I nearly crapped my pants...

[Badger8]

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. After about 2 and a half months of riding, i finally had my first brown trousers moment. :shit::eek5:

Went for an evening cruise through whitford to clevedon via twilights, been gettin the itch all day but had stuff to do.
So all was well, nice cool evening, lovely scenery, good fun through twilight as per usual. :2thumbsup

Coming back from whitford, up the final hill as you come to the roundabout at the back of botany. Come around the left hander, had let her roll down to about 70, then gently applied the brakes. Squeezing up more as i stood her upright out of the left hander, felt the weight shift forward a bit more as came over the top of the crest and SSSSCCCRRREEEEEECCCHHHH as the back end decides to lock up and go for a dance. Luckily my instincts were okay and i let go of the brakes, had a mini tank slapper sort of thing goin on, but somehow managed to ride it out and keep her shiny side up. luckily there was no traffic on the roundabout, so i just rolled through and kept going.

No damage to the bike, and just a slight pulled groin and good ol' jelly legs for me. Biggest problem i had riding home was holding her steady when stopped at lights, legs were pretty shaky. Took a couple of tries to hoist my leg over to get off her once i got home, heheh. Luckily no brown patch in the pants when i took my gear off :)

Just thankful this didn't end up a 'noob down' thread. At least it only served as a stern warning that i need to work on my braking more. :nono::bash:

Keep it safe out there everyone! :niceone:

[RC1]

good to hear your ok, you will have more of those moment for sure

[Stromble]

Nice one..! recovery that is, glad to hear you kept it upright..

I had a similar incident on a ride up towards Helensville, needed to take a right after exiting a long left bend, applied a little too much of the back brake a locked the wheel, I swear at one point the rear end was at 45degrees to the front wheel which was still straight. Seriously thought the bike was sliding out from under me, then everything seemed to go in slow motion till I released the brake and went with the flow, fortunately I kept the bike upright, but ended up crossing the onto the wrong side of the road to do so, good job there was no oncoming traffic..

But yes, lets say the 6metre skid on the road wasnt the only skid...:laugh:

[Badger8]

Nice one..! recovery that is, glad to hear you kept it upright..

I had a similar incident on a ride up towards Helensville, needed to take a right after exiting a long left bend, applied a little too much of the back brake a locked the wheel, I swear at one point the rear end was at 45degrees to the front wheel which was still straight. Seriously thought the bike was sliding out from under me, then everything seemed to go in slow motion till I released the brake and went with the flow, fortunately I kept the bike upright, but ended up crossing the onto the wrong side of the road to do so, good job there was no oncoming traffic..

But yes, lets say the 6metre skid on the road wasnt the only skid...:laugh:

oh heck yeah, she got a fair old angle on alright... hence the pulled groin muscle (is starting to hurt more now the adrenaline is going away). my body stayed in line straight behind the handlebars (my weight lifted off the seat as i braked over the crest, probably what made her skid in the first place), and my right leg was still over the saddle out at about 45 degrees. not quite sure if i pulled the back end in, or pulled myself over onto the saddle again, but it was a fair old yank on the muscles up the inside of my leg.

Oh well, important thing is it's not gonna stop me getting back out there and doing it all again! :Punk:

[RantyDave]

came over the top of the crest and SSSSCCCRRREEEEEECCCHHHH
The stock tyres on a GN are shocking. Do yourself a favour and get some more - I don't think they're too much for ones that size (sportsbike tyres cost a fortune, but that's a different question). Honestly, you won't believe the difference.

Well done for not shitting yourself.

Dave

[Grub]

Well done Badger, you may not know how lucky you were. It sounds like you have the shit Chinese tyres on and in a perverse way, that's what probably saved you binning. You were about to have a high-side, yup the one you keep hearing about.

The high-side happens when at the point where the arse of the bike was out to one side the tyre refinds its grip and bites. Next thing you know there's a big flick and you're flying through the air heading for a broken arm or collar bone or both.

Probably why that didn't happen is that Chinese tyres don't grip ... :sick:

[Badger8]

The stock tyres on a GN are shocking. Do yourself a favour and get some more - I don't think they're too much for ones that size (sportsbike tyres cost a fortune, but that's a different question). Honestly, you won't believe the difference.

Well done for not shitting yourself.

Dave

Yup, been advised i'll definitely need to change em before winter, but it may just happen a little earlier now!



Well done Badger, you may not know how lucky you were. It sounds like you have the shit Chinese tyres on and in a perverse way, that's what probably saved you binning. You were about to have a high-side, yup the one you keep hearing about.

The high-side happens when at the point where the arse of the bike was out to one side the tyre refinds its grip and bites. Next thing you know there's a big flick and you're flying through the air heading for a broken arm or collar bone or both.

Probably why that didn't happen is that Chinese tyres don't grip ... :sick:

Yeah, i thought i was gonna high-side for sure, was surprised when i was bracing for the flick and it never came. back found its grip gradually and the front end threw a wobbler as the back came into line again, next thing i knew i was rolling in a straight line again wondering how the hell i pulled that one outta my butt.
Someone up there likes me apparently :innocent:

[Steam]

Badger, you know about how you should be doing most of your braking with the front brake eh?

