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SoulRider
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PostPosted: 19:42 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Why Me! Reply with quote

A few of you off here have been lucky enough to meet me at some stage or another (i know its punishment enough) and know what my riding is like. Today though surprise surprise i had yet another off.

My tyres are both just above legal limit (saving for new set but i have been riding carefully because of this) and leaving work tonight just start braking before traffic lights, front wheel goes beserc and does a lovely little dance before slamming the bike down on its side. Im fine and bike has little damage. Now when i looked at the road it was icy and i couldnt see it at the time so bad tyres with a knackerd carcas as well and ice doesnt mix well. And to prove this when i got back on a rode home it did the same thing just after i set of and had to brake on ice again (managed to save it).

Anyway as a fair few of the members here know ive had more than my fair share of offs. My SV which i had for 10months, 1 drop due to stopping on a hill/slope and another doing u-turn in gale force wind. Though these ones are minimal damage and due to still learning. Then one that was my fault, passing a car in a car park caused me to lowside when he turned in front of me. Another one on a patch of oil in a country lane and then finally written of by someone cutting me up and forcing me over several hundred curbs and into a field. Potentially 3 are my fault due to inexperience. Oil was covered by shadow so was nothing i could really do about that.

I had 2 months waiting for my new bike RSV Mille R and i came of the back of my mates at 120 wearing jeans. Great 3 months of agony and walking like a retard and seriously scared for life (my ars will never look the same again).

I finally get my bike and it still doesnt change. As some of you may know the 01-03 rsv mille's have very bad stands and are prone to falling and blowing over both sides. Well que one fall to the left side as stand kicked in and another fall to the right as it was blown over in heavy wind when it was parked up. Now que this latest off as well.

I love my bike and loved my sv before that, i always cleaned and look after them. I never rode inappropriate for the weather, and i am comfortable and pretty much in control of my bike. Ask anyone whos been riding with me and im sure they will say im a good rider. I admit i like to ride fast and i love the twisties but again i will only do this in decent weather and thats its safe to do so. Ive got a year and halfs riding experience and of all weather as i ride all year round. So the question is why me, why is it always me when im being carefull and sensible that i come of and damage my pride and joy. Not once (touch wood) have i come of when i was really pushing myself on some good bends or riding fast with sahf east crew or other mates.

Yet friends and people ive riden with who ride to fast for the conditions or always hit the roads at race speed never come of, have their bikes stay in mint condition and dont have problems even after 4-5 years of riding. I really cant understand why its always me, should i just sell up and stop riding all together as it seems someone/something dont want me out on my bike? Or do i just carry on and hope that i can go a year or two without a drop? Is there anyone else out there who was the same as me but no longer crashes?

Im not riding my bike now untill i get new tyres as its to dangerous for the time being, but on a plus note my parents have said they are lending me the rest of the money to get the tyres, new indicator, new front wind deflector/ear thingy and new crash bung. So hopefully wont be to long before the bike is sorted. Scratches to fairing i will have to live with. So despite a few small scratches and two months of paying my parents back my bike will be up and running and looking pretty good for itself again.

But its just really beginning to annoy me and all i keep saying is why is it bloody me! I appreciate any comments, if you think i should quit while im ahead say if not also say. Im just getting to the point of thrustraition now, i love my bikes and i love biking but it doesnt seem to like me. I would love to build up a years no claims, but now its not for the discount, its because it would be an achievement.

Appreciate you taking time to read this, just feeling a bit down and fed up. Any comments welcome.
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st3v3
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PostPosted: 19:54 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think in hindsight a little patience and forward thinking is a great help, the proof is in the pudding that if you doing it right, you will be right.
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Reppyboyo
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PostPosted: 20:00 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, you make your own luck really and the offs you had just appear to be bad decisions.
No idea how you ride but your doing something wrong.
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pwntifex
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PostPosted: 20:17 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

Maybe you could do a few advanced riding lessons. Sounds like yer doing something wrong.
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 20:24 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, for starters front brake as you come to a halt at traffic lights in freezing conditions is a bit of a no, no.

Don't know the exact circumstances but as a general rule in those conditions, down to 20mph use both brakes, below 20mph use the rear brake only.

What you described there sounds to me like you had little or no rear brake input which steadies the bike in a situation like that. Don't listen to the people who say they never use their rear brake because you'll find they are also the people who don't ride during winter.
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Itchy
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PostPosted: 20:32 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

stinkwheel wrote:
Well, for starters front brake as you come to a halt at traffic lights in freezing conditions is a bit of a no, no.

Don't know the exact circumstances but as a general rule in those conditions, down to 20mph use both brakes, below 20mph use the rear brake only.

