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

[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.

[monstermob 998]

ruth -- a mate of mine teaches direct access and cbt's etc he always comes up with this bit of advice 'COAST' might be teaching you to suck eggs but a good little mnemonic

Concentration-being alert
Observation- looking and seeing
Anticipation-expect the unexpected
Space- maintaining sensible distance around yourself giving yourself -
Time- to react to eventualities

apart from that try to keep everything smooth in bad weather conditions braking gearchanges acceleration etc

but i ride like a woose anyway!!





[Edited on 9-12-2005 by monstermob 998]

[Rushjob]

Keep it smooth and give yourself twice as long to react ( twice as much space )
Wearing thicker clothing / gloves amd being out in colder weather makes you less sensitive on the controls and slower to react.
And 1 to 4 inclusive are all spot on!

[andyb]

Theres a plethero of saying for this time of year.....

Brakes to slow...gears to go.., bit of vision before decision.....

one i like was from a now retired ex sgt major who did basic driving instruction up to a few years ago.....he said "think soapy tits!" then made a gesture with his hands as if to demonstrate ease and squeeze. slow on slow off!

worked for me!

[Redruth]

Originally posted by andyb
Theres a plethero of saying for this time of year.....

Brakes to slow...gears to go.., bit of vision before decision.....

one i like was from a now retired ex sgt major who did basic driving instruction up to a few years ago.....he said "think soapy tits!" then made a gesture with his hands as if to demonstrate ease and squeeze. slow on slow off!

worked for me!

Thanks for those tips. Interesting, Rushjob about the thicker clothing thing. I hadn't thought of that at all. But now that I do, when I'm in my summer leathers on the 996 I feel like I'm part of the bike. When I'm on Minnie head to toe in warm winter clothes, I'm just riding. Hmmm. Will bear that in mind.

Andy, the 'soapy tits' analagy doesn't really work for me but I can convert it to something that will

[Stu748R]

I had a moment on my bike tonite too,

but that another story!!!!!!!!!

Well, it is friday nite.

[Fordie]

Ruth not only keep back but keep outside not nearside of the traffic (Looking into the drivers offside mirror)so if you have to brake quickly at least you can go along side the vehicle and loose you speed and avoid slamming into the back of it . 4D

[skidlids]

Cloathing has been mentioned but I can't believe nobody has yet mentioned soiled underwear

i'll get my coat

[Redruth]

Originally posted by skidlids
Cloathing has been mentioned but I can't believe nobody has yet mentioned soiled underwear

i'll get my coat

Skids, I wasn't that frightened. I've come off more bikes at no miles an hour than I've had ... good relationships !

Monstermob, I'll remember 'coast'.
Fordie, that was the thing I needed to do - leave more space and be on the outside, because the van wouldn't have been able to see me in his mirrors.

Thinking about it, I should really just hang up my Ducati keys and stick to 4 wheels

[Redruth]

I don't fink so