How careful is too careful? (Taking turns)

PLau

Well-known member
After a fall last season due to misjudgement in speed and wet road conditions where my rear slipped out on a painted line, I kind of lost confidence in taking turns at speed at times especially when part of the turn requires you to go over those painted lines. The moment I see a not so perfect road like a bit of sand or salt, I end up taking the turn pretty slow at a max of 20-25km/h (assuming the turn is like a right turn at an intersection).
In wet road conditions, I would probably take the turns around 15km/h.

At this time in the season I understand that the roads are pretty messy and tires are cold, but I think I developed a painted line phobia.

I find that it is due to the fear of falling again and as a result cut cornering speeds in half.


Has anyone else developed a phobia to similar things after a fall or do you just ride like it never happened?

At what speed do you usually make turns under these road conditions?
 
Painted lines are evil, especially when wet. The trick is to not freak out if you get a bit of a slide, don't cut the throttle, touch the brakes, etc. Countersteer with the slide and have faith that whenever your tires touch something more grippy than they are currently on, you'll pull though.

Also, not sure what bike you've got, but I always tell people to put on the stickiest tires available. Sure they'll wear out a little faster, but they might just save you *** that one time you need them to :)

I'm running Bridgestone S20's currently.

-Jamie M.
 
same thing happened to me with painted lines early last season, i had a good month of turning slow afterwards lol

for myself it just took time to get over it and trust my tires again.

late last season i actually went over a piece of slippery debris while turning on my rear tire, didnt panick and just kept on riding as the poster above suggested. only had to make a slight adjustment as my wheel slipped a bit.
 
Painted lines are evil, especially when wet. The trick is to not freak out if you get a bit of a slide, don't cut the throttle, touch the brakes, etc. Countersteer with the slide and have faith that whenever your tires touch something more grippy than they are currently on, you'll pull though.

Also, not sure what bike you've got, but I always tell people to put on the stickiest tires available. Sure they'll wear out a little faster, but they might just save you *** that one time you need them to :)

I'm running Bridgestone S20's currently.

-Jamie M.

The good ol' cibber 125. Not much choice when it comes to tires unfortunately. The thing is when I fell, I had steady throttle, no brakes applied in the turn, countersteered till I hit the ground lol... Only thing that I was a going a bit fast for wet roads and cold tires....

The reason for the fear is that the only real thing I can see wrong was the fact that I took the turn too fast - hence the fear of speed in turns now.

Posted a vid in Nov. Unfortunately for me as well, it was literally my last ride of the season (other than riding the bike to school then home). Fortunately, it wasn't bad.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSyuVb_YuTA
 
The good ol' cibber 125. Not much choice when it comes to tires unfortunately. The thing is when I fell, I had steady throttle, no brakes applied in the turn, countersteered till I hit the ground lol... Only thing that I was a going a bit fast for wet roads and cold tires....

The reason for the fear is that the only real thing I can see wrong was the fact that I took the turn too fast - hence the fear of speed in turns now.

Posted a vid in Nov. Unfortunately for me as well, it was literally my last ride of the season (other than riding the bike to school then home). Fortunately, it wasn't bad.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSyuVb_YuTA

had to have a giggle watching that video so perfect the timing of your camera to catch your tumble and reaction after the fall

only cause I know you came out unscathed,glad you are ok

but that's how it is.... the road was a bit slippery from rain.... and speed was a little fast... too much lean according to conditions.... hit a greasy spot and bobs your uncle
 
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My one and only accident on a motorcycle has been a slide I took after hitting the painted lines during a left turn in the rain. Slid on the pavement for 100 meters and I was only doing 10-15 km when I went down. I was more upset about ruining the brand new bike than spooked with the accident. That was 25 years ago and I still take corners too cautiously I think.

I advise taking an advanced riding course to regain your confidence. Thinking about it, I should take my own advice.;)
 
Nothing wrong with slowing down to your comfort level. Grip can be inconsistent with sand, painted lines etc. Better safe than sorry. If I see something like that coming up I try to straighten up for the short duration of time I'm on it. It sort of looks like turning one corner into two. Have never taken a driving/riding course ever so don't know how this jives with the official protocols. Not troll post.
 
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Nothing wrong with taking things a little slower than you nornmally would. Let's say you would take those corners at "regular" speed with a vehicle but, you find yourself slower on a motorcycle. Nothing wrong with that.

