Question:
Re: Flat tires on motorcycles while riding ?
recently someone asked if getting a flat on a cycle, especially the front, was requisite to a crash where serious injuries and / or possible death was a given Experienced riders will probably agree, no two flats are the same There are a zillion variables However, in my 40 years of riding, one simple technique has saved me from catastrophic injuries more than any other Stand-up on the pegs ! This is a must do when riding any dirt bike ! Why ? Simple, LEVERAGE When you get a flat on a cycle it‘s basically like riding on marbles and ALL the advice given was excellant However, in my experience, allowing the cycle to loose as much speed as possible, till it‘s barely controllable, then standing up on the pegs gives the rider more leverage to handle the cycle AND puts them in a position to get off the cycle faster and safer when the inevitable tip-over occurs I realize my last flat experience is a rarity, but I literally walked off the bike before it laid down !
Answer:
The best way to deal with tire problems on a motorcycle is always to harbor the suspicion that your motorcycle does not like you, and is secretly plotting your death. That way, you'll always pay very close attention to what's going on underneath you, and at the first sign of trouble, you'll clutch in, and stop, and start looking at stuff, instead of continuing to ride and assuming that unevenness is just road irregularities etc. Unless your tires are overinflated, or you hit something in the road, your typical tire will not have a catastrophic failure, unless you're out smoking your back tire off in a parking lot like a teenager. If you're doing that kind of thing, you're stupid, and deserve what's coming to you.
A front flat? Yuk! Move your body to get the weight as far to the rear of the bike as you can. With less weight on the front wheel, you're as close as your gonna get to riding a wheely, while the front tire is still touching the ground for a bit of control. I don't recommend standing on the pegs, as that will put more weight on the front wheel. A recipe for disaster.
They seldom blow with a loud bang, mostly they slowly lose air. Follow these steps: STEP 1: Front tire air loss is particularly dangerous because it will make your motorcycle difficult to steer. Shift your weight as far back as possible when the front tire loses air pressure. STEP 2: Expect the back of the motorcycle to lurch from side to side if the rear tire starts to go flat. Stay seated as you are. STEP 3: Hold the hand grips tightly and concentrate on steering. Maintain as straight a course as possible. STEP 4: Gradually apply the brake on the tire that is not flat (provided you're sure which one that is). Wait until the motorcycle slows way down, then edge toward the side of the road and stop.
The best way to deal with tire problems on a motorcycle is always to harbor the suspicion that your motorcycle does not like you, and is secretly plotting your death. That way, you'll always pay very close attention to what's going on underneath you, and at the first sign of trouble, you'll clutch in, and stop, and start looking at stuff, instead of continuing to ride and assuming that unevenness is just road irregularities etc. Unless your tires are overinflated, or you hit something in the road, your typical tire will not have a catastrophic failure, unless you're out smoking your back tire off in a parking lot like a teenager. If you're doing that kind of thing, you're stupid, and deserve what's coming to you.
A front flat? Yuk! Move your body to get the weight as far to the rear of the bike as you can. With less weight on the front wheel, you're as close as your gonna get to riding a wheely, while the front tire is still touching the ground for a bit of control. I don't recommend standing on the pegs, as that will put more weight on the front wheel. A recipe for disaster.
They seldom blow with a loud bang, mostly they slowly lose air. Follow these steps: STEP 1: Front tire air loss is particularly dangerous because it will make your motorcycle difficult to steer. Shift your weight as far back as possible when the front tire loses air pressure. STEP 2: Expect the back of the motorcycle to lurch from side to side if the rear tire starts to go flat. Stay seated as you are. STEP 3: Hold the hand grips tightly and concentrate on steering. Maintain as straight a course as possible. STEP 4: Gradually apply the brake on the tire that is not flat (provided you're sure which one that is). Wait until the motorcycle slows way down, then edge toward the side of the road and stop.
