When riding through gravel reconstruction.

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ArcticHarleyMan · Mon Oct 23, 2006 4:36 pm

Do you ride with your feet on or off the pegs at 30kph?

JC Viper · #2 Unread post by **JC Viper** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 4:39 pm

I usually try to keep both balls of my feet on the pegs when on rough terrain.

This helps me feel for how much traction I have and also having feet hanging off might make the bike come unbalanced when on gravel.

#3 Unread post by **Wrider** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 5:13 pm

That's not going too fast... usually if I'm comfortable with the terrain, I'll keep them on, but if I am not, I'll always ride with the feet down, even at 50 or 60 KPH
Wrider

#4 Unread post by **Sev** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 5:40 pm

On gravel? I do 50 with my feet on the pegs. At that speed the gravel becomes a little stabler because the speed compresses it faster.

qwerty · #5 Unread post by **qwerty** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 5:53 pm

On the pegs. You hang a heel at 50kph you'll break a leg.

On gravel at any speed go straight, gentle, and do everything in s l o o o w m o o o s h u u u n.

ArcticHarleyMan · Mon Oct 23, 2006 7:25 pm

Well, so far 3 out of 4 do it right, not counting me. I work(ed) highway maintenance and construction for about 30 years. You would not believe the things I have seen riders do. I operate a grader and go slow, so I am able to get out of my machine and try to give as many riders as I can some helpful hints. As you can imagine, I'm met with a lot of incredulous looks and searing comments, like" Who the H E double hockey-sticks do you think you are telling me how to ride?" I just smile and politely let them ( or most of them) know that I was probably riding before they were born. Then they realize, after looking at my t-shirt (which is ALWAYS a Harley shirt I have picked up somewhere around the world) that maybe I'm speaking the truth.

Some of my rules for riding in a constructin zone

Rule # 1: Foot pegs are made for a reason.
Rule # 2: Feet must remain on the pegs. You can't run as fast as you are riding.
Rule # 3: If your bike goes wobble and you try to "plant a foot to stabilize" at speeds faster than you can run, then a bone MUST break.
Rule # 4: When riding in a construction zone or on loose material, maintain a steady 30-35 kph or slower if conditions dictate.
Rule # 5: Stick to Rule # 4 unless the posted limit is lower or the material is deep and very loose, but try not to go so slow as to fall over.
Rule # 6: Ride in the best track made by cages furthest away from the on-coming traffic.
Rule # 7: When exiting a construction zone, expect all the cages behind you to miraculously turn into Formula 1 cars, so get the heck out of their way.
OOPS, I forgot this one...
Rule # 2A: If possible, stand up on the pegs. You have better visibility and better balance when you do have to go very slow.

I hope this helps you all.

ArcticHarleyMan · Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:17 pm

Oh yah. 2 more.

Always drive with your headlights on.
Turn on your hazard flashers.

Starsh · #8 Unread post by **Starsh** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:38 am

Good advice Arctic, thanks!

qwerty · #9 Unread post by **qwerty** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:51 am

Add one more:

Don't fight the bike. It knows what its doing.

roscowgo · #10 Unread post by **roscowgo** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 1:52 am

i usually stay the heck away from the front brake too. That might be my inner dirt bike talkin though.