When I apply the brakes, I am hearing a loud, shrieking noise, coming I believe from the front tire area. Can someone please tell me what are the possible reasons for this, what to check, and if it is a problem that a non-mechanic like myself can fix?
Take the safety course. The reason you went down is that you used your front brake in a slow turn.
Here's the techniques I use to whip my 960 pound (unloaded) 6 cylinder Kawasaki Voyager dresser around. Lean to the outside of the turn, apply weight to the outside footpeg, keep on the gas and ride the rear brake at the same time and as the others said, look where I'm going, not where I'm at. If I can wrestle my bike around a U turn, then I know you can learn to do the same with yours. Also, find an empty parking lot that's free of gravel and sand and practice going around in ever decreasing circles.
Sounds to me like you just misjudged your speed when entering the turn. Its an easy mistake to make. Just plan ahead and slow enough before your turn to avoid needing to brake mid turn. As stated above, I dont see that counter balancing is gonna do anything at that speed. Its more neccessary when youre making a u turn in a parking lot or making a low speed turn into a parking stall etc. This may sound crazy but you kissing the pavement was a better option that drifting in to the oncoming lane. Learn from your mistakes and keep on riding! I should add that it may help you complete the turn by starting your right turn from the left portion of the lane. Just make sure you put your signal on ahead of time so cars behind you dont think youre going straight and try to undertake you to make a right turn of their own.
Brake pads or rotor. Do not do this yourself! Let a qualified mechanin do it. Stopping is too important!
