How dangerous are piles of leaves?

rasta · October 10th, 2013, 11:22 AM

Fall is upon us, I'm just wondering how dangerous leaves can be. I assume a pile of wet leaves can be just as dangerous as white paint on the street. What about a pile of drier leaves? Very dangerous?

Aggrotech · October 10th, 2013, 11:26 AM

when i was "learning" the ins and outs of the bike and decided to do a baby peel out, i used like 20 or so wet leaves in a very small area to do it. Id say theyre pretty dangerous.
watch out :O!

Snake · October 10th, 2013, 11:42 AM

Yes dry leaves are just as dangerous as wet. Not good for traction.

rasta · October 10th, 2013, 11:50 AM

Great. Can't wait for a surprise mid-corner pile of leaves

adouglas · October 10th, 2013, 11:58 AM

Totally dry leaves? They're not that bad. I'd ride through a fresh pile (as in being blown into the street right then and there).

The problem is that what's at the bottom of a standing pile is never dry. One night's dew, or one rainstorm, creates a soggy, slimy layer.

Wet leaves are VERY slippery. I know people who have spun cars on wet leaves.

choneofakind · October 10th, 2013, 12:06 PM

Heck, I've spun my road bike on wet leaves... ended up 90 degrees away from my original direction of travel up a hilly road and had to ride out the ditch.

Alex · October 10th, 2013, 12:06 PM

Depends what's hidden underneath 'em. Probably not a great idea to have any brake pressure applied while rolling over them, as the leaves can slide along the road with a locked tire. If this does happen, the only chance at saving it is coming off the brake entirely, but the more common response is to grab the brake harder when a rider senses the slide (queue up the inevitable tipover).

fry1024 · October 10th, 2013, 12:26 PM

They are dangerous. Best to treat them like ice to be safe.

Motofool · October 10th, 2013, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rasta

............What about a pile of drier leaves? Very dangerous?

That depends on if you consider them a mob or a group.

You can always get a rough idea of the coefficient of friction of your tires over any surface by testing front braking and comparing against emergency braking on dry clean pavement.

Dry or green, most leaves are covered by wax and secretion of metabolic compounds.

"The epidermis is the waxy outer layer of cells covering the leaf. It forms the boundary separating the plant's inner cells from the external world. The epidermis serves several functions: protection against water loss by way of transpiration, regulation of gas exchange, secretion of metabolic compounds, and (in some species) absorption of water...............
The epidermis is usually transparent (epidermal cells lack chloroplasts) and coated on the outer side with a waxy cuticle that prevents water loss."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaf#Epidermis

If they are already decomposing, the lower layers will have some gooey consistence, worsen the traction.

If skidding on leaves while braking, release and re-apply brake.
If sliding while turning (stay away from curbs !!!), prepare to fall.

Whiskey · October 10th, 2013, 12:54 PM

Could be anything under them, ranging from a bottle to a wheel buckling pothole. Other than that they're still slippery, probably worse than white paint, almost as bad as ice.

Alex · October 10th, 2013, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

If sliding while turning (stay away from curbs !!!), prepare to fall.

akima · October 10th, 2013, 01:18 PM

According to the government leaves are extremely dangerous and they're out to hurt you and your loved ones.

gitoy · October 10th, 2013, 07:47 PM

i am not a hockey fan but isn't that the toronto maple leaf 's logo?...

NevadaWolf · October 11th, 2013, 07:20 AM

Just in case...

MR2Aaron · October 11th, 2013, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adouglas

Totally dry leaves? They're not that bad. I'd ride through a fresh pile (as in being blown into the street right then and there).

The problem is that what's at the bottom of a standing pile is never dry. One night's dew, or one rainstorm, creates a soggy, slimy layer.

You also don't know if there's anything else inside the pile. A large piece of wood or a rock or something in there could ruin your day.

MR2Aaron · October 11th, 2013, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

According to the government leaves are extremely dangerous and they're out to hurt you and your loved ones.

Isn't the extremely dangerous part of that plant the blossoms?

akima · October 11th, 2013, 11:50 AM

sigh.

It's a canabis leaf.

Clearly I'm not very good at making jokes.

MR2Aaron · October 11th, 2013, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

sigh.

It's a canabis leaf.

Clearly I'm not very good at making jokes.

Right, but unlike tobacco, you don't smoke the leaves of a cannabis plant. It's the flowers that are used for medicinal and recreational purposes.

Sheesh, don't they teach kids about drugs in school these days? /Old Man

rasta · October 11th, 2013, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

sigh.

It's a canabis leaf.

Clearly I'm not very good at making jokes.

Yea...better luck next time Akima

Dredgshadow · October 11th, 2013, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiskey

Could be anything under them, ranging from a bottle to a wheel buckling pothole. Other than that they're still slippery, probably worse than white paint, almost as bad as ice.

Exactly. As has been stated leaves can be super slippery but don't forget that they are hiding whatever is underneath them. I remember when I was in high school and my buddy went flying through a pile of leaves in his car for fun. The massive rock underneath didn't treat the underside of his car so well.

Daks · October 11th, 2013, 10:13 PM

leaves can be the worst to ride on. Or even drive. Back in NJ I could drive ice and snow like a champ but a layer or two of wet leaves and it wasn't just fishtailing but over and under-steer even in a 4WD.

however, I can tell you that they are fantastic to crash into.

Alex · October 12th, 2013, 08:20 AM

akima · October 12th, 2013, 09:03 AM

^ Looks like he's going to overshoot.

csmith12 · October 12th, 2013, 09:24 AM

Leaves are as dangerous as you make them. Wet or dry, avoid them if you can do it safely, otherwise ride over with caution. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes ya know.

