Date: Thu, 05 Jul 2001 13:51:41 +0100 From: danny <dannynopsamia-espresso.com> Subject: Re: Saab 9.5 Bike Rack
Nutmegger wrote: > >Most bikes don't have ABS so it's a bit of a mission when breaking hard to judge when > >the wheels might lock up. > > Yes, but that is why you learn your vehicle no matter if it is a car or > motorcycle. Absolutely, but once you stop holding the high ground, you'll realise that all drivers, be it car or bike, rarely leave sufficient braking distance to deal with emrgency situations. At least on the bike I have a few more avenues of places to go (either side of the car in front).... > > > >Obviously helps if braking in a straight line (and if your > >are not braking in a straight line, most modern bikes have semi floating brakes that > >pull the bike upright under hard braking). > > So you practice doing wheelies too - ah, so that is why I see those guys doing > them all the time around here. ? It's got nothing to do with wheelies. And I don't do them (at least not intentionally). The brake calipers/discs are floating, ie not rigidly attached, and under braking they pull the wheels vertical (from whatever cornering angle they were at prior to braking) - normal physics at work, and nothing to do with whether the wheels were in contact with the ground - not much chance braking if the braked wheel is in the air? That's why most bikes+riders (in the dry) employ 80% front brake. Most of the weight is transferred to the front under braking, and heavy braking will make the rear much lighter and prone to skidding. > > > >You have to remember that although bikes > >brakes can be very good, they're not really a match for 4 big tyres (more >roadholding) and ABS. > > I've seen these guys stop on a dime! I mean I'm thinking of the sheer weight > behind that of a Saab verses a motorcycle and they just don't compare, so in my > mind I'm trying to figure out if 4 big tires and ABS give the Saab a shorter > stopping distance than a bike? Don't figure it out. Try both. I have. The car wins, usually. With ABS you can floor the pedal without too much worry - do that on a bike and you are "high-siding" - leaving the bike at altitude and about to hit the ground from that altitude. Far better to lay the bike down and slide along the road if it's that bad. > -snip- > > >This has been proven with regard to Volvo drivers. > > How? > I've seen it with Ford drivers, Dodge Drivers, Chevrolet Drivers - you name it. Because many drivers buy a Volvo for it's real/perceived safety features. In an accident they are more confident of their survival chances, without consideration for any other vehicle/pedestrian involved. > > > >A motorcyclist is more likely to be hit by a Volvo than any other car on the road, > >purely due to a slight lack of attention by Volvo drivers when pulling out of side > >junctions in their SIPS equipped cars. They feel that the car will protect them in an > >accident, and are (subconsciously) not as vigilent as a result. > > Cripes! In that case, look out for Mercedes drivers too! > Volvo drivers around here never clean their cars enough - they are always > filthy! In my opinion, Mercedes drivers are usually just arrogant. This is where the Saab comes into the equation. I was talking to the police once, and they pidgeonhole drivers according to the vehicle (you know- boy racers always drive red Golf GTI's or similar with side skirts and spoilers) - Saab drivers are regarded as fast but competent by the police I've talked to. (very opinionated, this!) > > > The same is true of > >ABS. As more cars get it, drivers rely more on the feature, not a good idea if the > >car behind doesn't have it. > > > > Don't get me going on ABS again, please. Most drivers are really clueless about > how to use it anyway, never mind relying on it to save them. I'm sure you are right... > > > ~J~ -- Regards, Danny http://www.gaggia-espresso.com (a purely hobby site) swap Z for above characters in email address to reply
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