Lane Positions (4/12)

Lane Position

If you’re coming from driving a car, you’re likely used to sticking to the center of the lane—or maybe just slightly left or right. On a motorcycle, you have way more options. Instead of just 3, you can easily use 5 to 8 (or even 20+) different positions within your lane.

Why? Because motorcycles are small, and the tires line up with your body. This gives you precise control and flexibility to adjust your position based on road and traffic conditions.

Why Lane Position Matters

Your lane position helps you:

• Avoid pavement hazards like potholes or gravel
  
• Maximize traction and stability
  
• Increase your visibility to others
  
• Maintain space and escape routes
  

Small changes in lane position change where your tires touch the road (called contact patches), which matters more than where the motorcycle’s body is.

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There’s No “Perfect” Lane Position

People often think there’s one right lane position for every situation. That’s a myth. Conditions are always changing, and so should your position.

• Each lane position has strengths and weaknesses
  
• Use your judgment based on current road, traffic, and environmental hazards
  
• Don’t just copy what someone told you or what you saw online—adapt in real-time
  

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Using Lane Position to Avoid Hazards

Start by using lane position to avoid bad pavement. Remember the APE Risk Management system:

1. Avoid the hazard (best case)
   
2. Control the hazard (second best)
   
3. Mitigate the effects (last resort)
   

Look at the pavement color—this helps you spot trouble early:

• Dark grey = good traction/stability (baseline pavement)
  
• Black square = patch (Stability Hazard) → move away
  
• Beige area = sand/gravel (Traction Hazard) → avoid
  
• Black zigzag/cracks = separation or potholes → shift position
  

The goal is to keep your tires on the cleanest, most stable surface available. Roads with consistent color are usually safer. When you see contrast or color changes, that’s a red flag.

Keep It Moving

Changing lane positions as you ride creates a “bob and weave” effect. This is normal—and it’s part of smart riding.

Over time, this scanning and adjusting will become second nature. That’s when you hit what’s called APE Flow State—when hazard detection and riding feel smooth and automatic.

One Final Tip

Good pavement equals good Evasive Potential—your ability to react fast in an emergency. If you’re riding over gravel or cracks, you can’t make sharp, sudden moves. That’s why staying connected to clean pavement is key.