www.CVOHARLEY.com

CVO Technical => Wheels/Tires/Suspension/Brakes => Topic started by: Coolbreeze on January 02, 2006, 12:52:30 PM

Title: Rear tire blow-out response...
Post by: Coolbreeze on January 02, 2006, 12:52:30 PM
Okay, lets hear the opinions and why...  
I have always heard that the response to a rear tire blowout/deflation was to hang on, no throttle or brake, and smooth it to a stop. A little finesse and guidance.  That made sense to me and comes naturally.  However, several of the oldtimers that I ride with say very different.  They said, without exception, try finessing it, but if things start to get shakey, if the tire starts to come apart, if it tries to move you sideways, if it starts to bounce, etc,  then it's time to lock-up the rear wheel and slide it to a stop.  If you continue to try to ride it out, the rear wheel coming apart can high-side you or throw you off.  I'd like to try it both ways a few times before I advise my lil' 100# wife wife what to do on her 700# Low-rider, but I bet I won't get the chance.

What do you guys think? [smiley=nixweiss.gif]
Title: Re: Rear tire blow-out response...
Post by: spydglide on January 02, 2006, 01:42:31 PM
Coolbreeze, it all sounds logical and like good advice.  I don't have any experience in the 'tire coming apart' deal to high-side you, so I can only speak to the finesse it to a stop part.  I do have experience with high-siding after sliding into a median........but, that's another story.  [smiley=oops.gif] Har!  :)  spyder
Title: Re: Rear tire blow-out response...
Post by: Twolanerider on January 02, 2006, 02:28:29 PM
Breeze, I've had blow outs a few times over the years.
Title: Re: Rear tire blow-out response...
Post by: 16HD117 on January 02, 2006, 02:31:37 PM
I had a rear tire go flat at 60mph many years ago.
Title: Re: Rear tire blow-out response...
Post by: SPIDERMAN on January 02, 2006, 02:42:11 PM
As some of you may have read previously, I had a rear tire blowout at 70 mph in Toronto. The bike swerved wildly over the three westbound lanes of Highway 401 with a semi trailer driver doing the boogaloo trying to bring his rig to a stop behind me Try as I might, I could not control the swings of the rear of the bike and knowing a little physics, it didn't take me long to realize that a some point the wheels would not be pointing forward enough to keep rolling at which point I was gonna become a human cannonball with my SERK playin trebashay. At that point and no idea of how fast I was going, I stomped on the rear binders and put the bike into a slide. kicked away when she hit the pavement and tried to tuck and roll. My ridin partner said all he could see was arms and legs flailin, so I guess I didn't do a very good job of the tuck and roll. Still I came through with just a real bad case of road rash from which I have some permanent scars, but nonetheless happy to be able to ride another day. So I guess being an old timer myself, I agree with those who tell you to try to control it - - - up to a point and then do a controlled crash.  Now there's an oxymoron  
Title: Re: Rear tire blow-out response...
Post by: HUBBARD on January 02, 2006, 03:19:03 PM
Yeah, 'er 'uh, Coolbreeze,
  Rear Tire going flat was my first crash!  Multiple burn-outs, and power shifts on my first Sporster, let the rim spin inside the tire, and cut the valve stem.  Not Good, WFO!  Had it not been for full Leathers, and the Good Lord guiding it to the soft dirt and grass, I would have been history.  Green as a frog, as far as emergency riding skills then, too.  Next time, ripped the hub out of rear spoke wheel.  More of a slight wobble at first, and then gradual deflation.  Running about 85 on the Interstate, and had time, and room, to correct before laying it down.  Just Lucky, Man!  On the other hand, OTIS runs those Police, run-flat tires, on his SERG.  I've thought about it, but a Harley Representative, Mr. Ray Mitchell, advised me against it.  Said my Bagger was too heavy, for the rating of that tire.  They are very difficult to mount, but something to think about.  OTIS rides 2 up a lot, so I question Ray's downplay of that tire.  I'm sure OTIS will comment when he sees this post.  In the unlikely event of it happening again, I can only hope I have the presence of mind to react in a way I will live to tell about.  I don't know if their is a "correct" way to react, other than the dreaded, "Oh Chit!"  Guess I'll just have to wing it!  Later--HUBBARD        
Title: Re: Rear tire blow-out response...
Post by: Fired00d on January 02, 2006, 03:24:17 PM
Quote
Yeah, 'er 'uh, Coolbreeze,
 
Title: Re: Rear tire blow-out response...
Post by: SPIDERMAN on January 02, 2006, 03:26:36 PM
[highlight]OTIS runs those Police, run-flat tires, on his SERG[/highlight]

Hubbard  What is the load rating ? After my last experience, have been considering this option. Also, what do they cost ?



Title: Re: Rear tire blow-out response...
Post by: Gettinold on January 02, 2006, 08:49:31 PM
I BELEIVE THAT THOSE RUN FLAT TIRES ARE STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON HONDA GOLD WINGS
Title: Re: Rear tire blow-out response...
Post by: HUBBARD on January 02, 2006, 09:42:00 PM
Huh? [smiley=nixweiss.gif]
Title: Re: Rear tire blow-out response...
Post by: Crawdaddy on January 02, 2006, 10:08:52 PM
I had two rear flats this past summer.  The first, I didn't have anything but the cell phone.  Sunday is not a good day to call for help.  Two HD riders came by while I was waiting for HOG and fixed the tire with a plug and 12 V compressor.
Down time was 2.5 hours.

The second time I had my own plug kit and a CO2 tire inflator (from years past when we had those deflated spares).  
Down time:  My partners ate 3 tamales while watching me fix it.  And they were hungry

I wouldn't put slime in the tire unless my plug still leaked.  I replaced the tire both times.  I just don't like sweeping when I know there is something is not quite 100%.  The unforseen is bad enough.

I also have the 12v compressor, but don't carry it.  It is slow and won't seat the rim.

I look to pass the favor on anytime I'm out.  I really appreciated the guys who helped me.  I was over the hundred mile tow limit and HOG was very slow in responding.  
Title: Re: Rear tire blow-out response...
Post by: Crawdaddy on January 02, 2006, 10:13:17 PM
 [smiley=oops.gif] That was supposed to go to "patch or slime" thread
Title: Re: Rear tire blow-out response...
Post by: OTIS on January 02, 2006, 10:33:51 PM
Gentlemen these tires cost the same as the factory Dunlops they claim [Dunlop]
that if you loose all of your air at 100MPH you can stop with out the tire comming apart you have to run them on both ends very hard to mount stiff sidewalls bike handles better.

                                             OTIS  
Title: Re: Rear tire blow-out response...
Post by: Twolanerider on January 02, 2006, 10:47:28 PM
Quote
Gentlemen these tires cost the same as the factory Dunlops they claim [Dunlop]
that if you loose all of your air at 100MPH you can stop with out the tire comming apart you have to run them on both ends very hard to mount stiff sidewalls bike handles better.

                                          
Title: Re: Rear tire blow-out response...
Post by: OTIS on January 02, 2006, 11:10:12 PM
Quote

Otis, if the sidewalls are a lot stiffer is the ride much stiffer?

Some what but not enough to matter to me the handle will out weigh it.

                                    OTIS