|
| | | 
I don't really have an afro
Group: Moderators
Last Login: Today @ 01:59
Posts: 5,251, Visits: 4,235 |
|  
I made an observation 2 years ago when I first bought my R1 and almost crashed it 3 days later.
At the time, I put my actions to avoid the crash down to luck, but reading the current issue of Bike magazine and the words of professional road race instructor Dave Luscombe, my reactions to the situation may have contributed in saving my bacon.
I'd just left FWR after they'd fitted a new set of Pirelli Diablos (the touring compound type) to my bike. They turned out to be crap tyres for an R1 but that's another story.
So, being a numpty and forgetting everything about giving new tyres 100 miles + of moderate use to bed in and offer optimal grip, I turn right out of the shop, give an optimistic amount of throttle, and find my trousers are beginning to fill as fast as the back end is going out of alignment with the front.
I have no idea what made me pull the clutch in at this point, but I did so and the bike sort of snapped back into shape.
Looking around to check no one saw this display of ineptitude, I rode off and put the scare behind me.
So it was only reading Bike magazine today that I realised I did something right...
This won't work every time obviously (lots of variables that dictate what will happen when a tyre slides), but if you ever find yourself on the brink of a highside, you don't really have many options left so...
"You can avoid a highside by being aware of your back wheel. Don't apply excessive power when the bike is lent over.
If in doubt, wait until you're upright again before getting on the power.
If you feel the rear end start to go, you should pull the clutch in. This will let the back wheel slow down gradually and regain traction.
If you close the throttle, the engine braking of a four stroke will lock the back wheel, (causing it to) then instantly regain traction and cause a highside."
Mr. Undecided
|
| |
| | | 
London Biker
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 18:44
Posts: 2,113, Visits: 4,752 |
| | |
| | | 
Roundabout Scratcher
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 23:53
Posts: 884, Visits: 2,443 |
| Is that in the 'What is grip?' feature? I haven't read that yet.
Excellent advice, especially in this weather! 
My DAS instructor told us: 'If in doubt, pull in the clutch'.... best advice ever!
--
V-Twin Massive serial no. 0020; rank, marine 
Smiledclub membership no.206  |
| |
| | | 
Rush Hour Racer
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 19:22
Posts: 207, Visits: 706 |
| I manage to survive rear end slides by holding onto the tank hard and keep the throttle open. It feels much the same as drifting a car, if you close the throttle it'll go tits up.
Photo Gallery |
| |
| | | 
London Biker
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 10:46
Posts: 1,509, Visits: 2,545 |
| | Lucky escape Afro, the embarrasment could have been worse than the physical pain mate. What happened to you there was not the sterotypical highside more a case of cold tyres by the sounds of it. I haven't read the article in Bike mag but have never heard of grabbing the clutch to save a highside. To save a highside needs very quick reactions and would take too long to grab it in time in my opinion. Just a gentle roll off of the throttle will do or if you're a top class racer they just hold a constant throttle and control the slide with finesse
BN Race Science - Professional Road & Race Suspension Setup
See my Flickr photos. |
| |
| | | 
London Biker
Group: Community Contributors
Last Login: Yesterday @ 22:20
Posts: 2,044, Visits: 2,854 |
| | |
| | |
London Biker
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 10:46
Posts: 1,509, Visits: 2,545 |
| I can relate to highsides being expensive McC, if you're really unlucky the bike can do quite good Triple Salcos I'm glad highsides are not common for bikers on the road, just as well, there's enough to deal with already. Your supermoto skills must keep your reactions sharp McC. Been thinking of getting one myself but then again I'm not using my road bike enough.
BN Race Science - Professional Road & Race Suspension Setup
See my Flickr photos. |
| |
| | | 
London Biker
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 18:49
Posts: 2,888, Visits: 3,885 |
| so rather than advocating learning throttle control (and letting the bike self correct if it can), it advocates pull in and hope? um, sod that
Personal Trainer |
| |
| | |
|
