Interstate Riding, Wind, Wet Pavement, and Curves

[dsmack]

If it is brand new concrete pavement, it may have had a very aggresive "broom finish" applied to the top of the concrete at it cured. We have a new stretch here, and it feels a little strange too, compared to the older stretches that have "broken-in" due to traffic.

They basically drag a stiff set of bristles along the road to create a shallow, wavy pattern in the concrete to aid traction for the cages. It is similar in feel when you ride along it to what you might feel when you cross a bridge that has steel grating for the surface... kind of loose feeling and wandering a bit. I've been told that the tread pattern on certain tires makes the feeling more pronounced than with other tires.

It won't put you down, but does feel weird, for sure!

From all your previous posts, it sounds to me (and apparantly everyone else here) that you are doing great! Keep your head in the game as you have been, and experience will take care of the rest of it.

Ride Safe!
Don

[rangerscott]

A big thing that help me out was good tires. My 250 had the stock crappy dunlops with tons of miles. I bought some Pirelli sport demons and made a world of difference.

Its amazing what new/better rubber can do. I was able to lean farther without the back end feeling like it was coming out from under. I could take turns faster and they also helped with the rain.


If you feel uncomfortable then just slow down and do granny turns.

[silvia-junkie]

confidence will come with time. and the new pavement thing might be the tires. when i had my 500 the stock tires wondered a bit, but the wider sticker tires on my 600 are a lot more stable. your from mass right where abouts, if you want some one to ride with im always up for a ride. as for the wind you will always be blown around you will get more used to it its not really the weight my friends 600lb harly gets blown around try tucking a bit more it should help.

[Sabrina]

Thanks for the great feedback! I have Pirelli Sport Demons, in fact the rear tire is brand new because I picked up a nail a couple of months ago and had to replace it. Tires are good.

I definitely need to relax. My elbows go up as I get tense and my movements on the bike become more stiff. Last night I rode to pretty much exhaustion and was pretty relaxed by the end, I was still having fun and didn't want to go home.

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by Sabrina

Thanks for the great feedback! I have Pirelli Sport Demons, in fact the rear tire is brand new because I picked up a nail a couple of months ago and had to replace it. Tires are good.

That might be adding to the issue if you don't have more than a couple of hundred miles on that new tire - especially if you haven't been leaning much in corners. It may still be slick from the factory. My advice would be to get out and take a nice long, quiet ride on a warm day to get that tire broken in.

If this stability issue is something you've been having before the new tire, I'd also go with the previous suggestion of adjusting the suspension. Even one notch can make a difference if you're just on the edge of the range for ytour body weight.

As far as braking in the rain, if you're in traffic you can do yourself some good by easing onto the rear brake first while the weight is evenly distributed then slowly bringing in the front brake as the weight begins to shift forward. Don't step hard on the rear to avoid locking it up as the weight comes off it. Just keep steady pressure on it. Since the rear brake has less power, it will let you brake earlier and more slowly when approaching a stop. This will not only warn others behind you that you're stopping, but give you plenty of time to adjust if you feel the bike losing grip. Finally, by braking more easily, but sooner, you can clear any water from your brakes before you really need your stoppin power.

Finally, stay away from the middle of the lane when it rains - and be extra careful when it first starts. The fluids from other vehicles will float on the rain water for several minutes after the rain is steadily coming down, so you want to avoid the largest concentrations in the center of the lane. As stated earlier, watch out for painted surfaces, manhole covers, sewers and railroad tracks. Those are extra slippery when wet.

[stargazertony]

Originally Posted by Sabrina

...except on this one short interstate run that I do, which is all new pavement. (Just a month ago or so.) I have to wonder if the new, flat surface is making it seem worse? .

Hi Sabrina: The new concrete pavement they have here around western Pennsylvania is terrible. It has a rough finish and the expansion joints crate a definite bump when you roll over them. Sometimes it's enough to think that the bike is becoming unstable. Perhaps this is what you are experiencing. I try to avoid these roads. Almost always there is a better "country" road nearby that I use. Time differences are usually minimal and the ride is always nicer.

Also, do you have a death grip on the bars? It's common for newer riders to have one. If you relax your grip a bit, the ride may become smoother and you will feel less tired. Try gripping the tank harder with your legs. A loose grip on the handle bars may feel strange at first and you will have better control over your bike at the same time.

Tony

[Sabrina]

UPDATE
I strongly believe there were grooves added to the new pavement I referred to, which makes the bike feel loose - a feeling very similar to scarified pavement. I haven't experienced the same feeling anywhere else, so I have to assume it's the pavement - plus I looked at it and can see grooves.

The advice to do some long rides was right on. I did three group rides in the past week, two of them fairly long rides. I got to see how other people handled things and did so many curves I couldn't help but get more comfortable with them. I did a road test a couple of days ago and was able to negotiate some roads with curves I commonly ride on much faster and with more confidence than before.

Wind...still a problem. I am getting more used to it but don't like it. My bright idea to conquer that is to get a heavier bike. May not be for a while, though.

