Can A Motorcycle Rider Control The Bike If A Front or Back Tire Blowout Occurs At High Speed?

I‘ve always wondered about how a motorcycle and rider would control and survive a tire blowout, cruising on the freeway at 65-75 MPH? Although it is probably an unusual situation, as most riders do a flight check prior to a long ride.A blowout on a four wheel auto is one thing, but with only two tires, I don‘t even want to think about it. A small leak which could cause the tire to go flat, unnoticed until a flat tire would be another situation of safetyIf this has ever happened to any of you riders out there, can you give us the details on the road conditions, type and weight of bike you were riding and what damages occured to you and your bike. Thanks

Harry Hurt's research in 1982 indicates: 3. Vehicle failure accounted for less than 3% of these motorcycle accidents, and most of those were single vehicle accidents where control was lost due to a puncture flat. Tires have come a long way in 25 years. I've had the front and rear go flat (at different times) due to cracked valve stems on a +700 lb cruiser.at over 55 mph. All times the bike remained stable but steering became difficult. The tires weren't even damaged beyond the valve stems.

Most vehicles use hydraulics to apply pressure to brake drums/discs via pads/shoes, i think your confusing the ABS which regulates pressure/contact over time/duration. If your engine stalls, you'll still have brakes.

An actual blowout at freeway speeds, you're going down. A blow out is the sudden loss of all the air in the tire. I'm sure there have been cases of riders maintaining control, but they would be at best limited. The rear tire you may be able to at least reduce your speed before going down. A front tire your best bet would be try to decide how you're going to land. I mean try letting all the air out of your front tire and then push it by hand. Then multiply that difficulty by 65 or 70 times. The possibility of controlling that much wobble are slim. Even a brand new tire can fall victim to road debris, nails, glass any sharp object. But take heart it's never happened to me or any one I know, 34 years of riding on the streets.

Harry Hurt's research in 1982 indicates: 3. Vehicle failure accounted for less than 3% of these motorcycle accidents, and most of those were single vehicle accidents where control was lost due to a puncture flat. Tires have come a long way in 25 years. I've had the front and rear go flat (at different times) due to cracked valve stems on a +700 lb cruiser.at over 55 mph. All times the bike remained stable but steering became difficult. The tires weren't even damaged beyond the valve stems.

Most vehicles use hydraulics to apply pressure to brake drums/discs via pads/shoes, i think your confusing the ABS which regulates pressure/contact over time/duration. If your engine stalls, you'll still have brakes.

An actual blowout at freeway speeds, you're going down. A blow out is the sudden loss of all the air in the tire. I'm sure there have been cases of riders maintaining control, but they would be at best limited. The rear tire you may be able to at least reduce your speed before going down. A front tire your best bet would be try to decide how you're going to land. I mean try letting all the air out of your front tire and then push it by hand. Then multiply that difficulty by 65 or 70 times. The possibility of controlling that much wobble are slim. Even a brand new tire can fall victim to road debris, nails, glass any sharp object. But take heart it's never happened to me or any one I know, 34 years of riding on the streets.

I had a rear tire sidewall blow on my 1996 Goldwing Interstate. I was traveling south on I-275 in Tampa in the inside lane doing 70 MPH at 9:30 AM. Traffic was moderate I was VERY lucky. Never touching the rear break, and feathering the front, I hit my turn signal to the right, checked my mirror,and looked over my sholder seeing it was clear I crossed 3 lanes to the sholder gradually. On that diagnal move across the pavement the cars were spaced out just right that I has a smooth merge all the way across. By the time I was on the sholder, I was down to 20 MPH and the back started to get REAL wobbly, but I was able to get the bike stopped standing up. After I was off the bike, it took a few minutes to get my heart rate back down to normal my hands to stop shaking. I can assure you I found muscles in my butt I never knew I had grabbing that saddle as tight as I could. Upon inspection, it was found that the sidewall failed, the manufacturer of the tire replaced the tire at no cost and covered the shops charges as well. So Yes you can survive a blowout on a motorcycle.if you are VERY lucky.

I had a rear tire sidewall blow on my 1996 Goldwing Interstate. I was traveling south on I-275 in Tampa in the inside lane doing 70 MPH at 9:30 AM. Traffic was moderate I was VERY lucky. Never touching the rear break, and feathering the front, I hit my turn signal to the right, checked my mirror,and looked over my sholder seeing it was clear I crossed 3 lanes to the sholder gradually. On that diagnal move across the pavement the cars were spaced out just right that I has a smooth merge all the way across. By the time I was on the sholder, I was down to 20 MPH and the back started to get REAL wobbly, but I was able to get the bike stopped standing up. After I was off the bike, it took a few minutes to get my heart rate back down to normal my hands to stop shaking. I can assure you I found muscles in my butt I never knew I had grabbing that saddle as tight as I could. Upon inspection, it was found that the sidewall failed, the manufacturer of the tire replaced the tire at no cost and covered the shops charges as well. So Yes you can survive a blowout on a motorcycle.if you are VERY lucky.