What is your default lane position and why?

[iviyth0s]

I primarily stay towards the left so I'm better seen behind the car in front of me and so they're more aware of my presence as well!

 

[FUHL]

Left due to Moose and deer. Keeps me centered in the road and more time to react to those wanting to cross the road.

 

[long101]

Left, especially on a 3 lane highway. I figure if I'm in the middle lane (which I usually am unless I'm passing), the people passing me have already seen me, however the cars in the right (slow lane) have no idea I'm there. So it gives a bit of a buffer

 

[dpaul007]

Left due to Moose and deer. Keeps me centered in the road and more time to react to those wanting to cross the road.

This! I almost always ride on the left. When I do this, I notice oncoming traffic will damn near drive on the shoulder! I've also been known to drive in the left passing lane on a 4-lane split highway at dawn and dusk to have better reaction time to whatever might come out of the ditch to the right.

 

[Koissu]

I was thinking about this when I dropped my bike off for new tires. I'm fairly new so I was sticking to the left hand side of my lane (bi-directional road, 1 lane each direction). When oncoming cars came, I drifted to the middle as they passed, then got back over. There's something about being right next to them that makes me a bit nervous, as when I am in the car, I see people over the line all the time. Should I just stick to my guns unless they are 'obviously' coming into my lane? My wife said I looked like I was driving erratically lol Plus there were potholes, debris, all the other fun stuff.

Secondly, I was at a red light with my wife behind me in our car (tires in tow). As the light changed, I went and after the light, there was a lane merging in (on the right). It was two lanes for a short bit, then it merged (into my lane). I saw this motorcycle pretty close behind me to my right. I was riding toward the left of my lane, and as it merged, he got really close to me. I didn't realize how close until I did a head check. So, he 'tailgated' for a while, then back off a bit (this was another sport bike).

Anyways, end of story, I pull into the shop and I hear this honk behind me. Park, my wife pulls in and gets out and says, 'what was up with that guy?'. I didn't see him, but he apparently pulled in behind me, honked, and pulled back out - I was just looking for parking. She also said he was right on my ass. I have no idea what happened in this situation. I used my blinker, there were no cars in front of me, I didn't brake suddenly to turn. Was he trying to ride in formation with me perhaps? and I was just doing my own thing? Is that to be expected when another rider is all of sudden behind you?

Thoughts?

 

[VEGASRIDER]

[MENTION=26366]Koissu[/MENTION], that rider just had bad riding etiquette. As far as shifting whenever a car approaches from the opposite lane, nothing wrong with that. Never trust and assume the other driver. I do that whenever I see a truck or anything big that might create a wind blast.

 

[trepetti]

On a one lane road, I also favor the left while leaving enough space between me and the car ahead so that i can see and be seen by side streets on the right. On multi lane roads, if there are lanes to my right, i will usually be in the right-most position so that I can be seen in the driver's side mirror. Of course, I never stay in a driver's blind spot, and never EVER trust that the driver sees me. Keep lots of escape paths.