Metal Grate Bridges - The horror...

NathanF · September 5th, 2011, 06:03 PM

Yesterday did a 200 mile trip from Portland, to Mt. Hood, to Hood River, then back to Portland via the Washington side of the Columbia. To get from Oregon to Washington, we took the Hood River Bridge. It is 4,418 feet of terrifying metal grating.

I'm a newbie with only 2500 miles and a few months of riding. Thus far, I've had no drops, crashes, or any terribly frightening moments. But yesterday, I really thought it was possible I might go down. Going across that bridge, the front end wiggled like mad as it crossed from groove to groove. (Stock IRC tires, by the way.)

I was too terrified to experiment much, but I tried loosening up as well as tightening, but nothing seemed to make a huge difference. A few times I thought for sure the wobble was going to escalate into a full blown tank slapper, but luckily I made it across without issue.

Is there any way to deal with these damned bridges?

Here's a pic of the bridge, incidentally:

Alex · September 5th, 2011, 06:32 PM

Loose on the bars, no forceful steering inputs, braking, or accelerating. The bike will stay up on these surfaces, but it sure doesn't feel like it sometimes.

alex.s · September 5th, 2011, 07:51 PM

aren't they so fun!

bhalv · September 15th, 2011, 06:09 PM

just think of it like an extremely long series of rumble strips

Indy250r · September 15th, 2011, 06:27 PM

Wiggly Wiggly!

highpsiguy · September 15th, 2011, 07:37 PM

Relax the arms. Don't tighten up. Center yourself and your mind.You are still under control *mostly*- It just doesn't feel like you are. Look ahead a little further than usual.

WhiteRice · September 20th, 2011, 02:55 PM

Don't forget to slow down before you start crossing... in my experience traction needed for stopping is severely reduced.

September 5th, 2011, 06:03 PM	#1
NathanF ninjette.org member Name: Nathan Location: Portland, Oregon Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 V-Strom 650 ABS Posts: 166	Metal Grate Bridges - The horror... Yesterday did a 200 mile trip from Portland, to Mt. Hood, to Hood River, then back to Portland via the Washington side of the Columbia. To get from Oregon to Washington, we took the Hood River Bridge. It is 4,418 feet of terrifying metal grating. I'm a newbie with only 2500 miles and a few months of riding. Thus far, I've had no drops, crashes, or any terribly frightening moments. But yesterday, I really thought it was possible I might go down. Going across that bridge, the front end wiggled like mad as it crossed from groove to groove. (Stock IRC tires, by the way.) I was too terrified to experiment much, but I tried loosening up as well as tightening, but nothing seemed to make a huge difference. A few times I thought for sure the wobble was going to escalate into a full blown tank slapper, but luckily I made it across without issue. Is there any way to deal with these damned bridges? Here's a pic of the bridge, incidentally:

September 5th, 2011, 06:32 PM	#2
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	Loose on the bars, no forceful steering inputs, braking, or accelerating. The bike will stay up on these surfaces, but it sure doesn't feel like it sometimes. __________________________________________________ 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)

September 5th, 2011, 07:51 PM	#3
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	aren't they so fun! __________________________________________________

September 15th, 2011, 07:37 PM	#6
highpsiguy ninjette.org guru Name: Kevin Location: Athens Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1981 Honda Cx500 Custom, 2002 Ninja 250 Posts: 289 Blog Entries: 1	Relax the arms. Don't tighten up. Center yourself and your mind.You are still under control mostly- It just doesn't feel like you are. Look ahead a little further than usual. __________________________________________________ "Rudeness is a weak persons attempt at strength."

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Anyone who use EZPASS for bridges, tunnels between NJ NY! help!	fr1dayn1ght	General Motorcycling Discussion	6	March 20th, 2015 11:22 PM
Covered bridges and the triple nickel	ninjamunky85	Ride Reports	12	July 7th, 2014 07:28 AM
Cheese grate drawbridges	Nate513151	General Motorcycling Discussion	12	January 10th, 2014 07:25 AM
[visordown.com] - Man charged following horror smash	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	July 17th, 2012 10:20 AM
[visordown.com] - Biker killed in fireball horror	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	April 29th, 2009 12:50 PM

September 15th, 2011, 06:09 PM	#4
bhalv ninjette.org member Name: brent Location: NOVA/ LYNCHBURG Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 93 ninja 250 Posts: 111	just think of it like an extremely long series of rumble strips

September 15th, 2011, 06:27 PM	#5
Indy250r ninjette.org member Name: Brad Location: Indiana Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2011 KTM 990 ADV Posts: 234	Wiggly Wiggly!

September 20th, 2011, 02:55 PM	#7
WhiteRice Kamikaze Squirrel Name: Zach Location: NJ Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250r Posts: 300	Don't forget to slow down before you start crossing... in my experience traction needed for stopping is severely reduced.