I was riding with some friends and they were going around corners that still have a fair amount of winter gravel on the street. I was slowing down in the corners and trying to catch up on the straights. I can not bring myself to carve a sharp fast corner unless the corner is clean. Am I being too cautious or should I just give it gas and hope it grabs?
2007-05-20 13:11:56 · 11 answers · asked by Molliemae 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
This is why you should reserve your "carving" for the track, where you know that the surface is clean.
I have been riding for 30 years now, and I have had three accidents, all because of road conditions, not skill, and not another vehicle.
You never NEVER know what is around the bend ... gravel, sand, oil, sheep, whatever ... which is why you should always wear all safety gear, and never ride beyond your line of sight and skill level.
There are old riders and bold riders, but there are very very few old bold riders.
As far as what to do ... no, don't "hope it grabs," just take it easy. Unless you can slalom like Valentino Rossi, traction is your best friend.
2007-05-20 13:20:31 · answer #1 · answered by Grendle 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Everyone here is giving you solid advice. A lot of times you don't know that gravel is there til you are on top of it. I ride like you do, take it easy on the corners because you never know. I've had some friends that always go nuts and I've seen a lot of close calls. I went down once because my front tire hit gravel while braking and it lost traction. Gravel, oil, fluids, any thing that can cause you to lose traction can take you down on turns. You're better of being in the back and safe. Always ride so you feel safe. If you don't feel safe ripping through corners, don't do it.
2007-05-20 22:54:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
u wont know until u are already on top of a bunch of gravel. by that time, u will find urself on the ground getting ground up. dont worry about keeping up with ur 'friends'. instead, let them be the 1's that run 'interference'.....they will be the 1's u will catch up with already being on the ground from gravel. gravel the size of rock salt is more than capable of sending u to the dirt.
grabbin a handful of gas will turn an already bad situation worse. once the bike starts to slide out, u only have about 2 seconds if that to regain control before ur down.
let the others be the squid...let them be the 1's that feel the pain of road rash. once u get it, u wont want a repeat.
2007-05-20 22:46:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely DO NOT just give it gas and hope it grabs.Thats like saying "ill just pull over in front of that car and hope it swerves." You dont have the confidence to pull this off.Cornering hard in corners with gravel is just asking for an accident.Are you willing to risk your life? Ride within your skill limits and be cautious.You'll live longer
2007-05-20 20:22:25 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
gravel will take u down.....instantly. so will oil, sand, and tar snakes. u only have 2 wheels between u and the road, and that road is capable of dishin out severe pain to the reckless and the fool hardy.
recently, i came along a bike that laid down. the reason he didnt make it was that he decided to zip into the turn only lane, and when he found out it had gravel in it, he panicked, hit the brakes way too hard, and the bike instantly put him down. like a typical squid, he had on shorts, short sleeve shirt, no gloves, and tennis shoes........he did have a full face helmet on to feel all the pain.
stay being a safe rider. ur buds will go down before u will from tempting fate.
2007-05-20 20:52:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gravel, sand, oil or anything that is not tarmac will make you go down. Don't take a chance you have been given very good advice. Ride safe.
2007-05-21 18:16:42 · answer #6 · answered by Frank R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with most of what is posted above. Only thing I can add is don't worry about "Keeping up" with your friends. They'll wait if they are truly friends.
Always ride your own ride, trying to keep pace with a higher skilled rider or one who is riding over his head can make for a bad day.
Ride safe!
2007-05-20 22:22:10 · answer #7 · answered by strominva 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
thats why i just cruize. i would rather cautiously ride everyday than break myself and my bike, and not be able to ride at all.
my brother was going around a moutian turn at about 60 mph when he hit a little puddle of antifreeze. luckly he walked away with only a bunch of scrathes, but he tore his 3 week old bike into peices. it even bent the frame.
there are old bikers, and bold bikers, but no old bold bikers
2007-05-20 20:24:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, you can always carry your portable sweeper and sweep the corner and then go for it at full throttle. Hope this helped!
2007-05-21 10:49:44 · answer #9 · answered by jesse w 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Cautious = alive.
I see you are still alive.
Keep it that way.
2007-05-21 16:30:16 · answer #10 · answered by Firecracker . 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