Poor Road Surface - What do I do?

[rictus01]

so would these "conserative speeds" be slithering sideways then ?

As you say more experienced riders contend with hazards better normally this is a result of avoiding them rather than dealing with them, I'd focus on getting this bit right before contemplating any slithering, after 35 years I still go out and keep those skill sharp, study that patch if you've had a problem, and learn to recognise the changes in level, what loose surface look like, changes in surface material as these things will help you avoid getting out of control in the first place, to those on the learning curve it's far better to learn how to avoid these situations than spend that time learning firefighting once in them, if on the odd occasion you do come across something beyond your experience you practiced observation will give you time to safely back off and go through slower so maintaining control.

I've listened to many people over the years on riding advice and done what they have said, people who instructed me on off roading,racing, the police and ambulance course as well as others, I'd advise if you have a particular problem you sort out someone suitably qualified to advise and help and listen to them

Chris there are many people on the road who perhaps shouldn't be there, but having passed a test are free to do so both in cars as well as bikes, rather than one of those I'd presume by the nature of the original post he's a fairly new rider and to the forum, one of the thing he'll gain is what, to what extent and who to listen to, and who is advocating techniques that require a degree of control they have yet to achieve.

Maria, I take it that first line is supportive...

I agree no one can tell the OP how to ride without having seen him (perhaps if it's a major concern to him a bikesafe or similar would be of benefit), but equally I don't want to see any rider injured, as recovering from an out of control situation requires either of two things, luck or bike skills, I'd rather have the latter than hope I got it whilst relying on the former, you're perfectly correct obs and bike control are the key and these are the things to practice.

Phil, nothing wrong with a bit of fun, but would you have aimed at it when relatively new , or put another way if someone had advised you to ?

Cheers Mark.

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

But I think anyone who has slithered their way out of a corner sideways will attest that it's really f*cking good fun.

You can only speak for yourself there, you may find it funny, a lot of others would most certainly not.

Originally Posted by rictus01

Knowing you're getting it right is what gives confidence and speed as a consequence not an aim, but I agree correct position is a result of bike control, observation and planning, so basically the same thing.

you do it in the safest conditions available as you learn, extreme lean angles can be practiced on a track with far less danger to yourself or others on the road.

surely you're not advocating the OP go out and ride the same poor surface time and again "desensitising" himself are you, who told you to do that? whilst I agree it will in time make him better at that particular patch if he doesn't bin in trying, but as every hazard will be different it's no practice for the next, practice obs and observational speed by all means and being able to put the bike where you want it to be on the road at your chosen speed, will give you far more options to deal with any hazard, leave the learning "extremes" for the track.




Slightly irresponsible to suggest someone who asked such a question as the OP did, aims at doing this on the road, as you well know it's far easier to do with apparent control than actual control, I'm all for learning the more extreme control, but a time and place is called for, not a bit of poor surfaced public road.


Cheers Mark.

A big +1. Especially the irresponsibility.
I'm a self preservationist, not a 'lets go to the extreme to see how far I can push my bike before I bin it and myself club'.

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

Grit your teeth, lean in, open throttle out and hope for the best?


There are some terribly surfaced roads up here in Yorkshire. The more you ride them the more you realise what you can get away with, so long as you don't think you're invincible on first approach. I can't advise on your riding, I'm not you But I would put a little more faith in what your bike is capable of, as well as yourself. Providing you can reign the panic mode in then you can only improve with every dodgy surfaced corner you take. If you feel so unsure as to have to ask on a forum what to do then take that time to get back on your bike and find some more crappy roads, take them slow and build up the confidence. Nobody on here, regardless of how much riding they've done can ride for you, anything you read in this thread will just go out the window when you hit a particularly nasty bit of road and you will be relying on your obs and your muscle responses, everybody reacts differently in those situations anyway.

Enjoy the bumpy bits, they make the ride far more interesting

.....this is the best advice of all.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by rictus01

so would these "conserative speeds" be slithering sideways then ?

Phil, nothing wrong with a bit of fun, but would you have aimed at it when relatively new , or put another way if someone had advised you to ?

Cheers Mark.

no, they're towards the end of that learning curve of gradually pushing yourself in small increments so when you overstep your skills by 1% you don't die.

Phil is relatively new...

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

You can only speak for yourself there, you may find it funny, a lot of others would most certainly not.

A big +1. Especially the irresponsibility.
I'm a self preservationist, not a 'lets go to the extreme to see how far I can push my bike before I bin it and myself club'.

Of course I can speak for myself. I have no intention to speak for anyone else (though you just did...), of course the only people who deny such things are fun are the ones who haven't tried it. Nobody who HAS such experience/inclination/lack of self preservation* to have had a go would willingly go back to being a person who HAS NOT had a go, same with wheelies, knee down, stoppies, whatever.

People are responsible for themselves. It is brutally factual that people will take all opinions on a forum, down the pub, whatever, and hopefully find a balanced view somewhere in the middle.
If giving an honest view based on experience is irresponsible, then sue me.
For balance I should point out that my experiences include falling off a fair bit.


