Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Hi group,

I think this is only my third post I'm pretty new here.
I've only just picked up my first bike a ninja 250, 2008.
I've has it about a month or so, sat Qride training for one day and started riding everywhere. I love my new ride.
Yesterday I was heading out for my first real long ride heading from Brisbane to Byron.
On the highway it was riding nice, all of a sudden felt like the back was riding on ice. I managed to weave the three lanes over to the shoulder and check it out.
Back tyre was flat. No obvious puncture.
As scary as shit as it was the bike was great and managed to get me off the highway upright.

I was in the middle of nowhere without a lot of options. After weighing up prices of joining racq, a towie, I hired a trailor and had the wife come and collect me.

Huge shout out to Team Moto at Marooka. They were closed and after calling service Scott still picked up. He waited 2 1/2hrs for me to get there and lock my bike up ti they can check tyre on Monday, he agreed the tyre looked good. The service guys there have also helped me a couple of other times recently free of charge. Good guys.

Any way is this a common thing to happen at speeds?
And is it always easy to keep control in this situation?

Thanks,

If the rear tyre goes flat, the back of the motorcycle will tend to weave from side to side.

If you do have a blowout while riding, you should:

* hold the handgrips firmly and concentrate on steering - try to keep a straight course and keep looking where you are going
* avoid braking
* gradually close the throttle and let the motorcycle slow down
* shift your weight as far back as you can, if it's the front tyre, or sit normally, if it's the rear tyre
* signal and steer to the side of the road once you've reduced speed.

FWTW, buy yourself a tyre puncture kit (incl c02 canisters) save yourself $$$ tow.

I actually popped into Aldo and bought a nice looking kit reduced for $13 today.
Thing is I could see no obvious puncture so how could I fix it with kit?

Valve, cracked rim; if its a slow leak, the C02 canisters should get you servo/shop/home. Then have the tyre/rim inspected.

There are few mobs also selling tyre sealant kits for emergency repairs on bikes.

http://www.ride-on.com/motorcycle-formula-mot.html

Kermit wrote:Valve, cracked rim; if its a slow leak, the C02 canisters should get you servo/shop/home. Then have the tyre/rim inspected.

There are few mobs also selling tyre sealant kits for emergency repairs on bikes.

http://www.ride-on.com/motorcycle-formula-mot.html

eeek!
tyre sealant in bikes in a real no-no.

did it years ago with an ag bike; what a sphincter tightening, trouser browning, eye opening exeriance that was!

causes the wheel to be out of balance, and that moves around in the wheel = exciting!

dickfaber wrote:eeek!
tyre sealant in bikes in a real no-no.

did it years ago with an ag bike; what a sphincter tightening, trouser browning, eye opening exeriance that was!

Products change, involve dynamic balancing.

dickfaber wrote:

Kermit wrote:Valve, cracked rim; if its a slow leak, the C02 canisters should get you servo/shop/home. Then have the tyre/rim inspected.

There are few mobs also selling tyre sealant kits for emergency repairs on bikes.

http://www.ride-on.com/motorcycle-formula-mot.html

eeek!
tyre sealant in bikes in a real no-no.

did it years ago with an ag bike; what a sphincter tightening, trouser browning, eye opening exeriance that was!

causes the wheel to be out of balance, and that moves around in the wheel = exciting!

Mate +1 on that - based on past experience I'd use it as far as the nearest safe place to stop and arrange a pick up and at about 20km/h especially if you can't identify what caused the flat. That's why I am a RACQ member - yes sometimes the guys that pick the bikes up can be ham fisted especially with faired bikes but......

Gotta admit it's left me a little bit nervy when hitting the highway now. Even though it looks fine I'm worried the front will go. Has anyone had front go out at speed? Whats the best thing to do if front goes, can you save it or will you always end up on the road?