gt@hplvla.UUCP (gt) (09/05/84)
<<< LEAN WHEN YOU TURN >>>
I am curious about something...
For those of you with newer (or older) bikes sporting "integrated
braking systems," how do you like them?
The thing I keep wondering about is dirt and gravel. I know
that it is usually the big super slab bikes like Gold Wings
and Ventures which have these systems, however, there are
certain times when gravel is unavoidable (eg. road construction,
driveways, etc.).
I almost never even use my rear brake on my big street bike,
but when I'm in gravel I don't even think of using the front
brake. Has anybody noticed any problems along these lines
or am I just anticipating something that never occurs?
Specifically, I wonder about coming down a steep gravel section
(eg. a long rural driveway) at low speeds where the front wheel
is likely to lock up.
George Tatge
HP Loveland Instrument Div.
ihnp4!hpfcla!hplvla!gt
Today's safety tip:
When coming around a corner at 35 degree lean and
spotting a large deer/elk in front of you, follow
these simple steps:
Determine if it is a deer or elk (wapati eh?).
If deer then determine if buck or doe.
If buck then look at calendar watch to determine
if antlers are in or out of season.
If antlers are in season then determine if buck is
facing towards you.
If all true then calculate chances of surviving a launch
off of road edge. (include factors such as guard
rail, anticipated vertical drop, temperature of river
water, etc.)
If survival chances are better than .000001 then pull
bike upright and go for launch.
else honk horn.
If elk then go immediately to launch procedure.tierney@fortune.UUCP (09/08/84)
#R:hplvla:-740000900:fortune:3000002:000:1061
fortune!tierney Sep 7 13:13:00 1984
Almost never use your rear brakes??? Sounds dumb to me, that's
25% of your braking back there.
Anyway, about gravel:
I've done much riding on gravel in Ontario (its mostly
gravel in the north). My bike was a '76 Honda CB750/4
with 1 front disc and 1 rear drum.
Gravel was no problem, just brake as you normally would
except always put the rear brake on a second ahead
of the front. Also be aware of the pressure on the brakes
so you detect any lockup BEFORE it happens and back off
that brake.
The funny thing about gravel is that you are more stable
at 35 mph than at 25. I used to regularly drive 50 on
good gravel roads (read all-weather) in the north country.
Charlie Tierney
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