[Badger8]

Badger, you know about how you should be doing most of your braking with the front brake eh?

indeed, and i do. hence i was surprised as all hell when the back end went out.
i think it was the fact that as i came over the crest under brakes i shifted forward, hence my fat ass worth of weight was all of a sudden further forward on the pegs as opposed to half way onto the pillion seat. plus as mentioned, cheap chinese tyres with no grip didnt help.

[Steam]

Cool, just making sure. I didn't know about that for about 6 months after I got my learners.

[smoky]

Well done Badger, you may not know how lucky you were. It sounds like you have the shit Chinese tyres on and in a perverse way, that's what probably saved you binning. You were about to have a high-side, ...
Probably why that didn't happen is that Chinese tyres don't grip ...

Wicked logic mate – how crap tyres saved the day!!! The irony of it.
But I’d rather have tyres that don’t get me in trouble to start with

[Badger8]

Cool, just making sure. I didn't know about that for about 6 months after I got my learners.

Hahah, yeah, no worries mate, i know you meant well :) It's a very easy one to do as a noob, i found myself doing it to start with. have got a lot better at controlling both throttle and brake with right hand, so not relying on the back brake like i used to. (of course that wasnt so bad when i was doing 20k in 2nd gear up and down my quiet little street, but could easily have become a VERY bad habit :) )

[Badger8]

Wicked logic mate – how crap tyres saved the day!!! The irony of it.
But I’d rather have tyres that don’t get me in trouble to start with

indeed! :niceone:
the stock rear on the GN also seems to have a rather square looking profile, but that may just be my eyes playing tricks on me. Definitely gonna be looking for some new rubber before long.
Anyone out there wanna help a noob out and recommend a good rubber store? (no sexual innuendo intended... :innocent:)

[skidMark]

you were using the rear brakes why?

[Badger8]

you were using the rear brakes why?

The brakes are generally the preferred method for decelerating the bike :p
Using both brakes, guess i applied the rear a little harder than i should've in the situation.

[howdamnhard]

Well done for keeping it upright and get those tyres replaced.:niceone:

[skidMark]

it's not a tyre issue.

you cannot get anything even close to decent for a gn believe me i tried.

just don't use the rear brake.

and put motorcross handlebars on it instead of those lethal curved back ones

$30 at botany honda or $25 or something.

9 trugood drive east tamaki....off ti rakau (can't spell it when drunk fuck)

the difference is amazing...not relevantto your problem but do it.:headbang:

[skidMark]

The brakes are generally the preferred method for decelerating the bike :p
Using both brakes, guess i applied the rear a little harder than i should've in the situation.


don't use rears at all.

[turtleman]

don't use rears at all.

Does this comment apply to any bike, or just GN's ?
Or is this just your preferred method ?

I'm curious, because surely the designer put a rear brake there for a reason other than cosmetics...

[howdamnhard]

Its fine to use both front and rear brakes.Just be aware that most of your stopping power is on your front.You need to be aware that as you decelerate the weight transfers to your front and therefore the rear tyre's contact with the road decreases and the rear is more likely to lose grip if you maintain the same braking force on the rear.Also remember as you decelerate to gear down and use your throttle to help control your speed.(don't gear down to far otherwise you will lock up back,if you do pull clucth in quickly):laugh:

[Subike]

years ago when I first started riding, a suzuki 50, drum brakes, my loving brother de-adjusted the rear brake so that it didnt work.....forced to rely upon the front brake only i soon developed a reflex reaction in the right place.
Not a thing I would recomend on the road for normal riding, but if you want to get a bit of a mind set for using the front brake only, well, it worked , front brake is my first reaction for any incident except a front punture.
Tyres may cost money, but whats the value of you life? A set of cheap plactics?
There are only two black things between you and the road, make sure they are the best for your ride, and not your pocket

[howdamnhard]

Pm Blackbird for some really good info on emergency braking,it explains the dynamics of braking very well.:niceone:

[howdamnhard]

Yea when I got my GN250 the guy before me had dropped it and bent the back brake lever making it hard to reach and I also got into the habit of using the front only.There are times though that the back brake is required.:done:


years ago when I first started riding, a suzuki 50, drum brakes, my loving brother de-adjusted the rear brake so that it didnt work.....forced to rely upon the front brake only i soon developed a reflex reaction in the right place.
Not a thing I would recomend on the road for normal riding, but if you want to get a bit of a mind set for using the front brake only, well, it worked , front brake is my first reaction for any incident except a front punture.
Tyres may cost money, but whats the value of you life? A set of cheap plactics?
There are only two black things between you and the road, make sure they are the best for your ride, and not your pocket

[PrincessBandit]

The stock tyres on a GN are shocking.

