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Front brake crash

G

Greg Gaines

Joined Aug 2008
5 Posts | 0+
Franklin NC
I picked my 2007.5 Tuono R last week and was on a break in ride. I was mid point in a turn at moderate speed when I need to slow some because of a truck and as soon as I touched the front brake I went down at about 50 mph. I don’t claim to be the best rider but I have owned over 30 bikes in my life.
It seems the front brakes just locked up. Any help would be appreciated . When I heal up I don’t want to repeat this.
I had about 300 miles on the bike at the time.
Thanks
 
Last edited:
Hi Greg

Really sorry to hear about your "off" mate. I hope whatever damage you received heals quickly.

In my experience, the radial Brembos fitted to my T are the best stoppers I've ever used. One or two fingers around town, and all four only when I'm going hard.

I have not heard on this or any other Aprilia forum about equipment related front-end lock ups or failures. Having said that, it may be worthwhile having your brakes checked by someone knowledgeable, or even your dealer.

I can imagine however, that it could be relatively easy to grab a little too much in an emergency situation during the early period of ownership of a Tuono; at least until you've trained your right hand to have the right "feel" for these brakes.

Good luck and speedy recovery Greg

Dave
 
Thanks Dave
I Think you hit it on head. I was down so fast I did not understand what happeded.
I have been switching around 5 different bikes.
I love my T over the FZ1 and Ducati S4R I had. I ride my ST1300 alot and its heavy and you must pull much harder on the brakes.
Thanks for your input.
Greg
 
Yep, that sounds likely to me. In a turn you have less braking traction because you are leaned over, that combined with perhaps an ST1300-like application of force to the brake lever could certainly exceed the traction available. This would be made worse if it were a new bike with new tires or if the tires were for whatever reason not up to giving full grip. I don't know what tires the T comes with from the factory, but many oem-spec tires are rather pitiful. There's nothing like a track-day to get the feel of a new sport bike:deal


heal up quck!
 
You should avoid brakeing when lent over and in emergency use the back, but the T doesn't have a back brake .........
 
I have the rare pleasure of riding both models of Tuono regularly, the newer bike - Liz's 07 (07.5 US) has quite "grabby" brakes in comparison with my 05 and it's non-radial brakes. You adapt to them very quickly, but I think they could catch you out. In terms of outright stopping power I don't think there is really anything in it.

If you aren't used to these bikes I think you could easily snatch a handful of brake and be on the deck before you knew what had hit you. Before I got my Tuono or Tuoldo as it is now, I had a Honda VFR VTEC with the ABS etc. Out on the Tuono, first time I hauled on the front brake I locked the front and nearly ran in to Liz on her bike (Hornet in those days) as I let the brake off then had to brake, locked it, let it off etc.
 
Yup, nearly did the same thing when i got mine, first good ride out in March, nice warm day, warm tyres and good road...was doing 50ish in a 40 zone and spied a speed camera. hit the front brake hard as i used to on my Yamaha.. locked the front end straight up... Hmmmm, i thought, soooooo 4 fingers bad 1 finger good.
 
Don't know why anyone who's not a pro should even consider using their front bake to slow in a bend. I always drop down a gear (or two) to scrub off speed. The massive twin torque does the job smoothly and without loading up the forks, tyres etc. You do need to be able to do smooth downshifts though.
Failing that, if you really need to lose some serious speed, straighten the bike up then brake!
 
Every time I ride my Tuono (or any bike I own, for that matter) I test the brakes to lock up and do a couple of stoppies when I ride down the street. The reason for this is simple, I get some muscle memory of how hard to hit the brakes and still be in control. The only way to use the brakes to the limit is to practice. I ride on the track a lot, the Tuono has excellent brakes with wonderful feedback. I suggest you find a quiet area and practice braking regularly. You will be amazed how hard you can stop, you will be able to recover from front wheel lock up and eventually you won't think about it. I have seen my daughter, when she was 16, lock the front, release, lock it again, release and finally re-apply and stop. She did that and it was almost without thought, that comes from practice. Braking is the single most important survival skill on the bike, practice it and it will be a tool for you to save yourself with. :coocoo
 
B o B said:
Don't know why anyone who's not a pro should even consider using their front bake to slow in a bend. I always drop down a gear (or two) to scrub off speed. The massive twin torque does the job smoothly and without loading up the forks, tyres etc. You do need to be able to do smooth downshifts though.
Failing that, if you really need to lose some serious speed, straighten the bike up then brake!
Click to expand...

