Learning From Others
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 324
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville, Fl.
Learning From Others
Yesterday I was reminded of a lesson I once heard from an experienced rider a while back, if something doesn't seem right while you're riding, don't wait to check it out. Pull over and see what's going on.
I had been on the highway about ten miles after having new wheels and tires mounted on my Classic when I began to notice the smell of burning rubber. My initial thought was that maybe there was a problem with my new set-up so I was just getting ready to pull over.
What I had forgotten was about 30 seconds earlier a couple of bikes had blown past me going about 80-85mph on the highway. I glanced up the road to see what my options were for pulling over when I saw a huge puff of smoke in the center lane ahead of me. It was one of the two bikes and the rider was doing all he could to pull over to the side without losing control. To his credit he somehow managed to get through the right lane (which was solid from Christmas traffic) and get onto the shoulder. Unfortunately he couldn't completely control his bike and wound up going down in a very soft ditch.
I pulled over quickly to help him out and other than a few scratches and a blown rear tire everything was fine. After getting his bike back up and on the shoulder I asked him if he hadn't noticed anything unusual. He mentioned that his bike had been handling a little soft but that was it. Another person that stopped to help said he had been trying to get the riders attention to tell him that his rear tire was really low.
I've been riding my bike long enough that if and when I feel ANYTHING that doesn't seem normal I will try to figure out what might be going on (on the side of the road). In the future, I hope that rider pays a little more attention to his bike. He was very fortunate to have not had a very bad Christmas eve.
Merry Christmas all and safe riding.
I had been on the highway about ten miles after having new wheels and tires mounted on my Classic when I began to notice the smell of burning rubber. My initial thought was that maybe there was a problem with my new set-up so I was just getting ready to pull over.
What I had forgotten was about 30 seconds earlier a couple of bikes had blown past me going about 80-85mph on the highway. I glanced up the road to see what my options were for pulling over when I saw a huge puff of smoke in the center lane ahead of me. It was one of the two bikes and the rider was doing all he could to pull over to the side without losing control. To his credit he somehow managed to get through the right lane (which was solid from Christmas traffic) and get onto the shoulder. Unfortunately he couldn't completely control his bike and wound up going down in a very soft ditch.
I pulled over quickly to help him out and other than a few scratches and a blown rear tire everything was fine. After getting his bike back up and on the shoulder I asked him if he hadn't noticed anything unusual. He mentioned that his bike had been handling a little soft but that was it. Another person that stopped to help said he had been trying to get the riders attention to tell him that his rear tire was really low.
I've been riding my bike long enough that if and when I feel ANYTHING that doesn't seem normal I will try to figure out what might be going on (on the side of the road). In the future, I hope that rider pays a little more attention to his bike. He was very fortunate to have not had a very bad Christmas eve.
Merry Christmas all and safe riding.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,259
Likes: 5
From: NW NC
I hope the damages were minimal. I was riding a few months ago (no not noticing this issue), went to downshift to make a turn and my shift linkage had come apart. Fortunately I was able to get it back together and home but goes to show that a pre- check prior to a ride could help avoid such issues. I wonder what the tires were like on this guys bike????
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 577
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Yesterday while out for a 100 mile ride, noticed my seat was moving around. Pulled over and the HD thumb screw for the seat fell out. I carry a spare one of those and had to limp carefullly to the nearest dealer. They said they preferred the Kury screw instead of the more expensive HD one.
Like you said, if something dose not feel right, theres usually a reason.
Ride safe.
Like you said, if something dose not feel right, theres usually a reason.
Ride safe.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 1
From: Wagoner, Oklahoma
I agree, I had a low front tire and come to find out there was only 18 psi in the tire. I was not to far from home so I aired it up and promptly loaded it in the trailor and had the tire changed....
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 350
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From: Fort Wayne, Indiana
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