Well that was a first.

[taximan]

Went out on Friday for a quick spin. Riding along the coast road and go into a 30 mph zone, Im doing approx 28 mph.

No traffic in front, behind or on-coming. Get to brow of a hill and then see about 10/15 foot ahead wind blown sand across the whole road from left to right and about 3 or 4 inch deep and about 10 foot long. No time to brake and my immediate response was to just glide through it as I couldn't do anything else.

Front wheel hits the sand, bars go to the right and bike goes over to about 70*, thought I was coming off at that point. Rear wheel hits the sand, bike flings back up and bars straighten out and I make it through.

Initially I thought it was my fantastic handling lol but realise the bike corrected its self once the back wheel hit the sand.

[seth]

whether by luck or skill glad you made it through safely. 

[KiwiCol]

Sounds like a lucky escape, even at 28mph & into sand, it'd still hurt and dent a few things - pride included.


Glad it came out ok. 

[ARH]

Lucky lucky lad!

[Mick_J]

Change your pants and call it skill, we all know it's bloody luck, either way glad you managed to get away with it.

[VladTepes]

A puckering moment no doubt.

[Blubber]

sphincter test 

That was scary, we all had / will have moments like that.

[Mrg]

yes we can all do with out days like that   

[taximan]

I know the road very well due to my job. It was the aftermath of storm Doris, during winter time we do get sand across that road regular but always 50 yards further on, never where it was this time. Caught me out completely.

My split second thinking was I could have done a quick brake but I didn't want to hit the sand with any downward pressure/more weight on the front wheel and was no way gonna be braking on the sand. I truly thought at that point I was going to just glide over lol.

IMO another 5 mph or more faster and I would have been off.

[coldhands]

Similar to gravel on a bend !!!!:certainly makes you sit up

[froudy]

Lucky escape there Taximan..Very bloody lucky

[gsxbarmy]

I think the worst that has happened to me is coming flying around a corner late last summer (had just had the Trumpet about a week or so) and there was a damn great baling machine doing a turn right across the road into a side turning - the whole thing was invisible as you approached the bend.

First time ever I've grabbed every brake and lever going, and full marks to the Triumph, the electrics they have built in for if you do grab a fistful of brake when cranked over kicked straight in, and I just managed to slip through a small gap on one side. Had I been on the 14, then I would have run straight into it, no disrespect to the 14, but it doesn't have all the whizzbang gadgets that the Triumph has.

Definitely a brown trouser moment though, and not one I want to repeat. Ever!

[VladTepes]

Absolutely Barmy - for all we love older bikes, and de4cry modern electronics and computers - they certainly have their place.

Of course, the implementation between manufacturers still varies greatly.  The majority of ABS systems will still see a bike lowside when a handful of brake is grabbed while cranked over (that's not really what they are designed to do) - its the traction control / stability control systems which can get you through a situation such as the one you describe.

Warning:
Don't use the safety argument to convince the missus that you should buy a new bike, because she'd throw it back at you as a reason to sell the 14... not happening !

[Mick_J]

Excessive electronics on a bike can get in the way (ask any MV rider) but I think ABS is very worthwhile even though I have never had to use it, so far.

[RickC]

I'm glad you're OK Taximan.

Keith Code talks about letting bikes correct themselves when they get out of control in one of the Twist of the Wrist series, it's hard not to try and
over control when it all going to pieces though.