Report In: Do you guys dodge manholes/potholes?

[luukasama]

I wasn't sure if this was meant in Off Topic or if it's okay to post it here. Mods, if it doesn't belong here, please move the thread!

Anyway, to the main topic at hand. I am highly curious as to what you guys do when it comes to the manholes/potholes. Generally, me and my boyfriend always dodge them, which makes the ride more fun, and also test our body nimbleness and reaction. It also helps us keep the concentration up pretty high.

How about you guys? A lot of riders that I see never tend to do that. Quite frankly, since I've started riding, I haven't seen a single person do what we do. Is it just because they don't warrant much attention unless they're wide gaping sarlacc holes, or something else? Please sound off and tell me your opinion. Summer's here, so is silliness Picked # 1 myself.

[Kurlon]

Hell yes I used to. Riding two up my wife would see stuff like that ahead and lean forward letting me know she was ready for the impromptu slalom course.

I don't think I've ridden with anyone who didn't. Even in big cruiser packs, all the riders would dodge and signal the road defect to those behind.

[SRTie4k]

Yes, as much as I can. Most of the ones up this way are sunken way into the ground and thus produce quite a filling rattling experience.

[e30addict]

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Depends on how tired and/or bored I am.

[BMMCBR]

Potholes, always. Manholes, usually only if they're really sunken or if its raining out. Those things can get slippery.

Otherwise, I'd rather leave some ability in reserve in case anything else around me goes wrong.

[golden chicken]

Sometimes. If it means I'm not looking up at what's going on down the road, then no.

[nhbubba]

Sometimes I aim for 'em! Part of the upside of riding a rouncy-bouncy 'adventure' thing.

[ChicknStripEatr]

I once hit a manhole cover that was lower what you'd expect in the roadway. With the additional weight of having a passenger, the impact bent the front rim....lesson learned.

[PhilB]

It's a bit of a judgement call sometimes, depending on traffic, available alternate paths, weather, etc. I generally do maneuver to avoid them, unless there is a reason not to, or a higher priority at the moment.

I do it mainly to avoid damage -- I'm mostly a transportation/utility type rider, not a thrillseeker.

PhilB

[aldend123]

I dodge most. Minor stuff when a lot of other vehicles are around, I won't worry about it. I don't want to spook other drivers, and I end up spending more mental effort on the other stuff around me. Probably my biggest reason is for ride comfort. Occasionally I'll make a game of it for fun, but that's not the usual reason.

[Rossco]

I don't always swerve to avoid manhole covers.

But when I do, it's when I'm going eastbound through Groton center on 119. Things are freakin' wheel-eaters.

[rbrais]

I try to avoid them. But if they aren't too bad or if I'm feeling lazy or just not paying attention......besides, it shakes the kidney stones loose.

[darkduc7]

Really?

If you want a smooth ride, dodge freaking holes in ground. This really needs a thread and poll dedicated to it, it isn't January or anything?

[Dip Dungles]

besides, it shakes the kidney stones loose.

Or makes your man stones a part of the tank. You know someone nailed their nuts after a bump when they are hunched over the bars.

[Billy]

potholes yes, manholes not usually unless it has sunken down into the road quite a bit.

[Billy]

One thing to keep in mind is if you are constantly dodging potholes/manholes (mainly on streets that have a lot of them) you're going to look like an intoxicated rider in the eyes of a cop (riding erratically all over your lane) and he'll probably pull you over to figure out wtf you are doing. Basically what I'm trying to say is use caution if you dont want to get pulled over.

[tsorfas]

Marchesinis on the bike. Nuf said

[rbrais]

When I was in Cozumel we rented scooters. I was passing a car on the right and noticed an open catch basin. Couldn't avoid it, so I bunny hopped it. Bent the rear rim and ruined my shorts. Lesson learned; don't pass on the right in a 3rd world country.

[G21forme]

One thing to keep in mind is if you are constantly dodging potholes/manholes (mainly on streets that have a lot of them) you're going to look like an intoxicated rider in the eyes of a cop (riding erratically all over your lane) and he'll probably pull you over to figure out wtf you are doing. Basically what I'm trying to say is use caution if you dont want to get pulled over.

Has this ever happened to you? Just curious because I'm not railing a pothole and potentially falling off to avoid a road side chat.

[rbrais]

Has this ever happened to you? Just curious because I'm not railing a pothole and potentially falling off to avoid a road side chat.

Most likely, as long as it does not look like you are dodging cones on a timed course, you will be fine. Cops can tell when you are avoiding things, screwing around, or just plain drunk.

[Billy]

Yes. I was riding down a street with a ton of manhole covers and I was playing the "dodge the manhole cover game" and he pulled me over due to suspicion of me being intoxicated. If you are riding down a road that is making you ride erratically due to potholes, you might want to get the F off that road ASAP!

[DaveZX6r]

As most have said it depends on the situation. But for me its an avoid damage thing. I haven't bent rim yet, but I have destroyed a tire. Hit a pot hole that looked small but was about 6 inches deep. It felt like I hit a trip wire, and I had to order a new tire two days later when I noticed a big bulge on the side of mine. If its not gonna cause damage or for whatever reason I can't/ don't dodge, I will just lift my but off the seat and just wait it out.

[Eric Baker]

The only time I dodge manholes is when they are way sunk down, raised up because of construction, or in the middle of a turn/wet. Potholes I usually try to avoid cause you never really know how big they are until it's too late.

[Slyder]

Has this ever happened to you? Just curious because I'm not railing a pothole and potentially falling off to avoid a road side chat.

Most likely, as long as it does not look like you are dodging cones on a timed course, you will be fine. Cops can tell when you are avoiding things, screwing around, or just plain drunk.

Not always. I was pulled over once and bitched at for weaving. Where I happened to come to a stop, parallel to me about 3 feet away in the center of the lane was a patch of sand 6 feet long. It was spring time. That was one of many patches of sand. Hence the weaving.

[AVI8_636]

If I'm on the 636, I avoid both, unless the manholes are flush with the road. If I'm on the DRZ I could care less.