Running over a fire hose--can a bike do it?

DucatiHoney

DucatiHoney

Administrator
Staff member
The lowdown: I was coming into SF from the Bay Bridge the other day and at the Harrison Street exit is a pile of fire trucks dealing with something that is ablaze nearby. There were big hoses strewn diagonally across the intersection. I was just thinking that I goose the throttle and roll right on over them until I saw one of those big town cars try to crawl over one and roll backwards! He had to make a bit more of an effort to drive over it, and did successfully, but it gave me pause before trying the same thing myself.

I ended up having to stop mid turn, pull over to the side of the street, turn the bike around on its stand in front of an intersection full of commuters during rush hour (which probably looked pretty badass actually) and then walking my bike in the crosswalk to get to another lane without hoses (and without breaking any laws that I could immediately think of--there were tons of cops around too.)

Anyhoosiers, has anyone tried riding over a full fire hose before and done it successfully? This hose was somewhere between 3 and 4" in diameter and its contents were under pressure. I was having to go maybe 5 mph to make the turn and get through traffic. My spidey sense was telling me that this was a very, very bad idea, but did I just need to grow a pair?
 
Smash Allen

Smash Allen

Banned
I would have done the same if I could only be going 5mph when going over the hose. If I could be going 20mph or so I would goose it and treat it like a 4" log; up on pegs, load the rear just before, and cross perpendicular.
 
DucatiHoney

DucatiHoney

Administrator
Staff member
I can't say that I've needed to run over many 4" logs...thankfully...since I'm typically on the street. I've never ridden a motard or dirt bike either. I've done a baby wheelie a few times in a giant parking lot at speed, but I wouldn't feel comfortable attempting that under these circumstances.
 
ScottRNelson

ScottRNelson

Mr. Dual Sport Rider
Get yourself a supermoto or dual sport. You'll be looking for stuff like that to jump over. :cool


I'm pretty sure that I would have tried it on an M900 Monster. Traveling at about 10 mph in first gear, crank open the throttle right before the front wheel hits the hose to get it over, then you want to make sure that you have enough momentum for the rear wheel to get over it. If there is more than one hose, it becomes trickier, especially if they're not much further apart than the wheelbase of the bike you're on.

The trick is to get the front wheel cleanly over the hazard and the rear wheel will follow.

I don't know if the firemen would be too happy about you riding over their hoses, but if a car or truck is doing it, they shouldn't complain about a motorcycle.
 
Entoptic

Entoptic

Red Power!
Of course you can go over it. This is covered in MSF training and all you gotta do it gas it. Bonus points if you bunny hop!
 
FreeRyde

FreeRyde

The Curmudgeon
Fire hoses are tricky because they give. Unless you hit them at speed you'll just bounce backwards like the town car did.

10-15mph and goose it like others have said at 90 degrees.
 
afm199

afm199

Well-known member
What everyone else said. Avoid at low speed and hit at right angles. O, and yeah, I'd go around the block if I had time. I'd only ride over a hose if I couldn't avoid it. At 200 PSI it's hard as a rock and will roll.
 
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revnort

revnort

Tasty Pants
Shouldn't have been a problem for any bike if my memory serves correctly on the typical size of a fire hose. Plus it is fun as shit. :laughing

Any bike should be able to go up and over a decent sized curb. At least I've never had a problem...
 
ilikefood

ilikefood

Well-known member
revnort said:
Shouldn't have been a problem for any bike if my memory serves correctly on the typical size of a fire hose. Plus it is fun as shit. :laughing

Any bike should be able to go up and over a decent sized curb. At least I've never had a problem...
Click to expand...

Curbs are easy because they are solid and don't move. Fire hoses move, and when they move they can end up at an angle to your front wheel. And then you go down. I'd try to get over one, but at no more than a walking pace.
 
afm199

afm199

Well-known member
ilikefood said:
Curbs are easy because they are solid and don't move. Fire hoses move, and when they move they can end up at an angle to your front wheel. And then you go down. I'd try to get over one, but at no more than a walking pace.
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This. They are high pressure and roll.
 
revnort

revnort

Tasty Pants
ilikefood said:
Curbs are easy because they are solid and don't move. Fire hoses move, and when they move they can end up at an angle to your front wheel. And then you go down. I'd try to get over one, but at no more than a walking pace.
Click to expand...

As others have noted you'd have to go at a right angle. Even if it moved it wont cause you to go down. I would go at a slower speed just to be safe, but I can't see it being a problem. I wouldn't hesitate.

Your wheel is a much larger circumference than the hose. Give it a little gas and it will roll right over and the hose will stay planted.
 
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wally

wally

good things come in 3s
It's illegal, if that matters to you.


CVC 21708. No person shall drive or propel any vehicle or conveyance upon, over, or across, or in any manner damage any fire hose or chemical hose used by or under the supervision and control of any organized fire department. However, any vehicle may cross a hose provided suitable jumpers or other appliances are installed to protect the hose.
 
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