I must confess. I dropped my RSV, HARD.

[Steve S]

It as a nice warn, sunny afternoon on Novervember 1st when I started down a long, winding hill running about 25 mph. Suddenly, I realize some big dude is standing over me asking me what day it is. I finally gather enough strength to tell him to go ask sombody that cares. I just wanted to sleep for a bit longer.

 

It seems that as I was going down the hill using my rear brake to slow me, I hit a bump in the road that made me mash my rear brake pedal more than gently. This started a slide that I did not recover from. The bike "highsided" and threw me over the guard rail to land on a steep bank on my back. The bike went over on it's right side, slid backwards for about 20 ft the came to a rest next to the guard rail. It felt strange to wake up, look at the bike, and realize it was going the wrong direction and was on the wrong side to have been making the turn I was making.

 

Fortunately. the damage to me was minor. I can thank My Lord and the riding gear and helmet for protecting me. Other than a mild concussion and a very sore and bruised back I am OK. The bike on the other hand did not fare well.

 

I was surprised at the small amount of damage that turned into a $7,800 (US) estimate. Because this is over 75% of the listed value of the bike, the insurance company is going to total it. I was offered what I thought was a very fair settlement and I could keep the bike. So this is what I plan on doing. The majority of the parts I will clean up and continue to use since they are only minor scratches on them. But there are a couple of major parts that i would like to replace with new ones. I will list these in another thread to see you anyone has some stock parts that they would like to get rid of.

 

I know everyone in here shares a bit of the pain when a Venture Rider goes down so I want to thank each of you in advance for your prayers and "Get Well Wishes".

 

From the deepest reaches of my heart, THANK YOU to each and every one of you.

[Mariner Fan]

You have no recollection of the accident?

 

Glad your o.k. sounds like it could have been really bad.

 

Bob

[FROG MAN]

Steve I'm glad your OK. Your thread brings back to mind the sensitivity of the rear RSV brakes. I have noticed how easy they lock up on the voyager. Being use to the first gen linked system I'm not sure how easy I could adapt to the RSV.

 

All second gen owners are aware of this and compensate under normal driving conditions. But will they remember in that instant when a reaction is mandatory. Guys be careful.

[muffinman]

Steve we are thankfull for the fact that you are the one telling us this instead of someone else having to post the fact.

Heal quick and when you get the scoot fixed take some time and get to know her again,

Jeff

[Condor]

Steve, glad you made it OK, but I'm getting to think that this second gen touchy rear brake lock up problem is getting very serious and scary. Has Yamaha ever addressed.... or admitted to the possibility of a problem existing??? Anybody written to Yamaha about it?? Your high side results were fortunate, but someone else might not be so lucky.....

[Squidley]

Unfortunately this happens a lot with the rear brakes. I have locked mine up several times without even trying

It is good that you are writing this to us as it could have turned out very differently. I know that we have a new vendor that has a new product for the braking system.

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=16189

I do plan on trying these as I think they are an easy and inexpensive upgrade. Be safe and let us know what your looking for on the bike.

[Monsta]

Here's wishing you a speedy recovery and much luck in finding parts cheap to get your bike back 100%.

 

 

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Now for the rest of you. Just don't use the freakin' rear brake! Your desires to modify it, change it or whatever is more dangerous. Just don't use the thing if you can't prevent it from locking up...

[eagleeye]

Hey, Glad that youyr'e OK. the bike is jsut a machine, it can be fixed.

 

 

A beauty, but a machine non the less.

 

take care and get it going,

 

Steve

[hipshot]

ditto , to what all the others have said!

man, i know you "hit them prayer bones" as soon as you were able!

i don't understand, why yamaha doesn't do a "brake recall" on ALL of the second gens, and fix what's wrong!

just jt

[BradT]

Glad to hear you made out well.

 

Must have been a pretty big bump (sorry could not resist).

 

Brad

[Yammer Dan]

Don't you just hate those guys that won't let you sleep??

 

Glad you are doing OK. Could have been a lot worse Scoot can be fixed. There is always next year... Mine will be road worthy in the spring.

