Street riding strategy is probably the most critical part when it comes to riding a motorcycle in traffic. So let's here from what other members have learned to stay safe. Mae sure you are able to have some reason or logic to your strategy. Even though I could spend an entire thread on this subject, I will list only one for the moment.
Stay away from the right lane when you are on a multi-lane road going in each direction. Too many entry and exit points for vehicles to pull out in front of you or suddenly pull off, require hard braking. Most importantly, the angle of view in which the vehicle is pulling out onto the road is greatly reduced, reducing the ability for them to see you. Think about it, when you are pulling out onto a major street, your vew of the oncoming traffic is best toward the outer lanes, the immediate lane is the hardest to view many times, which is the most dangersous. Also being in the right lane when a car suddenly pull out doesn't give you much time and space for you to react. No margin of safety. Then what about all the left handers? I'm going to become vulnerable. Yes, but everything is in front of you between 10:00 and 2:00, including the vehicles making the left hand turn. You both should have a good view of one another. Not always the case, but you should see it coming. Possibly turn signals, cars in the turn lanes, etc.
This holds true for freeways as well. Too much merging and exiting going on within populated areas. How many times have you seen vehicles taking an exit at the very last second, often from one or two lanes over? I guarantee you, they won't be looking for a motorcycle. Automatic wipout here. I prefer being in the left lane, you only have to worry about a bad lane change from one side and usually no merging or exiting from the left lane.
Stay away from the right lane when you are on a multi-lane road going in each direction. Too many entry and exit points for vehicles to pull out in front of you or suddenly pull off, require hard braking. Most importantly, the angle of view in which the vehicle is pulling out onto the road is greatly reduced, reducing the ability for them to see you. Think about it, when you are pulling out onto a major street, your vew of the oncoming traffic is best toward the outer lanes, the immediate lane is the hardest to view many times, which is the most dangersous. Also being in the right lane when a car suddenly pull out doesn't give you much time and space for you to react. No margin of safety. Then what about all the left handers? I'm going to become vulnerable. Yes, but everything is in front of you between 10:00 and 2:00, including the vehicles making the left hand turn. You both should have a good view of one another. Not always the case, but you should see it coming. Possibly turn signals, cars in the turn lanes, etc.
This holds true for freeways as well. Too much merging and exiting going on within populated areas. How many times have you seen vehicles taking an exit at the very last second, often from one or two lanes over? I guarantee you, they won't be looking for a motorcycle. Automatic wipout here. I prefer being in the left lane, you only have to worry about a bad lane change from one side and usually no merging or exiting from the left lane.