Speeding through twisties

[buster]

Originally Posted by intimid8er

As to the riders you are seeing or speaking of. They probably know those stretches of road very, very, very well, and can haul ass with considerable aplomb. Whether it be 5, 10, 20 or whatever over the posted speed. Their skill, and their bikes can probably handle it. But their habits are what are in question. Consequently, their pride or cockiness will be their undoing. Not their skill. Clipping the apexes early to maintain speed might be fun, or look like fun, but it has it's place. Namely the track.

Furthermore, I live on a road that is a very narrow but arterial route, it has a speed limit of 60 (which on a good day is 10-20 over the top!), but it is a limit NOT a target or a baseline!

Point: On this road, between Helensburgh & Cardross (3 miles) there are 14 tributary junctions, some, private drives like mine, others minor road junctions, many of which are close to bends, some are blind. I drive this road sometimes 4, sometimes more times a day, so it is safe to say I know it better than most, I however stick to 40-50 all the way.
Why: Well as I said I know the ROAD really well but I have no idea what is round the bend on my side of the road, it could be nothing, or it could be the farmer pulling his Silage bowser out of a field. And I know for a fact (farmer) John has been hit three times in the last year alone, he now views it as an occupational hazard and a tractor update programme.

So... out on the road no matter how well you know the road you don't know the traffic!

[B-Rex]

Originally Posted by buster

... Well as I said I know the ROAD really well but I have no idea what is round the bend on my side of the road, it could be nothing, or it could be the farmer pulling his Silage bowser out of a field. And I know for a fact (farmer) John has been hit three times in the last year alone, he now views it as an occupational hazard and a tractor update programme.

So... out on the road no matter how well you know the road you don't know the traffic!

This is an excellent point. I'm not a big corner screamer because my bikes and I are usually too big. but I have to agree that you NEVER know a corner.

For me the big kicker was during the summer when some old clunker had a radiator boil-over and dumped a load of anti-freeze on the road.

During the summer there were almost always puddles in the road because of the daily rains. You did your best to avoid them but riding through 'em once in a while was inevitable. You never knew what was in the puddle (though the antifreeze sometimes left a greenish tint on the tarmac). My point is, hit antifreeze in a high speed turn and you're airborne.

I guess I just don't have the cajones to risk it.

B-Rex

[buster]

Originally Posted by B-Rex

I guess I just don't have the cajones to risk it.

B-Rex

If that means not wanting to file several layers of skin off, sliding down the road maybe tossing a couple of broken bones in there, watching your lovely bike shedding those bits it doesn't need, whilst it bounces into the crash barrier....

Then me neither..

[CaptCrashIdaho]

This is a good thread and I think everyone's pulling the same rope:

Risk acceptance is personal. WE ALL have different levels.

I grew up in NorCal with earthquakes. Earthquakes don't scare me.

Yet, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY ANY SANE HUMAN WOULD LIVE WHERE THERE ARE TORNADOES. THAT IS FREAKIN' NUTZ.

No way. But my in-laws who live in the desert and have nearly lost thier home to wildfire--actively tell people: never move to Cali becuase you'll die in an earthquake.

Why would anyone live in New Orleans? 'Cause in thier heads the rewards outweigh the risks.

Why do people ride murdercycles? I mean those are organ donor generators? Because we see a reward where others see risk.

Same with strafing corners...

[B-Rex]

Originally Posted by CaptCrashIdaho

Yet, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY ANY SANE HUMAN WOULD LIVE WHERE THERE ARE TORNADOES. THAT IS FREAKIN' NUTZ.

...

I have to disagree. Unlike blind corners, you can see really far when you ride into a tornado funnel. Plus, due to the rapid increase in elevation and brisk rotation, you can see clearly in 360 degrees!

Tornadoes vs. blind corners? No contest!

B-Rex

[CaptCrashIdaho]

Nahhh...blind corners not chase you down and kill you.

I guess if you stay away from mobile homes your odds go up though....

[themeatmanlandry]

Originally Posted by CaptCrashIdaho

I grew up in NorCal with earthquakes. Earthquakes don't scare me.

Yet, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY ANY SANE HUMAN WOULD LIVE WHERE THERE ARE TORNADOES. THAT IS FREAKIN' NUTZ.

I'll take my chances with a football field wide funnel cloud anyday over an entire state shaking itself to bits.

Maybe that's just me.

In a tornado, a few people get affected, some possibly killed. Damage is contained to certain areas and is manageable. With an earthquake, everyone's affected, some possibly killed and the destruction is widespread, costly and nearly unmanageable.

[palanon]

Moral of the story - Don't rail blind corners during an earth quake while being chased by a tornado!

[Clint]

You guys should read what David Hough says about riding in tornadoes before you go spreading false information. Countersteering goes out the window, and your front brake becomes nearly useless.

[Thundurburd]

I bet your miles per gallon are good however, depending on where the tornado plops you down. I suppose a full face helmet would be best.

What the heck was this thread about?

[jgreth]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

You guys should read what David Hough says about riding in tornadoes before you go spreading false information. Countersteering goes out the window, and your front brake becomes nearly useless.

I'm glad you stated 'nearly' useless. When you land you wouldn't want to just keep rolling necessarily.