My "ohmygod" moment...

[sassyduck]

I was going down the freeway, 65 mph and I start to hit morning rush hour traffic. I thought I was far enough back from the car in front of me. He slams on his breaks, so I do a quick stop. The back tire starts sliding all over the place. Fortunately I recovered, and I said a quick prayer of thanks.

That told me a few things...
1. I need to practice my quick stops.
2. Maybe I don't need to apply my breaks as hard and as quick.
3. Even though I thought I was following the "four second" rule, an extra second wouldn't hurt.

Kinda scared the stuff outta me!

[gizmocon]

lol

[01kat750]

Good to here that you recovered well. It could have been alot worse. I was on my way to work this morning when a cager pulled right out in front of me. She then decided to go 40mph and brake check me. If you want to pull out in front of me at least get up to the speed limit. I mean she did have a reason to brake check me, I was a lil close to her bumper and gave her the finger. AGGGHHH!!!!! cagers...

[VifferJim]

Ahh, the times where your arse puckers enough to suck up the seat cover.

Least you got a walk - no harm, no foul, learn for the next time.

[ChuglyXJ]

I had a similar thing happen not at that much speed but I ended up sitting at her pass window, it wasn't her fault and she was so scared and mouthed "I am so sorry". Sucked for me all I saw was big chrome bumper of her SUV.

[jgust25]

if you lock up that back tire, remember to keep it locked up.... If I were you I'd adjust the foot brake down so you have to REALLY flex (supinate?) your foot to lock it.

[loudnlow7484]

if you lock up that back tire, remember to keep it locked up.... If I were you I'd adjust the foot brake down so you have to REALLY flex (supinate?) your foot to lock it.

That doesn't make a whole bunch of sense to me. I agree that if you'd getting sideways, you should keep it locked, to avoid highsiding....... but if you're going relatively straight, letting off the brake would be a wiser way to go.

[Wheel]

That doesn't make a whole bunch of sense to me. I agree that if you'd getting sideways, you should keep it locked, to avoid highsiding....... but if you're going relatively straight, letting off the brake would be a wiser way to go.

+1.. I've locked my rear tire up numerous times and let off the brake a bit because I was headed dead straight... But, I could see that becoming a habit rather than a thought-process... I suppose building the "keep it locked" habit may be a good idea..

Though probably not locking it in the first place is the best idea of all?

[sassyduck]

I think the biggest thing to my credit is that I didn't panic and I rode it out. If I had panicked I would probably be holed up at UNMH right now in a world of hurt.

I have learned that panicking and motorcycles don't mix.

Though probably not locking it in the first place is the best idea of all?

LOL! My thoughts exactly!

[airforceranger49]

you might also want to practice your downshifting... dont always rely soley on your brakes, especially during emergency braking.... braking and downshifting at the same time will bring you to a stop ALOT faster, and alot smoother... just my 2 cents

[Enjay386]

It always takes a scare before you learn a good lesson... at least for me!

[DumbLuck]

you can lock up the rear tire just as easy as braking by downshifting too much too quick. R's down with throttle closed, pop down 2 or 3 gears when ya think ya only popped one, and oops,,,got yourself a nice little skid goin, plus watchin your tach redline causing maybe even some tranny or motor damage. practice practice practice. definately learn how to downshift while braking hard, but learn how to "blip" the throttle as a do it. Kinda hard with a major handfull of brake lever tho.

[airforceranger49]

you can lock up the rear tire just as easy as braking by downshifting too much too quick. R's down with throttle closed, pop down 2 or 3 gears when ya think ya only popped one, and oops,,,got yourself a nice little skid goin, plus watchin your tach redline causing maybe even some tranny or motor damage. practice practice practice. definately learn how to downshift while braking hard, but learn how to "blip" the throttle as a do it. Kinda hard with a major handfull of brake lever tho.

i'm not saying its an easy thing to master... especially during emergency braking... but once you do master it, it comes in handy... thats y you need practice practice practice... now thats pretty much all i do, downshift and then use a ll brake at the end

[tdrcomm]

Fortunately I recovered, and I said a quick prayer of thanks.

Never hurts to always give thanks where thanks is due.

That told me a few things...
1. I need to practice my quick stops.
2. Maybe I don't need to apply my breaks as hard and as quick.
3. Even though I thought I was following the "four second" rule, an extra second wouldn't hurt.

Kinda scared the stuff outta me!

Nothing else need be said. Lessons I've also learned (and still learning) on the freeways and streets of LaLa land.

[bubba]

Thats when u let off the break and take the bicycle lane... its saved my arse more than once. Remember ur 20 times more agile than a car.

I had a car slam on breaks in front of me while I was coming over a bridge once... i snatched it around the car and went in-between him and the bridge wall. If I woulda tried slamming on breaks i woulda been sittin in his back seat.