Wet pavement I'll just continue to be cautious on. I tend to not head out when rain is forecasted, mostly because I dislike ending up soaking wet.

[dsmack]

Glad you were able to confirm suspicions about the finish/grooves on the new pavement!

The way you are approaching leaning to ride would make an excellent "Primer" for new riders everywhere...

Rock on, girl!

[Svetlana]

Originally Posted by Sabrina

UPDATE
I strongly believe there were grooves added to the new pavement I referred to, which makes the bike feel loose - a feeling very similar to scarified pavement. I haven't experienced the same feeling anywhere else, so I have to assume it's the pavement - plus I looked at it and can see grooves.

I get that all the time on my 250 and indeed it can be unnerving... for me, it feels in general as if my rear tire slips a bit. I also inquired about it and was told that this is pretty normal... wider tires and better tires will make it not so noticeable, but otherwise treat sticky situations like that as you would going over a grated bridge- don't tense up your body, look forward to where you're going, and keep your speed steady.

[fretbuzz]

Sabrina, If your past the 2k mark, your definitely showing a dedication to riding -more so than some folks I know of.

(If you've got more posts than miles, you might be a . . . )

As far as the wind goes, that'll come and a heavier bike won't necessarily change much. It can impact my Nomad at 800 pounds (+210 ), but it's a developed skill just like anything else and something you'll get used to.

Just remember that when the wind is strong don't ever expect to be absolutely stable.

Be safe.

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by Svetlana

..otherwise treat sticky situations like that as you would going over a grated bridge- don't tense up your body, look forward to where you're going, and keep your speed steady.

That's really the key. I have always backed way off from others when approaching metal bridges on group rides. This way, I can keep my speed steady all the way across. In addition, I would expand this thought further by saying keeping a steady amount of throttle going is just as important. The bike will stabilize a bit more when it's being propelled as opposed to coasting. A little bit of throttle keeps the weight on the back tire and lessens the tendency for it to want to wander. It's not a cure-all, but it really does help.

In addition, make course corrections s-l-o-w-l-y. Don't jerk the stearing one way or another. Gently ease your self into a correction. Likewise, don't correct more often than you need to. You can let the bike track a bit within the lane. Don't feel ike you have to stay within a certain width of the lane - it all belongs to you and you alone from line to line.

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by fretbuzz

As far as the wind goes, that'll come and a heavier bike won't necessarily change much. It can impact my Nomad at 800 pounds (+210 )

Heck, it blows my 4400 lb. F-150 around when it really blows...and that really blows. Until we evolve to beings with perfectly aerodynamic bodies that don't require layers of clothing to protect ourselves, wind is going to take its toll no matter what shape or weight the bike is.

[fretbuzz]

Originally Posted by CTRider

Heck, it blows my 4400 lb. F-150 around when it really blows...and that really blows. Until we evolve to beings with perfectly aerodynamic bodies that don't require layers of clothing to protect ourselves, wind is going to take its toll no matter what shape or weight the bike is.

True dat, CT.

[Sabrina]

Have over 2,600 miles so far for my first season. Just got back from doing roughly 80 miles on my own, big difference. Seems much more comfortable. Even did the interstate back for about 20 minutes at about 70-75.

So I can't use the "I need a heavier bike" excuse to get a new bike?

[dsmack]

Originally Posted by Sabrina

So I can't use the "I need a heavier bike" excuse to get a new bike?

Nope... "I want it" works pretty well though!

[fretbuzz]

Originally Posted by Sabrina

Have over 2,600 miles so far for my first season. Just got back from doing roughly 80 miles on my own, big difference. Seems much more comfortable. Even did the interstate back for about 20 minutes at about 70-75.

So I can't use the "I need a heavier bike" excuse to get a new bike?

Any excuse is valid when it comes to getting a new bike.

[Miralcos]

Originally Posted by fretbuzz

Any excuse is valid when it comes to getting a new bike.

Yep, that would be in section 13 line 87 of the new bike buyers guide.

[1sportbikerider]

Originally Posted by Sabrina

So I can't use the "I need a heavier bike" excuse to get a new bike?

+1 on what fretbuzz said. Any excuse is valid.

[jakdobelbower]

Im just north of you in mass and i was going up 495 n at about 85 mph on my 500 the wind was just too much for the upright position on the bike im 6'' so im like a sail i found that i need to scoot back on the seat and hit the full tuck the ride was smooth and the cross wind had much less effect as for the trailer trucks wail the throttle and get away there nothin but a pain

[texrider]

Try using the traffic ahead of you to open a hole in the air for you. I mean that, by varying the following distance you can often find the sweet spot for you to ride in, depending on conditions. If I'm doing many miles on the highway, I experiment with that to find the most comfort available to me. Sometimes it depends on the mix of cars and trucks, and prevailing or cross winds.

Stay loose in your shoulders, and shift your weight from side to side over the handlebars. Your weight can stabilize the bike against side loads. Using pressure on one or the other foot pegs will help, too.

Clothing or helmets that are causing excessive drag can also get to be very frustrating. Good luck fine tuning your biking!