What you described there sounds to me like you had little or no rear brake input which steadies the bike in a situation like that. Don't listen to the people who say they never use their rear brake because you'll find they are also the people who don't ride during winter.


Thats not true my NTV rear brake hasn't worked for quite some time, it works for MOT time and thats it, I can overhaul that thing put in new seals clean it bleed it replace springs but it never works for more than a week.

Hence I ride in ALL weathers and only ever use the front on the NTV, the CBR I use both. Near the end of the season I took it out on mountain roads in the windy rain and still rode it just as quickly.
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iooi
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PostPosted: 20:52 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

Agree with Stinkwheel Thumbs Up
In the cold try to avoid the front brake and use engine and rear.

I live off the rear and engine most of the year round, front is for serious stopping in a emergency.
Plenty of forward planning and you can do it all via the engine down to 10 mph, pisses car drivers off, but who cares so long as i stay upright Very Happy

If it was ice then even new tyres would not have saved you from the deck. Embarassed

Just seems like you are unlucky. At least they have mostly been slow and pain free offs. Karma
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G
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PostPosted: 20:56 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Re: Why Me! Reply with quote

SoulRider wrote:
I never rode inappropriate for the weather, and i am comfortable and pretty much in control of my bike.

If you crashed on an icey road with the front letting go, then I'd say you weren't riding appropriately for the weather.

So, maybe a case of better observations.

To stinkwheel - I generally only use the front brake unless I want to control the rear going sideways. However have been using the rear after something similar happened to me, twice.
Maybe not a great example Smile - however I should point out that I was fine on a knackered old 090, then I got a new Maxxis put on. The first time the front went down I put it to a mixture of unfortunate coincidence and my stupidity. When it went down a second time, but this time braking gently on shell grip, I decided it was the tyre.

So people that say they just use the front may well ride all year, but if they do, they do it with decent tyres Smile.
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Madmanx
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PostPosted: 21:14 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here,s some luck for you Smile Thumbs Up
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 21:17 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Re: Why Me! Reply with quote

G wrote:

So people that say they just use the front may well ride all year, but if they do, they do it with decent tyres Smile.


Fair do's but the road tyre hasn't been invented that'll grip on ice, decent make or no. Applying the brakes locks the wheels and looses all that gyroscopic inertia stored in them, bike falls over.

Locking on ice isn't like locking on a wet road. You lock the front on a wet road and release the brake, the wheel starts turning again and you can get it back. Lock it on ice and it stops turning altogether, release if you want but there's no grip to get it moving again, you have no chance.

Lock the rear by itself then release and the engine will get it turning again leaving you with some (but not much) control.
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Barry_M2
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PostPosted: 21:27 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

Where is this ice you speak of? Have you moved to Scotland or something?

I've been out and its 7 deg C out there, and very windy. There is no ice anywhere! Confused Question
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SoulRider
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PostPosted: 21:58 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

stinkwheel wrote:
Well, for starters front brake as you come to a halt at traffic lights in freezing conditions is a bit of a no, no.

Don't know the exact circumstances but as a general rule in those conditions, down to 20mph use both brakes, below 20mph use the rear brake only.

What you described there sounds to me like you had little or no rear brake input which steadies the bike in a situation like that. Don't listen to the people who say they never use their rear brake because you'll find they are also the people who don't ride during winter.


Only problem is, you ask anyone with an rsv mille if they use their back brake they will probably laugh. Back brakes are incredably bad on rsv's. I can hold mine on slight hill but sometimes it will still slide back abit on back brake only. It just doesnt slow you down at all, i think it was probalby the front tyre being knackerd and minimal tread that didnt help. Some people bleed the entire system but even then it will only work ok for 4-5 days then be back to normal.

Quote:
Where is this ice you speak of?


I was shocked as well, but the water was solid and some of the road looked frosty. Might have been very greasy but it looked frozen to me. no dirt or wetness on my leathers either. Just a sore hip.

I would prefer to use my rear brake in this weather but its just non existant. Allways the case for rsv's Sad
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trevoriv
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PostPosted: 22:03 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just buy shit bikes so its no big deal if you drop it Smile Thumbs Up
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Itchy
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PostPosted: 22:04 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

hear hear!
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SoulRider
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PostPosted: 22:32 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

My bad it wasnt ice, just spoke to bloke from work who reminded me.

On way back to work at lunch i saw a path of diesel (rainbow path) going all the way up the road. I did at the time think it was alot but must have completely forgot about it on way home.

Dont know why road looked frosty though, must have been light wierd from car head lights.

Ashame i cant really see what lorry was leaking it, get loads of artics up the road and to alot of different companies as well.
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sakashitti ratter
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PostPosted: 22:37 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

I agree with trevoriv too

IMO buying a rsv after only 1 1/2 years experience was a bit too soon.

