I downed it today

[jorbar1551]

On the home strech of Mines road, we were on the way back down the san jose side of the observatory when i panicked. it was a downhill, blind and sharp left turn. it wasnt the only one on the mountain...just this one had gravel on it. i went in a little to fast and instead of using the throttle to get out of the turn, i hit the brake causing the bike to stand up and go straight. Basically straight into the dirt and into a hill.

i was only going about 10mph when this happend...but man, my ego hurts. Bike landed on the right side with some plastic dammage, but somehow, the left mirror came off.... im not sure how that happened. i think it was when i flew off closelining the mirror.

 

[SoarAndEnvision]

aw dude that sucks to death --- downhill can be pretty rough man and test your intution.

That's kind of weird and a little funny that the left mirror came off - no offense or anything - actually probably kicked it when you low-sided.

real sorry to hear it bud - know exactly what you mean about the ego.

But you fall off a bike, ya get right back on

 

[socallarry]

Glad to hear your OK.

I went down on Mines Presidents day weekend. Lucky me, I got a helicopter ride out of there.

 

[jorbar1551]

that totally sucks. i hope you ended up okay? what part did you crash on?

 

[Holeshot]

This rumor of bikes always standing up on the front brakes is kinda an urban myth. You can tighten your line with front brake if you use more inside weight as well as loosening up the inner arm. What happens in most "the bike stood up under braking" is the rider tenses the inside arm, causing the bike to stop steering.

Go practice this lightly and see the results. Post back what you find. Also, try to brake with the front progressively instead of snatching at the lever. Loose arms, weight transfer inside, brake smoothly.

 

[cold100onhw1]

"to brake with the front progressively instead of snatching at the lever" this is a very good point. Learning to use the brakes and gas progressively but quickly will make your riding much smoother.

sorry to hear about your crash. glad you are ok.

 

[Warpkor]

That's a very challenging run with radical switchbacks. I've never been more worn out after doing that run. Felt like I was fighting the bike the whole way. Glad it was slow speed incident and hope you're feeling better.

 

[nine_inch_rear]

Hop back on the saddle when you feel you can. Ego's heal much faster than broken bones and tissue. Glad your ok.

 

[socallarry]

that totally sucks. i hope you ended up okay? what part did you crash on?

Only major damage to me was a dislocated shoulder. I was right near the restaurant there called Junction.

 

[}Dragon{]

Only major damage to me was a disloacted shoulder. I was right near the restaurant there called Junction.

Please share how much the helo ride was...

I gotta get the Enloe/Calstar insurance.

BTW: I was on Mines Saturday in the one lane section near MM 15 and almost was taken out by a van going N/B. She was passing two bicyclists in a blind turn- I had two bicycles to my right. That's my first *real* close call of 07. I saw the van before the turn- but not the bikes she was trying to pass :|

 

[socallarry]

Please share how much the helo ride was...

I gotta get the Enloe/Calstar insurance.

Calstar ride for me from Mines road at Junction to San Jose Regional was 26k.

Yes, i know seems excessive with a shoulder dislocation as the major injury. I think because of the distance to the nearest hospital and it being a moto accident they assume the worst, so called in a copter.

Sucks, I did not even get to enjoy the ride!

 

[RhythmRider]

Downhill switchbacks with gravel = tense butt cheeks. Sorry to hear that you ate it, man... hope you are O.K., and I hope the bike makes a speedy recovery!

 

[clutchslip]

This rumor of bikes always standing up on the front brakes is kinda an urban myth. You can tighten your line with front brake if you use more inside weight as well as loosening up the inner arm. What happens in most "the bike stood up under braking" is the rider tenses the inside arm, causing the bike to stop steering.

Go practice this lightly and see the results. Post back what you find. Also, try to brake with the front progressively instead of snatching at the lever. Loose arms, weight transfer inside, brake smoothly.

Good post. I can only had the following:
People bring their bikes up-right when they panic. It is a natural reaction. I use to see it all the time when I was a kid teaching people to ride. Now, I just do it.:laughing

 

[moonbeam]

I'd suggest you do some dirt riding, get used to the feel of a bike loosing traction and dealing with it cause it will happen again, especially if you go challanging roads like that. good luck, get back on soon.

 

[jorbar1551]

just got back from hawaii...i had today off, so i'm JB welding the mirror back on while i save up to purchase another one.

 

[Yody]

This rumor of bikes always standing up on the front brakes is kinda an urban myth. You can tighten your line with front brake if you use more inside weight as well as loosening up the inner arm. What happens in most "the bike stood up under braking" is the rider tenses the inside arm, causing the bike to stop steering.

Go practice this lightly and see the results. Post back what you find. Also, try to brake with the front progressively instead of snatching at the lever. Loose arms, weight transfer inside, brake smoothly.

I would disagree somewhat, I have used the front brake while in a turn on turn 11 at T-hill to avoid ramming an instructor near the apex, I had to hit it while leaned over somewhat aggresively and the bike immediately wanted to flip up right and also gave me a mini tank slap. I suppose its possible that when you use the front brake in a turn like this you are also letting off the throttle %100 which will also make the bike tend to stand up(not letting off but actually chopping). I would agree that lightly braking with the front can somehow make the bike tighten its line, but once commited in a turn how much steering are you really doing?

 

[ChuckBecker]

This rumor of bikes always standing up on the front brakes is kinda an urban myth. You can tighten your line with front brake if you use more inside weight as well as loosening up the inner arm. What happens in most "the bike stood up under braking" is the rider tenses the inside arm, causing the bike to stop steering.

Go practice this lightly and see the results. Post back what you find. Also, try to brake with the front progressively instead of snatching at the lever. Loose arms, weight transfer inside, brake smoothly.

Truer words have rarely been spoken. Whether the bike stands up on braking or not depends somewhat on geometry and overall configuration, but I don't know of a case where it couldn't be overcome with the advice given above.