just wondering....

[squirrelciv]

... Has anyone here ever fallen off as a result of a diesel spill??

An article in 'The rider's digest' and the results of Andy230's question got me thinking, how deadly is a diesel spill really?? Motorcycling press tell us the stuff is lethal, but I don't know anyone (yet) who came off directly as a result of diesel. Also, I've seen loads of it all over the roads and ridden through it, even on round-a-bouts, but I've never come off. I spotted some on the road today while out for a run and tried to get my shoes to slide on it, but couldn't.
Thing is how much is the diesel to blame and how much is the rider?? Was the 'off' down to the fuel on the road, or the little snatch at the front brake, or laying down power a bit too soon?
Is diesel any worse than leaves, or mud, or grit or white lines, or manhole covers or anything else lieing about in the road??
In Andy230's little survey no one reported an 'off' down to diesel, so are we the blessed few, or do we just read the conditions a bit better??

Not trying to preach, just pondering. Anyone got any answers for me??

[guest18]

diesel on it's own is ok, in the rain it can be very bad... I've had some slides and known people who have come off on it though I've been lucky (or had a good nose and smelt it in time... )

[Bruce]

Years ago when I had a 1000cc Goldwing I was obeying the speed limits and overtaken by a van which then skidded and spilt diesel I came off the bike bust the speedo and I was breath tested by the old bill even though I had not had a drink for over 24 hours.

[Jez F]

I've fallen off due to diesel, on a bus route and a nice sunny day. Came round a bend with a slight rise, doing under 30 due to the traffic, over the crest still banked over and the front wheel hit the diesel, didn't have time to try and lift up then I was kissing tarmac. As I was picking the bike up(650 Triumph) a Fizzy came around the bend and down he went too. While we picked that up a Rover 3500 locked its wheels as it hit the diesel whillst trying to avoid the both of us. Police didn't want to know nor did the bus company. I've also had a car step out on diesel too. Fallen off on wet overbanding and a wet and greasy zebra crossing too. All on Triumphs, the only one I didn't drop was the Trident.
Jez

[muz660]

diesel on it's own is ok, in the rain it can be very bad... I've had some slides and known people who have come off on it though I've been lucky (or had a good nose and smelt it in time... )

Diesel is not ok on dry roads. I haven't fallen off but did have a 'moment'  in France on a dry road with
a diesel trail that I had to cross.

Mark

[themoudie]

Trashed the Duke at the Redhills roundabout on the Penrith - Keswick road in '78. Heading towards Penrith entered the roundabout with a light Lakeland 'drizzle' and the road was 'wetter'

Lost the front end and low sided the width of the roundabout, afore hitting the kerb and somersaulting to end up giggling in a kneeling position. Tank, top offside suspension mount, throttle clip-on, seat, exhaust all wiped out after hitting the kerb and somersaulting into a heap.

Main bus route into Penrith from Ullswater and it was a regular diesel 'dumping' ground. I didn't smell it until too late

Tractor hydraulic oil, pitch overbanding, or the accummulation of lorry chassis lubricant and rubber, mulched leaves, clay from tractor wheels all with light drizzle, can all be just as icky or not The application of water helps lubricate/emulsify things and makes it worse. The KY gell of motorcycling? Now there's another 'topic'!

Finally, the real nasty is freshly laid 'ShellGrip' which hasn't scrubbed in, as all the little grippy bits which aren't attached to the substrate with resin, act like ball bearings as you lean into the corner. Unintentional, two wheel drifts of flat-track proportions are possible!

Go canny.

Toodle pip, Bill.

[guest18]

diesel on it's own is ok, in the rain it can be very bad... I've had some slides and known people who have come off on it though I've been lucky (or had a good nose and smelt it in time... )

Diesel is not ok on dry roads. I haven't fallen off but did have a 'moment'  in France on a dry road with
a diesel trail that I had to cross.

Mark

Naturally no offence meant, your mileage may differ etc etc

[guest40]

... Has anyone here ever fallen off as a result of a diesel spill??
'Kn oath!

An article in 'The rider's digest' and the results of Andy230's question got me thinking, how deadly is a diesel spill really??
Like Ice
Motorcycling press tell us the stuff is lethal, but I don't know anyone (yet) who came off directly as a result of diesel.
I have on the Vmoto, but I reckon it would have been the same result on anything eldse too
 Also, I've seen loads of it all over the roads and ridden through it, even on round-a-bouts, but I've never come off. I spotted some on the road today while out for a run and tried to get my shoes to slide on it, but couldn't.
I dont have too much drama with "dry" conditions.
 
Thing is how much is the diesel to blame and how much is the rider?? Was the 'off' down to the fuel on the road, or the little snatch at the front brake, or laying down power a bit too soon?
Is diesel any worse than leaves, or mud, or grit or white lines, or manhole covers or anything else lieing about in the road??
Its all deadly, but the diesel makes your clothes smell like, well, a refinery
In Andy230's little survey no one reported an 'off' down to diesel, so are we the blessed few, or do we just read the conditions a bit better??
Here in Perth. we have semi arid conditions which mean for a few months we can get rain. Most of the year tho its dry. This allows a lot of road grime build up which is made up of all of the above, a little bit of rain, or water from a sprinkler has the same effect as pouring oil on the road. Unfortunately Perth drivers are unaware of this phenomena and power on regardless. I avoid riding in the rain and rather use the flumobile to get to work.
The Vmoto stint was taking off from a red light and an off camber right turning into a spill just after some rain had fallen. I didn't even feel it go... but the gutter came up to meet me quickly.

Not trying to preach, just pondering. Anyone got any answers for me??