Crashed
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Information for future reference or just ignore it.
If a tire is going down front or rear. Just immediately pull in the clutch and do not apply any brakes. Relax grip on the bars, balance and let it slow on its own. When you are going slow ease off to the shoulder.
It is like being on ice. Any braking or steering input will cause the bike to swap ends fast.
Most know that using the front brake in a slow turn can drop the bike. Well at speed with a tire going down or flat it is many times as likely to drop using any brake.
I have brought a bike from 80 to stopped under control with this method when the rear tire blew. Haven't had a front blow but I stay ready.
One qualifier. This is on a straight road. If you are on a big turn try to keep a straight line to loose as much speed as possible before going down.
If a tire is going down front or rear. Just immediately pull in the clutch and do not apply any brakes. Relax grip on the bars, balance and let it slow on its own. When you are going slow ease off to the shoulder.
It is like being on ice. Any braking or steering input will cause the bike to swap ends fast.
Most know that using the front brake in a slow turn can drop the bike. Well at speed with a tire going down or flat it is many times as likely to drop using any brake.
I have brought a bike from 80 to stopped under control with this method when the rear tire blew. Haven't had a front blow but I stay ready.
One qualifier. This is on a straight road. If you are on a big turn try to keep a straight line to loose as much speed as possible before going down.
Last edited by lh4x4; Apr 9, 2012 at 07:34 PM.
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
This is to answer some questions: I think that I should have slowed down a little slower, but that I guess was a learning experience. I am glad to be able to talk about it. I live in Portage WI. Progressive has been great so far. Wednesday is the real test. The frame may have been compromised that is the only reason it might be totalled. Thanks for all the feedback.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 577
Likes: 6
From: Ravenna Ohio
Had a rear tire go flat with the wife on the bike with me It felt like the front tire had come loose and I was looking down at it before I realized what was going on I managed to get it stopped alright The only bad part was pushing the bike 4 miles to a gas station (before cell phones)
Glad your OK hope everything goes well.
Glad your OK hope everything goes well.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
I have experienced more than my share of flats, & rear flats still scare me, fronts don't at all. but never had a tall sidewall 16" front go flat. with a rear, bike can go crazy flopping from side to side, with fronts I just have heavy steering, & be extra careful, no leaning & drop speeed well below limits.
with 19" I have had quite a few, & never had any real problems, just heavy steering, & get off road to fix, & or inflate.
one time I had a front go flat 2am, middle of no where, & it wouldnt hold air, & I was basically broke & around 100 miles from home, so I rode it home flat, I didnt mess wheel up, but I did ruin the tire tread pattern, but still used it a little while until I could afford a new tire.
last year my Kawasaki, I had 5 front flats, & 1 almost rear, & got it home, the rear was a valve stem, & 1 of the fronts flats was valvestem, the others were punctures, however farthest I rode with front flat on Kawi was around 15 miles.
with 19" I have had quite a few, & never had any real problems, just heavy steering, & get off road to fix, & or inflate.
one time I had a front go flat 2am, middle of no where, & it wouldnt hold air, & I was basically broke & around 100 miles from home, so I rode it home flat, I didnt mess wheel up, but I did ruin the tire tread pattern, but still used it a little while until I could afford a new tire.
last year my Kawasaki, I had 5 front flats, & 1 almost rear, & got it home, the rear was a valve stem, & 1 of the fronts flats was valvestem, the others were punctures, however farthest I rode with front flat on Kawi was around 15 miles.
You all are making me look real hard at the next set of rubbers i put on my bike. Sorry to hear about your crash. Blessing that you were able to share your story with us. Thanks for letting us in on your experience.
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Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
I can't honestly say I know for certain why I went down. It was like this: pulled bike to the shoulder, severe wobble, on the ground, FXD sliding down the shoulder of the interstate. Lots of pain... If anything I hope you all learn something from this.