Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > I had a moment ...

[Rushjob]

At least not as old as Shaun.......

[weeian]

Originally posted by Redruth
Riding over to Loughton on Minnie this morning on quite damp roads, I applied too much front brake and the wheels locked up as I was coming down to a roundabout. Just managed to avoid going into the back of a transit.

My thoughts on this? (a) I was too close and should have used the gears to slow down because I knew the roads were slippery and (b) had it been the 996 I would have dropped her.

Moral of the storey
1. plan further ahead
2. don't rely on the breaks when the roads are so *****ty
3. good move to have had crash bungs fitted, even though today I didn't have to test them
4. glad I was in protective gear because even at 5 miles an hour it hurts to fall off.

Anyone got any other tips to help me with this winter riding malarkey.

my tip: Dont ride in the winter, its too much of a gamble !!!

/ian

[uncle porry]

hmm, if you braked hard and still nearly stuffed it up the transit then you were to fast/to close. or maybe (being a bird) you saw in the corner of your eye a sale on at a shoe shop or something and that distracted you !

[chris.p]

Riding in the winter can be a big help to summer ridding, odd you may think but you become more aware af what is going on around you, you constantly watch the road surface for changes in colour, fluids etc, your lines & riding style will be smoother, throttle control etc will be smoother, ability to react to changing road conditions is faster & smoother, but above all else self preservation will make you a better rider.
Having had to do long & short distances when I was in the forces & only had a bike to get home on, doing 200 odd miles from portsmouth to lincoln WHAT ever the weather, summer or winter, snow etc,etc gives you the best training in bike control you can get.


Chris.

[Fordie]

Originally posted by BDG
Ruth the only thing i can add to the wise old sages who preceed me is you also learn by experience, and what happened today will hopefully save you in the future.

Shaun , we have Owl's that sit in trees down here shouting out instructions to those less experianced, that is untill those with experiance have to replace those wise old birds that fall of the bough every now and then ,we have a name for them, Jools or Monty even Rushjob 4D

[Edited on 10-12-2005 by Fordie]

[andyb]

See if "riding in winter" is available on DVD?

PS you took it back yet?

[desmojen]

That's an easy one Ruthie,

SLOW DOWN!!!!


Remember, you are cold, your tyres are cold, so it takes longer to think and longer to stop.
And it extra hurts when you fall down when you're cold!

[Redruth]

Originally posted by andyb
See if "riding in winter" is available on DVD?

PS you took it back yet?

Thanks for that advice, Andy. I have decided that turning up at Curry's with the DVD player shoved in my rucksack might lead the staff to suspect that I have somehow mistreated it. Furthermore, if they do change it for a new one, I won't be able to get it in my rucksack without taking it out of the box and shoving it into my rucksack, which may well damage it. On balance, therefore, I have decided to wait until my car is available and then I can drive in a civilised manner with my DVD and give the staff WHAT FOR! :P

[philthy]

Ruth

Fordies advice on positioning is good and also applies when you come to a halt behind a stationary vehicle. If you keep to the offside and you see a vehicle in your mirrors, which doesn't look like it's going to stop in time you can get out of the way rather than being hit from behind.


In general traffic - A roads , dual carriageways & motorways my main problem is distance'. In other words I will leave a safe gap between my vehicle and the one in front, but then get drawn in and close up the gap without realising.

I was told the following saying years ago and use it every day.

If you are following a vehicle, watch for it passing a stationary object such as a lamp post ,tree or mark on the road and then say to yourself '' Only a fool breaks the two second rule ''. If you reach the observed object before you have finished saying the above, you are too close.

Apparently it works at any speed.

But what you have to watch out for then is people tail gating you because they want to get into the gap you are now creating.

Can't win can you?

Phil

[Rushjob]

The two second rule is for clear dry days... nights, wet and grotty conditions look to double it.
It's one of those things that good drivers observe and muppets who can't see or plan 10 feet beyond their headlights cock up for you.
At least if you maintain the gap, even if you are overtaken, not only are you able to react safely, but the idiot who is travelling too close you your rsend has a bit more time to slow as you aren't on your brakes and there's a reduced chance of them shunting you..