....................Mountain/Canyon Riding Safety Tips

Strong cross winds are prevalent in mountainous roads. Look for open areas as well as wind breaks. Adjust lane position accordingly. Wind can be very strong on the windward side of a mountain, and nonexistent on the leeward side. Be ready for it to change suddenly.

Higher elevations may adversely affect the acceleration capability of your motorcycle. Check with a mechanic prior to departure to determine if any adjustments can be made.

Be cautious going around blind curves. Rock slides or rain may have left deposits in your lane or slow moving vehicles may be just around the curve.

Be prepared for sudden changes in the weather. Bring appropriate clothing to keep comfortable. Electric vests are wonderful!

Compensate for slope, inertia, and gravity when braking.

Downhill Braking

Inertial forces more than double when speed increases from 50-70 mph. Your stopping distance will increase dramatically as will the required amount of braking force.

More weight is transferred to front wheel, rear wheel lock-up can more easily occur. Gentle application of the rear brake and firm application of the front brake is necessary.

Uphill Braking

More weight is on to the rear wheel allowing greater application of the rear brake but less application of the front brake.

Be extra careful when stopping on a sharp incline. Front brake application may not be able to hold the motorcycle in position, resulting in a sliding front tire.
Make adjustments for traction management when executing turns on slopes.

Special Conditions to Search:

Slope of the road: vertical and horizontal slopes. (Horizontal slope refers to positive or negative camber.)

Surface: loose sand or gravel, potholes, debris. Sharpness of the curve: attain the proper entry speed, choose your line, and accelerate smoothly to hold the line. Look as far ahead as you can see in order to spot hazards as quickly as possible.

Uphill turns:

If possible, track to the outside of the curve. This enables you to see farther around the curve and spot hazards a split-secondsooner, allowing more time to react. In right-hand curves, go slow enough so you can tighten your line if approaching traffic has crossed the centerline.

The front wheel has less traction, so steering and balancing will become more difficult. When accelerating uphill, keep in mind that the front wheel can be lifted off the ground more easily than when riding on flat land. This can cause a few tense moments if it happens unexpectedly.

Side force and driving force must be managed. Establish your turn-in point at the outside of your lane, looking ahead towards the apex of the curve. Begin your counter-steering input here, and get the proper lean angle to steer a smooth arc around the corner. Once at the apex of the turn, begin to straighten the motorcycle and accelerate smoothly out, looking far ahead to prepare for the next corner or possible hazard.

Downhill turns:

Braking force and side force must be managed. Get all your braking as possible done prior to turning. This is essential on downhill turns, because the front tire will be severely loaded and tends to "wash-out" when overstressed.

Be careful when downshifting. Releasing the clutch brings engine-braking into play and may cause a rear-wheel skid. Try to match revs by "blipping" the throttle just before you smoothly let the clutch out. Practice this on flat land before tackling the mountains.

Use engine braking when descending a steep slope. Brake fade can occur if the brakes overheat.

Be aware of shoulder conditions. Your escape route and emergency space may be compromised based on shoulder conditions. Adjust your speed and position.
Expect to see sand or gravel in the road at intersections with dirt roads or driveways. Extra caution is warranted here.

Keep a greater following distance behind logging trucks. Expect debris to fall off the truck.

If you decide to pass a large vehicle it may be safer to pass going up an incline than going down a decline. This is because you have better control over your acceleration when going uphill, and you will use less braking to slow you down after the pass has been executed. Also, the larger vehicle will be going more slowly uphill, so you can pass more quickly.

Constantly check your mirrors for upcoming/runaway vehicles when traveling down a steep slope.

Adjust your suspension to improve handling (See Suspension Setup) and to prevent dragging of motorcycle parts.

Most riders experience shortness of breath and fatigue when exerting themselves in higher altitudes. Your physical and mental skills may not be what you want them to be in these conditions. Make adjustments to compensate for these conditions.

..Special Thanks to the Motorcycle Safety Center of MN. for providing the above information. For more information, please visit www.motorcyclesafety.org

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