Key Elements Part III: Grip

Filed in archive Learning on February 9, 2007

Your tires are the only thing that separates you from the pavement. On an average sport bike, there are only a few square inches of rubber "contact patch" for each tire. Good grip is determined by things like tire condition, road conditions, dynamics, and sudden inputs.

You don't have much holding you up, so every aspect of grip is important and must be considered when riding. If you take even one aspect of grip out of the equation, you put yourself at great risk of falling. You can't control the road conditions, but you can keep yourself in the area of the road where more grip is available. Riding in the tracks from car tires will usually provide you with the best traction. This is because the car's tires are constantly cleaning the surface as they roll over it. Try to keep your bike in the area of the road where the car tires typically travel.

Some of the worst times for traction are the first few hours of (or after) rain, when oil and debris floats to the top. Extra care should be taken to eliminate sudden inputs, sharp turns or hard braking/acceleration when conditions are poor.

Unlike a car, you only have two tires on your bike. If you lose one tire due to a flat or because you run into dirt, oil etc, especially in the front, you will almost surely fall if you're not ready for it. Don't take your tires for granted. Make sure they're in good condition, and keep them at the proper air pressure. When they're worn or damaged, replace them immediately.

Introduction
1. Acceleration and Braking
2. Turning
3. Grip
4. Dynamics
5. Assertive Predictability
6. Sudden Inputs
7. Mental Conditioning
8. Education