I'd love to buy a ZX10 but I don't feel I'd be ready for that type of power until I have more experience on what I've got now. Ridden a 1000 exup, which was lots of fun, but I would kill myself if it were my everyday bike.

More stupidity on smaller bikes first me thinks Mr. Green
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Madmanx
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PostPosted: 22:39 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

Guilty m,lord.
I shed a whole tank of power steering fluid off my Iveco 7500kg which can also look like diesel on the road. Embarassed
I wondered why the steering felt heavy.
I got a phone call from the other side of the island (peel) to let me know 15 miles away.
Small island eh!
Not a clever thing not having mot,s here at times.
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jimbothe
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PostPosted: 22:45 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well as you know I have been for more than several rideouts with you Chris, your riding has never put me in danger, and I have never thought to myself that you looked uncomfortable. A little fast at times maybe but who doesnt. Even when we have been hanging round the bends Thumbs Up


This one just sounds like a bad combo of poor visibility, bad road conditions (be it diesel, grease, whatever) and completely naffed tyres.

The other ones you shouldnt knock yourself down about on this bike as they were due to that ridiculous paperclip stump that they call a stand on there.

Carry on riding when you have new rubber Thumbs Up
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syl
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PostPosted: 22:58 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

One or two offs in a year and perhaps it's all down to bad luck, but more than that and I'd be a bit worried it was something I was doing.

Perhaps a quick bikesafe day is in order?
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Ben.
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PostPosted: 23:01 - 08 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

tis allways the way, you never crash when your acting like a twat and bombing down a roads, its allways slow speed silly niggles. Bike Safe?
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Irezumi aka Reuben
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PostPosted: 08:11 - 09 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

Almost all accidents are avoidable, but they happen hence the term accident.

You are questioning your riding which is good, if you weren't then I would be concerned. Perhaps take some advanced courses as suggested.
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Kal
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PostPosted: 10:14 - 09 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

If the rear wont slow it then engine brake all the way.

Keep the bike as stable and upright as you can in winter, that includes front to back as well as side to side.
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Wafer_Thin_Ham
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PostPosted: 10:51 - 09 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

SoulRider wrote:
stinkwheel wrote:
Well, for starters front brake as you come to a halt at traffic lights in freezing conditions is a bit of a no, no.

Don't know the exact circumstances but as a general rule in those conditions, down to 20mph use both brakes, below 20mph use the rear brake only.

What you described there sounds to me like you had little or no rear brake input which steadies the bike in a situation like that. Don't listen to the people who say they never use their rear brake because you'll find they are also the people who don't ride during winter.


Only problem is, you ask anyone with an rsv mille if they use their back brake they will probably laugh. Back brakes are incredably bad on rsv's. I can hold mine on slight hill but sometimes it will still slide back abit on back brake only. It just doesnt slow you down at all, i think it was probalby the front tyre being knackerd and minimal tread that didnt help. Some people bleed the entire system but even then it will only work ok for 4-5 days then be back to normal.



+1.

Chris' is just as bad as my rear brake, you're better off dragging your feet.

It's a combination of a bleed nipple in the wrong place, rear m/c on the engine, and brake caliper in a stupid place, and while we are at it the pistons in the caliper are too small really.

You can get upgraded M/C and a caliper with bigger pistons that helps.

Gutted for you though mate.

sakashitti ratter wrote:
I agree with trevoriv too

IMO buying a rsv after only 1 1/2 years experience was a bit too soon.



Depends on your level of maturity riding bikes. Some may be ready for 1000cc missile after 6 months, some may not be after 5 years. There's no time scale really.

I'd been riding about 18 months when I got my millle. Shrug.
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mark83
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PostPosted: 12:03 - 09 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

As long as you're ok, don't worry about it mate. When it's damp, any grease or diesel with be 10x as slippery.

You have a race-focused 1000cc bike and you ride in the winter, it's always gonna be a risk.

But you quitting biking? Not a chance. I've never met anybody who's more bike-orientated than you mate. So stop whinging or else you'll start to sound like me!!!

See you soon.
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sakashitti ratter
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PostPosted: 17:20 - 09 Jan 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote

To Big Ham, you have an rsv after 18 mths... ok, but your sig says its restricted. If thats true then you haven't experienced the full power of it straight away. So you've got used to the bike and all its little quirks before going full throttle if thats the case, which personally I think is a good way to get to know a big bike. So yes I would agree that some people can handle bigger bikes sooner than others, especially when they have it restricted.

An rsv is what at least 130bhp standard, so with a restrictor kit thats a huge power reduction.
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