I just read about a local couple that apparently got killed on their Harley because of a flat rear tire and losing control. For all our info, how do you control a situation like this on a 2-up heavy cruiser? http://www.ocregister.com/news/motorcycle-308880-officials-ferguson.html

Very carefully. Don't panic. Pull in the clutch. Smooth movements. GENTLY brake with the FRONT BRAKE ONLY.

for me i would lay on the front brake to lighten the weight on rear tire and try and pull over.

wonder if the tire was flat from the accident and he just got a wobble and lost it?

You should check your tire pressures at least once a week and every time you get ready for a trip of any distance. You would be suprised at how many people don't check them at all. A good pre-trip can save you lots of headaches and may save you life.

Bushman52 wrote:
You should check your tire pressures at least once a week and every time you get ready for a trip of any distance. You would be suprised at how many people don't check them at all. A good pre-trip can save you lots of headaches and may save you life. I fully agree, I check my tires every time I ride, for condition and pressure. I am amazed how many, (mostly crotch-rockets) I get behind and see cord showing thru the rear tire, after having been passed by him doing 100! The tires are the only connection you have between you and the road.

I was hoping that I would never have to go through this...but in a way I'm glad I did so I could see how I would react. Me and the wife took my dads 08 Goldwing up a canyon with another couple behind us. When we get to the top we switch passengers because my buddies girl wasn't too sure on the back of his bike, and felt more comfy on the wing with the big back rest. Not to mention she is a novice for riding passenger, so still unsure how to lean with with bike through turns(I never understood how this is hard to learn, but whatever). So we start going down the canyon, now when we were coming up and I had my wife on the back I was making sure I just ALL the tread on the tire if ya know what I mean...every corner I would scrape pegs, but seeing that I didn't want to scare my buddies girl I took it slow coming down... luckily. About half way down I notice that the back end was doing some swaying...thinking it was my novice passenger rocking back and forth I didn't think anything of it. Then I got a pretty sharp turn coming up and when I go to lean into the turn and the whole bike makes a sharp slide to the right, kicking the bike to the side and almost off the road. Luckily I stopped it from going all the way over by slamming my foot on the ground and making the bike come upright, but still swaying in the back. I then knew something was wrong...but I'm on a 2 lane canyon with no room to pull over...so for another 200 feet or so I had to fight the swaying and damn near tipping over till I finally found a pull off. Sure enough the back was flat. If I would have freaked out instead of keeping it cool and thinking through what I was going to do, I am pretty sure me and my passenger would not be here right now. So my best advise would be to not panic, assess the situation, plan a good exit route, take it slow, and always check tire pressure before going on a ride.

I have had my rear tire go flat on me on the HWY and I have to say its no fun, the bike shacks like a dog shiting razor blades

gfolkert wrote:
Very carefully. Don't panic. Pull in the clutch. Smooth movements. GENTLY brake with the FRONT BRAKE ONLY. +1

They teach you control for flats in basic rider education. If you haven't taken it, I'd recommend it, even if you're a long-time rider. They give so many helpful tips and tricks.... tips I see many seasoned riders giving as sage advice through years of riding and hard learning.

The answer for both front and rear flats is to pull the clutch, GENTLY brake when you can straighten the bike using the wheel that is not flat and coast to a stop. It's easy to put the bike out of square when you have a flat. The flat wants to go in a different direction than the front. Excessive braking in a rear flat situation can easily cause a high side crash.

Jonathan wrote:

The answer for both front and rear flats is to pull the clutch, GENTLY brake when you can straighten the bike using the wheel that is not flat and coast to a stop.

Thanks for the CORRECT answer, I knew that from the Riders course Pennsylvania offers FREE of charge at convenient locations all around our state, judging by the incorrect answers a few folks could use the course or at least a refresher of the BASICS manual.