Thorgrim · October 12th, 2013, 05:21 PM

Some of the really (otherwise) fun twisties around here go through stretches of pines. Any amount more than, say, a quarter to half-inch of dry pine needles? Well:

CZroe · June 26th, 2014, 11:33 AM

Pine straw can be even worse. It can be so lightly layered that you don't even notice it (see the pavement beneath) and will still cause your wheel to lock with slight brake pressure. As it slides it collects even more straw until you have created a patch where there was none before.

BoBO · June 26th, 2014, 12:16 PM

Stay away from leaves, they are bad for traction.

Kscreations08 · June 30th, 2014, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

sigh.

It's a canabis leaf.

Clearly I'm not very good at making jokes.

Died on this one

October 10th, 2013, 11:22 AM	#1
rasta Your face Name: Wes Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Honda CBR650f Posts: A lot.	How dangerous are piles of leaves? Fall is upon us, I'm just wondering how dangerous leaves can be. I assume a pile of wet leaves can be just as dangerous as white paint on the street. What about a pile of drier leaves? Very dangerous?

October 10th, 2013, 11:58 AM	#5
adouglas Cat herder Name: Gort Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 6 MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13	Totally dry leaves? They're not that bad. I'd ride through a fresh pile (as in being blown into the street right then and there). The problem is that what's at the bottom of a standing pile is never dry. One night's dew, or one rainstorm, creates a soggy, slimy layer. Wet leaves are VERY slippery. I know people who have spun cars on wet leaves. __________________________________________________ I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

October 10th, 2013, 12:06 PM	#7
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Depends what's hidden underneath 'em. Probably not a great idea to have any brake pressure applied while rolling over them, as the leaves can slide along the road with a locked tire. If this does happen, the only chance at saving it is coming off the brake entirely, but the more common response is to grab the brake harder when a rider senses the slide (queue up the inevitable tipover). __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

October 10th, 2013, 12:54 PM	#10
Whiskey ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Morgan Location: A city twinned with Kawasaki Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, 2010 STR 675 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	Could be anything under them, ranging from a bottle to a wheel buckling pothole. Other than that they're still slippery, probably worse than white paint, almost as bad as ice.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

October 11th, 2013, 07:20 AM	#14
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	Just in case... __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

October 10th, 2013, 11:26 AM	#2
Aggrotech ninjette.org sage Name: Justin Location: Fresno CA Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 12' Ninja 250 Posts: 831	when i was "learning" the ins and outs of the bike and decided to do a baby peel out, i used like 20 or so wet leaves in a very small area to do it. Id say theyre pretty dangerous. watch out :O!

October 10th, 2013, 11:42 AM	#3
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Yes dry leaves are just as dangerous as wet. Not good for traction.

October 10th, 2013, 11:50 AM	#4
rasta Your face Name: Wes Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Honda CBR650f Posts: A lot.	Great. Can't wait for a surprise mid-corner pile of leaves

October 10th, 2013, 12:06 PM	#6
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Heck, I've spun my road bike on wet leaves... ended up 90 degrees away from my original direction of travel up a hilly road and had to ride out the ditch.

October 10th, 2013, 12:26 PM	#8
fry1024 ninjette.org guru Name: Jason Location: WV Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 650R & 2007 Buell Blast Posts: 323	They are dangerous. Best to treat them like ice to be safe.

October 10th, 2013, 01:18 PM	#12
akima Nooblet Name: Akima Location: England Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '13	According to the government leaves are extremely dangerous and they're out to hurt you and your loved ones.

October 10th, 2013, 07:47 PM	#13
gitoy ninjette.org guru Name: gitoy Location: rpv, ca Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 04 ninja 250, 05 zzr 600 (sold), 07 cbr600rr Posts: 319	i am not a hockey fan but isn't that the toronto maple leaf 's logo?...

October 11th, 2013, 11:50 AM	#17
akima Nooblet Name: Akima Location: England Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '13	sigh. It's a canabis leaf. Clearly I'm not very good at making jokes.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

October 11th, 2013, 10:13 PM	#21
Daks Jersey Devil Name: Daks Location: Austin, TX Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250 Posts: 469	leaves can be the worst to ride on. Or even drive. Back in NJ I could drive ice and snow like a champ but a layer or two of wet leaves and it wasn't just fishtailing but over and under-steer even in a 4WD. however, I can tell you that they are fantastic to crash into. __________________________________________________ ~Riding like a grandma because I wanna ride as a grandma~

October 12th, 2013, 08:20 AM	#22
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	__________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

October 12th, 2013, 09:03 AM	#23
akima Nooblet Name: Akima Location: England Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '13	^ Looks like he's going to overshoot.

October 12th, 2013, 09:24 AM	#24
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Leaves are as dangerous as you make them. Wet or dry, avoid them if you can do it safely, otherwise ride over with caution. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes ya know. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

October 12th, 2013, 05:21 PM	#25
Thorgrim War Hippie Name: Bob Location: upper east Tennessee Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): CB500F Posts: 156	Some of the really (otherwise) fun twisties around here go through stretches of pines. Any amount more than, say, a quarter to half-inch of dry pine needles? Well: __________________________________________________ God loves a pretty rooster-tail, that's why He made dirt.

June 26th, 2014, 11:33 AM	#26
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	Pine straw can be even worse. It can be so lightly layered that you don't even notice it (see the pavement beneath) and will still cause your wheel to lock with slight brake pressure. As it slides it collects even more straw until you have created a patch where there was none before.

June 26th, 2014, 12:16 PM	#27
BoBO ninjette.org guru Name: Genesis Location: Paradise Valley Village, AZ Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): SC28 Fireblade Posts: 463	Stay away from leaves, they are bad for traction. __________________________________________________ 94 900RR 04 BMW Z4 2.5 M Package 01 R170 AMG Sport Package

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