Controlling your skids...

Suzuki · Roger Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

... no, not the brown stains in your undercrackers!

This morning on the way to work, I was a little too enthusiastic with my cornering round one of the roundabouts. Road was a little damp, and for some stupid reason I was about half an inch off knee-down when I lost the front end...

It was all over in a flash, and somehow, without really thinking about what to do, I'd saved it.

I then spent a few minutes thinking about what had happened as I pootled down the motorway. Whilst the bike didn't actually move that much, nor slide particularly far since I managed to catch it pretty quick, this is what seems to happen to me in a slide:

1) As the bike begins to slide, before it had really moved a detectable amount, I get the most tremendous sinking feeling in my stomach
2) Stand the bike up a bit to regain grip
3) Lean it back into the corner to make it round.

Does anybody else get these "sinking" feelings in their stomachs when a slide begins, enabling you to react before you've gone past the point of no return?
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<Simple> no I'm shaven Jon Razz

<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
Ride: 1999 Suzuki GSXR600 (yellow/black) IRC: Stats - Relationship Map

Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

I get that sinking feeling mostly when I think I’m running too hot into a corner, that split second where your stomach goes and everything slows down for a split second, that split second where your mind works ten times quicker than usual to make a choice of how to react, that split second which decides whether to brake or lean.

No dunno what you’re talking about mate. Wink

getyerkneedow... · Trackday Trickster Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Karma :

Sounds like a fun ride to work fella. Smile

I've only lost the front on one occasion, on wet cobbles going down hill whist stopping at some lights in york city centre, i was going 2mph max, and landed flat on my arse. Bust my rear brake, mirror and bent my front brake...

However i used to purposly lose the back end whenever i could, gravel on roads, mud, standing water etc, cos i loved the feeling of sliding it around.... (the NC29 didnt have enough power to break it lose on dry roads. Sad

)

But yeah, the first few times, i used to get a horrid sinking feeling, then i learned to deal with it... and started to love it...

Same feeling as hitting hump back bridge at like 140mph.... Shocked

Suzuki · Roger Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

Nah, not quite the same feeling I don't think.

This isn't a feeling of fear. I don't get scared riding my bike. Even entering a corner too fast, and thinking you might not make it, doesn't make my stomach sink. Makes my heart race a little after the action has finished, but other than that I'm fine.

What I'm talking abuot is this sinking feeling, which seems to act as a kind of skid detector/traction control thing. Yeah, similar feeling to when you lose your stomach going over a hump-backed bridge, but caused by something else...
____________________
<Simple> no I'm shaven Jon Razz

<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
Ride: 1999 Suzuki GSXR600 (yellow/black) IRC: Stats - Relationship Map

extreme3d · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Dec 2004 Karma :

"The Force is strong with this one...." Laughing

killa · Won't Shut Up Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Karma :

Suzuki · Roger Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

Sadly Killa, as usual, you've missed my point entirely.

Yes the front slipped due to it being damp - I'd already said what I was doing was stupid. How is that showing off?

I didn't save it though "blind faith". I saved it by standing the bike up a bit, to counter the slide.

My topic was about this weird feeling you get when the bike starts to slide, which I've also explained isn't fear or panic. It's just a sinking feeling as your bike starts to slip away. Like going over a bridge. Lets keep this on-topic yeah?

And as for the "young enthusiastic ass" comment, who're you to talk bum-fluff boy? Laughing

____________________
<Simple> no I'm shaven Jon Razz

<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
Ride: 1999 Suzuki GSXR600 (yellow/black) IRC: Stats - Relationship Map

killa · Won't Shut Up Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Karma :

I’m saying as a young pup you should have known better, which you admit you did.
The sinking feeling is about fear, going over a bridge is speed and motion, dropping the bike is a gut wrenching feeling because it’s gone cost you.
I know what you were saying Jonny
If you didnt shit it and yank the other way you would have hit your noggin on the curb, no one wants that, might as well give it a go.
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Suzuki · Roger Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

killa · Won't Shut Up Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Karma :

Right, well in that case then its just your gut moving around or something.