I curse those think painted lines all the time.

Just get out for a good long ride that doesn't have them. Take your time gaining confidence. It will come back.
 
Enjoy the ride at whatever speed is comfortable for you. Fast pace comes with experinece and gaining that experience often ends in the buckwheat. Slow down and have fun, thats why you have a bike right?
 
It's hard to say from the video, and I sure don't want to come off the wrong way about your accident..

It seems like you might be a bit 'upright' on the bike during the turn and like the bike is leaning and you are not. With a little lean-in yourself, maybe you could reduce the bike's lean angle and the side load on the tires.

TAFB's advice is exactly what they say in A Twist of the Wrist and most other books. You're right 'tho, it doesn't look like you panicked at all in the slide.

It could just be speed and conditions too.

Anyways, glad you're OK and hope this year brings you better luck. Could happen to any of us.
 
After a fall last season due to misjudgement in speed and wet road conditions where my rear slipped out on a painted line, I kind of lost confidence in taking turns at speed at times especially when part of the turn requires you to go over those painted lines. The moment I see a not so perfect road like a bit of sand or salt, I end up taking the turn pretty slow at a max of 20-25km/h (assuming the turn is like a right turn at an intersection).
In wet road conditions, I would probably take the turns around 15km/h.

At this time in the season I understand that the roads are pretty messy and tires are cold, but I think I developed a painted line phobia.

I find that it is due to the fear of falling again and as a result cut cornering speeds in half.


Has anyone else developed a phobia to similar things after a fall or do you just ride like it never happened?

At what speed do you usually make turns under these road conditions?

Fear is good, if managed. Ontario's roads are highly variable due to weather, salting, traffic and construction. Your experience is telling you to be careful, so does your training. So be careful. What's the hurry anyway? The only people who MIGHT care about you taking a corner fast in the rain are the cops. Crankall's right on the money.

As the saying goes: Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.
 
The good ol' cibber 125. Not much choice when it comes to tires unfortunately.
If you were running stock tires (eagle I think) then you were 100% not at fault, those tires are absolute garbage, especially in the rain.

CBR125R feels nice with Pirellis
This. Talk to Pete, he'll get ya all fixed up!! Put two of these ones on your bike (the rear is mounted backwards) and you'll have the best you can get on the wee bee r 125: http://www.petes-superbike.com/12070zr17tl58w-diablo-rosso-corsa-front-p-2358.html

-Jamie M.
 
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If you were running stock tires (eagle I think) then you were 100% not at fault, those tires are absolute garbage, especially in the rain.

This. Talk to Pete, he'll get ya all fixed up!! Put two of these ones on your bike (the rear is mounted backwards) and you'll have the best you can get on the wee bee r 125: http://www.petes-superbike.com/12070zr17tl58w-diablo-rosso-corsa-front-p-2358.html

-Jamie M.

Plus installation = $200 or so? I may consider if so.

PLau, are you interested in riding together? I'm in RHill as well. I don't do rain though.
 
If your cbr 125 is pre 2012 model, your tire choices are very limited unfortunately. Pirelli is the only way to go and they are not always readily available, especially here. In Europe it's much different ball game.

The 2012 onwards run wider rims, so you would have access to good rubber.
 
Plus installation = $200 or so? I may consider if so.
Not everyone can install rubber on CBR 125 rims, especially if you're going wider tires than stock. Have Pete ship the tires directly to Daniel at Heritage Auto and he can install em on your CBR 125.

If your cbr 125 is pre 2012 model, your tire choices are very limited unfortunately. The 2012 onwards run wider rims, so you would have access to good rubber.
Ahhhh, I totally forgot about the wider rims on the 2012!!! damn.

If yours is pre 2012 I'd probably go with:
Front: http://www.petes-superbike.com/1008016tl-mt75-front-p-2422.html
Rear: http://www.petes-superbike.com/1108017tl-mt75-cbr125-p-2425.html

-Jamie M.
 
My one and only accident on a motorcycle has been a slide I took after hitting the painted lines during a left turn in the rain. Slid on the pavement for 100 meters and I was only doing 10-15 km when I went down. I was more upset about ruining the brand new bike than spooked with the accident. That was 25 years ago and I still take corners too cautiously I think.

I advise taking an advanced riding course to regain your confidence. Thinking about it, I should take my own advice.;)

You slid 100 m while going 15 km/hr? Right
 
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