Uneven Lanes Question
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
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From:
RE: Uneven Lanes Question
Interesting that you should bring this up because when I bought my Harley last year, I encountered that problem 3 times in one week. I took a week off to enjoy my new Harley and I went 3 different directions and they were working on the road in all 3 places. I really didn't want to embarrass myself in front of everybody, so I just took a firm hold on the bars and took it at about a 45 degree angle, like others have said. Needless to say, I didn't go back over those same roads for awhile until I knew that they were done working on them. Hope this helps.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
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From:
RE: Uneven Lanes Question
In the MSF class they tell you to wait til you get to a bridge since they don't grade them. But the best is to try to avoid them. Our instructor told us that he takes the long way around in order to avoid that if possible.
Good luck,
Sue~
Good luck,
Sue~
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: Uneven Lanes Question
It's do-able but not safe. Slow, cross as close to 90 degrees that you can (atleast 45) and hold the bars tightly. Did I say SLOW?
Same applies to rail road tracks and, here where I live, cattle guards. Tracks and cattle guards are also dangerously slippery when wet.
Same applies to rail road tracks and, here where I live, cattle guards. Tracks and cattle guards are also dangerously slippery when wet.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,127
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From: Boonville, MO
RE: Uneven Lanes Question
Yeah, i'm not feeling real froggy about this whole thing.
It wouldn't be so bad but they didn't even out my on ramp so i'm stuck with it everyday. Hopefully they get it fixed. Now i'm reduced to getting to the bottom, stopping, waiting for a break in traffic and hitting it head on and then screaming on up to speed (i'm out in the middle of rural nowhere I-70, no other traffic behind me on the ramp). It works but thought i would ask the question. Thanks for all the great input, didn't want to hurt the bike, and oh yeah, me too. Nothing else spooks me, not smart enough to be spooked, but this had me concerned.
I guess i'll take the knowledge on how best to do it if i have to but avoid it all all costs.
It wouldn't be so bad but they didn't even out my on ramp so i'm stuck with it everyday. Hopefully they get it fixed. Now i'm reduced to getting to the bottom, stopping, waiting for a break in traffic and hitting it head on and then screaming on up to speed (i'm out in the middle of rural nowhere I-70, no other traffic behind me on the ramp). It works but thought i would ask the question. Thanks for all the great input, didn't want to hurt the bike, and oh yeah, me too. Nothing else spooks me, not smart enough to be spooked, but this had me concerned.
I guess i'll take the knowledge on how best to do it if i have to but avoid it all all costs.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,030
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From: Tipp City, Ohio
RE: Uneven Lanes Question
It happened to me a few weeks ago at night on a crowded highway in a construction zone. The uneven pavement came angling into my path with a car next to me. It was either make it or get pushed into the car next to me. I made it. I think everyone should practice that in safer conditions.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
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From:
RE: Uneven Lanes Question
I agree, RR tracks are very dangerous.
Something else that scares me is those painted (white or yellow) lines when it is wet. Some of our local road maintenance folks lay it on thick and it can get really slick.
More than a few times I have lost traction when turning at an intersection --usually early in the morning when there is dew .
I try to give those lines a wide margin.
Something else that scares me is those painted (white or yellow) lines when it is wet. Some of our local road maintenance folks lay it on thick and it can get really slick.
More than a few times I have lost traction when turning at an intersection --usually early in the morning when there is dew .
I try to give those lines a wide margin.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
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From:
RE: Uneven Lanes Question
ORIGINAL: TampaJim
Very UNSAFE!!! It's called an EDGETRAP If the difference is abrupt it can catch your front wheel and guide it along the edge, jerking the handlebars out of your hands.. Happens so fast you can't correct and it's kiss the pavement time..
If you absolutly have to cross uneven pavement, slow down, get a very sharp angle (45') and make sure you have a good grip on the bars.
Fat tires probably have an advantage over the skinny ones in this situation.
Very UNSAFE!!! It's called an EDGETRAP If the difference is abrupt it can catch your front wheel and guide it along the edge, jerking the handlebars out of your hands.. Happens so fast you can't correct and it's kiss the pavement time..
If you absolutly have to cross uneven pavement, slow down, get a very sharp angle (45') and make sure you have a good grip on the bars.
Fat tires probably have an advantage over the skinny ones in this situation.
Chuck
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 25
From: St George, UT
RE: Uneven Lanes Question
angle and aggressive approach is the key. I usually hit them at about 30 degrees with a rapid change in direction toward the higher level. The tires get traction and climb the edge quickly. Works every time.
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, Co.
RE: Uneven Lanes Question
NoVaThunder, Milling highways is what I do for a living. If the regulations in VA. are anything like out west, there should have been a contractor buying you a new bike and paying all your medical bills.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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From:
RE: Uneven Lanes Question
Yep those ain't fun, I don't even think I would try to cross one of those in the rain.
But everyone is right, just take the furthest area of the lane you are in, firm grip on the bars,
and shoot into the grade change as close to a right angle, which will be about a 45 degree angle
of attack.
I don't like those anymore than anyone else, and if possible try and avoid them altogether.
There have been some instances I have either turned around, or just stayed in the lane I am,
and if traffic starts to force me to change I have pulled off the road and waited for a clear
shot in order to change to the higher area. It ain't worth messing you or your bike up if
you can help it.
But everyone is right, just take the furthest area of the lane you are in, firm grip on the bars,
and shoot into the grade change as close to a right angle, which will be about a 45 degree angle
of attack.
I don't like those anymore than anyone else, and if possible try and avoid them altogether.
There have been some instances I have either turned around, or just stayed in the lane I am,
and if traffic starts to force me to change I have pulled off the road and waited for a clear
shot in order to change to the higher area. It ain't worth messing you or your bike up if
you can help it.