Hazards, Emergencies, and Special Riding Conditions
Read the Surface
Hazards hide in plain sight: gravel, sand, oil, wet leaves, painted lines, metal grates, railroad tracks, and potholes. Cross tracks and gratings at as close to a right angle as you can, and avoid braking or turning sharply on slick surfaces. In rain, the first minutes are the slickest as oil lifts; reduce speed and increase following distance. Hydroplaning risk rises with speed and thin tires - slow down.
Wind, Curves, and Night
Crosswinds push you sideways; lean into the wind and be ready for gusts when passing trucks or bridges. In curves, slow before the turn, look through it, and accelerate gently out. At night, reduce speed so you can stop within your headlight range, and watch for animals - especially in Alaska, where moose on the road are a serious hazard. Scan the shoulders and use high beams when safe.
Emergencies
- Tire blowout: hold the bars firmly, ease off the throttle, avoid hard braking, and steer to a safe stop.
- Front-wheel skid: ease off the front brake and keep the bike upright.
- Rear-wheel skid: keep the rear brake applied lightly and steer; don't release abruptly.
- Animal in the road: brake and stay in your lane rather than swerving into oncoming traffic.
- Stuck throttle: clutch in, kill switch, brake to a stop.
Traps to Watch
- "Swerve around a hazard" is often wrong - braking in a straight line is safer than swerving into traffic.
- "Brake hard on gravel" - wrong; use gentle, balanced braking.
- "High beams always" - dim for oncoming traffic.
Rule of Thumb
Slow before the hazard, look past it, and keep the bike upright. When in doubt, brake in a straight line rather than swerve.
Worked Example
Scenario: You hit gravel mid-curve. Action: Stay off the front brake, keep the throttle steady, look through the curve, and ride it out upright.