticing them that's a plus, even if I choose not to ride in that particular groove. I don't know of anyone who actually crosses the center line while riding (at least on purpose) and by law motorcycles are allowed a full lane of traffic unless the choose to ride shotgun.

Oh, okay, okay.

All motorcyclists I encounter riding east and west on M-222.

I hope this makes you feel better.

[Hurley35]

pagan22 wrote:

<quoted text>
Oh, okay, okay.
All motorcyclists I encounter riding east and west on M-222.
I hope this makes you feel better.

Even than I seriously doubt it is "ALL" motorcyclists.