Scared the Crap Out of Myself Today! Help!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
One more important note about rear wheel lock-up...if that sucker starts coming around too far you better keep it locked and RIDE IT OUT. Do NOT let off the rear brake or you're likely to high side it when the wheel snaps back underneath the bike. You can let off as long as it's tracking reasonably straight, otherwise RIDE IT OUT.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
I'm a new rider, have an '06 Deluxe. I've done my beginner riding classes and gone on several rides on low traffic rural/mountain roads. I've avoided high traffic areas, freeways and generally being around cars. I wanted to get used to my bike and develop some confidence with the controls before venturing out in to the real world of other drivers.
As a side note - I race cars and have raced both road and mountain bicycles. I understand keeping my eyes up, balance and threshold braking.
Today was my first venture into a longer ride (75 miles) and slightly more congested areas. I was on a four lane divided highway with a 55 mph speed limit. I was in the right lane, right at 55 mph, approaching an intersection with a traffic light.
The light turns yellow exactly at the point when I could either keep going, or stop. I make the split second decision to stop.
I'm on the brakes firmly, but I didn't slam them on. My rear tire immediately locks up and starts to slide. I heard the squealing tire even before I realized I was locked up. It was too late to let up and go through the intersection. The bike started to go sideways and fortunately my racing instincts took over and I counter steered, kept it upright and got it stopped just before the intersection.
No cars were in front of me or behind me - one was beside me. Before I left the intersection I looked back and saw a long skid mark. Jeez, what a way to start my real world riding.
Help me learn - what did I do wrong? I hate it when I don't know, what I don't know. Tire appears to have plenty of tread, brake function has been fine in all other situations.
1. Didn't know that a heavy bike, with a small tire contact patch will lock up quickly?
2. Too much rear brake vs. front brake?
3. I have to leave myself more braking room when riding a heavy motorcycle.
4. Didn't notice the smooth asphalt patch in the braking zone.
5. Other
6. All of the above!
As a side note - I race cars and have raced both road and mountain bicycles. I understand keeping my eyes up, balance and threshold braking.
Today was my first venture into a longer ride (75 miles) and slightly more congested areas. I was on a four lane divided highway with a 55 mph speed limit. I was in the right lane, right at 55 mph, approaching an intersection with a traffic light.
The light turns yellow exactly at the point when I could either keep going, or stop. I make the split second decision to stop.
I'm on the brakes firmly, but I didn't slam them on. My rear tire immediately locks up and starts to slide. I heard the squealing tire even before I realized I was locked up. It was too late to let up and go through the intersection. The bike started to go sideways and fortunately my racing instincts took over and I counter steered, kept it upright and got it stopped just before the intersection.
No cars were in front of me or behind me - one was beside me. Before I left the intersection I looked back and saw a long skid mark. Jeez, what a way to start my real world riding.
Help me learn - what did I do wrong? I hate it when I don't know, what I don't know. Tire appears to have plenty of tread, brake function has been fine in all other situations.
1. Didn't know that a heavy bike, with a small tire contact patch will lock up quickly?
2. Too much rear brake vs. front brake?
3. I have to leave myself more braking room when riding a heavy motorcycle.
4. Didn't notice the smooth asphalt patch in the braking zone.
5. Other
6. All of the above!
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs
My suggestion is first, don't get down on yourself about your mistake.
More saddle time is all you need with emergency braking practice. EVERYONE has done a mistake like that at least once. Of course, some won't admit it.
More saddle time is all you need with emergency braking practice. EVERYONE has done a mistake like that at least once. Of course, some won't admit it.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
well, you prettymuch answered your own questions in the end of your post. An 06 Deluxe weighs about 650 pounds? That's a lot of weight once you get it rolling and it's hard to stop. Especially compared to a racecar with 4 contact patches that are much larger than a motorcycle tire contact patch.
I find myself having to make those split second decisions on whether to stop or blow through yellow lights occasionally. It's 100% my fault because it always happens when I'm doing highway speeds on non-highway roads that have traffic lights. If a road has stoplights I shouldn't be doing 65mph.
I find myself having to make those split second decisions on whether to stop or blow through yellow lights occasionally. It's 100% my fault because it always happens when I'm doing highway speeds on non-highway roads that have traffic lights. If a road has stoplights I shouldn't be doing 65mph.