Emergency Procedures Safety Question
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Stage IV
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Emergency Procedures Safety Question
I have a question regarding how to handle an emergency situation. I was riding second in a group of six motorcycles up the Florida Turnpike doing about 70 mph in the inside lane. Suddenly, I lost all power on my bike. I looked at my instruments and saw the gas light was on yet I had over half a tank as evidenced on my display and we had also just tanked up. I knew somehow my engine was not getting gas delivered to it. I tried downshifting and throttling up hoping to jiggle whatever mechanical part or sensor that was malfunctioning. This did not correct the situation and I continued to slow due to loss of all engine power. I signaled my left blinker, checked my side view (left) for the rider behind me, and guided my bike to the inside breakdown lane being careful to keep control as I hit the slow strips between the lane and the breakdown lane. One of the riders in the group said I should have waved everyone to go by around me implying that by not doing so I endangered the riders behind me. My questions: 1) is it recommended in that situation to remove a hand from the bike to wave people around me? 2) what would be the appropriate hand signal to do so?
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 964
Likes: 243
From: right outside of town
..you signaled, checked your mirrors, and safely moved over..it's up to the riders behind you to keep a safe enough distance to allow for any situation..common sense..the rider telling what he said is full of crap..
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
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Last edited by VsTheWorld; Jul 27, 2010 at 09:24 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 283
Likes: 22
From: Grand Prairie, TX
You did the right thing. Those immeadiately behind you should have continued on and the drag should have pulled off with you. Once the larger group got to a safe place to pull off together then they can start making phone calls to see if you were alright.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 142
From: Sioux Center, Iowa
I think if I had 4 bikes behind me in the fast lane and I lost power, I'd get my left hand up for a second so they knew that something was wrong. Having your blinker on might get their attention but doesn't tell them you've lost power and are slowing down fast. Likewise with debris on the roadway. You put you blinker on the rider behind you might think you're just changing lanes and hit what ever's ahead. By getting your hand up and there's a good chance it'll let him know of a problem ahead.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,474
Likes: 6
From: Port Charlotte, Florida
if time permits yes a hand is a good thing but also if iam doing 70 or 80mph and having serious issues then may not be time for a hand.
Iam with the other guy that posted on here did the group you were riding with stop or just ride off in the sun set and leave you fending for yourself.
Iam with the other guy that posted on here did the group you were riding with stop or just ride off in the sun set and leave you fending for yourself.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,364
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From: So Cal The Golden State
Second guessing after an incident is always posible,But you stopped safely that is all that mattered. Hand signaling in a group is always good.
BTW what was the cause of loss of power?
BTW what was the cause of loss of power?
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Stage IV
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thanks for all of the feedback. The group did pass and pull over ahead of me. I was able to shut down and restart. When I restarted, the gas light went off and gas again flowed to my engine. I was able to make it the rest of the way home - riding in the far right slow lane in case the problem happened again. I am taking the bike ('05 SE VROD) in Friday - not riding in the meantime. Never had a problem like this before. Will have a full check done 'cause never want it to happen again. It was on a road trip - crud in the gas (I use high octane)?, debris in the tank?, fuel pump??? What would temporarily stop gas flow while running and go away when I restart? Anyone experience a similar issue?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
Had a relay go out on my twin cam fuel injected a few years ago. Took the seat off tapped on all the relays. Bike restarted --rode home. Got home bike wouldn't restart till I replaced relays. That was may experience. I have also lost a fuel regulator and had to trailer bike to the shop. FI is great when it works but when it doesn't work--it doesn't. My evo is carbed--easier to work on sometimes.