Pucker moment...

[glwilson]

I hadn't had time to post this yet... until now.

My daughter came last weekend. She loves to ride motorcycles... so I was committed to taking her on a ride Sunday.

Came around a corner following a car. Doing around 50 MPH, and I was keeping my distance behind (as I always do) "just in case".

I looked down at the road for a second. When I looked back up the car was at a dead stop. I hit both brakes, held the clutch in, and the bars steady and kept progressively adding more front brake (just as they teach you in advanced classes).

I hit the rear brake too hard though and the rear tire started sliding-out from under me, putting me into a classic dirt-bike position where the front tire was facing forward and the rear tire sliding out toward the front and to the right side. The puckering increased at that exact moment.

I was able to let off the rear brake just enough to keep it from sliding further; and just enough to keep me from top-ending. Once the bike straightened out I hammered the front brake in desperation to stop before hitting the car.

No matter what by then I wanted to make sure I was going as slow as possible when I hit the car -- and I was convinced at that point I would.

We missed the car, but my eyes were wide open the rest of the trip home.

Two things... I am trying to teach my daughter about riding as she is wanting to do so. I am glad she saw just how fast accidents can happen even when you think you are doing your best.

Lastly though... I am glad she saw how you handle a big bike in a desperate situation. Now mind you, I am not bragging (there was a lot of luck involved in avoiding that accident), I do give credit to some of the training I had in advanced riding techniques -- which involved high-speed stops. All of what they told me was kicking in gear when this was happening and I do believe helped me (along with a lot of luck).

I am glad I still practice the drills several times a year...

I recommend everyone take an advanced course... you won't regret it, and it may save you. Secondly... I do promote the wearing of helmets. Crashes happen too fast for you to pull-over and put one on...

EDIT: I also will NEVER buy another bike without ABS brakes. My rear tire slide-out would not likely have happened had I had ABS.

[GIBBY]

Glad you made it through that with only a pair of stained shorts Greg. I had something similar happen to me this past spring and I am quite sure that without the ABS I would have hit the young girl that pulled out in front of me. My bike squatted and stopped much shorter than I expected without skidding or sliding. Advanced training is a good idea even for those that consider themselves very good riders. Again, I am glad that you and your daughter are o.k. Ride safe my friend.

[Top Cat]

Glad you and your daughter escaped with just a scare Greg.
But I have to disagree with you on this.
EDIT: I also will NEVER buy another bike without ABS brakes. My rear tire slide-out would not likely have happened had I had ABS

It would not have happened if you didn't push on the brake pedal to hard either.
Not a fan of ABS. I want to control my own brakes. If I want front brake I will apply it. If I don't want front brake, like when I come into a curve to fast, I don,t want some computer applying it .
Your situation seems like the one I had when I didn't see the stop sign and had to panic brake then swerve around an SUV.
I locked the rear for a split second but let off imedeatly.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by Top Cat

Glad you and your daughter escaped with just a scare Greg.
But I have to disagree with you on this.
EDIT: I also will NEVER buy another bike without ABS brakes. My rear tire slide-out would not likely have happened had I had ABS

It would not have happened if you didn't push on the brake pedal to hard either.
Not a fan of ABS. I want to control my own brakes. If I want front brake I will apply it. If I don't want front brake, like when I come into a curve to fast, I don,t want some computer applying it .
Your situation seems like the one I had when I didn't see the stop sign and had to panic brake then swerve around an SUV.
I locked the rear for a split second but let off imedeatly.

I appreciate it Tim...

Yes... I made the mistake of hitting the rear brake too hard; but the ABS brakes would have balanced the braking between the front and rear to where the rear would not have been over-powered by me -- which is why I would prefer ABS.

I won't change my mind on ABS. During a course I took HD had their ABS bikes there and they let us do all the high speed stop drills with them to compare with ours.

The drills included doing a high speed stop in a corner. The ABS handled beautifully in my opinion. So I don't see the problem with them in corners like you might.

Just an opinion whether one likes them or not; but I would suggest you try them in various situations if you have not yet. Just riding around and trying them doesn't do it. You need to put them through their paces in my opinion to see how they work. I believe you might change your opinion. No harm in trying, and if you don't then you know... I still would prefer them though.

[GIBBY]

Not all ABS equipped motorcycles have linked brakes and not all linked brake systems are ABS, just saying. I also will never have another bike without ABS.

[markclark57]

The rule I stick with is, "You are only good at what you practice". Good job on the Quick Stop! Also Good Luck getting TC to pay attention to facts that don't line up with (His) tradition. . . May have stopped shorter/steadier with a big fat car tire on the back.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by markclark57

The rule I stick with is, "You are only good at what you practice". Good job on the Quick Stop! Also Good Luck getting TC to pay attention to facts that don't line up with (His) tradition. . . May have stopped shorter/steadier with a big fat car tire on the back.

May not have had the rear tire slip-out as much either!

Oh... poor TC... we're just beating-up on him. He'll be back for more... you can count on it.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by GIBBY

Not all ABS equipped motorcycles have linked brakes and not all linked brake systems are ABS, just saying. I also will never have another bike without ABS.

Agreed. I am not so sure HD's are linked, but I do know the rear wheel with ABS would not have slipped as much since the "system" would have felt the skid and activated helping to prevent or reduce it from happening. That was my point.

Again... I am with you... I'll never buy another without ABS. I have seen far too many demonstrations, videos, and have experienced their effect to feel otherwise.

The resistance to ABS seems to be a lot like the resistance to seat-belt usage years ago. Even some of the same "logic" statements are used.

Hey... I am not trying bash anyone's opinion here. It is just that I have my own.

[cactusjack]

When I was looking for a new bike last year one of the "must haves" was ABS. I'm glad I've got it.

[blowndodge]

After you destroyed your beautiful Nomad

[Cajunrider]

Glad you made it through this Greg. And no, HD ABS brakes are not linked front and rear.

[stretch]

Glad you kept it on two wheels Greg. Things can happen fast and a split second decision can make the difference. I can attest to that! ABS was a must have when I was bike shopping.

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by Cajunrider

Glad you made it through this Greg. And no, HD ABS brakes are not linked front and rear.

What exactly does that mean Mitch ?
If the rear pedal is pushed and the front lever is not, then just the rear will break?

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by Top Cat

What exactly does that mean Mitch ?
If the rear pedal is pushed and the front lever is not, then just the rear will break?

Tim... that's right. That is what is means. Some systems are linked after certain speeds.

Unlinked both wheel ABS units will work independently... which might be a better situation with regard to your concern on corners.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by stretch

Glad you kept it on two wheels Greg. Things can happen fast and a split second decision can make the difference. I can attest to that! ABS was a must have when I was bike shopping.

Things happen fast don't they?

I tell you... you cannot let your mind wonder for a second...