First Crash
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
There's something people don't always feel about emergency braking on a bike that has ABS:
- as long as the front wheel remains in line (straight), it works perfectly; but when you're almost hitting the obstacle, by reflex we all tend to avoid collision by steering. Once slightly turned the front wheel cannot rapidly resume rotation between brake pulses and you need the condition of a gymnast to remain on your feet because you only rely on the rear brake that no longer allows to rip the bike
I also love children and pets but consider they behave like poultry when on the streets.
- as long as the front wheel remains in line (straight), it works perfectly; but when you're almost hitting the obstacle, by reflex we all tend to avoid collision by steering. Once slightly turned the front wheel cannot rapidly resume rotation between brake pulses and you need the condition of a gymnast to remain on your feet because you only rely on the rear brake that no longer allows to rip the bike
I also love children and pets but consider they behave like poultry when on the streets.
Last edited by Expat1; Jul 3, 2012 at 03:35 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 265
Likes: 2
Yes the dog was off the leash and free to run out in the street. It wasn't te dog's fault, it's what dogs do when they have irresponsible owners. I feel bad for the thing. And yes, I know my legal options.
i just went out in the garage and looked the bike over carefully. Still amazed at such little damage. With the exception of the one little mark, the crash bars are perfect. The floor board is about 1/16th out of alignment.
And no, no ABS. I can see how it would have helped in the situation. It was a full-on brake check in a straight line. When I bought the bike, both I and the dealer dismissed ABS as required. Mistake?
i just went out in the garage and looked the bike over carefully. Still amazed at such little damage. With the exception of the one little mark, the crash bars are perfect. The floor board is about 1/16th out of alignment.
And no, no ABS. I can see how it would have helped in the situation. It was a full-on brake check in a straight line. When I bought the bike, both I and the dealer dismissed ABS as required. Mistake?
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 182
Likes: 3
From: Lawrenceville Ga
glad to hear your ok and the bike. i have ABS on my 2010 and i agree with expat1. if the front wheel is turned at all it will still throw ya over and under 3 mphs it will lock up. but at least the ABS option is available to you on a newer bike as a upgrade. i know at highway speeds they really make a difference (BIG one)..
patrick
patrick
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 45
Likes: 5
From: Salt Lake City
Yeah, I hear you. I didn't want to but I did. Ultimately, it was the front tire losing traction that caused the bike to fall over. It was kind of interesting to see the rubber marks on the road in relation to where the bike came to rest. When I picked up the bike, the scrapes on the road from the floorboard stopped exactly under the the floorboard but the tires skid marks stopped a couple of feet behind. That was obviously where the tires left the road and when the bike was skidding on the floorboard bracket. The crash bars were doing their thing also but there is no damage on them. So the bike was on it's side for a very short distance. Less than two feet.
My good buddy just had a similar experience by grabbing too much front brake on a panic stop and going down. Minimal damage to his bike but did break his left clavicle. Totally agree about the dog owners responsibilty. Any type of local leash law would validate a claim. Certainly relay any info to local police and your insurance agent but I'm sure you already know/did this. Good luck ...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
Like the others, glad you and the bike are OK. Not gonna dazzle you with an epiphany like 'don't lock your front brake' or 'no ABS?' In an emergency you do what has to be done, and you did it. You know what not to do next time.
If there ever is a next time, make the dog owner pay for your damages. Take pictures of him and his dog, your damages, and the accident site and pursue compensation.
Again, glad you're OK, man.
If there ever is a next time, make the dog owner pay for your damages. Take pictures of him and his dog, your damages, and the accident site and pursue compensation.
Again, glad you're OK, man.
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