Edit:- Oh Jonny you don’t have to get all personal again, it was “Only a joke” I know you love that.
And anyway, you are young, what are you 24-25? Its not really a harsh statement.
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Suzuki · Roger Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

Indeed.

Now how about adding something useful to the thread?

killa · Won't Shut Up Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Karma :

It was helpful.
You go down, it begins to slip away.
Your reaction is to correct that shit in anyway you can before hitting the floor (panic)
I’m sure you tense up all over and adrenaline kicks you like a mule, probably why you feel strange.
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Rookie · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Karma :

I know the sinking feeling. You get it in dreams that you are going to die in, as you 'fall' you get that feeling in your stomach, and it's generally accompanied by endorphines.

Got 'em when I went over a poorly placed manhole cover on a croner, only going 15mph but totally lost the front end, skidded out to the right but I stomped down my leftfoot and regained balance.

killa · Won't Shut Up Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Karma :

You must be wrong Rookie, Jonny says so, he’s brave.

I get it when I see cops and I am doing 90 in a 30.
I always come out with “SHIT FUCK”
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killa · Won't Shut Up Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Karma :

Suzuki · Roger Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

Nah, I didn't tense up. If I had, I'd have fell off.

It's hard to explain cos it happens so fast. But the sinking feeling I'm talking about is different to the feeling you get when you get caught speeding and realise you're in danger of losing your licence. Razz

____________________
<Simple> no I'm shaven Jon Razz

<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
Ride: 1999 Suzuki GSXR600 (yellow/black) IRC: Stats - Relationship Map

killa · Won't Shut Up Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Karma :

It's not, it's called 'brown pants moment'
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RealNinja · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Karma :

I hate to break up the bickering...... Rolling Eyes

But I think the reaction is something to do with adrenaline being introduced to your system and the blood being pumped away from your internal organs and to your muscles.....

I think.........

I know exactly what you mean though Suzuki.
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killa · Won't Shut Up Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Karma :

Yeah so do I, shame he doesn’t want to believe me though Rolling Eyes

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Philwild · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 20 Apr 2005 Karma :

I had that sinking feeling on Saturday! On my way to McD's to get breakfast, got to the roundabout at the end of the A36 where McD's is
and was not going very fast, leant into the roundabout and felt both wheels slip out at the same time but by the time I realised what had happened I had stood the bike back up and got off the roundabout towards my exit (more luck than judgement btw!! ) Embarassed

I don't mind admitting that it shook me up. I was in queing in McD's with shakey hands!

On my way back out I looked at the roundabout and could see a thin wet trail all the way round so maybe it was some diesel as it is right by a Texaco services.

You live and learn!

Dark · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Jun 2004 Karma :

I know exactly what you mean Suzuki. I had a very similar experience myself last week and i think if i weren't hanging way off the bike i wouldn't have saved it.

I hate that feeling with a passion, i've lost the front on two occasions and the feeling only gets worse the more apparent it is that your gonna crash.
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Dom_ · Points Mean Prizes Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

I have only properly lost the front end twice on my bike, 1st time was in the wet, i just felt the bars go all funny and the bike drop a bit as i was exiting a roundabout by the time i had realised what was happening it had regained grip, the whole lot happened really fast.
The 2nd time i went too quick round a roundabout on cold tyres and it just gave up completely, didn't have a hope in hell of saving it as there were no warning signs of it that it was about to go, so i binned it. Laughing

I had the sinking feeling the 1st time but not the 2nd.

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

I have twice slid the back wheel, and I also didnt have time to think, and responded instinctually, by straightening up a bit, and reducing the power a bit until it had stabilised. Only turning again and putting a touch of power on afterwards.

I tend to get the sinking feeling after what I realised just happened, thinking of what could have happened.
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Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Suzuki · Roger Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :