Squirmy tar seal

**slofox** · 29th December 2010, 13:05

First real experience of lack of grip on shiny "bitumen bleed".

Many times I have wondered just how slippery these patches are. Most of the time I have no problem with them - except if they are wet when I go gentle into that good night...errrr I mean corner.

This morning was no different - just north of Thames, cool morning, shaded road. Left hander, not pushing it but not creeping round it either. Half way through the back just sort of gently creeps outwards - it felt a little like dropping too quickly or being underpowered into the corner. Very easy movement - certainly nothing too scary. Took a second to realise what was going on.

I've always had the dread of the sudden scrub-out (had a few of those over the years as well) but in practice, on this bike and its predecessor, this kind of slippage is far from catastrophic. Reactions seem to happen without thinking about it - the body just adapts - stay relaxed - keep the hands soft - slight roll-off...all takes care of itself if you don't interfere.

Interesting.

**Stirts** · 29th December 2010, 13:17

Originally Posted by slofox

Reactions seem to happen without thinking about it - the body just adapts - stay relaxed - keep the hands soft - slight roll-off...all takes care of itself if you don't interfere.

What is this "reactions" thing you speak of? By the time I realise my arse has slipped out, the bike has taken care of itself. All that is left for me to do is try and calm the Sphincter spasm before it swallows my seat!

**skippa1** · 29th December 2010, 13:30

Originally Posted by Stirts

What is this "reactions" thing you speak of? By the time I realise my arse has slipped out, the bike has taken care of itself. All that is left for me to do is try and calm the Sphincter spasm before it swallows my seat!

Haha....true

**MaxCannon** · 29th December 2010, 13:37

It's slippery stuff alright.
Just had a huge front and rear slide around a mild right hand turn.
Best thing to do is keep your inputs smooth and look where you want the bike to go.
And sweat a bit too.

**slofox** · 29th December 2010, 13:48

Originally Posted by Stirts

What is this "reactions" thing you speak of? By the time I realise my arse has slipped out, the bike has taken care of itself. All that is left for me to do is try and calm the Sphincter spasm before it swallows my seat!

Well, yes, I agree - that is the point I was trying to make I suppose - it happens without thinking - and as you rightly say, probably because you don't have time to think. But looking back, I can see what did happen and what "I" did or did not do (or maybe the bike did or did not do).

I reckon the fact that we lived on two wheels when we were kids, has a lot to do with it. The bike (push) was where we spent gazillions of hours - on wet roads, dry roads, gravel roads, clay roads, sticky roads, slippery roads, icy roads - you name it, we rode on it. And fell off on all of them. The basics of two-wheeled control were very thoroughly ingrained by the time we were about ten years old. Watching the DVD of Twist of the Wrist 2 the other night made me think quite hard about all this.

And like they say, you never forget how to ride a bike...

**george formby** · 29th December 2010, 14:57

Whoopsie! Glad your wee movement did not cause any other movements.
That overbanding is tricky stuff when it's wet, cold. damp or melted. It's a real worry if your cranked right over & gas it hard or it plain old just appears out of the gloom.
As you say, experience of what it feels like & reacting appropriately is worth it's weight in gold.

**Mudfart** · 31st December 2010, 19:45

my ninja rear wheel went left then right, the revs shot up and yes it all came natural that i backed off throttle. it was a huge piece on the highway near hampton downs. its been there for the whole 3 years ive lived here.

**owner** · 31st December 2010, 22:17

Originally Posted by Stirts

What is this "reactions" thing you speak of? By the time I realise my arse has slipped out, the bike has taken care of itself. All that is left for me to do is try and calm the Sphincter spasm before it swallows my seat!

JESUS CHRIST you must have a huge sphincter