*Which I vehemently deny is the case. Knowing and being familiar with the bikes, and your own, behaviour is most absolutely vital for self preservation.

I`ve only been riding 18 months with 6k on the sv. I do every ride as an education. Watching others lines positioning etc. My obs are absorbing as much as can be done. I started with my sv being ridden for the 1st year with dead front forks, i wiegh far too much for the standard shock so when Chris did my upgrades the bike was so much more planted, i had to push so much more to achieve an unstable feeling. Knowing how the bike handled before the upgrades and how it does now gave me so much more confidence in the bikes ability. The recent trip to 3 sisters proved that somewhat when i ground the ends of my pegs down somewhat and the bike still didnt give me a sniff of unstability. I havent got a clue as to how much more there is in the bike as i removed the front and rear chicken strips completely and i never got the slightest twitch from it lol.

I would say to a rider having questions like the op, get some empty roads with bends and progress through them increasing the speed each time using different entry points etc so they can get a feel for the bike in the different positions and so on.

Thanks very much for all your responses. I've read through them all and I'll try and take in as much as possible.
I am a very new rider, I've had a license for 2 weeks and have only covered 350 miles in that time.

I'm trying to plan ahead as far as possible, looking at the road surface and anticipating what's coming. My original question was aimed at finding out if the poor surface will throw me off if I'm tipped over at any angle. I'm off out for a ride now whil eit is dry and light and I'll go and have a sensible look about.

I'm in Aylesbury if anyone is sat around right now and would be interested in having a look at my riding and teach me a few things.

[rictus01]

Firstly yes poor surfaces will throw you off line, by how much depends on lean angle and speed, of course choosing the best line and being able to put the bike on it will minimize this greatly.

As I suspected you're far from towards the end of the learning curve, and I'd imaging still very much learning confident control at this stage, you've no doubt got the basic idea of the right lines in normal circumstances, but are right to modify your speed for surfaces you at present can't predict.

Unfortunately I've had my fun on the bike today and as you're about 140 mile round trip I would get there in daylight (now night riding can be fun as well, but perhaps not something to be extended just now) , but if you'd like a ride at some point I'm more than happy to head up the A413 and make sure you're on the right path.

Cheers Mark.

[rictus01]

Phil I've found that the way riders look at riding can greatly advances the learning curve, but that's down to the individual concerned, whilst an "empty stretch of road" wouldn't be my first choice I get your point, but when learning angles and feel I'd make sure the surface was as good as I could find to increase safety as much as possible.

Chris, I never enjoyed being out of control, by 1% or 50, I've been through the wheelie, burnout, doughnut, stoppies, knee down thing, I enjoyed them when in control not otherwise so I've been there and deny liking it so I don't fit your statement at all as I presume you include me in your "anyone" bit?, though I was young and reckless at the time and these things were more to appease my peer group at the time, they were learnt in an environment where should the worst happen I wouldn't be in the path of traffic or endanger other .

Cheers Mark.

Personally, except on my DRZ off road, I hate the feeling of not being in control, so if I felt my rear going on a crap surfaced road, my ass would be biting the seat.

Ive only been riding just under 3 years but I'm not a terribly confident rider, I've still got an enormous amount to learn, I had an off quite early on in my sv ownership and being totally honest I've never recovered from it confidence wise.
I don't know if it's age or what but I've always picked things up really quick but can't seem to master this riding malarky.
I really struggle on tight twisty roads, I can't compute all the info my brain is receiving quick enough to go at a good pace.

I'm doing California superbike school early next year as I want to get to a point where I'm totally comfortable at big lean angles, so when road riding it's something I have to give less worry to.

I'm planning on buying a track bike as well and do a lot more track days, I'm not bothered about going balls out and being one of the fastest riders on a rideout, I just wanna improve so I'm more confident and capable.

My advice to the op for what it's worth, don't try and do too much too soon, speed will come with more experience, even if it's taking an age with myself.

I know how you feel Phil, same here with the confidence thing. I did the track as mentioned above and cant believe the leans i got, as said, ground the peg ends down on both sides without a twitch. Great little track that has helped me in the 14 laps i did showing me what the bike is capable of without any issues.

[DJ123]

To the OP. I've jsut got back on a bike after being off one for 3 years or so. What i was doing (and still am) is using days to go out and practice a certain skill.
-I'd go to town/congestion areas to practice filtering and low speed handling and manouverability.
H-ead out to fast twisty A roads to practice my road reading ability and high(er) speed riding.
-Practice over taking, on national speedlimit A roads where there is good visibility and a low hazard risk. Even on a dual carriage way and motorways you can practice your over taking manouvere
-As much as i dislike rain, i'd go out in the rain to get a feel for the bike. Find out how it handles and performs. Not pushing limits or finding them, simply exploring them
-Perfomrance, you need to know what the bike is capable of, especially on the brakes. You need to know the power of them and what they can do. They can get you out of trouble and equally into them as well

Take your time and you will steadily progress. Confidence in yourself and the bike will come along with time and miles
Safe riding and have fun, enjoy being on 2 wheels and learning! You'll forever be learning and advancing your skills