Man Hole Covers
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 6,502
Likes: 97
From: SW Ohio
Man Hole Covers
A buddy of mine told me not ride across man hole covers in a turn. He said that my front tire could slide out from underneath me. Around here theres lots of them in the middle of intersections and I haven't had any trouble turning on man hole covers yet. I do sway around em when riding streight, and in wide 4 lane intersection turns. Keep in mine I've only beeen riding for 3 weeks now after not riding for 35 years. My MSF class doesn't start untill Oct. 16th.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cities
They told me the same thing in my MSF course. It makes sense. Paint stripes could do the same. They only thing i have been over that made me feel like my front tire was going to slide out was those "tar snakes". I was in a part of town that had just put sealer all over the roads and had that white plastic strips covering it up and blowing around in the breeze. Of course I looked right at the thing and that's where my bike went. I felt a little slip, my heart skipped, and i put the thing upright real quick. LOL. It's just best to avoid turning on stuff like that, especially when it's wet.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
From: A Boston Yankee in Surrey, England
Good advice. Try to keep your wheels off everything but pure asphalt.
Tar ribbons and other line features like that aren't so bad with tires other than the stock Donlops. A set of Avon Venoms or Metzler 880s will solve that problem for the most part.
Tar ribbons and other line features like that aren't so bad with tires other than the stock Donlops. A set of Avon Venoms or Metzler 880s will solve that problem for the most part.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: UK
I had a bit of a moment on a manhole cover this last week. On holiday in Wales - needless to say it was raining! I always try to avoid the covers wet or dry, but didn't notice this one in a tight bend till it was too late. Front wheel started to slide, but I was able to keep it upright somehow - adrenaline is a wonderful thing!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 4
From: Midland, TX
Also, when you ride over a cover, you are making the assumption that it fits properly and won't flip over when you hit it off center. I try to avoid running over them if possible.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 899
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From: Franklin, TN
Man I thought this was going to be a thread about Maxi Pads!! 
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,209
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From: Iowa
I avoid them too.. but a friend ran over one and the cover fell down, flipping the bike, and the rider. This was in Nebraska several years ago. The city picked up his hospital bills and fixed his bike. Turns out the road had just been repaved and the rim that holds the cover had been built up.. just not strong enough.
bob
bob
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
Likes: 822
From: Nevada
Manhole covers should be avoided in corners, especially when they're wet. There's one near my house and I often curse the clown who decided to put it in the middle of a (right) turn. I don't think some civil engineers are aware of the hazards manholes present to two wheelers.