Discussion
So yes… I dropped my bike.
Went from Helmsley to Whitby yesterday and I’d had a couple of weeks off the bike for various reasons but yesterday on that ride I felt something click.
It was the first time I felt I got it. The confidence to overtake and own my space of the road, I got up to some decent speeds and it felt wonderful.
Coming into Whitby is a bit of a downhill when you get to the petrol station on the left at the roundabout. Coming out of the petrol station itself is on a bank.
A car was coming down the hill quite quickly which made me panic and I know exactly what I’ve done.
While creeping forward to pull out, the car has spooked me and I’ve grabbed the front brake and literally within a split second I was on the floor. Luckily, I was absolutely fine and what I will say is that crash bungs are a Godsend!
Lost a bit of fuel, cracked my hand guard but mostly I’ve knocked my confidence.
I had to get back on the bike to get home but I didn’t enjoy it whatsoever.
Went out again today in an organised group ride and we were going up a few twisties where the roads were getting narrower… We had to stop at one point going downhill so the leader could open a gate. I nearly came off then because I panicked and front braked it again.
The crux of it came when we were on a single lane road and there was mud the whole way across it. We weren’t going any faster than probably 20mph but the back end kicked out and that was it for me. I called it and just wanted to go home.
On the way back it started raining which made me miserable.
My head has now fallen off a bit and it’s all freaked me out a bit to be fair.
I wouldn't over think it or worry about it. I rode bikes for a living, I have short legs and was riding big bikes, I think I dropped nearly every one I rode for any length of time.
I still get ribbed about it now, but it's never really bothered me. Bothers me more if it's my own bike, but dropped a few of those over the years as well
I still get ribbed about it now, but it's never really bothered me. Bothers me more if it's my own bike, but dropped a few of those over the years as well
Bikes are hardest to ride between 0 and 20 mph. At low speeds, a motorcycle loses the natural stabilizing gyroscope effect of its spinning wheels, meaning you have to create stability mechanically.
Practise that for three hours with speeds <20 mph on a dry bright day in a built up area that you're familiar with. Do reserve 180 minutes alone on the bike. Only mind other roads users and your bike. Only drive slow speeds and lots of corners.
Get a habit for only using the rear brake at these speeds. Start/stop a lot. Do corners at low speeds with only moving the body, but keeping the bike upright. Practise slipping the clutch while using the rear brake to keep the bike stable at low speeds. Be aware of your vision - always look where you want to go when maneuvering, never look at the floor in front of you.
If you have the feeling it didn't help you feeling safer, reflect what could have been better and do it again on another day.
Practise that for three hours with speeds <20 mph on a dry bright day in a built up area that you're familiar with. Do reserve 180 minutes alone on the bike. Only mind other roads users and your bike. Only drive slow speeds and lots of corners.
Get a habit for only using the rear brake at these speeds. Start/stop a lot. Do corners at low speeds with only moving the body, but keeping the bike upright. Practise slipping the clutch while using the rear brake to keep the bike stable at low speeds. Be aware of your vision - always look where you want to go when maneuvering, never look at the floor in front of you.
If you have the feeling it didn't help you feeling safer, reflect what could have been better and do it again on another day.
Argh, easily done and it will dent your confidence - that's normal - but it'll soon become an anecdote!
All good advice above, and another tip is PLANNING and PREPARATION!
Look at what's ahead and determine whether you might need to stop, and then plan for it. What's the camber? Which leg will I put down? Is there a better place on the road/trail to stop? If it turns out you don't need to stop but you've slowed enough to stop, then ride off, or just stop anyway, then ride off - prepare for the eventualities.
Riding in a group is challenging in itself - looking beyond the group at what's coming up in the road, but also having an eye on what the rider(s) in front are doing.
All good advice above, and another tip is PLANNING and PREPARATION!
Look at what's ahead and determine whether you might need to stop, and then plan for it. What's the camber? Which leg will I put down? Is there a better place on the road/trail to stop? If it turns out you don't need to stop but you've slowed enough to stop, then ride off, or just stop anyway, then ride off - prepare for the eventualities.
Riding in a group is challenging in itself - looking beyond the group at what's coming up in the road, but also having an eye on what the rider(s) in front are doing.
Go back out on a nice warm dry day, when the roads are dry and consistent, just do a couple of hours by yourself, start slowly and building confidence.
My bike spat me off after having new tyres fitted in Feb this year, luckily not much damage beyond pride and confidence. Took about 3 months to get back on it but now feels better than ever, even if the first 20 miles or so were literally just wobbling about in town at 30mph!
My bike spat me off after having new tyres fitted in Feb this year, luckily not much damage beyond pride and confidence. Took about 3 months to get back on it but now feels better than ever, even if the first 20 miles or so were literally just wobbling about in town at 30mph!
Sorry to hear about this. But you’re OK, and the bike is broadly OK.
Since you said it was instant on the floor I guessed a front wheel lock-up? But, isn’t ABS these days meant to stop this sort of thing?
Anyway, as above, just a bit more practice till front / back brake balance becomes natural. Probably a good idea to do slow speed figures of 8 etc. Only you probably look a bit weird doing it yourself in some car park or wherever, but maybe look at doing an IAM or ROSPA course as they include that sort of thing.
Since you said it was instant on the floor I guessed a front wheel lock-up? But, isn’t ABS these days meant to stop this sort of thing?
Anyway, as above, just a bit more practice till front / back brake balance becomes natural. Probably a good idea to do slow speed figures of 8 etc. Only you probably look a bit weird doing it yourself in some car park or wherever, but maybe look at doing an IAM or ROSPA course as they include that sort of thing.
tvrolet said:
Since you said it was instant on the floor I guessed a front wheel lock-up? But, isn t ABS these days meant to stop this sort of thing?
Applying the front brake to decelerate at low speed and with light steer in one direction will cause a brake-induced tuck-in. Turning the wheel moves the tyre's contact patch away from the steering centerline.
Front braking creates a rearward force at this offset contact patch.
Force acts like a lever, violently pivoting the wheel further inward.
Very hard to catch the bike if unprepared.
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