Scary moment how should I have handled this?

[LT505]

Hi everyone,

I was riding today feeling pretty good, it was nice out and I was on a route I take all the time so I felt pretty comfortable and know all of the turns. In one of the turns I hit a rock, it was not huge but it was enough to make my bike start losing control. I stood the bike up as much as I could and rolled on the throttle a little bit and everything turned out fine. It was still a little scary though.

What is the best way to deal with this kind of situation? I am glad I didn't panic and break because I think the bike might have went down if i did.

[greenmachine]

Originally Posted by LT505

Hi everyone,

I was riding today feeling pretty good, it was nice out and I was on a route I take all the time so I felt pretty comfortable and know all of the turns. In one of the turns I hit a rock, it was not huge but it was enough to make my bike start losing control. I stood the bike up as much as I could and rolled on the throttle a little bit and everything turned out fine. It was still a little scary though.

What is the best way to deal with this kind of situation? I am glad I didn't panic and break because I think the bike might have went down if i did.

A) Watch for rocks and visualize paths around them

B) Stand the bike up and put weight on the bars

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by LT505

.........What is the best way to deal with this kind of situation?.......

What you did was the best thing to do, Bob !!!

When the front tire hits something off-center, some bad lateral oscillations can be triggered in the steering that will be transmitted back to the rest of the bike and rider.

Read this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_wobble

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by greenmachine

A) Watch for rocks and visualize paths around them

B) Stand the bike up and put weight on the bars

A) I can agree with

Assuming you didn't hit a rock the size of a dog... "Take control by doing nothing". - K. Code

B) Not so much, in fact I would say be very loose instead.
The bike will correct itself
The rider will feel less input from the bike
The rider will input less into the controls
The rider's throttle control will be better
The rider will not be rigid on the bars, preventing the front wheel to right itself

[Alex]

Outside of Death Valley I nailed a softball sized rock a few years ago on my prior RT. Bent the rim enough to cause it to start leaking, but luckily a slow enough leak that it allowed me to make it home from that trip. A friend once flattened two rims right in that same area from falling rocks.

[lgk]

stay loose on bars and keep on the throttle.

dont target fixate, look past the rock.

[ally99]

Originally Posted by greenmachine

A) Watch for rocks and visualize paths around them

B) Stand the bike up and put weight on the bars

I disagree with B. There's never a time I can think of when the bike wants our pressure on its bars. It will always perform better without us pressuring it. Also, unexpected hazards in corners is scary! Look everywhere BUT at that object. You did good to gas it some, just never chop the throttle at this point. The bike is much more stable with throttle. David Hough painted a good picture in Proficient Motorcycling in regards to target fixation using the example of a bus. If you're about to hit a something, people tend to stare right at the object they're going to hit. Instead, look anywhere BUT there, stay loose and your chances of not hitting said object are much better.

[choneofakind]

I agree with lgk here. Stay loose on the bars and stay on the throttle. If you have the space to do so without leaving your lane, standing the bike up is also a great idea. Don't forget that if you stand the bike up to roll over something, you need to be prepared to lean it right back over to keep within your lane. Be sure to keep looking through your turn.

Always stay loose on the bars, especially in situations like these. The bike does all the hard work for you and does its best to stay stable and upright. All we have to do is give smooth inputs and not impede the motorcycle's movements in a panic (like a little front end wobble). Just stay on the throttle to keep the bike balanced and turning, and keep your upper arms/hands loose so the bars can do their thing.

Alex, what's your rule about hitting things vs avoiding them? The dinner plate rule? Does this apply here?

[Aodrn]

Ever seen a rider crash and the bike fly ahead on two wheels? Any input you use should strictly be as needed to avoid collision or flying off the road. The bike will stay upright by itself if it is possible.

[RedOctober]

Did you see the chatter Marquez picked up in t5 while he was leaned over dragging elbow? That's why you stay light on bars, let the bike do its thing.

[Misti]

Originally Posted by greenmachine

A) Watch for rocks and visualize paths around them

B) Stand the bike up and put weight on the bars

I was going to comment on this but y'all did it for me I agree with the standing the bike up part but not with putting weight on the bars. As you all have mentioned, staying loose on the bars is a much better option as it allows the bike to work better underneath you.

What happens when you try to grip the bars or hold on too tight?