Motorcyclist dies after tire deflates on I-77

[Titan]

This is another one of those scary things about bikes. I've wondered all my life about my sanity when I'm running faster than I should be and how it would work out if a tire blew. I know I've read some accounts on here of guys losing tires but you don't usually hear about them taking the bike down.


http://www.wistv.com/story/15384129/troopers-reporting-deadly-crash-on-i-77

[Momz]

I'd bet he applied his rear brake.

I had a blowout at near 80 MPH on the way to IZIV about 50 miles out of Paducah KY. I told my wife to lean forward on me as I also leaned forward and slowly made my way to the shoulder and finally only used the front brake to stop safely. Found my tire had a dime sized hole. I took five string plugs for the tire to hold enough CO2 to make it to the next exit and called for a wrecker.

Sudden deflation will cause extreme instability if the brakes on that wheel are applied,...and far worse if it happens in the front.

[R J]

I agree with Momz, on the use of the flat tire brake.

An inexperienced rider will panic when a tire goes out and grab all the brakes they can find.      Investigated and wrote Accident reports on a lot of tire failures in my old tenure.    Some FATAL, AND SOME JUST WITH A BIG OLD TON OF ROAD RASH.      The last ones I think would of prayed to die to ease the pain.

Road rash, is just like burns and usually treated the same way.

[Chrisj CMA]

This is another one of those scary things about bikes. I've wondered all my life about my sanity when I'm running faster than I should be and how it would work out if a tire blew. I know I've read some accounts on here of guys losing tires but you don't usually hear about them taking the bike down.


http://www.wistv.com/story/15384129/troopers-reporting-deadly-crash-on-i-77

different bikes handle it differently.  Your Valkyrie will not throw you off if you get a rear tire deflated. Not unless you do something dumb like has been pointed out.....NEVER touch the brake for the wheel that has a flat.  Remember that and you will live, I lived through a farted out valve stem first on the rear and a bit later on the front, no big deal.

[art]

Same thing here on my 02 standard.My wife an I at 70 mph in Az.blown a rear m/c tire .Slowed down with light use of front brake.The valk handled great.We got over to the right shoulder an waited for a tow truck to get us home.I never had a front tire go bad an I don't want too either

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

As has been said, don't panic and stay off the flat tires brake.

A valk just in front of me in Michigan this year had a sudden front flat on the superslab. I could smell his tire cooking as it went.

He handled it beautifully, slowed her down easy and eased her off to the side after she was going slow enough to be safe. I was cursed impressed with his riding skills and the stability of an 80 mph Valkyrie with a front flat. But, I hope to avoid trying it myself.

I was also impressed with the other riders in the group. That small group of valks whipped out more compressors and tire repair tools than "Hoosiers have guns" and we were back on the road in no more than 20 minutes.

I know another guy who crashed his HD on the interstate when his rear tire went. He and his wife were both injured. I don't know the details of it and didn't think I should ask.

[Rams]

Yep, I blew a rear tire while crossing the painted desert on a ride quite a few years back.  Was riding a fully dressed and pretty heavily loaded KZ1000 at the time.  Rear tire blew while I was cruising at 120 mph.  Thought I was gonna crap myself.  Was able to coast it down and get safely to the side of the road.  That was about 2 AM.  Didn't see another vehicle for several hours and they wouldn't stop to help.  Finally got a ride with a trucker hauling frozen strawberries from CA.  I was about fifty miles from the closest fuel/truck stop going west.   I've learned a lot since then, I don't cruise like that now

Ron

[Jeff K]

Joann hobbled a 750 virago From Daytona to Jax with a flat. 0 psi but the tire held up till we limped back. Tried fix a flat, it was slung all over the bike, wouldn't hold.