Mountain Riding Techniques
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 122
Likes: 35
From: Munich, Germany
seeing the European Alps from my kitchen window and having them ridden from east to west and north to south dozens of times, especially applying the rear brake and the throttle, helped me to avoid tipping over in twisties or hairpins.
vboxmark, i`m riding the same bike as you do (09 Ultra) and this bike is perfect for mountain riding (compared to other heavy touring bikes). Low mass center (i hope you understand, what i mean) and a gentle rear brake, just keep the bike going!
(OT to grbrown: The steepest road, i`ve ever ridden is in the UK. See pic)
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
never take your eyes from the road
DO NOT look at the edge if you get close to the line or you will go right where you look
Learn the capabilities of your machine and practice a LOT ! Just cause you been ridin 50 years do not mean you are any good.
DO NOT GET ABSORBED IN THE SCENERY !!!!
I wish my riding buddy did the above or he could have avoided the ravine and shattered wrist and I could have avoided seeing him go off the road and dealing with the hassles of bike retrieval in a remote area, starvation and exertion !!!
DO NOT look at the edge if you get close to the line or you will go right where you look
Learn the capabilities of your machine and practice a LOT ! Just cause you been ridin 50 years do not mean you are any good.
DO NOT GET ABSORBED IN THE SCENERY !!!!
I wish my riding buddy did the above or he could have avoided the ravine and shattered wrist and I could have avoided seeing him go off the road and dealing with the hassles of bike retrieval in a remote area, starvation and exertion !!!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I have to admit I haven't been up Wrynose, but I have ridden in the Munich area during our trips around Europe. The photo below is of our Glide at rest in France, on our way back home on our trip from Slovenia, over the Alps.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
And this is what makes the Dragon so dangerous. An idiot crossing the center lane at high rates of speed.
But I don't see what this has to do with a car taking a "motorcycle to school". He passed a few cars, but I did not see him pass one motorcycle except the ones he was meeting. Not even a slow old peg dragging HD. Were there no motorcycles going the same direction as him that he could overtake?? With as many as he met, I would think he would have been few going his direction. When he can do Pikes Peak in 11 minutes post that video.
Bill
But I don't see what this has to do with a car taking a "motorcycle to school". He passed a few cars, but I did not see him pass one motorcycle except the ones he was meeting. Not even a slow old peg dragging HD. Were there no motorcycles going the same direction as him that he could overtake?? With as many as he met, I would think he would have been few going his direction. When he can do Pikes Peak in 11 minutes post that video.
Bill
Last edited by billnourse; Sep 15, 2015 at 07:43 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
And this is what makes the Dragon so dangerous. An idiot crossing the center lane at high rates of speed.
But I don't see what this has to do with a car taking a "motorcycle to school". He passed a few cars, but I did not see him pass one motorcycle except the ones he was meeting. Not even a slow old peg dragging HD. Were there no motorcycles going the same direction as him that he could overtake?? With as many as he met, I would think he would have been few going his direction. When he can do Pikes Peak in 11 minutes post that video.
Bill
But I don't see what this has to do with a car taking a "motorcycle to school". He passed a few cars, but I did not see him pass one motorcycle except the ones he was meeting. Not even a slow old peg dragging HD. Were there no motorcycles going the same direction as him that he could overtake?? With as many as he met, I would think he would have been few going his direction. When he can do Pikes Peak in 11 minutes post that video.
Bill
This thread was about riding in the mountains. Specifically, how to do it when following cars who are slow and make the rider uneasy at slow speeds on switchbacks. Someone opined that motorcycles are faster around curves than cars. I know different and posted the first video I found on YouTube. Anybody who thinks that a motorcycle is faster in the curves than a well driven well set up car is mistaken.
So that's why I posted the video. BTW, I go to Deal's Gap about once a month. Harley riders cross the center line more than anyone else; they also crash regularly as well.
I'm headed to New Orleans on Sunday for a few days and then over to the Gap. Maybe you could meet me over there and see first hand.
Semper Fi
Last edited by Campy Roadie; Sep 15, 2015 at 10:40 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,096
Likes: 4,673
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
You won't be waiting on this car in the curves.
....
The right car driven by the right person will take a motorcycle to school in the tight stuff.
....
The right car driven by the right person will take a motorcycle to school in the tight stuff.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 182
Likes: 17
From: Maryland
Because my electronic throttle is a bit jumpy. It's more comfortable for me to blip. Plus, I look cool with my doo-rag and skull t shirts.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
Bill
So that's why I posted the video. BTW, I go to Deal's Gap about once a month. Harley riders cross the center line more than anyone else; they also crash regularly as well.
I'm headed to New Orleans on Sunday for a few days and then over to the Gap. Maybe you could meet me over there and see first hand.
Semper Fi
So that's why I posted the video. BTW, I go to Deal's Gap about once a month. Harley riders cross the center line more than anyone else; they also crash regularly as well.
I'm headed to New Orleans on Sunday for a few days and then over to the Gap. Maybe you could meet me over there and see first hand.
Semper Fi
The most challenging part of the Dragon is avoiding the idiots such as the video you posted.
To OP sorry this got out of hand. Hope you came away with some useful information that will help you become a better rider and overcome the challenges of slow riding. Some of the info that has been posted is very sound, some not so much.
Bill
Last edited by billnourse; Sep 16, 2015 at 08:53 AM.