Dirt riding skills?

Energy One
Peckerwood

Peckerwood

Active Member
Almost got myself into a little trouble Sunday, and my old dirt riding instincts saved my ass for the second time; I'm just wondering if ya'll fall back on old skills from time to time.
I hit a freeway ramp a little too hot and noticed, at the last minute, that there was gravel all over the entrance, and I had it leaned WAY over to the right. Sure enough, the back tire lost traction and the ass end kicked out to the left. Before I knew what I was doing, I slammed my right foot down flat on the pavement and slid with the bike, flat track style. And, thanks to the Metzeler I'm always raving about, I finished the slide and the tire hooked up smoothly instead of catching all of a sudden, which of course would have resulted in a high side get-off.
So now I'm thanking my training and dirt riding experience, the GREAT predictable traction characteristics of the Metzeler, and a LOT of luck for not going down. And I'm wondering if you guys have used your old dirt skills to save your asses as well. Got any stories?
 
pauldeepsea

pauldeepsea

Guru
Very similar experience Dunlop on the back and a very worn front Avon that was well past due. Making a u turn trying to catch the yellow light .. Hit white paint on the road that was damp front and back slid . Left foot went down and back end came over kept the bike upright and u turn was a quick one. Grew up riding dirt bikes and four wheelers!
 
chubs

chubs

Guru
back in 1968, Yamaha big bear scrambler, had those big ass knobby tires .My only means of transportation. rode that thing rain, shine, or snow. Got pretty good at hill climbing and trail riding. Man was I hot stuff. The main thing I learned from that was that I really liked bikes. Would love to get back on a good dirt bike and relive some of the crazy things we did when we were younger. The only skill that may save my ass was learning to respect the machine and not to get to over confident.
 
Peckerwood

Peckerwood

Active Member
Good tales, Shannon; and I agree 100% about the tar used to seal cracks in the road-that shit is ICE when wet. Gotta watch for it, and plan your entry and exit to and from the corners accordingly.
 
cdogg556

cdogg556

Guru
I also grew up on dirt bikes,
raced as a teenager and then rode with my boys when they were young, as far as falling back on those skills I think I am using them every time I ride! In fact, those skills are all I had when I got my 05 bulldog back in 2011, other than dirt bikes all I had for street riding experience was riding a GSXR 1100 back in 1990 for a month, I sold that thing asap cause I found myself riding it like a dirt bike! Burnouts, wheelies, etc, I knew I'd kill myself on the damn thing! So, I guess what I am saying is "yes" I use those skills on every ride! And there have been a few oh shits! on the Dog! Lol!:chopper::old2:
 
B

byrddog

Member
I have been riding for over 41 years. Most of that on dirt bikes first. That saves my ass all the time! I tell everyone that wants a street bike, start on a dirt bike first and get the hang of sliding around. On the street sliding around may be to late to know the feel.
 
bearman

bearman

Active Member
Yep, started out 39 years ago on a dirt bike, then 10 years later I had a rice burning, cafe racing type, street bike. I was coming around an uphill cloverleaf ,getting off the interstate, and had it leaned way over. I got too close to the inside, my front tire hit the painted line and promptly lost traction and started washing out. The old dirt riding instincts kicked in and I pulled on the bars to get up on the tank and planted my right foot out as far as I could get out front. The maneuver stood the bike back up and saved a crash. But I was going so fast (about 50mph) that my foot whipped behind me so hard I think I kicked myself in the back of the helmet. Then I cracked my nads on the tank cause my foot was off the peg.
But the dirt bike experience definitely saved a fall.
 
BWG56

BWG56

Guru
chubs said:
back in 1968, Yamaha big bear scrambler, had those big ass knobby tires .My only means of transportation. rode that thing rain, shine, or snow. Got pretty good at hill climbing and trail riding. Man was I hot stuff. The main thing I learned from that was that I really liked bikes. Would love to get back on a good dirt bike and relive some of the crazy things we did when we were younger. The only skill that may save my ass was learning to respect the machine and not to get to over confident.
Click to expand...
:worthless::oldhardlaugh::oldhardlaugh:
francoblay1 said:
Me too grew up on dirt bikes. :old2:
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You're still riding in the dirt:chopper::oldlaugh:
 
Twisted

Twisted

Well-Known Member
To this day I've never ridden a dirt bike, a couple times on a quad but thats it. So I guess if I get in one of situations, I'm f**ked, lol. Hopped on my first bike at 19, a sweet 1987 Suzuki Gs-450, and knock on wood, never been down. Many close calls but have been a very lucky man. Hell even now at 41, I have never even been in a car accident, damn, I guess I'm due!
 
Nukeranger

Nukeranger

Nukeranger
I would love to get back on a dirt bike again but those crash and burns were killers. I think the rich folks had something called a polaroid camera back then? I just think that first wheelie, hill jump, or sudden stop by a tree might lay me up for a good long time. Then my wife would kill me because I wasn't going to work.
 
chubs

chubs

Guru
Nukeranger said:
I would love to get back on a dirt bike again but those crash and burns were killers. I think the rich folks had something called a polaroid camera back then? I just think that first wheelie, hill jump, or sudden stop by a tree might lay me up for a good long time. Then my wife would kill me because I wasn't going to work.
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:old2:Those were the good old days. Then some asshat came along and invented Nintindos and Play stations. Kids today don't get out of the house to experience life as we knew it. :moped: :olddown::chopper::yesnod::yesnod:
 
chubs

chubs

Guru
Twisted said:
To this day I've never ridden a dirt bike, a couple times on a quad but thats it. So I guess if I get in one of situations, I'm f**ked, lol. Hopped on my first bike at 19, a sweet 1987 Suzuki Gs-450, and knock on wood, never been down. Many close calls but have been a very lucky man. Hell even now at 41, I have never even been in a car accident, damn, I guess I'm due!
Click to expand...
Never say never! remember two kinds of bikers, ones that have crashed & ones that will
 
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