Slowing down for bumps

[deadwolf]

Kind of an odd question here, but how slowly do you fellows and fellettes go over traffic bumps or other form of surmountable raised obstacles?

Growing up with MTBs and 4x4s I've always been one to just take bumps and potholes on the chin and bounce over them while maintaining speed. During CBT/A2 training I would slow down for bumps but this was mostly at the behest of the instructors and once out on my own I would just roll over them and soak up the impact.

I'm now on a dual sport and I just ride over any and all speedbumps with impunity. Now I'm worried that it'll become a bad habit that will carry over to other bikes and I've also ended up with a mild belief that forks on sportbikes and commuters are fragile things that will shit their oil and springs when forced over bumpy terrain for any period of time.

On the other hand, I know adventure-motorcycling demigod Sjaak Lucassen took his R1 all over the world and IIRC his bike just had upgraded sports forks.

Are bike forks with shorter suspension travel alright with being sped over bumps, or will doing that frequently result in loads more maintenance?
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[i.p.phrealy]

as my rear suspension bottoms out 2 up, i take my time.
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[hmmmnz]

depends if i have shit in my top box, if there is precious beer in there i slow down enough to roll over it, if its empty i try and do little jumps off them, or little wheelies off the top of the bump
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[dydey90]

There's some real vicious ones I have to go over at college. Slow right down and pull in the clutch or it's a nightmare.
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[c_dug]

Those plastic bumps bolted to the road can be a bit harsh so I slow down for them.

Usually for the more normal type I just ride over them, or stand on the pegs for added comfort if I fancy it.
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[Rogerborg]

Depends on the bike.

My GPZ500S would ground out its centre stand at the slightest provocation. GS, eff it, lets have some, it's got fork gaiters anyway, doesn't matter if I pop a seal.
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[Vincent]

I stand up on the pegs while going over speed bumps, and keep my knees bent....it takes some of the strain of the suspension.........and puts it on your knees ....but you can get over the bumps faster without wobbling all over the place and/or bottoming out.
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[Shinigami]

as others do, stand on pegs, unless something fragile in the box
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[LaurenceR46]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Depends on the bike really. Ranging from the XR250 (What bump?) to the Mille that was a little more controlled.
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[fatjames]

I quickly learned not to use front brake to slow for them (compressed forks)
A little bit of throttle just before seems to do the trick. Although, they seem to bring out the worst in me and I end up trying to see how quickly I can get over them...

Anything has to be better than the dick in front trying out various angles of approach to soften the blow. (normally 4x4 (road going) designer school run truck things)

[P.addy]

Bumps, slow down.

Humps, clutch it up.

On the KTM however, the ramps are based on how much air you can get and distance traveled. Add both together to get score and +2 man points.

[andyscooter]

ask smiler
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[chris-red]

I slow down a bit then speed up, going up bumps while breaking is moronic, your suspension is loaded up then you hit a bump, best to get on the throttle so the front lifts up slightly taking the jar out of it. I do this in both car and bike.
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[Chalky.]

DRZ, speed up, CBR, slow down.

[Amber Phoenix]

Depends how much I like the person riding pillion....


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[esullivan]

I slow down, depending on the shape of the speed bump (sharper = slower) or whether I have my top box on or not, then stand on my pegs and let the bike take the bump beneath me. I barely notice them and go over considerably faster than cars.

However, I did this once while my wife was riding pillion (she's petite -- I forget she's there) and she bounced up quite high and was not very pleased.
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[Irn-Bru]

Swerve around, jump or wheelie over depends on mood and number or kittens in immediate area.
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[GeorgeB.]

Depends if I have the girlfriend on the back or not. There's some pretty nasty ones near my house, and if she's on the back I'll slow right down for them...

Then drop it into 1st and wang the throttle open just as the front wheel touches it
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[Nexus Icon]

My reaction to an impending speed hump largely depends on whether I've noticed it or not whilst gawping at the scenery.
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[Pol Anorl]

depends how big they are.. speed humps if im 2 up then about 5mph and still hit the exhaust.
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[LaurenceR46]

[stinkwheel]

Depends on which bike. I like to brake slightly on the approach to compress the suspension then gas-it off the top for maximum air.

If I'm on a sports bike with a belly pan, I tend to go round them rather than over them.

When I had my MZ with the long-travel marazocchi forks, you could hit speed bumps at anything up to 70mph without really noticing.
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[weasley]

It depends. Severity, speed, load, wind direction, air traffic clearance... click.
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[orangepeeleo]

Used to go down the middle in between the humps until I nearly hit a car head on! :/