Dropped my bike for the first time.  Light turned yellow.  The guy in front of me slammed on his brakes, I had to get on mine.  Overbraked the rear tire and locked it up. Low-sided the bike.  Luckily it was relatively slow speed.  I'm O.K., bike is mostly O.K. broken clutch lever, broken throttle grip, bent my handle bar.  Pride is hurt, hopefully I learned my lesson.  Albeit, the hard way.

Quote from: BadgerBiker on April 30, 2011, 12:14:42 PM
Dropped my bike for the first time.... hopefully I learned my lesson.

And what lesson/s would that be?

Michael

I had to emergency stop the other day from 50ish because of a guy pulling out in front of me. Sucked; but from riding dirt for the last 15 years, locking up the back wheel doesn't send me into a panic.... I adjust my weight and let off the rear brake for a split second, brake harder up front and then reapply the rear.

It all happed so quick I'm not entirely sure what I did.  I think I just used to much rear brake.

Sounds to me like a following distance issue. Blah blah blah...

if there is no grit or shaZam! on the road you can relly stand on that front brake, don't be afriad to use it

Quote from: karatechop5000 on April 30, 2011, 12:56:28 PM
Sounds to me like a following distance issue. Blah blah blah...

Ditto, +1, what have you. Space is the gift you give yourself that gives you time....

Quote from: BadgerBiker on April 30, 2011, 12:46:59 PM
It all happed so quick I'm not entirely sure what I did.  I think I just used to much rear brake.

Is that the Only lesson you learned?

Following too closely perhaps?
Not reading the conditions in front of the driver to realize he may break, perhaps? (All green lights turn red, you Have to expect this)
Not having any other Out should you need it?

Anything else?

Michael

Yeh sounds like my first drop. I used to rely to much on the rear and not enough on the front. It all happens so quick. Best thing you can do is try and teach yourself to trust your front brake a little more. Replacing parts almost hurts as much as the embarrassment.

First time that happened to me I locked up the rear wheel but thought 'why the shazam! am I doing this?' let go of the brake and lane split everyone who was stopped.  That was before I realized how dangerous situations were on the bike.

I always use front & rears together for fast stops. Casual braking, just front one. No mishaps so far....

I like to power downshift, drag the rear brake, and be ready with the hand.