Yesterday, I went riding w/a couple of friends and two of their friends. I found out that the guy on the SV was kinda new and so we took it easy, rarely going over the speed limit at Ortega. We didn't pass any cars except on the wide open straights and we definitely didn't try to lose anyone.

Everything went great and the afternoon ride was enjoyable to say the least until we exited the freeway on the way home. I stopped behind a friend and the SV rider was behind me, exiting the off ramp. I usually stop and hold onto my front brakes. I dunno, it's just a habit. All of a sudden, I hear tire screaching and then plow, I get rear ended.

It was pretty hard and I almost fell of the back of my bike. Luckily, I had my hand on my brake and both hands on the bars. I almost dropped the bike on the left, barely keeping it up with my left leg. Luckily I had my A* boots on or else I think my ankle might've given up. And I almost plowed into my buddy up front.

I look back the the SV guy amazingly, he didn't drop it either. I turned and looked as he was getting it upright. I looked down and it was tire to tire contact. No damage.

We get to a friends house and I was like, "Are you alright?" I could tell he was visibly shaken. He nodded and said he was fine and that he was sorry. I said, "Don't worry about me, the bike seems fine. What happened?" And he said that his rear brakes locked up.

I was like wtf?! "Why did you use your rear brakes on a downhill off ramp? The rear of your bike will get light going downhills and it's very hard to keep it from locking up." I just said, "Be more careful and stay aware of your speed. And don't use your rear, especially down hills."

I think he was approaching too fast, started to use his front brakes, decided he needed to use his rears, while the bike was dipping low, and locked it up.

Becareful out there guys, sometimes its when you least expect it.

 

that's exactly the reason I watch with whom I ride. simply a uninformed riders inability to position and control his machine, very dangerous. I don't hang with folks like that if I can help it. he should never have been in that position in the first place, he should have been offset form you. I have almost seen a newbie that my group took to the crest fly off a 1000" edge. we were cruising and he had never been mountain riding. all of the group had gone by this fellow and when he saw me coming up in his mirrors he froze mid corner and went straight into on coming traffic lanes sweeping all the way to the edge of the cliff in the dirt.... he was luck to have kept her on the road, and he immediately turned around and went back down the mountain thru wrightwood (back when the road was fully open) I catch up with the the others and stop, its like "what happened to frank?"... "Frank? I think hes gone home for the day!" glad he saved it.

 

Encouraging people not to use the rear brake seems so... misleading... to me. I guess that's a whole 'nother topic altogether. In this case, it's more his speed than using his rear brake that got him in trouble. Your back could be completely locked and your front should still be able to slow you down if you're not going too fast.

I had my bike a month when I went on my first "ride" and looking back, I was definitely outside my comfort zone in trying to keep up... even though we really weren't going that fast. I think no matter how conservative a seasoned rider thinks they're riding, it's still not slow enough for a n00b. If you're going to ride with someone new and don't want to get yourself and/or them in trouble you need to be below the speed limit.

P.S. - Schu, you should try using a few more periods. Your **** is hard as hell to read.

 

Hahaha.... sorry dude, I am lucky I can type at all. My secretarial skills are some what limited.

 

I'm one of those "type like I talk people", I have been schooled before about my on line skills, Oh well, we can't all be punctual

 

Scarey - no damage at all? Did you check the axle?

Good to hear both riders made it out unharmed, except maybe for some stained undies.

 

this guy's name wasn't peter was it? Riding a silver SV650S with full M4 exhaust?

 

First time I rode with someone I went down.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Schubeedoobee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">we can't all be punctual</TD></TR></TABLE>

What does being on time have to do with proper grammar and punctuation?

 

i think i read in this forum that you should let new riders be in front...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marmaladeboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Scarey - no damage at all? Did you check the axle?

Good to hear both riders made it out unharmed, except maybe for some stained undies.</TD></TR></TABLE>

How do I check the axle besides looking at them. Just by looking at them, everything seems ok. It rides ok too. Being tire to tire and w/none of us falling, I'm assuming there's nothing damaged. I could be wrong


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slvrblckf4i &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">this guy's name wasn't peter was it? Riding a silver SV650S with full M4 exhaust?</TD></TR></TABLE>

It was an older blue SV650. I didn't catch his name either. His other friend had a early 2000's GSXR 600, all black and his name was Tony, a Korean kid, 20 years old.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr Hammond &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

What does being on time have to do with proper grammar and punctuation?</TD></TR></TABLE>

So I am the only one that uses slang?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Schubeedoobee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

So I am the only one that uses slang?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hahahahaha. Punctual means to be on time.

I'm still a noob and have ridden by myself for 2 months - maybe 3. I just moved to Cleveland and don't know anyone with a bike. Plus...I haven't found anywhere yet to really have fun on my bike yet. Mostly just a big grid of streets here....poo.

I need to move outta this biatch! Anyone in Cleveland wanna go for a ride?

 

yea, anytime you have a new rider, let him go first. it can be painfully boring at times, but it's so much safer because avoiding the accident is in your hands rather than a guy that can hardly hold on. anyway, glad to hear everyone is alright. i'm always riding alone but i would love to go out with a group...still, this story kinda' scares me.

 

Doesnt the MSF course teach riders to use both front and rear brakes at all times when stopping? Of course, dont lock the rears when youre using it. But for some reason i see alot of post when somebody tells another person not to use the rear brakes. Using front and rear will make you stop faster, right? So, im confused with this whole dont use the Rear brakes thing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by trbo823 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Doesnt the MSF course teach riders to use both front and rear brakes at all times when stopping? Of course, dont lock the rears when youre using it. But for some reason i see alot of post when somebody tells another person not to use the rear brakes. Using front and rear will make you stop faster, right? So, im confused with this whole dont use the Rear brakes thing.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes and yes... but some people swear that using any rear brake is bad because you might lock it up. Used in the proper moderation, it's the best way to stop safely and quickly.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by trbo823 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Doesnt the MSF course teach riders to use both front and rear brakes at all times when stopping? Of course, dont lock the rears when youre using it. But for some reason i see alot of post when somebody tells another person not to use the rear brakes. Using front and rear will make you stop faster, right? So, im confused with this whole dont use the Rear brakes thing.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Often times in a panic situation the rear can easily be locked because under hard braking so much weight is transferred to the front.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RebornGSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Often times in a panic situation the rear can easily be locked because under hard braking so much weight is transferred to the front.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Prolly because the rider isn't used to using it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apocalypse &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Yes and yes... but some people swear that using any rear brake is bad because you might lock it up. Used in the proper moderation, it's the best way to stop safely and quickly.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats what i figured. I use both of my brakes at all times but i dont stomp on the rears. Practice do help

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by trbo823 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thats what i figured. I use both of my brakes at all times but i dont stomp on the rears. Practice do help </TD></TR></TABLE>

It doesn't take a lot to lock the rear.. and if it does lock, you shouldn't panic. Just square your shoulders and look ahead.

If you've ever ridden on slightly damp roads and tried the rear brake, you know what I mean.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ScareyH22A &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

It doesn't take a lot to lock the rear.. and if it does lock, you shouldn't panic. Just square your shoulders and look ahead.

If you've ever ridden on slightly damp roads and tried the rear brake, you know what I mean.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You are right. It doesnt take alot to lock the rear brakes. But by practicing, you have a better chance of not panicking and locking the rears, thats what i meant when i said practice do help.

But i would never tell another rider not to use the rear brakes. I would tell them to use it with caution. Just my opinion.

 

On a daily basis I practice hard stops from varied speeds. I've locked up the rear many a time, but without doing it, I'll never learn. Its getting more natural to feather the rear instead of just standing on it which is I suppose a natural reaction, just full brake as fast as you can. I also almost learned the hard way what happens when you almost go full lock on the front. That was a tank slapper/low side waiting to happen, luckily I rode it out and stopped the bike fine. That was a hard stop from maybe 45mph.

Yes, the MSF professes (at least mine did), using both brakes every time you stop. That way it just becomes a reflex, and not a thought. I would say I use both front and rear 95% of the time when braking and its getting to be absolutely natural to just use them both now. And hopefully when I REALLY need to make that short stop, I'll be braking to 100% capacity before my brain even realizes it. Because I suppose like some people will tell you, if you have to think about it, you're dead.

But hey, gj on taking it easy on the new guy. I went on a 12 bike ride this weekend, and only having about 1200 miles on my bike thus far in the 3 weeks I've been riding, I felt a little pushed by the group, even though I stayed just ahead of teh sweeper, it wasnt unusual for us to be pulling 20-30mph over the limit through alot of the ride in the twisties, and I wasnt completely uncomfortable with the pace, just would have been ALOT more comfy taking that 20-30 over and making it 10-20.

 

1000" (inch) edge? 83 feet is pretty crazy.... jk

Yeah I ride in the back for the first few miles when I ride with someone for the first time. I was once rearended while leaving the parking lot at the local bike event. The bikes were lined up two rows deep. The first 8 rows rolled through the stop sign and made a right onto the main road. (3 lanes each direction divided highway, speed limit 45 I believe)

Anyways, I pull up to the stop sign and stop because a car is barreling up to us at 45-55 mph on our left. The moron on the zx6e behind me was watching the bikes that ran the stop sign and plows into me.

Pushes me into oncoming traffic. Luckily the car swerved and I made a quick right and accelerated to get the hell out of the way. Bent left passenger footpeg, scratched tail section and torn seat cover on my bike. His bike had a hole in the faring from my footpeg about the size of a softball.

I was nice and didn't make him pay for my $hit and how does he repay my kindness? He rides ~5 miles down the street and calls the cops for a hit and run. I stopped and talked to the cops with a dozen or so witnesses.

Another time I had a moron pass me in my lane at ~80 mph. He came 2" from rubbing bars with me. When confronted about it he said he didnt realize he came that close. I was in the back of the pack all night but they got caught by traffic in the fast lane and I was over in the slow lane and got ahead of em.

Glad everyone made it out ok.

**Rear brake: ? Aren't those only used when covering for a wheelie or trying to slow down a wheelie? Well at least that is about all I use it for on my crf50f.

Steven

 

Most of the time people's rear brake locks up in a panic stop is because they jab the front brake first, all the weight transfers forward, then then nail the rear and of course it locks up.

If you use both brakes all the time in progression and get use to it, you will be on both binders equally and less chance of a mistake or lock-up. You will also stop quicker. Maybe a few feet, but sometimes(most times) it makes the difference.

I use both brakes all the time 100%. If I try and only use the front brake, it feels weird to me because of the weight transfer. Using both brakes, the bike feels to (forgive me for my crude explanation) load completely meaning front and rear towards the ground instead of just loading the forks and unloading the rear shock. I hope that makes sense.

Not saying it's the right way, just the most comfortable to me and seems the safest logically.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cbrman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">1000" (inch) edge? 83 feet is pretty crazy.... jk

Steven</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hahahahaha... I suck at typing