Front wheel slipping out from under the bike - What to do?

**Crasherfromwayback** · 11th May 2011, 11:24

Originally Posted by Beren

I think I am pretty good at the scanning side of things. .

Not if you ended up braking suddenly and heavily on wet paint you're not.

**bogan** · 11th May 2011, 11:25

Originally Posted by Beren

I think I am pretty good at the scanning side of things. You can never relax on that even for a second when splitting. I had processed that there was a bike helmet in the gap and that it was in the middle of a lane and happily not a threat. It wasn't until I could see the bike itself that I realised I was coming up on a copper.

I am always scanning probably 8-10 car lengths in front watching for road position changes, models of cars that represent issues and all the other bits and pieces that represent potential close up problems and as far ahead as I can for the general size of the gap in the traffic - sudden brake lights - or gaps that people might try and quickly fill.

It sounds like you saw and identified everything fine, but you still were going to fast for your scanning ability, as shown by the necessity of a quick stop. Establishing a balance between scanning distance, potential for hidden threats, rider ability, road conditions, is a very good plan, and if in doubt, ease back a notch.

**george formby** · 11th May 2011, 11:38

Originally Posted by bogan

It sounds like you saw and identified everything fine, but you still were going to fast for your scanning ability, as shown by the necessity of a quick stop. Establishing a balance between scanning distance, potential for hidden threats, rider ability, road conditions, is a very good plan, and if in doubt, ease back a notch.

Exacary, use what you see to dictate a safe pace. In the situation you describe I would probably be creeping past the cars knowing that anything could happen next & my ability to brake & steer were seriously compromised due to the weather.

When you think back to what happened, if you had applied the brakes less aggressively or acted sooner seeing a helmet in your gap, very likely to move out, plus the other variables, could you have avoided the lock up? If so, figuring out what you could have, should have done would be a good place to start to avoid a repeat.

I'm not preaching or knocking just passing on that I have learned a lot from my own mistakes.

**Beren** · 11th May 2011, 11:42

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Not if you ended up braking suddenly and heavily on wet paint you're not.

Probably fair comment. Though it wasn't a physical threat but an over reaction to a police officer which caused the problem.

-Edit-
I think the plan is going to be finding some nice empty road that is wet and practice - a lot. I was missing one big piece of data up till this morning - what happened to my bike under those braking situations in the wet. I was definitely travelling a notch too fast, not massively too fast but definitely a bit. However I have not had to do any emergency stops in live conditions, heavy braking yes but not emergency. Now I know I definitely need more practice!

**Crasherfromwayback** · 11th May 2011, 11:45

Originally Posted by Beren

Probably fair comment. Though it wasn't a physical threat but an over reaction to a police officer which caused the problem.

Yeah, but that could've just as easily been some goober suddenly changing lanes on you. Same result.

**aprilia_RS250** · 11th May 2011, 12:42

Watch out for tar snakes on the road too. Little patches of black to cover up cracks. I've had a few rear wheel wiggles slips going over those, but they're a lot more dangerous if you're in a biggish lean.

At intersections stop in the area where the cars tyres would be, i.e. never in the centre. The amount of oil that can piss out of car/bus/truck is amazing.

Bikes in general don't have ABS and aren't as good as stopping as cars. Follow the 2 sec rule religiously. If you're are gonna bunch up close line up to the edge of the car... That way you'll have some chance in swerving and avoiding an accident.

**Brian d marge** · 11th May 2011, 13:51

Keep your helmet on and say sorry to casey .......

Stephen

**rickstv** · 11th May 2011, 13:59

Hey Beren, Get yourself along to NASS, (North Auckland Street Skills) every Wed night. We meet at Shell Westgate at 6.30 pm and ride to Albany Noel Leemings carpark at 7.00pm for free rider training. Emergency braking is high on the agenda.
Best of all it's free and about one third of riders have the same skill level as you.

By the way, it was nice meeting you on Mom and Maha's weekend ride to Shelly Beach.

Rick.

**theseekerfinds** · 11th May 2011, 14:15

Originally Posted by rickstv

...Get yourself along to NASS, (North Auckland Street Skills) every Wed night. We meet at Shell Westgate at 6.30 pm and ride to Albany Noel Leemings carpark at 7.00pm for free rider training. Emergency braking is high on the agenda.
Best of all it's free and about one third of riders have the same skill level as you.
Rick.

wish we had something like this down here in Lower Hutt, if there is something like this I'd love to know about it

**slofox** · 11th May 2011, 14:18

Putting your foot down when the front goes out can have the effect of converting an easy low side into a spectacular high side...(and DAMHIK)...

**Maha** · 11th May 2011, 14:22

Originally Posted by Ferkletastic

Quite honestly you shouldn't be splitting at speed in the rain as a newbie (even as a non-newbie really). Especially only a couple weeks into riding. The lines are slippery and car drivers are worse than usual in the rain.

Basically chill on the speed a bit, practise your emergency braking (like CFWB said, brake progressively always, never just grab a handful especially in the wet and even more especially on wet painted lines).

The best rule of thumb I've heard for splitting is that really you shouldn't be doing it over about 40k, slower in the rain for obvious reasons. The margins for error are small as and car drivers will not see you fluoro or not. This time you had to brake for a cop, next time it could be because suddlenly there's a van pulling across directly in front of you and the argument "They should have been looking" won't unbreak you or your bike.

Wise words indeed, and my thoughts also, given the Conditions/Rider experience.

**YellowDog** · 11th May 2011, 14:23

Originally Posted by Beren

Probably fair comment. Though it wasn't a physical threat but an over reaction to a police officer which caused the problem.

Beren buddy, you were going too fast for the conditions. Other than gentle support for the rear brack, the front brake is a big no no in such a situation. As you have already said, you'd be better off getting a ticket than sticking yourself under a car.

The foot bang on the ground is an unfortunate natural instinct that under differing circumstances may result in a broken leg.

Learn from it and move on. Practice makes perfect.

Good luck.

**bogan** · 11th May 2011, 14:27

Originally Posted by theseekerfinds

wish we had something like this down here in Lower Hutt, if there is something like this I'd love to know about it

Finding and getting permission for a carpark can be pretty difficult I found. If you can get a place sorted you might be able to convince some experienced riders to come give some pointers.

**Beren** · 11th May 2011, 14:50

Cheers all, lesson taken on board! Now just need to do something about it... i.e. practice much more and make sure I yank it back a notch.

All being equal will make sure I am at NASS next week, would come tonight but think I am on cooking duty.