I have never seen any "pro" advocate using gears to slow rather than brakes. I hope you are not suggesting dropping a gear or two mid corner?:dunno
 
OldTLSDoug said:
Every time I ride my Tuono (or any bike I own, for that matter) I test the brakes to lock up and do a couple of stoppies when I ride down the street. The reason for this is simple, I get some muscle memory of how hard to hit the brakes and still be in control. The only way to use the brakes to the limit is to practice. I ride on the track a lot, the Tuono has excellent brakes with wonderful feedback. I suggest you find a quiet area and practice braking regularly. You will be amazed how hard you can stop, you will be able to recover from front wheel lock up and eventually you won't think about it. I have seen my daughter, when she was 16, lock the front, release, lock it again, release and finally re-apply and stop. She did that and it was almost without thought, that comes from practice. Braking is the single most important survival skill on the bike, practice it and it will be a tool for you to save yourself with. :coocoo
Click to expand...
:thumbup:thumbup

I can't agree more. Braking through bends on the front brake isn't something I would ever do just because I felt like it, but if the alternative is hitting something, I brake.

BoB, straightening up is fine, if you have room. If it means going across the road into oncoming traffic it's better to learn to use that brake.

I don't practice every time I ride, but every track day I do I pick a corner and brake later and harder until the tyres are howling & smoking - pick a corner with run off :yes and it's actually fun.
 
Even the real "pros" can get it wrong
Shane Byrne insists he is feeling nothing more than sore despite suffering a heavy crash in the latest Bennetts British Superbike round at Knockhill.

The Airwaves Ducati rider was leading the second race of the day around the Scottish circuit when it is believed he struck oil coming into the first corner.

Hitting the tarmac hard as he came down, Byrne got some considerable air as he struck the gravel trap, the championship leader being flung into the tyre barrier at frightening speed.
However, although he was removed from the circuit inside the back of an ambulance and taken to the medical centre, Byrne claims to simply be sore and ready to return to training in the next couple of days.
“I got a really good start and knew that I needed to get away as early as possible. I was feeling really comfortable on the Airwaves Ducati but saw from my pit board that the gap to the guys behind was up and down all the time.
“I came into turn one and as soon as I touched the brake I was down. It was a really strange crash because everything felt normal right up until that point. I'm feeling sore but I'll be back training in a couple of days preparing for Cadwell Park.”
Click to expand...
 
missile said:
I have never seen any "pro" advocate using gears to slow rather than brakes. I hope you are not suggesting dropping a gear or two mid corner?:dunno
Click to expand...

No Missile, I'm just saying what I do if I find I'm going too fast into a bend and I'm committed into the lean.
 
Crash. Brake locked because bolt came out of calaper.

Now that can get around better I went out to the garage to take inventory of what needs to be replaced on my new crashed bike and found the lift bolt on the brake caliper backed all the way out.
I was in a moderate turn not that fast. Went to brake some as I always do and they locked up and put me down instantly.
The bike is brand new with 200 mi. The dealers Aprilia Tech was on vacation when they set it up.
Thanks everyone for your help.
Greg
 

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Glad to hear you're getting up and about Greg.

Boy, you must have been surprised to see that bolt! Yikes!:eek::eek::eek:

A few stern words to the dealer then.........

I'll bet your insurance company would like to see that photo.

Is there much damage to your beast?

Dave
 
I will see the dealer in the morning to see what they will do for me.
No insurance on the bike.
Damage is what you would expect sliding down the road.
One lady that stoped said a dump truck tire missed my head by 1/2 meter.
No botom bolt let the calipar twist as the rotor pushed it up and sidways.
Not somthing you would think could happen.
Thanks Dave
Greg
 
Greg Gaines said:
I will see the dealer in the morning to see what they will do for me.
No insurance on the bike.
Damage is what you would expect sliding down the road.
One lady that stoped said a dump truck tire missed my head by 1/2 meter.
No botom bolt let the calipar twist as the rotor pushed it up and sidways.
Not somthing you would think could happen.
Thanks Dave
Greg
Click to expand...

You're right there Greg. Not something you would think could happen, because it should not have happened. You're lucky to be here to tell the tale.

Keep us informed about your dealer's reaction.

Dave
 
mmmmmmmm sounds lucky and unlucky! No insurance speak to a legal rep and see what they say about the bolt and Dealer Liability.
First see the Dealer & if he becomes a prick which is most likely as he wont want to fork out a brand new bike even though he (probably) has shown neglect.
On leaving if you recieve a bad reception mention your on your way to the Solicitor's for a chat and show him/her a few pics of the bike....
All up though glad your ok - best to have this unfortunate problem than be dead or lieing in hospital with tubes & ***** hangin out your arm.......
Best of luck Towie
 
EEeeeeek thats a scary pic, and one of the reasons i went over mine and changed most of the bolts to Titanium Allen heads...
As far as braking on the bends goes, the Tuono is awsome for this as the front has soooo much feel, once you get the hang of it, scubbing speed off whilst cranked over is a beautiful thing, ya feel like Rossi :lol: just have to remember to gently carress the lever like it was ya girlfriends butt..... cos like her butt if ya squeezze too hard ya gonna get a slap!
 

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