Breakdowns: How to stop safely?

[MotoGirl]

I had an interesting episode as I started heading up the Kaimais the other day. My bike's exhaust melted the rear speedo sensor. This blew the fuse that controls the fuel pump, which resulted in severe lurching and it was so violent that I was at risk of be thrown off the bike.

Because I know the road, which is steep, windy, and unsafe to stop on, I didn't have many choices except to pray I'd make it to the lookout at the top. There are no side roads and stopping half way up would be far too dangerous because I would've been at risk of being wiped out by another vehicle.

I chopped down a couple of gears and started to cruise up the hill at about 70kph. Thankfully, the bike made it to the lookout and I was hugely relieved. It made me wonder what the safest way to stop would've been if I had needed to.
Any suggestions?

[Winter]

I ran outta gas on the motorway today, just before the harbour bridge.
It was splurting and lurching.

Basically as soon as i felt something was up, I was indicating and on my way to the shoulder. Clutch in and coasting. Managed to pull in safely behind a concrete barrier, switch to reserve, start up and get back on my way.

[Mom]

I chopped down a couple of gears and started to cruise up the hill at about 70kph. Thankfully, the bike made it to the lookout and I was hugely relieved. It made me wonder what the safest way to stop would've been if I had needed to.
Any suggestions?

Chop down as many gears as you need to, to keep moving, "INDICATE LEFT!" Spot the safeest place to stop. Your broken down wheels will dictate in the end. Clutch in to coast as last resort if you need to get a bit further to safety.

Have run out of go on the motorway before today, under the paint in the outside lane (you used to be able to once upon a time), and lost all go. No reserve, so it was down through the gears, indicating all the way, and then a clutch in coast to the shoulder.

[The Pastor]

if you break down in an unsafe spot and cannot move the bike to a safe spot, do not stand next to the bike, if you can get to a safe spot around the coner and slow the traffic indicating that there is an accient around the corner.

[Okey Dokey]

Good stuff to think about before you find yourself in the situation. Thanks.

[FROSTY]

My attitude is unsafe is a shit load better than dead. Result being I'd be thinking feck the bike and save my own bacon.
In your particular situation I would have been playing a bit of a tune with the ol clutch lever methinks.
Then again if the bike hadn't totally ferked out maybee turning around and coasting downhill was the answer

[MotoGirl]

if you break down in an unsafe spot and cannot move the bike to a safe spot, do not stand next to the bike, if you can get to a safe spot around the coner and slow the traffic indicating that there is an accient around the corner.

This is basically what I was thinking. If necessary, park the bike in the left lane then run downhill to warn traffic to get into the passing lane to go around it.

[Goblin]

It's a motorbike. It will fit inside the fog-line anywhere on that wide road quite safely. :yawn: Might be a different story getting a ute/car with trailer to stop safely to pick it up anywhere up there tho. Quick U-ey and coast down to the nearest driveway would be too difficult tho.

[Pwalo]

I take it that it was the Aprilia that you were riding? If you're engine was to cut out completely on that beastie I'd be whipping the clutch in as quick as possible, and then I'd be aiming for the side of the road.

Stopping safely after a breakdown depends on what kind of breakdown you have, what kind of road you're on, what kind of speed you're doing, and how lucky you are.

I've been lucky. I had a chain snap on one bike (don't know why), and a complete rear tyre failure on another. With the chain it was just get off to the side of the road. With the rear tyre it was clutch in, off the brakes, and point the bike away from on coming traffic.

Oh and then there was the time that the clutch cable broke on my old XL175 riding through Wellington city. Now that was really funny.

[MotoGirl]

Stopping safely after a breakdown depends on what kind of breakdown you have, what kind of road you're on, what kind of speed you're doing, and how lucky you are.

You're right there. There isn't too much point trying to gain distance by coasting because the hill is steep and the momentum wouldn't last long.

The worst bit would be stopping somewhere the road is off camber. I've had it drilled into my head to only ever put my left foot down and I'm putting down the right one now makes me uncomfortable in case I was to slip.

[Pwalo]

The worst bit would be stopping somewhere the road is off camber. I've had it drilled into my head to only ever put my left foot down and I'm putting down the right one now makes me uncomfortable in case I was to slip.

I usually put both feet down because I'm a bit lacking in height. When I'm about to move off then I leave my left foot on the ground with my right foot covering the rear brake. (Just to control the huge wheelie when the 650 takes off!).

[skidMark]

I ran outta gas on the motorway today, just before the harbour bridge.
It was splurting and lurching.

Basically as soon as i felt something was up, I was indicating and on my way to the shoulder. Clutch in and coasting. Managed to pull in safely behind a concrete barrier, switch to reserve, start up and get back on my way.


Errrr, just reach down and turn it when it starts to splutter?:blink:

[MotoGirl]

I usually put both feet down because I'm a bit lacking in height. When I'm about to move off then I leave my left foot on the ground with my right foot covering the rear brake. (Just to control the huge wheelie when the 650 takes off!).

Yup, I can understand that. Because my bike was so tall I preferred to have a flat foot on one side instead of tippy toes on both. Now I've got good footing on both sides I still only put my left foot down because of habit.

[Winter]

Errrr, just reach down and turn it when it starts to splutter?:blink:

New bike, first time ever hitting reserve - I tried to find it whilst moving, but couldn't.

Now I can.

[jrandom]

Errrr, just reach down and turn it when it starts to splutter?:blink:

We don't all spend large portions of our lives practising riding techniques vital to getting home when there's only $10 of the week's dole left, Mark.

:laugh: