[Firehorse]

Originally Posted by himynameisjoe

haha why thank you That comment made my day!

Yeah black ice scares me, I haven't encountered any as of yet though, but I was wondering if there is any technique to not going down if I do. So now I know, will definitely try to remember that if it happens. I'm usually pretty good at keeping calm in bad situations, so hopefully all of the words of advice I've learned here, from other riding friends and MSF will come to mind when I get an "O **** moment".

I've only had a few black ice moments and all the usual warning signs were there such as location and something looking different on the road surface. I had slowed enough but it was too late to brake hard before I was in it. The key is to not do anything to upset the bike - no throttle, no brake, no steering. The only chance you have is to glide over it and hope it's short. Every time I remembered to be light on the bars, not to grab them. Was squeezing my bum so tight, I probably grew an inch but I think I was over it before I had a real chance to mess it up.
That seems to apply for lots of "almosts". No extreme actions to make the bike unbalanced. So far so good.

Next year I am getting cold weather add ons for her. I told myself that on the ride home as my hands were numb My core is always warm though, so unless I just don't feel like layering I don't know that I'll get heated gear. But heated grips and some wind deflectors for the grips, hell yeah! lol.

The kit I saw came with gloves and socks that plugged in. Some had more plugs available for vests, GPS, phone etc.

Sadly I haven't practiced any emergency braking yet.

Bad boy :-)

Here's my technique, others have their own style. None would be "wrong" as long as it works!
I was taught four paw braking. Some people say never use the back brake but if guys use it at the track and MotoGP, I think they know better than I do, so I learned how to use it. Barely ever have to use it but I know how to so I can use it to settle the bike if I have to.
For hard e-braking, just start at really slow speed, straight line. No matter what gear you're in, you'll be hammering that sucker down to first, makes no diff. Everything but the geardown is PROGRESSIVE, not on/off like a light switch. If you practice to get it smooth at slow speed, do it 50 times more and then move up to a bit faster etc - it's not a competition It just has to be comfy enough that you have no fear doing it.

Then do it every time you're out and in a safe place. My instructors famous word that everyone here is probably sick of hearing - "Make your first reaction the right reaction" So in a panic situation, you will be comfy with it and it will be a natural thing. It works VERY well so keep your eyes on the mirrors and always know your escape route. Drivers don't have any idea how fast we can stop on a bike and they'll just run us over.

Slow riding, same deal and remember when you do a hard turn, you're almost to the point where you're looking behind yourself! Clutch finesse! The ninja and I had real issues with that when I started kept stalling when doing slow speed things. Give it time and master it. So many people move up to a bigger bike but it never seems to solve the real issue like not learning how to ride well. LOL!

O wow!! You have so much snow!!

Oh yeah. But on the bright side - my textiles make freakin' awesome snowpants too! I can slide down a hill at 50kph and have no fear.