[Condor]

i don't understand, why yamaha doesn't do a "brake recall" on ALL of the second gens, and fix what's wrong!

just jt

 

After thinking about it a bit, I guess Yamaha does know the problem exists, and they actually did something about it with the 1stGens linked proportional braking system. I wonder why they abandoned it on the 2ndGens?? Probably the only way around it totally would be an all ABS braking system....

[Dragracer]

Steve, glad to hear you're OK. I just wanted to say I was in Hopkinsville, Thursday & Friday for a funeral. I didn't realize there was a Venture Rider there, or I'd have looked you up. I'm from Hooterville originally. Transplanted north, then south to FL. Maybe we know each other, or rome of the same people.

Ronnie King

[bill p]

Before I start I ride a 88 VR with linked brakes!

 

The rear brake on ( most bikes ) have put down at least 6 riders I personally know in the last 2 years! And I don't know that many riders.I love my linked brakes and have asked another forums why would anyone want to delink them. Never have I received a reasonable answer.

Think about the position of the brake pedal on the RSV and Many other bikes . You hit the brake and what happens to your body and your right foot. Inertia makes it go forward,and forward pushes harder on the pedal making the problem even worse. Its hard to regulate the pressure when you are being moved forward. If you don't believe you are thrown forward just ask your rider why is his ,or her helmet banging on yours.

When there is time to think about it all may be well,,,,,, but in an emergency or a surprise situation ,you stab the brake and the forward force causes you to push harder than you really wanted to.. Trouble with a capitol T..

The brake pedal on a 1st gen you have to push the pedal down not forward, the weight shift does not cause you to apply more pressure.

Someone in a above post says it all. Don't use the rear brake unless you are sure of what you are doing! Practice is the only answer !!!!!!! Practice stopping in all conditions , wet , dry , on leaves , in gravel ,and on sandy pavement.

Use that front brake right up to walking speed. Sure it is best to use both all the time but the rear should NEVER be used as your main , and only stopping tool.

I fear we have too many cage drivers who only know how to use the foot brake to stop .. Yea this works when all is well and the road it clean , but I guarantee you it will lock if it is improperly used , and YOU will pay the price. If you do lock it at speed by all means don't release it ,,,, you will HIGH SIDE, and my friends this is as bad as it gets.

To all of my friend riding RSV s use the front brake!! It makes me sick to hear about the mishaps . Take the time to read the safety forums on almost every states web sites or just google MOTORCYCLE SAFETY..

 

Yea the answer is ABS, but there are thousands of bikes out there with this condition , so we have to learn to live with it.

 

Be safe

Bill P

[Orrin]

Steve, glad you are OK. I locked my rear brake too and went off the bike. I was lucky and had my leathers and helmet on. Next thing I know my buddy is asking mee if I OK. Oct. 5th broke collar bone, 3 ribs, and bruised lung. 5 day in hospital, but healing up fine now.

 

I will have some extra parts left over from repairing my bike. They will probably be available in Dec.

 

As far as locking the rear brakes, Ventures and RSTDs definitely have a problem and mama yamaha knows it. These brakes are way too difficult too modulate efficively in emergency situations. MHO

[Eck]

Certainly glad your ok...

Now the sad news...

Appears you now fall into a category that 86R brought up in a post..

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=16244&highlight=donate+dollars

[yamahamer]

Glad Your Here To Tell Us About It Get Well First Then Tell Us What You Need.

[Sweetnothing]

Steve,

Glad to hear you are "awake", and still with us!! Heal quick, and take care of you. The bike can be repaired later! (Dan)

We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

[sarges46]

 

Yikes! That sounds like some ride! Glad to hear you are reasonably ok.

 

Just reminded me that I need to make my "dropped the bike" donation too!

[Guest Bigin]

Man glad you are ok, but I must be confused, with all the posts about this subject, isnt the front brake the primary stopper in all conditions, and if so how can the rear brake be causing all these accidents, when used as intended by motorcycle manufacturers. Find it hard to believe that the RSV has touchier rear brakes than other makes, especially in the higher performance models. Not being critical of anyone. What am I missing here?

[Guest KitCarson]

Man glad you are ok, but I must be confused, with all the posts about this subject, isnt the front brake the primary stopper in all conditions, and if so how can the rear brake be causing all these accidents, when used as intended by motorcycle manufacturers. Find it hard to believe that the RSV has touchier rear brakes than other makes, especially in the higher performance models. Not being critical of anyone. What am I missing here?

