Going down slopes...braking

[ice.shark]

Hi guys,

New rider here. I'm on CBT riding an Aprilia rs 125. I'm going around country roads with 50/60 speed limit (is that a good idea?). Today I went on a terrible road.

The road was (a) full of potholes, really deep and long ones too; (b) the tarmac was really bad/patchy as well; (c) the road was dirty - lose gravel on it; (d) the road was very steep for 200-300 yards.

The last point meant that I had to gently apply the front brake. I tried to do it only when going in a straight line but I am a bit unsure of how to tackle such roads.

I've just been watching lots of youtube videos on which people's bike slide out on really easy turns. Why is that? The road appeared to be perfect. Only thing I can think of is either breaking or a sudden burst of power. Any resource on this? I am doing my full license in a couple of months and I'll immediately take more advanced training. At this moment, I don't feel the need to get on anything more powerful than 250cc and if 125 were a bit more reliable I'd stay on one for a few years.

EDIT: Also, I do some work on my bike from time to time. Often I would spray oil around the frame and some of it may get on the rear tyre. In general I don't consider this such a risk as in the first few 100 meters of taking of this oil would have been whipped out. Is that correct? Should I take precautions?

EDIT2 (also see later): At some sections of the road, I applied the front brake a bit more (well quite a bit more) because the road was straight and very steep. At that point I was really afraid that my rear tyre was losing grip too much due to the braking and the incline. Actually, that was my main question which I forgot to ask. What do I do when the road is too steep - wouldn't my rear tyre lose too much grip? I guess the answer is to use the rear brake but I don't think it would have enough power.

[iooi]

Lots of loose stuff then use the rear brake (if it locks up its a lot easier to control) and let the engine brake for you as well.

Seems you know how to use the front, by keeping it gentle and straight.
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[ice.shark]

[CaNsA]

Ah, didnt spot it was a 2stroke.

ignore my advice

[ice.shark]

[iooi]

[CaNsA]

[Fladdem]

DON'T ENGINE BRAKE ON AN RS125!

They are two stroke, yes? Engine braking means the revs are up, but the throttle is closed. This means you are getting a tick-over amount of oil lubricating the engine when it needs the same amount it would be getting at say 5,000RPM. This causes it to seize.

This is a problem with two strokes, most people don't know about them and how to ride them, thus they seem unreliable compared to the four strokes, when really they should be more reliable. No cam chain to break, no valves to stretch and connect with the piston, no oil filter to change, they should in theory require less maintenance, just a different sort. Instead of re-adjusting valves and stuff. the piston just gets changed, good as new.

I would also suggest, on a two stroke, not holding the throttle at the same position for too long, again this causes it to seize, also let it warm up properly before revving it to the moon, where it belongs.

As for the slipping. The only thing I can suggest for hitting gravel is just ride more. Like someone said, I don't know whether it's because I ride offroad a lot, but I have never had a bike with road tyres on, even my Varadero 125 had TKC80's on sometimes. So I am slipping all the time any way, even on nice dry even tarmac

I can say avoid the potholes as best you can, if it is inevitable, try to hit it straight, manhole covers are your enemy. On my commute to work I have learnt where they all are, so I can avoid them when I coming back in the dark.

DO you mountain bike? When you go down steep hills on one of them, with loose gravel or dust, you lean back, behind the seat, the back brake controls stability, the front controls speed, don't know why this works but it does. Chances are there aren't many places on the road steep enough to warrant it. I think you are just a bit nervous at the moment, you'll learn soon.

When you say the rear was losing grip, do you mean the wheel locked up or the brake was starting to fade. ON steep hills, I roll a bit, apply the brake, roll a touch more apply the brakes, and pulse it on the way down, instead of holding it lightly all the way, it reduces chances of over-heating the brakes I think.
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Current:1991 Honda MT50 (Soon to be a H100/MTX/MT5 hybrid), 1976 Honda Cub C70, 2005 Honda Varadero 125, 1993 Yamaha TTR250 Open Enduro , 2010 Road Legal Stomp YX140, 1994 Honda CRM 250 MK III, 1999 Cagiva Mito 125, 1992 Honda CB400 Super Four, Stomp T4 230, 1984 Honda H100s, 2009 Sym XS125K
Past:2003 Aprilia RS125, 1982 Kawasaki GPZ550(FREE BIKE!)
I'm having more fun than a well-oiled midget.

[Vincent]

It's OK to use engine braking on a two stroke if it's not for too long.

OP, not easy on an RS, but have you tried standing up on the bike? Much better for going over potholes, speedbumps etc.
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Space Is Deep

[Wonko The Sane]

I tend to ride with the throttle slightly open using gearing to allow it to decend the hill but under power.


for example, using 2nd on the steep hills round here and 5-6k on and actually ride the bike down the hill, closing the throttle a little here and there to slow the bike if needed along with a gentle application of the brakes.



Nearly failed my mod 1 test as I had to sneak a bit of throttle back in to not stop short for the controlled stop having shut the throttle and using engine braking.
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[iooi]

[djrikki]

[Fladdem]

[ice.shark]

[evoboy]

I try not to use too much engine braking on my 2stroke bikes.

In my mind, the pump will not be supplying enough oil at the higher, forced rpm that engine braking creates.

Dont care if it makes a difference or not, it kept my X7 alive on a 1300mile trip around the highlands!
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Suzuki GT250 x7------- Fazer 600------CB250RS------Aprilia Rally 70----- Bandit 600

APT Motorcycles

[Dave70]

[MC]

You can't engine brake on a 2-stroke I'd crash a lot on one then. I got into the habit of not using my rear brake (as they wore out on my old 125), but you really should, although they don't do that much in normal stopping they help with stability (particularly in the wet).

Also I'm probably alone in this belief, but I'm not from the never touch the front brake whilst cornering camp. Using the front brake whilst cornering has saved my life a few times, obviously you don't grab at the brake lever, but if you have a feel for the brakes I don't see it as a problem.

[Disclaimer]I take no responsibility for any injury or damage to property from following this advice
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Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
Honda XR-125L '04

[Teflon-Mike]