Heavy bike technique question

[marks]

Help o wise ones.

I generally stand up when riding in the rough and if I do something that unexpectedly diverts the front wheel like drop into a rut or hit an unseen rock in a stream or mud puddle I can normally drop into the seat and plant a leg out and keep myself upright - this works fine on the WR and DT.

The same technique works on the klr but puts a hell of a load on my legs and particularly my knees. The only alternative I can see is to sit in the knarly bits so I can get a leg out before the bike goes too far off vertical and hopefully reduce the shock on the leg.

This seems a bit of an ugly solution - what do you guys do?

polite answers appreciated

[warewolf]

Sitting down is much more likely to provoke a 'dab'. You are more likely to recover from the front stepping out if you are standing up... so that's what I do, and bugger the consequences if it all goes pear shaped. You can usually see better when standing up, again that helps avoid the problem in the first place. So I tend to fall off in an untidy manner from a great height...

But I understand about heavy bikes - I don't like them - which is why I've been on a bit of a minimalist approach the last few years.

[Woodman]

Help o wise ones.

I generally stand up when riding in the rough and if I do something that unexpectedly diverts the front wheel like drop into a rut or hit an unseen rock in a stream or mud puddle I can normally drop into the seat and plant a leg out and keep myself upright - this works fine on the WR and DT.

The same technique works on the klr but puts a hell of a load on my legs and particularly my knees. The only alternative I can see is to sit in the knarly bits so I can get a leg out before the bike goes too far off vertical and hopefully reduce the shock on the leg.

This seems a bit of an ugly solution - what do you guys do?

polite answers appreciated

Standing is a good rule of thumb, but it also depends on what speed you are doing. If it is really gnarly muddy etc and you have to go slow then sit. Anything close to second gear and above stand , unless you are on a road then sit, if there are potholes then stand, then sit again when it gets smoother, then sit when you corner, or stand if it is very rough.
Does this help or just make you feel tired with all that sitting and standing??

[tri boy]

What is this "standing" you refer to?
It is an awkward, and untoward image that only "commoners" use whilst negotiating obstacles on trails.

The gentleman scrambler soceity therefore will not condone such actions, but will, (with distain) ride with such individual's.

"Jeffery! Another round of whiskeys!" Pip, pip.

[K slider]

I prefere standing, one of the main reasons for dropping into a rut is where you are looking, look ahead and never look where you dont want to go as this where you will end up.
Good luck

Pete.

[That looks like fun]

In my experience when a big bike goes it goes fast If I am travelling at speed and standing up its usually "hello ground". It takes a lot to get the big buggers back so I adopt a road riding philosophy, dont get in the shit then you dont have to get out of it!! . On the 1100 I find it easier to sit, take it slowly and pick a good line. Only time I stand is on sweeping gravel corners.
Mind you it has been said I am a lazy bugger
If all else fails call 0800 skyhook, pick her up and go again.

[pete376403]

On a bike as heavy as a loaded KLR I doubt if you can *really* save it by putting a foot down. When it (the bike) wants to go, it's gonna go, and footwork isn't going to make much difference. It's also easier to abandon ship when standing.
I've got a dodgy knee and I'm not going to sacrifice what mobility it has left by trying to prop up a 190+ kilo (wet weight, full tank) bike.

[bart]

Ride faster when standing. Momentum will get you through most unforseen shit.............or make the crash more spectacular.

[JATZ]

I do what ever the hell I want, what ever feels most comfortable at the time.
Without worrying about what I should be doing.

[fatmonkey]

i stand when i can see what i'm riding on like sand, dry ish ruts, river beds etc and sit with my legs out in first gear when i can't see, like in deep mud, muddy water. i ride a dr650 with 30L tank and heaps of other shit in aust outback and this works for me. oh almost forgot, stand at speed on gravel, always. also try steering with your feet, weight the peg on the side you want to turn to to start the turn then switch the weight to the other side, helps heaps in sand

[Transalper]

I try not to dab, usually if a foot goes down it's because I'm getting off and trying to save myself, I'll rescue the bike later when it stops.... unless someone else rescues it for me

[cooneyr]

I'm all for standing as well. I find I have much more control when standing in the rough stuff. Generally if the bikes wanting to have a rest then there ain much I'm gonna do about it other that wake it up again afterwards

Cheers R

[helenoftroy]

So I tend to fall off in an untidy manner from a great height...
But I understand about heavy bikes - I don't like them - which is why I've been on a bit of a minimalist approach the last few years.

Lmao!! this was me on my R100GS.I learnt to jump away when she turned into a missile.DRs a better size for me

I prefere standing, one of the main reasons for dropping into a rut is where you are looking, look ahead and never look where you dont want to go as this where you will end up.
Good luck

Pete.

Absolutely

[pampa]

Not exactly your question but look at this pay attention to second 1:56. It applies the technique I mentioned last Sunday (the one on the dvd "Dual Sport Techniques").

And other points mentioned here

And it's really cool vid as well




from Gary Price on Vimeo

[Padmei]

great vid. Really good body posture with elbows up etc. These guys do make things look too easy though.

Marks I seem to drop into the seat when it gets really really rough/ out of contrl but not sure at this stage if it's an actual decision (subconcious or not), or if I get thrown down there by the motion of the bike. I will try to monitor it next time & find out the answer.

So sorry no help here but I'm hearing ya