Front tire losing traction in turn?

[Holocene]

We've all heard about the rear breaking loose and resulting in the typical lowside/highside.

Yesterday I was really leaning into the turn and I must have hit some sand or something and it felt like the front end was starting to slide.

It scared the crap out of me but luckily I didn't go down.

How common is it for the front to break loose and is there a method to recover?

[Kreylyn]

We've all heard about the rear breaking loose and resulting in the typical lowside/highside.

Yesterday I was really leaning into the turn and I must have hit some sand or something and it felt like the front end was starting to slide.

It scared the crap out of me but luckily I didn't go down.

How common is it for the front to break loose and is there a method to recover?

Sounds to me like you experianced what I've always heard called as "pushing". It's not a complete loss of traction, but you are at the maximum traction for the tire.

Older tire? Not a sport tire? Or just a crappy tire brand?

I got used to doing it on the OEM pre kat tires because they were so hard. Then got new sport tires and wow... what a difference that made.

Krey

[steves]

Could be old tires, or could have been crap on the road.

[Holocene]

Yeah I admit the front tire needs to be changed; it's a few years old now.

[ygolohcysp]

I've also experienced something similar, specifically if hitting tar seams running parallel to the lane through turns.

[KAT TOY]

I've also experienced something similar, specifically if hitting tar seams running parallel to the lane through turns.

we have a road in NGa[hwy 60 north of Dahlonega] that the tar snakes are so bad that I avoid it in the afternoons. lots of pucker moments. I've found that moving in the direction I'm sliding stands the bike up a little and helps gain traction.

[bta2997]

I must ride my bike hard

2 years ago I put some Michelin sport S2 ZR rated, best Michelin's you buy, and the performance was minnd blowing. Now, the front tire has slicks for sides and some tread in the middle, the tires are the dual rubber tires, soft on the sides and harder in the middle. If your tires are anything like mine and you like to carve corners, if your front is anything like mine, I'm getting ready to replace mine for that very reason, I carve corners and have had the front skip out a few times. When the tires were new, they gripped so well there wasn't a limit, only rider error, now, I know exactly where that line is and the more I ride, traction will get worse until I get new rubber. I'm looking for an extra couple.wheels to mount some either long life tires, and have a set of sticky tires for fun. Even though my tires are warn, they get very hot and sticky,I can still carve corners, just remember the traction is close to the same as new, but crap in the road, gravel ect will stick to the tires and make it skip out on me like you I'm sure. Be careful and get new rubber. The best front end upgrade I did and recommended everyone do it, I rebuilt the front forks with race tech springs, thick fluid and adjustable dampening controlsbon each at top of fork, MAN, I CAN CARVE WITH ANY BIKE!! One of the best mods I've done, this will improve your handling, do this mod and throw a new tire on,then tell me what you think. It's night and day difference. Hope this helps, oh, alwaus remember the throttle will stand you up IF YOUR EXITING THE CURVE, TAP GAS IN MID CORNER, SLOWLY HIT GWS COMING.OUT, YOU'LL STARIGHTEN UP

[cintidude04]

2 years ago I put some Michelin sport S2 ZR rated, best Michelin's you buy, and the performance was minnd blowing.

Just googled Michelin Sport S2 ZR and all I'm seeing is the Pilot Sport which is a car tire.

[Slofuze]

Just googled Michelin Sport S2 ZR and all I'm seeing is the Pilot Sport which is a car tire.

Ditto

[Jahshoewah]

I dont think you can lose the front if you are on the throttle and off the brakes

[KAT TOY]

I dont think you can lose the front if you are on the throttle and off the brakes

not true. I know from experience.

[steves]

Yes, there's many reasons why you might lose traction on the front wheel.

[buffalobill]

If it was an even loss of traction, you need new tires, BUT yes you already fessed up on that, so do it or crash.

Uneven or sudden loss of trac, it's the pavement.
I don't trust any public pavement. The truck right in front of you might even spill diesel oil through the corner.

All this is assuming your bike is in TOP shape, including tire pressure.

[DocCannabis]

New to riding myself but even I have heard about this... A friend has a really good back tire but a cheapy on the front, which can be just as bad or worse than an old worn out tire from my understanding... He gets good traction under the back in a good lean but expereinces understeer I guess due to the bad front tire. It was just his only option after a tire had a blowout. The rider himself didn't even buy the tire, a freind did just to keep him on the road for the rest of the year.

Along with many others I'd suggest a new front tire... RESEARCH! and don't go cheap

[GSXFJim]

All this is assuming your bike is in TOP shape, including tire pressure.

Don't forget suspension issues.. slow rebound can cause loss of traction as well over uneven pavement...