BMWMCCWA

Hi Everyone,
New member: new bike: old rider.
Interesting thing happened to me on the way to Perth a couple of weeks ago. At about 7.00 am, I ran across a patch of smooth black tare about 50 meters long, Suddenly the back wheel slid out to the right of me, this was followed by my reaction which was to steer right as well. It all happened so fast, as quick as it happened the bike came good. I'm thinking the bike saved the day via traction control and my reaction would have come some 1/2 a second after the bikes electronic stuff came in. It's a new R1200GSA with off road knobblies and full Pac.
Sure enough the road surface was what started it all off but would the factory knobblies have contributed? The tires would not have been at operating temperature, the road was wet because it was raining and speed was as per conditions. I'm just wondering because I have been in these conditions before on a Harley and not had any problems. As these knobblies are new to me I am hoping some of you may be able to give me some advice or experience on their capabilities:?:
Great to be part of, your club.
Richard.

Sounds like you were very lucky to catch it...
Maybe there was some deisel spilt on the road ?

I run Metzeler Karoo knobbies on the HP2 and don't have these issues
I have also ridden my bike from Sydney to Perth on TKC80's without any dramas
if it "steps out" it's usually due to my right wrist, without trying to sound like a smart-ass.

HTH

would have been something on the road, the GSA should be fitted with Karroos from new, as Dave said and from prior knowledge they are pretty good, even in the wet. At least you stayed upright, with only a little twitch, could have been a lot worse.

Thanks, The right wrist! could have given it a twist. breaking traction to the rear wheel making it step out. Glad to read the tyres are okay for the wet, given riding to conditions.
Planning HWY 33 next August, much to learn. Cheers

Did this happen between Norseman and Coolgardie. Both mysef and the boke I was riding with coming back from the Border Run experienced something similar. He was on a R1200RT and I was on an R1200GS. Its the first time I have experiences slipping on a sealed road travelling at what I considered a very safe speed. It was on a sweeping right hand bend in very light rain. Neither of us had nobblie tyres.

Several others experienced the same sensation. One rider noted. "I have had the same happen to me on that bit of road in the wet. I put it down to going through a bend, on a wet part of the road, ie where the road surface is depressed from trucks. In my opinion, it occurs when the front wheel hits the wet, the rear wheel is still on dry (drier), and experiences different traction, resulting in unpredictable handling. I now make sure that in such bends, I stick to the "grease" strip (although on highways you won't find much grease there). "

The rear wheel stepped out just 15 odd k's from Bumbury, heading north, not real sure how it came back. I wonder how the traction control works and will be able to look at this once I get the manual, I would say the segment rings control the ABS. Thing is! is traction control some thing to do with keeping both wheels at the same speed and how does it do it? via engine break or ABS?
going on the boarder run next August. mist out buy a week last year, got all the way out there and enjoyed meeting other riders. This year had other things on like buying me new bike...lol