I will try to answer this one. It is a complex problem with no one real answer. All motorcycles have fairly touchy rear brakes, but yes our 2nd Gen Venture has the touchiest of them all. It does not take much to lock the rear brakes. Why? I think we are over-braked, too much contact area on the rotor......if there was less surface contact, might be it would not lock so soon. Also the way the brake control pedal is designed and mounted. If you hit some bumps and get a little out of control, one does tend to hit the rear too hard if your foot is already on the pedal. In an emergency stop your weight tends to push you forward, this causes you to push on the pedal too hard, not realizing you are doing this. This is what takes the bike down most of the time.

Others have simply never learned to use the front brake, in fact even this day in age, opinionated instructors -some of them-still tell new riders to be cautious with the front brakes. As most never fully realize the potential of the front brakes, and never practice with the front brake enough to learn its value, the front is never fully used. Also most of us who ride these bikes drive automobiles......we use the foot pedal.......so maybe that is what some do on a bike.

Learning to fully use the front brake takes some practice, to learn how far you can push it and not lock them and slide the front out from under you , or worse , tuck the forks. The front forks also tend to push down on hard braking with the front, so it is kinda scary.

I think it is the design of the rear pedal.........on some other bikes you push down on the pedal, not forward.....therefore your forward weight does not affect it so much. And no one uses the front brake enough...........Kit

[Guest Bigin]

That sums it up I guess, although am startled about the misunderstanding and fear of the front brake use.

 

Many of these accidents are due to improper or no use of front brake? If this is the case, allow me a rant in the interest of safety. If it is not the case, ignore it.

 

Hardly ever use rear on any bike I have owned, except in emergencies with maximum front braking applied. Once the weight transfers to the front, the rear is marginal if not useless.

 

Have never gone down from locking front brake, tucking forks or all the fears that accompany its use, on wet, in corners, dirt biking whatever.

 

The fear of the front brake is highly exagerated. Sure you can cause a fall if not used properly, but it is the bulk of the stopping power, some 80%, I think, once the weight of the bike transfers to the front tire.

 

That front brake lever is the most important control on the bike, and with the traffic, heavier bikes, higher speeds and crazy cages out there these days, those who are not intimate with it, are taking great risks.

 

Sorry about the rant, but I owe my life to the front brake many times over, and I hope those of you who are not using it, or have not been properly introduced to it, will start, and practice with it every time you ride, because it's very likely there is going to come a day when that rear brake is not going to do the job!

[CrazyHorse]

That sums it up I guess, although am startled about the misunderstanding and fear of the front brake use.

 

Many of these accidents are due to improper or no use of front brake? If this is the case, allow me a rant in the interest of safety. If it is not the case, ignore it.

 

Hardly ever use rear on any bike I have owned, except in emergencies with maximum front braking applied. Once the weight transfers to the front, the rear is marginal if not useless.

 

Have never gone down from locking front brake, tucking forks or all the fears that accompany its use, on wet, in corners, dirt biking whatever.

 

The fear of the front brake is highly exagerated. Sure you can cause a fall if not used properly, but it is the bulk of the stopping power, some 80%, I think, once the weight of the bike transfers to the front tire.

 

That front brake lever is the most important control on the bike, and with the traffic, heavier bikes, higher speeds and crazy cages out there these days, those who are not intimate with it, are taking great risks.

 

Sorry about the rant, but I owe my life to the front brake many times over, and I hope those of you who are not using it, or have not been properly introduced to it, will start, and practice with it every time you ride, because it's very likely there is going to come a day when that rear brake is not going to do the job!

 

I have to agree but on slick surfaces or in a hard turn front brake now has to be used carefully or you will low side and be on the ground in the blink of an eye if your not careful. Don't ask how I know.

[Guest Bigin]

I agree, and I won't ask.....

[Steve S]

I agree with the posts about using the front brake. I am usually a "front brake" terror. I very seldom use the rear brake.

 

I have learned that when I am in the wiggles that using a small amout of rear break and keeping the RPMs up helps with the cornering. But I am usually doing this while riding more agressively than I was the day of the wreck. I think I have learned a valuable lesson. Save the rear brake for the Dragon and keep on pounding the front.

 

Thanks to everyone for the comments.