Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi everyone,

Just a quick question on how you handle the steel / metal grating on lift bridges. I have one near my house that I would normally have to cross going to and from work. I have an alternate route that I can take, but it adds about 20 minutes to my ride to work and back. I have been across it a couple of times, but it really puckers my O-Ring every time I have crossed it. Feels like the bike wants to go sideways everytime I have been on it. The normal speed limit on the road is 45, but I slow down to about 25 to cross it.

Just wondering if there are any tricks of the trade on what would make it a bit more bearable to ride across.

Thanks in advanced.

Crio

Keep your arms and legs relaxed and let the bike go where it wants to. Yeah, it feels squirmy, but it's not really a biggie.

I've got a section like that, as well as a section of highway that has grooved pavement.

Don't tense up. The front wheel will wander a bit, but it will stay straight and stay up. Just go.

if you do a search there was a thread about this. might have been before the site got wiped though..

anyhow, like was already said, just relax and dont do any sudden braking.especially if its wet

What they said, keep loose, especially from the waist up.

You have my sympathies, I know how you feel. The bridge between Burlington NJ and Bristol PA has 200 feet of the worst, squirmiest steel decking I've encountered. I'll only take that bridge when I feel really "on", and no cross winds, etc. Otherwise I'll detour a couple of miles to the next bridge over.

The front wheel of the Bonneville is pretty thin, I think that makes it more prone to wander on steel decking than a fatter tire?

I have a bridge near me that is one lane. half wood and half steel decking. Ill drive the steel decking way before ill drive on that wood. especially if its wet. Oh and the bridge is like 75 feet long and im doing 35mph over it (speed limit is 25mph lol) . I just stay relaxed and let the wheel go .

If at all possible start on the bridge slower then the rest of traffic and accelerate across it. This does not mean "hammer on the gas." Rather gently roll on a little throttle so that you're always speeding up a little.

This will lighten the front end and make it less likely to wiggle back and forth. Plus the above stated "loose on the bars and let them wiggle." The bike will naturally correct it's path and try to go in a straight line. It's rider input that'll make it worse rather then better.

OTher then that, just trust the bike, it'll get you through.

Though I'm a serious newbie, my ride to work (that I have been practicing on weekends) requires crossing at least one and occasionally two steel grates (drawbridges). I've been taught to do exactly as Sevulturus suggests.

I consciously relax my shoulders and usually mutter to myself to "stay loose" -- added to my "don't brake and look through the turn" mantra on curves.

JT

Keep your speed up as that provides more angular monentum(what keeps your bike upright when you're moving) and stay relaxed as suggested. If it's wet from rain or whatever, leave yourself some extra room to brake smoothly and slowly as, similar to steel plates, the grating may be a little slicker when wet.

It's like everything else and will just take a little time to get used to. There's really nothing to worry abnout as long as you stay relaxed and let the bike go where it wants to. The only thing to fear is .....

Want to say thank you for all of the great tips for the bridge. I made it across to and from work today and used every bit of what you all posted. Really made the ride a lot less scary. Just kept telling myself "smooth and loose, smooth and loose" and there seemed to be a ton less wiggle in the bike. I was able to cross it at 35mph this morning and at 45mph this afternoon.

As always, you all are awesome and your experience and sage advice really help people like me.

Thank you again,

Crio1