Newbie Mistake - don't forget the rear tire when straddling pot-holes!

[JoeyL]

I learned a lesson on my ride to work yesterday. On a two wheeler, you learn to go around pot holes. In a car, I've always driven them so they pass under the middle of the car. We have a nice new assortment of potholes here in Columbus, so on my way in to work, a few popped up, and I steered right over the middle as if I was in a car. Forgot about that darn rear tire right in the middle, and I felt the hole. Actually, it was more of a crater. The only damage was to my ego! So I told myself "lesson learned," but when I went out at lunch I did the same thing. I hope that old habits aren't too hard to break!

[Raven]

I think someone on here said to aim your knee at what you are trying to miss.

[pegasus1300]

Other than dodging them completely I have not found a good way over them. In my area if I try to put the pothole between the inside of a front tire and the rear wheel it wont fit and I usually catch a lip of the hole with the rear tire One nice thing about these lessons is we keep getting them until we learn

[ARtraveler]

Been there and done that. Not as much anymore though. That first time, the license plate bracket bottomed out and broke. (2009).

[obiwanbill]

We have Moon Craters here in Toledo, 2.5 hours North of you. I try to aim the bike so the crater is between the paths of the front tire and the rear. That works about 10% of the time.

More often than not, there is a line of craters across the whole road, so that all three tires will bottom out!

Then I say to myself, "Self, detour this road in the future - find a different route".

That works for about 24 hours and too often I find myself back of Moon Crater Lane for more abuse.

[spyderdave]

I'm w/ Pegasus; if you can't avoid 'em safely, put 'em inside a front and outside the rear. The same goes for road-kill!

IMO, another good reason to have car tires.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I learned a lesson on my ride to work yesterday. On a two wheeler, you learn to go around pot holes. In a car, I've always driven them so they pass under the middle of the car. We have a nice new assortment of potholes here in Columbus, so on my way in to work, a few popped up, and I steered right over the middle as if I was in a car. Forgot about that darn rear tire right in the middle, and I felt the hole. Actually, it was more of a crater. The only damage was to my ego! So I told myself "lesson learned," but when I went out at lunch I did the same thing. I hope that old habits aren't too hard to break!

Because we have THREE wheels, I learned a long time ago, if the hole / holes can't be avoided hit it with the rear tire .... the suspension and alignment will be much less affected by than either front wheel .... JMHO .... Mike

[Navydad]

After you get in some miles you will know where to place the bike so you can miss most of the nasty stuff. Practice makes perfect.

[Peacekeeper6]

I learned a lesson on my ride to work yesterday. On a two wheeler, you learn to go around pot holes. In a car, I've always driven them so they pass under the middle of the car. We have a nice new assortment of potholes here in Columbus, so on my way in to work, a few popped up, and I steered right over the middle as if I was in a car. Forgot about that darn rear tire right in the middle, and I felt the hole. Actually, it was more of a crater. The only damage was to my ego! So I told myself "lesson learned," but when I went out at lunch I did the same thing. I hope that old habits aren't too hard to break!

Once you've jarred your spine hard enough to the point of tears in your eyes, you'll break that habit, trust me.

I try to imagine trying to put either my right or left foot over the pothole (or other debris). This usually results in the obstacle passing between the either front tire and the rear.

Then again, if the pothole is the size of Meteor Crater, no evasive maneuver will avoid it, and you'll just have to brace for impact, LOL.

[RayBJ]

Because we have THREE wheels, I learned a long time ago, if the hole can't be avoided hit it with the rear tire .... the suspension and alignment will be much less affected by than either front wheel .... JMHO .... Mike

Living in the northeast, potholes are a fact of life and tend to come in groups that make missing them all impossible. As Mike said, do your best to minimize the front end impacts when straddling won't work. I flex my legs (partial stand) to prevent the spinal 'tap'.

[missouriboy]

I think there's about 16 inches of lateral clearance between the front & rear wheels... this would help to judge what you can clear (or not).

[2dogs]

Everyone here seems to be on the same page with this issue. RayBJ's advice is very good advice.

[redrazor]

I think someone on here said to aim your knee at what you are trying to miss.

Works for me most of the time!!