Flat tire excitement, on a Helix..

[cowpuc]

Been putting a lot of miles on our little Honda Helix, if you have never ridden one they are a RIOT for two up "scootering" but they do handle different than any other bike I have ever owned.. Having ridden down many bikes with flat tires in my life (stuff happens) and knowing the different "feel" the Helix has on wet roads and road snakes, I always wondered what riding a flat tired Helix down would be like - especially with the wife on the back.

Tippy (the wife) and I were on the way back from dinner tonight on it, doing about 60 when I felt the familiar rear end wobble, she's ridden down many flats with me (more than one on the fully loaded Gen 1) and knows that when I say "flat" that its time to set still and follow the bike.. This thing was a handful!!

Anyone who has ridden a big bike down with a rear flat probably can relate to what I call "guaranteed dog trackin" - especially below 30 MPH.. I have found that you cant over react (unless you want to biff it) you simply gently correct the dog trackin drift so it doesnt drift into on coming traffic or off into the ditch.. Tell you what, that little helix took every bit of tenderness in the drift as ANY big bike I have ridden out - even fully loaded and with a passenger on board!!

Last year we had a 1 3/4 x 3/4 x 1/4 inch piece of steel go thru a brand new tire out in Johnson City Tennessee - never seen any thing like it!! This Helix flat was just as freaky - after I got it stopped and on the center stand I check the tire - the flippen valve stem had LET GO!! It has a 90 degree stem (very simular to a Gold Wing) mounted on a cast wheel - it was broke all most completely off flush with the wheel. Has good rubber on it, never a problem losing air, tire bead stayed intact, just wierd - never seen anything like this one in all my years of biking either.....

Any way, be safe out there and watch those air pressures and tire conditions.. Spit check those shraders after adding air.. Leave the rest of the strange flat tires to me..

Puc