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Riding Skills Series: Rough Road



illustrators: Dean Groover


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1. In a perfect world, all roads would be smooth, twisty and unpopulated.
Unfortunately, riding isn't always so straightforward and we're constantly
forced to deal with changing situations. One of the most disconcerting
problems that crops up is how to deal with rough road. Since you scan while
you ride (don't you?), you give yourself a little extra time to react to road
hazards by paying attention to road conditions as they become visible. Once
an issue arises, the best way to eliminate the problem is to go around it by
altering your line through a corner or swerving.




2. Sometimes, however, going around the road hazard isn't an option. On a
straight section of road, you should slow down prior to contacting the rough
pavement. Keep your eyes up and looking well ahead. The best way to get to
where you want to go is to look there. Motorcycles have a talent for
following your eyes. So, never look directly at something you want to avoid
or target fixation may be the unwanted result. Next, support your torso
slightly with your legs while maintaining a relaxed upper body and a neutral
throttle. If you encounter an obstacle in a turn, stand the bike up as much
as possible and follow the same steps you would for riding in a straight line.




3. The most important decision you have to make when faced with an object you
must surmount is to decide if going over the hazard is physically
possible-you're simply not going to get over a tree lying across the road-but
2 x 4s, bricks or manhole covers are doable. If there is time, slow down.
Next, approach the object as close to 90 degrees as possible to prevent your
front tire from glancing off of it. Keep your eyes up, looking toward your
desired path of travel. Raise your butt up off the seat. Just before
contacting the obstacle, shift your weight rearward, let off the brake and
roll on the throttle to lighten your front wheel. Keep your body relaxed and
let the bike move underneath you. By staying loose you will be able to
straighten the bike more quickly if it gets knocked off line. The same
technique can be used for railroad tracks or diagonal seams across a
road-except keep your weight neutral and maintain a constant speed.




4. Gravel roads pose their own set of problems by combining an uneven surface
with limited traction. Sportbikes, with their steep rake, can be a handful in
gravel or sand. Keep your speed low and avoid abrupt turn inputs,
acceleration or braking. Smooth is the operative word. If the bike wants to,
let it wander a bit while maintaining a relaxed upper body. Keeping your eyes
up and looking well ahead is important-particularly so in this unstable
environment. If the bike tends to follow your eyes and you look down at the
ground, where do you think you're likely to end up? Accidental spinning of
the rear wheel can be controlled by modulating the throttle and
countersteering in the opposite direction of the slide. Under braking,
release a locked front wheel immediately. Gradually ease a skidding rear so
the back end moves in-line with the front smoothly.

This article was originally published in the October 2000 issue of <i>Sport
Rider</i>.