Excitement for bikers #641 -- The Fishtail

**Hitcher** · 30th January 2005, 14:02

Also known as heartstopping moment number 641. Not recommended.

Yesterday morning it was drizzling on the Kaitokes and a bit wetter again on the Rimutakas.

Not knowing this, Mrs H and I mounted the ST1300 and headed up the Hutt Valley for a day's Walpoling around the Wairarapa.

Light drizzle made its presence felt at about Te Marua Golf Course with the road damp on top.

As we came up and over the summit on the Kaitoke Road, doing about 70kmh, the rear wheel fishtailed quite badly prompting thoughts of "Oh fuck, what next?" I didn't throttle right off and tried to keep the bike pointing straight ahead. I suspect luck had more to do with recovering this situation than any attempt by me to impart any measure of "control" on proceedings, but control was regained and on our way we went.

There was no sign of diesel or mud from the adjacent roadworks but the loss of traction could have been caused by dampness on a smooth tar patch or similar.

Needless to say, I took it very quietly indeed over the Takas, where the cloud was right down over the summit with visibility less than 10m.

Things brightened a bit on the Wairarapa side and steadily improved as the day went on.

After a bite of brunch, an underwear change and some valium at Martinborough, we headed up the valley through Gladstone and Masterton to Palmerston North via Mangamaire and the Pahiatua track. And then home via the Himatangi Block Road.

I hope that was the last adrenalin rush for a while. I have way too many strained muscles at the moment and am hankering for easier riding for the rest of the year.

**bane** · 30th January 2005, 14:11

when you ride a bike, eternal vigilance is required... and at times a shit load of luck.
Glad to hear you kept it rubber side down.

**Gixxer 4 ever** · 30th January 2005, 14:12

Originally Posted by Hitcher

There was no sign of diesel or mud from the adjacent roadworks but the loss of traction could have been caused by dampness on a smooth tar patch or similar.

Needless to say, I took it very quietly indeed over the Takas, where the cloud was right down over the summit with visibility less than 10m.

.

Scary but you did it and had a good day.

Good on you. :spudbooge

**marty** · 30th January 2005, 14:18

the power of the 1300.....

**MSTRS:Me** · 30th January 2005, 14:20

That sort of thing happens to all of us (sooner or later) and no doubt will keep happening. The time to worry is when the road curves away and you don't. Or when rear overtakes front. Perhaps the ST is a tad much for you?

**merv** · 30th January 2005, 16:01

Put it down to experience that roads are always the slipperiest when rain comes after a longish hot spell. All the fine films of diesel and crap just start lifting as the road wettens.

**avgas** · 30th January 2005, 16:39

i like those....good fun em

**Zapf** · 30th January 2005, 17:26

You can practice for that on the melted tar on SH22 if you want

**Two Smoker** · 30th January 2005, 18:11

Glad no harm came to you and Mrs H

Sounds like similar things to "Chasing Loosebruce in the wet on a GSX-R600" with the rear stepping out half a metre....

Or ZXR400 with shagged rear tyre, that goes from 8000rpm to bouncing off the rev limiter in literally a split second...

**Skyryder** · 30th January 2005, 18:50

Know the feeling. Back slid out from under me just before Christmas near the Rakia Gorge. Must be a real bummer for the other H on pillion. Just not a nice feeling. Glad all is ok.

Skyryder

**ching_ching** · 30th January 2005, 18:56

U da man!!!

**StoneChucker** · 30th January 2005, 19:58

Had the same thing happen in the wet a week or two ago. Must have given too much gas, or changed down too quickly cos the back wheel either slid or spun and the back started to slide out. Luckily a quick throttle off and grabbing the clutch sorted it out

**Mongoose** · 30th January 2005, 20:28

Lucky you Mr Hitcher, saving grace might be that you were not cornering and were "up-right" at the time?

**toads** · 30th January 2005, 20:33

glad you didn't bin it Hitcher, My bike fishtails at the least provocation and I know how scary it can be when it does it. fortunately I haven't had it get me into trouble, but I take it slowly and can never really trust it because I haven't worked out what makes it do it in the first place.

**Hitcher** · 30th January 2005, 20:34

Originally Posted by Mongoose

Lucky you Mr Hitcher, saving grace might be that you were not cornering and were "up-right" at the time?

Whatever! I am most grateful for all factors that came to the rescue.

Putting Mrs H's sore bits in harm's way for a third time may have been pushing things a bit...