horrible experience
Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,301
Likes: 4
From:
RE: horrible experience
You are or were in Air force and have a fear of heights?!?!
go figure...lol
go figure...lol
ORIGINAL: MSgtJoe
I have two phobia's.
1. Heights
2. Narrow or grated bridges.
I don't like going over narrow bridges in my truck, so I would like to know how to handle bridges like that on my bike too. I asked one guy who rides a lot and he said "as fast as you can"!
ORIGINAL: RANDIT
I crossed a bridge yesterday that was steel grid and the wind was blowing across me at 25 mph. MY BIKE WAS EVERYWHERE!!! does anyone have any suggestions on how to ride across them? Im riding a 06 streetglide and definatly didnt like the feeling of the bike going wherever it wants on the steel deck of the bridge!
I crossed a bridge yesterday that was steel grid and the wind was blowing across me at 25 mph. MY BIKE WAS EVERYWHERE!!! does anyone have any suggestions on how to ride across them? Im riding a 06 streetglide and definatly didnt like the feeling of the bike going wherever it wants on the steel deck of the bridge!
1. Heights
2. Narrow or grated bridges.
I don't like going over narrow bridges in my truck, so I would like to know how to handle bridges like that on my bike too. I asked one guy who rides a lot and he said "as fast as you can"!
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: New York
RE: horrible experience
Lots of these on LI, what everyone said above. Just take it ezzzz.
Did go over one of these in Long Beach10-15yrs ago in my old vette, middle of the winter, glazed over with seawater mist that iced, bridgecurved maybe 30 degrees throughout span, after about 3-4 360s I stopped in the middle lane after not hittin anything,not even gaurdrail. Was white knuckle the rest of the trip to work though. Guys said I was a little pale when I walked in.
Ahhhh... the good ole days
Be safe!
Ez
Did go over one of these in Long Beach10-15yrs ago in my old vette, middle of the winter, glazed over with seawater mist that iced, bridgecurved maybe 30 degrees throughout span, after about 3-4 360s I stopped in the middle lane after not hittin anything,not even gaurdrail. Was white knuckle the rest of the trip to work though. Guys said I was a little pale when I walked in.
Ahhhh... the good ole days
Be safe!
Ez
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Omaha Nebraska
RE: horrible experience
I agree with all that say to relax, that is a must. keep your eyes straight ahead and I like to hit my speed before I hit the bridge, not fast just moderate and hold it there. No shifting, no braking, if possible., no speed changes.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
RE: horrible experience
I thought I was the only one nervous about those things. I've gotten much better, but I still try to avoid if I can. A buddy on a Fat Boy told me to just keep a (relatively) loose grip and to try not to adjust speed too much.It works, but I still clench when I see a sign that says 'Grated Drawbridge Ahead'. The only thing worse is the shifting metal plates on the Throgs Neck bridge heading into Queens, NY - Some have moved so much you can look directly down into Long Island Sound...
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
From: Newport News, VA
RE: horrible experience
I hated those grates the first time I had to cross one. A more experienced rider told me to cross the grate at an angle and the bike would feel much more stable. Get close to the left or right edge of your lane and gently steer to the opposite side of your lane over the length of the grate. I always time my approach so that I am clear of other traffic and try to cross between 45-50 mph. Feels much more stable this way.
Anybody else heard of crossing the grate this way?
Andy
Anybody else heard of crossing the grate this way?
Andy
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,391
Likes: 10
From:
RE: horrible experience
I have never riden a bike on one. I live in NM. Here we have A LOT of construction, all the time it seems, and always the same roads (gotta keep the road crews employeed, I guess.) Because of the construction we have a lot of uneven roads and lanes on those roads. Some I have seen as steep as 3-4 inches. Always scares the crap out of me. And we have a lot of deep groves as well. I always hate when the tire gets in one and pulls me along for the ride. I just feel if I try to get out of it, I am going down. I now try to cross the groove as close to perpendicular as I can get. But still a scary experience.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
RE: horrible experience
Yep, just relax, slow down a bit and do everything moredeliberately(braking and turns). Most of all keep your eyes focused ahead as mentioned and you'll be just fine.
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