Breaking the rear loose going into a turn

[erkishhorde]

So the other day I got frustrated being caught behind a cager and after I slowed down to get some distance between us I gunned it up a hill only to realize there was a relatively sharp right hander at the top of the hill. I down shifted but had too many revs and broke the rear tire loose and it slid about a foot before catching again. I saved somehow but am not really sure what I did. All I remember was a oh-shit moment and then I think I slipped the clutch a bit and gave it some gas to try and even out the engine and wheel speeds. But I'm not even sure that that's what I did.

What do you do when you lose the rear going into a turn?

[CDawg]

Not sure which model of motorcycle you have, but sounds like you didn't properly match revs when you down shifted.  Did the rear wheel chirp at you?  If the rear wheel starts to slide, you should maintain the throttle and not chop it, until it gains traction on its own.

[erkishhorde]

No, no chirping. Just spun it. You are correct that I didn't match revs properly. I was way off. I've been practicing adjusting my speed with the engine more than the brakes and really botched it. 

[ScottRNelson]

This same topic just came up on a different forum, except it was a new R6 rider who was having problems shifting before a turn.  He even had a slipper clutch to help him out.

I'll give you the same answer, though - don't downshift right before the turn starts.  Actually, my advice to him was to not shift at all on a twisty road until he learns to shift more smoothly.  I recommended that he stay in second gear.  On a Ducati, stay in either third or fourth gear depending on how fast you're going.

As long as you're over maybe 3500 rpms on a Ducati, you're probably better off not changing gears.

Since the rear wheel wasn't locked up, just going a bit slower than the pavement beneath it, the bike will usually slide around a little bit, but you're not normally in imminent danger of a high side.  And I'll bet you were more like four inches out of line rather than a foot.  It just felt like it slid out a foot.

So the first answer to your question is "don't do that".  But if you screw up and do it anyway, steer the bike as best you can until it hooks back up.

[jesse370]

I kinda like it.....makes the ride more interesting 

BUT I don't make a habit of doing it.

[mstevens]

So the first answer to your question is "don't do that".

That seems to be the solution to most of my riding problems!

[spaugh]

I just picked up my first street bike, 05 s2r 800 and I have the same problem.  Coming off a dirt bike, sometimes I forget that you can't just slam the shifter down on the pavement like on the dirt.  To slow down fast on the dirt, I just slam down the gears not even using the clutch lever.  Works good on dirt, a little scary on pavement.  Do it a few times and you will start to remember to not just downshift so hard, at least thats how its working out for me.

[spinned]

Actually breaking the tire loose in a turn is easy to do.  One good way to help is to install a slipper clutch.

Also maybe your tire pressure is too high so there is less tire surface on the road.  I put my tire pressure on the MAX recommended PSI and my back tire was all over the place.

[CDawg]

I just picked up my first street bike, 05 s2r 800 and I have the same problem

I thought the 800's come with a slipper clutch? No?

[johnster]

Coming off a dirt bike, sometimes I forget that you can't just slam the shifter down on the pavement like on the dirt.  To slow down fast on the dirt, I just slam down the gears not even using the clutch lever. 

If it's a 2-stroke dirt bike, there is a lot less engine compression which is another reason that you can bang down the gears with no clutch....Old 2-stroke GP bikes were like that too....Much less engine braking....

[Qfactor]

I thought the 800's come with a slipper clutch? No?

it's a "fake" slipper clutch, it's more of a dampened clutch in the way it operates.

Q

[spaugh]

If it's a 2-stroke dirt bike, there is a lot less engine compression which is another reason that you can bang down the gears with no clutch....Old 2-stroke GP bikes were like that too....Much less engine braking....

naw its a 450 four stroke.  Otherwise like you said, slamming down the gears wouldn't really slow me down.  Down shift hard on a 4 stroke and you slow down quick like.

[Ducatista]

Remember... if your rear breaks loose, never chop the throttle or pull in the clutch.  You're setting yourself to get spat off superman style.  Stay lightly on the gas and keep opening the throttle gently.  Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[He Man]

Remember... if your rear breaks loose, never chop the throttle or pull in the clutch.  You're setting yourself to get spat off superman style.  Stay lightly on the gas and keep opening the throttle gently.  Please correct me if I'm wrong.

ive heard a few things, but that seems to be the best answer. just ride it out. If you try to apply throttle, or correct it, you'll just be eating dirt.

[jerryz]

get your hard braking and down changes done before the bend then trail the rear brake gently if u need a steadying effect dont use front in the bend a bit of throttle to give bite and all will be well.