Comments on: So That’s What Sliding Off the Pavement Feels Like

By: Bean

Bean — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:39:45 +0000

Even though this happened a while ago I like to offer a couple of tidbits from my years of riding.

If you want to prevent rear wheel lockup, bleed some air into the rear brake system. It sounds totally crazy but in a panic situation where your instintic is to mash the rear brake pedal you’ll still get good bite but the chance of a lockup is far less.

I ride a much heavier bike than your SV and I about have to stand on the rear brake pedal to even approach a lockup, but simulating a panic stop and mashing down on the rear brake while progressively adding more front brake really helps keep things under control.

Second, replace the front stock rubber brake hoses with braided stainless lines (if you haven’t done so already). Yes they are expensive but worth every penny. Brake feel goes up ten fold, while fade due to expanding rubber lines is all but eliminated. You’ll discover all you’ll need for any braking situation is two fingers.

Keep up the excellent posting on your blog. )

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:33:33 +0000

An excellent account of your experience. It made me nervous reading it.

When I came to this phrase, “…and keep a pace that would challenge me.” I realized that I never do that. At least not in pace and turns. If I challenge anything it may be in winter weather but that’s a different kettle of fish.

Had I been on the ride I would have been in the back of the relaxed group. And probably nowhere it sight because I would have been wandering around some rock pile taking pictures. Would have caught up to the group the following week….

Glad things worked out for you and thanks for providing a vicarious experience so I don’t have to push riding myself!

Steve Williams
Scooter in the Sticks

By: Ken Linder

Ken Linder — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:59:36 +0000

WOW! Glad you are OK.

By: David

David — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:21:41 +0000

Here’s a link to my entry on my closest call so far: http://www.davidsorrell.com/davidsorrell/a_sunny_corner/Entries/2009/7/26_moto_changes.html

By: David

David — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:17:22 +0000

I don’t think I can say anything that hasn’t been said about the “learning experience.” Glad you’re okay, of course! But I do want to say that I thought I was the luckiest newbie moto rider with where I live, just south of San Francisco. We have the most amazing roads in our backyard, incredible scenery, etc. And every time I turn left off 92w on to Skyline Blvd., and start to break through the fog and lean into the first twists, the sun dripping through the redwoods, I think, “oh hell yeah.” Well with your photos, I have to say Wow! Amazing scenery you have there. Those mountains blow our hills away. I need to find an excuse to get up there! Great posts. Thanks.

By: irondad

irondad — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:33:39 +0000

If I may offer a tidbit. Your experience illustrates the lack of directional control when the rear tire’s sliding. For years it was pounded into a rider’s head to hold the rear brake down to avoid a highside. Unfortunately, that’s not good advice. The braking distance becomes longer. There is no chance to countersteer the bike towards a safe path. A rider can still high side, or even low side, when the speed of the bike is reduced and the weight distribution changes.

Better to release the brake as soon as it is realized that a tire is sliding. Your companions were correct. A front wheel skid would have put the bike down quite quickly. It is likely it was the rear tire sliding. As you saw, a bike won’t always slide in good alignment. The rear tire will go to one side or the other. At higher speeds, the bike will often fishtail. Been there on a high speed pursuit on wet roads as a motor and had to wait for the rear tire to come back under the bike before I could safely let off.

Letting off and reapplying as soon as a rider notices a skid will prevent the rear tire from getting too far out from under the center of the bike. The chances of a high side are a lot less this way. It also allows the rider to regain steering control. I wasn’t there, of course, but it’s possible you could have made the slight course correction required if the tire hadn’t been sliding. Again, it’s only conjecture as it was you on the bike and not me.

I commend you for not giving into panic. And for being honest enough to share the experience. As well as for learning what you can from it and keeping on with riding!

You’re still a great example for other riders!

By: steadyonthehumble

steadyonthehumble — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:03:54 +0000

Wow. Glad you’re okay! Funny that you should mention “focus”, I just wrote about that. Unfortunately for me, I’ve witnessed far too many accidents and it sure sounds like you ad a very close call. Of the accidents that I’ve been around, the first mistake that people say they made was the one we’ve all made – target fixation. Did you happen to fixate on the place you went off of the road instead of looking through the corner?

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:36:02 +0000

Glad you were ok!

By: cpa3485

cpa3485 — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:09:55 +0000

Any time a moment of clarity like yours occurs, and the result is no damage and no injury, then I would at least call it a partial success. My recent moment like that didn’t end up quite so favorable. Glad there was not a worse result for you.
Another learning moment handled successfully.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:01:18 +0000

@waz: That sticker probably ought to read “Don’t be a fool like bolty and lock the rear!”

@thomas: Nope, I do not have the ABS version of the SV650. ABS probably would have prevented this incident, but it also would have masked the fact that my braking skills are not up to par.

Thanks all for your kind wishes. I feel very fortunate, and certainly a little wiser!