with all the talk about ABS and off-road (from it works fine with ABS to you HAVE to turn it off) .... I had my own first hand experience... coming around a corner on a 4-wheel 2 track, semi rutted road, there came a fairly steep (to me) and fairly long (maybe 50 yds) hill. As it came into view immediately after a corner and already on an incline, it was no place to stop and contemplate. (oh crap!) going up the hill was no problem, gave a little gas and the bike just tractored up, spun a little but stayed very stable (traction control off, BW tires at 26/28psi, T-mode) T-mode, by the way, seemed much smoother off-road with less twitchiness, especially when handlebars get pulled in a rut and you accidentally hit the throttle!! Anyway, up hill no problem...
(side note: I've went down a couple less steep hills and YES, for me the ABS worked ok, but did allow me to get going faster than I was comfortable with)
of course, looking back down was another story!! I've went up some steep hills on my other bikes and when coming down, when especially difficult, have sometimes shut the bike off, left in 1st gear and walked it down, using the clutch lever as a back brake along with the front brake. works fairly well in these later years when trying to ride a little below my skill level, (which for some odd reason peaked out years ago!) along with nursing some injuries and trying to ride for more long term pleasure than short term adrenaline! ... that's a warning sign for someone! ha!
So, as it turned out, we had to come back down this road as it didn't connect to make a loop. At times, I've ridden down hills, and have had other bikes die as you brake, skid, work the clutch, etc. It's usually no problem and is sometimes easier to handle. Anyway, I thought...what if I turn off the key, pull in the clutch, put it in first and make my way down with both brakes and IF I get out of control and need full handlebar control, just let clutch out and hopefully do a controlled slide? (what an optimist!) As i turned off the key i thought, wait a minute!, do the brake still work with the key off on this hi-tech machine? does the ABS turn off since it's electronic ?? since I couldn't tell for sure, I decided to give it a go and try not to think about the famous "scapula shattering hill of 2 years ago" (I guess pics are essential...see pic #2)
Anyway, I gave a push, slightly loaded the front brake and began to descend. Being a bit heavier than my other bikes (understatement) it did pick up speed a little faster, which was a bit unnerving, but I had piece of mind that at least if I endo the damn thing, the motor will not be running! I don't know why that gives me piece of mind?? The bike again was surprisingly stable coming down (maybe BECAUSE of the weight) and came to a stop near the bottom nicely and quietly...
All that to say that it seemed like a viable method for semi-steep downhill descents on dirt. Are there any thoughts, comments or better ideas for technique, besides stay away from those hills! : )
Pic #1: a portion of the hill
Pic #2: the hill that some dumbass decided to go down a couple years ago!!!
(side note: I've went down a couple less steep hills and YES, for me the ABS worked ok, but did allow me to get going faster than I was comfortable with)
of course, looking back down was another story!! I've went up some steep hills on my other bikes and when coming down, when especially difficult, have sometimes shut the bike off, left in 1st gear and walked it down, using the clutch lever as a back brake along with the front brake. works fairly well in these later years when trying to ride a little below my skill level, (which for some odd reason peaked out years ago!) along with nursing some injuries and trying to ride for more long term pleasure than short term adrenaline! ... that's a warning sign for someone! ha!
So, as it turned out, we had to come back down this road as it didn't connect to make a loop. At times, I've ridden down hills, and have had other bikes die as you brake, skid, work the clutch, etc. It's usually no problem and is sometimes easier to handle. Anyway, I thought...what if I turn off the key, pull in the clutch, put it in first and make my way down with both brakes and IF I get out of control and need full handlebar control, just let clutch out and hopefully do a controlled slide? (what an optimist!) As i turned off the key i thought, wait a minute!, do the brake still work with the key off on this hi-tech machine? does the ABS turn off since it's electronic ?? since I couldn't tell for sure, I decided to give it a go and try not to think about the famous "scapula shattering hill of 2 years ago" (I guess pics are essential...see pic #2)
Anyway, I gave a push, slightly loaded the front brake and began to descend. Being a bit heavier than my other bikes (understatement) it did pick up speed a little faster, which was a bit unnerving, but I had piece of mind that at least if I endo the damn thing, the motor will not be running! I don't know why that gives me piece of mind?? The bike again was surprisingly stable coming down (maybe BECAUSE of the weight) and came to a stop near the bottom nicely and quietly...
All that to say that it seemed like a viable method for semi-steep downhill descents on dirt. Are there any thoughts, comments or better ideas for technique, besides stay away from those hills! : )
Pic #1: a portion of the hill
Pic #2: the hill that some dumbass decided to go down a couple years ago!!!
)
