Do you guys have any advice for hitting roots and logs in the rain that are on angles? I know you're supposed to hit them straight on but somtimes its just impossible and I never seem to have confidence because it's usually the one that doesnt look bad that throws my front end completely sidways. My bike is a 2000 ktm 125sx. Any advice would be appreceated.
Technique for clearing slippery angled roots/logs
- Thread starter geir54
- Start date
Well, if you have room... wheelie over with the front, suck in the clutch and don't touch the brake for the rear. The idea is you (edit) shouldn't have any power or brake on the tire going over. The back should just kick up and over. Even still, it's a risky operation.. Prefer to do the same thing with a straight shot.
Look for a branch or knot that will keep your tire from sliding along. Get as perpendicular to the log as possible. Try to wheelie over them where possible, from a slow start. Be ready to get your foot down quick in case the rear wheel slides along it. With practice it's not too difficult to predict how far the rear will slide along most diagonal logs before popping over, and stay standing on the pegs moving your weight to compensate for the slide.
- Thread starter
- #5
It's mostly the front tire Im having problems with. There usualy isn't a lot of room and it's twisty singltrack so wheelying isn't always an option. Should I try to keep my weight forward or back or does it matter? what about adjusting my forks. I never really had this problem on my old cr250. Durring my last ride I ran straight into a tree after sliding on its root and another time I got tossed right off the trail and down a bank.
I find the less weight I have on the front wheel, the less likely it is to go sideways on a diagonal log or root. Wheelying would be ideal but just trying to wheelie by moving weight back and tugging on the bars is usually enough. If you have suspension troubles, I would think it would be more noticable while cornering than on log crossings...
- Jan 8, 2000
- 3,331
- 1
Another technique would be to stop in front of the log with your front wheel touching the log. Sit back on the seat, slip the clutch and help the front tire clear the log. Now roll forward until the rear tire comes in contact with the log. Sit forward, slip the clutch and give some help with your legs (standing on the log will help give you some leverage).
This may not be the fastest way across but you won’t have to pick the bike up off the ground.
This may not be the fastest way across but you won’t have to pick the bike up off the ground.
Skid Jackson
Member
- Nov 1, 2000
- 191
- 0
Elaborate please!! Is this one of those counter intuitive things like driving in the snow, i.e. turn into the slide.
On the bike would you shift your weight in the direction of the slide to keep your weight centered on the bike. Or shift your weight onto the front of the bike and let the back end waggle around?? I'm guessing you mean the first.
- Jan 8, 2000
- 3,331
- 1
It’s not that it’s counter intuitive, it’s just a learned technique.
In simple terms you need to apply weight to the pegs in the direction that you want to go. For example, if your rear tire were to slide from center to left, you would apply pressure to the pegs, using your body weight, to cease and correct the unwanted movement. Clamping the tank with your legs is very helpful in “steering” the bike in the direction that you WANT the rear tire to go in.
So in the above example where I want to steer the tire to the right, I would clamp the tank with my knees and sway my lower legs (using body weight) to the right. When the bike was centered I would neutralize the weight-shift.
The explanation is much longer than the actual practice because it all happens in a second.
Hope this helps.
In simple terms you need to apply weight to the pegs in the direction that you want to go. For example, if your rear tire were to slide from center to left, you would apply pressure to the pegs, using your body weight, to cease and correct the unwanted movement. Clamping the tank with your legs is very helpful in “steering” the bike in the direction that you WANT the rear tire to go in.
So in the above example where I want to steer the tire to the right, I would clamp the tank with my knees and sway my lower legs (using body weight) to the right. When the bike was centered I would neutralize the weight-shift.
The explanation is much longer than the actual practice because it all happens in a second.
Hope this helps.