Agreed, especially that hideous front one. I had all sorts of niggly things with my GN (Chinese made one, so maybe that was my problem), but having said that we haven't replaced either tyre on it after nearly 18 months from new. Maybe the three of us who ride it have just been lucky or ride like great-grand-nanas.:dodge:

[RantyDave]

[shitty GN tyres] Agreed, especially that hideous front one ... we haven't replaced either tyre on it after nearly 18 months from new.
That's exactly why it's so hideous - it's a really plasticy compound rather than a rubbery one. Great longetivity but terrible for, y'know, sticking to the road and stuff.

Dave

[skidMark]

Does this comment apply to any bike, or just GN's ?
Or is this just your preferred method ?

I'm curious, because surely the designer put a rear brake there for a reason other than cosmetics...


my preferred method because it's the proper way to do it

only time i use rears is if i want to slide under brakes into a corner on purpose....

or if i gotta stop in a fooking big hurry .....or slide the rear out to avoid a hazard then get off the brakes regain traction and keep going.

they are a useful part when used properly...

but they lock up too easily to be using them all the time...because it turns into a bad habbit when you on the open road pushing it or the track....

and you have use it round town heaps....can really screw ya up on the road.

so put simple yes i prefer it...

and any bike.

SM

[Monsterbishi]

In normal riding conditions, ie, asphalt/chipseal road - forget that the rear brake exists, it's more trouble than it's worth.

I can count on my hands the total amount of times I've used the rear brake on any of my bikes over the last 15 years, and every time has been to avoid a fubar situation.

[smoky]

just don't use the rear brake.
and put motorcross handlebars on it instead of those lethal curved back ones


only time i use rears is if i want to slide under brakes into a corner on purpose....


Best advise I can give – don’t get your riding advise from KB

I won’t get into the rear brake use discussion except to say there’s all sorts of reasons to use your rear brake other than backing into a corner, as skidmark suggests, like anti-dive, compressing the suspension, stabilising the bike, bla bla bla
Get some good advise from someone who's been around a while and qualified to give instructions - if you haven't already done so.

[Badger8]

Best advise I can give – don’t get your riding advise from KB

I won’t get into the rear brake use discussion except to say there’s all sorts of reasons to use your rear brake other than backing into a corner, as skidmark suggests, like anti-dive, compressing the suspension, stabilising the bike, bla bla bla
Get some good advise from someone who's been around a while and qualified to give instructions - if you haven't already done so.

indeed. i use the back brakes more for trailing to increase stability/smoothness than i do for general braking. often good in traffic too, soft trailing and a light squeeze when necessary is great for low speed stability and smoothness.

i have my own riding style, and own ideas about whats best (as we all do), but i am always open to input (taken with a large grain of salt no matter who you are, no offense to anyone it's just the way i am)

i may not be stuck on the GN for too much longer, going to go for an exemption at some stage, so will see how things play out before i worry about doing her up too much. For now i'll just keep riding like a nana :)

[offrd]

i may not be stuck on the GN for too much longer, going to go for an exemption at some stage,

Exemption????

[Badger8]

Exemption????

License exemption, such that i can ride a bigger bike before i get my full.
only looking at going to an 800cc cruiser, and i'm about 6 foot 2 and a heavy set guy, so apparently it shouldn't be a problem :2thumbsup

[offrd]

Oh cool, was not aware one could do that..... Only for restricted licences?

[Badger8]

nah, you can get em any time. they look for certain things when allowing them, it's just lucky i seem to fall into them :)

if you're interested there's some really good info here :niceone:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=59445&

[offrd]

Will look into that, I am 6ft and also heavy set and the 250 limit just does not do the job... how do you get to apply?

[Stromble]

Will look into that, I am 6ft and also heavy set and the 250 limit just does not do the job... how do you get to apply?

I got an exemption from day 1 as a learner, Im 6'5" and just couldnt find a 250 that I felt safe on (or didnt look stupid on!)

Went to a bike shop and got photos of me sat on a few diff 250's and filled out a DL4 form from the AA shop. Put all the info together and submitted to LTSA and it took 3 weeks and they sent me an exemption letter to keep with my license. I have been riding a DL650 since. They did put conditions on mine that I took the restricted test within 7 months and then the full within another 4 months, so have to do the defensive driver course too.

[Badger8]

check out the link above, has all the info you should need :yes:

[rwh]

my preferred method because it's the proper way to do it

only time i use rears is if i want to slide under brakes into a corner on purpose....

or if i gotta stop in a fooking big hurry .....or slide the rear out to avoid a hazard then get off the brakes regain traction and keep going.

they are a useful part when used properly...

but they lock up too easily to be using them all the time...because it turns into a bad habbit when you on the open road pushing it or the track....

and you have use it round town heaps....can really screw ya up on the road.

so put simple yes i prefer it...

and any bike.

SM

So you're suggesting they lock up less when you're stopping 'in a fooking big hurry'? Or that that's a good time to be learning how easily it will lock up?

I use mine most of the time, so I've got a better idea of how much I can get away with when I need it. That included my one track day, when I was braking as hard as I ever have (it's perhaps a mistake to be watching the speedo down the back straight to see how high you can get it - when you look up again, the corner is damn close ...) - I didn't lock it up once.

Richard