Tire Blow out-How to handle safely ?
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 104
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Tire Blow out-How to handle safely ?
Being Brand New to the road, Im curious to know who here has experienced primarily a blow out while riding on the highway. Especially how to safely exit the highway or road you where traveling on to get over to the shoulder. More so a 3 to 4 lane highway traveling over near the divider vs. in the lane next to the shoulder lane. Please share your experiences with this situation hoping your experience helps those that may encounter it.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 241
From: Southeast Texas
On paper:
If you have a tire blowout, you need to react quickly to keep your balance. You cannot always hear a tire blow. You have to be able to detect a flat tire from the way the motorcycle reacts. If the front tire goes flat, the steering will feel heavy. If the rear tire goes flat, the back of the motorcycle or moped will tend to slide from side to side.
If you have a tire blowout while driving, take the following steps:
Hold the handgrips tightly and concentrate on steering. Try to keep a straight course.
Stay off the brake. Gradually close the throttle and let the vehicle coast.
If it is the front tire that has blown, shift your weight as far back as you can. If it is the rear tire, stay where you are.
Wait until you are going very slowly, then edge toward the side of the road and coast to a stop.
In real life as Mark said. Pray
If you have a tire blowout, you need to react quickly to keep your balance. You cannot always hear a tire blow. You have to be able to detect a flat tire from the way the motorcycle reacts. If the front tire goes flat, the steering will feel heavy. If the rear tire goes flat, the back of the motorcycle or moped will tend to slide from side to side.
If you have a tire blowout while driving, take the following steps:
Hold the handgrips tightly and concentrate on steering. Try to keep a straight course.
Stay off the brake. Gradually close the throttle and let the vehicle coast.
If it is the front tire that has blown, shift your weight as far back as you can. If it is the rear tire, stay where you are.
Wait until you are going very slowly, then edge toward the side of the road and coast to a stop.
In real life as Mark said. Pray
Tourer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
I have never had a "blowout" but have had both a front and rear flat over the years. The front was no big deal and got stopped fine...
The rear going flat was a heck of a unnerving experience, the tire left the rim and it was all I could do to keep from losing it. Hold on tight and stay off the brake if possible. If you have to try to brake use the opposite break, not the one with the flat.
The rear going flat was a heck of a unnerving experience, the tire left the rim and it was all I could do to keep from losing it. Hold on tight and stay off the brake if possible. If you have to try to brake use the opposite break, not the one with the flat.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
My understanding is to use engine braking slowly while applying the brake to the tire that is still inflated to reduce speed.
Don't worry about falling off, your *** will pucker so tight the suction will keep you planted firm.
Don't worry about falling off, your *** will pucker so tight the suction will keep you planted firm.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 35,774
Likes: 38,468
From: Post Falls, ID
40 years of riding never had a blow out. Keep pressure up, don't overload and you won't have one.
If you should have one, pull the clutch, ride straight up and let the drag of the bad tire slow you to a stop.
You can feel a flat coming with handling changes.
If you should have one, pull the clutch, ride straight up and let the drag of the bad tire slow you to a stop.
You can feel a flat coming with handling changes.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 15,363
Likes: 24,228
From: NC, USA
I was on I-70 in Frederick MD back in 1990 when I had a rear tire blowout on my Sportster. I had just made the off ramp exit and "bang" sounded like I got shot at then the bike sat down on the rim. All I could think to do was let off the throttle and let the bike just slow itself till I coasted to a stop at the end of the off ramp. As luck had it, the Frederick HD dealership was right there at the off ramp so I limped in there and got both a front and rear tire.
The thing that gives me chills is a few miles before the off ramp exit I passed a semi at about 80 mph. If I had that blowout at that speed I doubt I'd be writing this.
The thing that gives me chills is a few miles before the off ramp exit I passed a semi at about 80 mph. If I had that blowout at that speed I doubt I'd be writing this.
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