Motorcycling Maturity

[Dutch6]

I am riding with the Patriot Guard on Monday. I joined and I met the President of the Maryland Chapter today. That is a great organization. Not that it has anything to do with this tread.

Carry on.

 

[Dutch6]

It was a surprise when I did! Of course the bike weighed about 175# so it was a little different. Best memory, desert race.. going over a sharp little hill I hadn't done before so I was being cautious. A guy passes me about 5' over my head on the down hill side!

I would have needed a change of drawers....

 

[edinsomd]

Motorcycle Safety Foundation
Ed

 

[Pete]

2003 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100.

Nice bike, had one.

 

[Dutch6]

Nice bike, had one.

Thanks, I like it.

 

[Pete]

Would explain everything I read say once the rear wheel is locked do't release it. Because of the flick factor?

It is called a "high side". When the rear wheel locks the back end will come around. If it comes around much when you release the brake the rear wheel will instantly get traction and snap back to trail the front wheel. When it does that it is violent and will fling you off.

I have slide the rear wheel around and pulsed the rear brake and got out of it without riding out the slide. If you catch it before the back wheel comes around on you you can pulse the brakes without riding out the skid.

If you lock the front wheel you better have strong arms and even then you are likely going down. It is much harder typically to lock the front than the rear. Being most people have years of experience in cars and "foot" means "brake" we instinctively in panic situations clamp with the foot and put too much into it.

 

[Dutch6]

It is called a "high side". When the rear wheel locks the back end will come around. If it comes around much when you release the brake the rear wheel will instantly get traction and snap back to trail the front wheel. When it does that it is violent and will fling you off.

I have slide the rear wheel around and pulsed the rear brake and got out of it without riding out the slide. If you catch it before the back wheel comes around on you you can pulse the brakes without riding out the skid.

If you lock the front wheel you better have strong arms and even then you are likely going down. It is much harder typically to lock the front than the rear. Being most people have years of experience in cars and "foot" means "brake" we instinctively in panic situations clamp with the foot and put too much into it.

Been working the "quick stops" and I see where that could happen. I need more work but I feel when the rear wheel is beginning to lose traction.Haven't had the rear wheel come around though and hope I never do.

 

[itsbob]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the way I understand all the reading on this is that if you lock up the back wheel all is not lost. If you lock up the front brak be ready for a free ride in a meat wagon.

Get a bike that doesn't have a 'front brake only' option.

I have dual calipers on the front, and single on the back.

If I press the rear brake I only get the rear brake, but never have to worry about it locking up.

If I press the front brake, I get the front, AND the rear.

BUT, with or without this option PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE, get familiar as to how your bike reacts under different circumstances.

 

[Pete]

Been working the "quick stops" and I see where that could happen. I need more work but I feel when the rear wheel is beginning to lose traction.Haven't had the rear wheel come around though and hope I never do.

They almost always do come around if you lock it up. Bike tires are much softer and more sticky than car tires which is why you only get about 9K to 10K out of them. The first indication you are on the rear too hard is the squeal. When the rear locks up most of the time you hear the squeal before it comes around.

I have locked up the rear and gotten off it but I realized it and corrected it before it came around too much and I have been riding for years.

 

[Dutch6]

Get a bike that doesn't have a 'front brake only' option.

I have dual calipers on the front, and single on the back.

If I press the rear brake I only get the rear brake, but never have to worry about it locking up.

If I press the front brake, I get the front, AND the rear.

BUT, with or without this option PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE, get familiar as to how your bike reacts under different circumstances.

I'm trying!

 

[Dutch6]

They almost always do come around if you lock it up. Bike tires are much softer and more sticky than car tires which is why you only get about 9K to 10K out of them. The first indication you are on the rear too hard is the squeal. When the rear locks up most of the time you hear the squeal before it comes around.

I have locked up the rear and gotten off it but I realized it and corrected it before it came around too much and I have been riding for years.

Yes, I noticed the squeal. I was behind Kmart practicing and did the "little too much rear brake" thing and got the squeal. As soon as I heard that I let off and all was fine. I'm learning the amount it takes but I'm sure that varies with the speed.

 

[GWguy]

Get a bike that doesn't have a 'front brake only' option.

I have dual calipers on the front, and single on the back.

If I press the rear brake I only get the rear brake, but never have to worry about it locking up.

If I press the front brake, I get the front, AND the rear.

BUT, with or without this option PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE, get familiar as to how your bike reacts under different circumstances.

Mine is just the opposite. If I hit the pedal, I get the rear and one front caliper. If I squeeze the handbrake, I get a different front caliper.

 

[Dutch6]

Mine is just the opposite. If I hit the pedal, I get the rear and one front caliper. If I squeeze the handbrake, I get a different front caliper.

In either case it's still 70% of all braking is from the front or is it different with these types of brake systems?

 

[aps45819]

In either case it's still 70% of all braking is from the front or is it different with these types of brake systems?

The physics are the same but a lot of folks get in the habit of only using one brake.
The linked systems are a way to compensate for rider stupidity

 

[Dutch6]

The physics are the same but a lot of folks get in the habit of only using one brake.
The linked systems are a way to compensate for rider stupidity

I think it has a lot to do with driving a car. You get used to one brake pedal. I have to keep reminding myself to use both and make it a habit. Still practicing and trying to make good habits..

 

[GWguy]

I think it has a lot to do with driving a car. You get used to one brake pedal. I have to keep reminding myself to use both and make it a habit. Still practicing and trying to make good habits..

I rode a bike long before I drove a car, so for me it's just instinctive to use both. Also, don't forget about the throttle and clutch. Tougher to slow down when you're fighting the engine. Down-shifting tends to keep the bike from coming azz-end around as well. It's alot to keep in mind during a panic situation, just time and practice.

 

[Dutch6]

I rode a bike long before I drove a car, so for me it's just instinctive to use both. Also, don't forget about the throttle and clutch. Tougher to slow down when you're fighting the engine. Down-shifting tends to keep the bike from coming azz-end around as well. It's alot to keep in mind during a panic situation, just time and practice.

Good words of wisdom.

 

[desertrat]

Good words of wisdom.

Not sure if this guy had barely ridden or was drunk. On a red small looking cruiser pulling out of Old Rolling Rd. (KMart) on to 235 about 4pm. He started to pull out, killed it, almost didn't get his leg down in time and came close to dumping it. Then he regrouped and tried to start it again. In gear!He went about 5', now he's in the intersection. He got it together, backed up and finally got going. Good entertainment sitting at the light.

 

[GWguy]

Not sure if this guy had barely ridden or was drunk. On a red small looking cruiser pulling out of Old Rolling Rd. (KMart) on to 235 about 4pm. He started to pull out, killed it, almost didn't get his leg down in time and came close to dumping it. Then he regrouped and tried to start it again. In gear!He went about 5', now he's in the intersection. He got it together, backed up and finally got going. Good entertainment sitting at the light.

That's called "being flustered"....

 

[Dutch6]

Not sure if this guy had barely ridden or was drunk. On a red small looking cruiser pulling out of Old Rolling Rd. (KMart) on to 235 about 4pm. He started to pull out, killed it, almost didn't get his leg down in time and came close to dumping it. Then he regrouped and tried to start it again. In gear!He went about 5', now he's in the intersection. He got it together, backed up and finally got going. Good entertainment sitting at the light.

If he wasn't drunk I bet he felt like crap real quick!