Heading to work this morning going North on US1, I was slowing down to try and stop at a signal at CR210 and US1 in St. Johns County. Saw the light about 2 blocks ahead change to yellow, and started getting ready to stop, or at least get it in 1st to ride it in the friction zone. I was entering a 45mph zone, so I started to use the back brakes to slow me down. Pumping the brake pedal, not keeping it constantly pressed. I use the back more than the front most of the time anyway.
I was just getting ready to shift down to 5th (I was going about 50-55 at the time), had squeezed the clutch handle and the back end started fishtailing on me! Scared the living S#!T out of me, and scre#ed up the rest of my day from that point on.
SOMEHOW I managed to NOT lose control of the bike, but the front end definitely had other ideas for that 3 to 5 seconds! The bike finally settled down when I let up on the brake completely, I regained control of it going where "I" wanted it to go, and I went straight thru the red light (No cars had passed get). Pulled over, and after I checked my pants for damage I got going again and got to work ok.

Cannot figure out what the #ELL happened! I'm sure it was a rookie mistake, but I don't ride recklessly. BARRING my first day with it, I've been almost TOO CAREFUL riding it.
I've been riding the bike to work roughly 3 to 4 days a week for the past month, and so far the worse I've had to deal with compared to this was some really strong winds this afternoon.

The road was damp this morning, but then it always is that time of morning. I think it had rained some during the night last night, but the sky was clear when I got on the road to head out this morning. I even rode thru some rain on Monday morning going to work, and afternoon heading home, in the same area and was ok.
I know you all have given me S#it about my wreck (and will continue to do so until #ell freezes over), but this was out of the blue.

SO, obviously I did something right here to stop from losing it and ending up in a bad situation. I just can't figure out WHAT I did to keep the bike up on two wheels.

 

All I can think of is that when you pulled in the clutch it took power away from the rear wheel, and the rear brake stopped the tire from rotating for a couple seconds....chalk it up to a experience lesson...

 

I agree with redman. I bet you briefly locked up the rear when you disengaged the clutch. Crazy Sh*t happens sometimes! Glad you stayed out of an accident.

 

I am glad this is an almost post and not a lost it post. I am a newbie so I am not that one that should critique someone, but it does sound like you locked your rear brakes (as sickpup said.)

Please correct me if I am wrong, but the rear brakes should be used lightly, since the front brake has most of the stopping power. I usually apply both, but I initially apply the front and gradually apply the rear brake. I have had to make sudden stops and I have had success using the above formula. Again, I am a newbie so I could be wrong.

For your enjoyment:

 

Glad your ok Bill. Just like I tell my students, when you stop learning your dead.... yeah I know I get groans from them some time too.

 

when these slick roads are damp you have to slow down way in advance and apply both breaks. I've fish tailed but thank God I had plenty of road to find traction enough to get control. You just have to practice like in the MSF courses. Keep looking up and ride it out of the slide. Down south these roads are always greasy it's easy to lock the wheels. I'm not an expert by any means but I'm glad I rode a lot of dirt bikes back in the day. Think ahead as much as time and distance will allow.

 

I guess the rear end did lock up. It all happened too fast to remember all the details. I Can't remember if I let up on the clutch until the rear end straightened out or not. But I DO know that the next time I ride I'm gonna start using the front brakes more.
Not having owned a bike before this one really has me at a disadvantage when new "stuff" happens with it.
JOR * they DO tell you in the MSF Basic course to use the front brakes more than the back. Guess I need to follow their advice and start using them more!

 

Front brakes provide you with the most stopping power, learn to use them they are your best friend except at low speed. Be safe out there.

 

It's the important part, and most of us have been there. Glad to see you put something into your cup of experience without removing something from your cup of luck.

 

Wow, glad you saved it Bill, rethink your braking habits and use the front and the back...I use the front slightly more than the back nowadays, I rode for 30 years + hardly ever using the front until I took the Advanced riding course and the teacher was on on my *** about it all day. Locking the rear an be fun as long as you know what to expect and just chalk this up to another milestone in training. You will not freak out next time it happens since you know what to expect know and you might even come to enjoy a controlled slide from time to time. These bikes don't stop worth a dam anyway. That's one thing I wish Harley would improve upon. I road a shadow not to long ago and about threw myself over the handlebars the first time I got on the brakes, I was like wow, This thing actually stops when you tell it to. Happy Trails.