rear tire trying to beat the front

just picked up my bike yesterday. i know i read it somewhere on the msf site. but when i was on the highway, i released the throttle to slow down and the rear tire was trying to beat the front from the right side. i hope that makes sense, because it was freaky, and i'd like to know why, how i can correct it and how to avoid it. a friend of mine told me that it could be because the tires are new. but i didnt think that whole bike would lose traction to where the only way i corrected was to open up the throttle and swerve to the right. any suggestions?  

I have no idea what you are talking about. Did the back slide? You need to better describe what you did, precisely, and what the bike did as a result.  

Also, what bike do you have.  

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I have no idea what you are talking about. Did the back slide? You need to better describe what you did, precisely, and what the bike did as a result.

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What gear were you in and at what indicated mph/kph?

Road condition?  

heheheh, i guess that didnt make sense after all. anyways, cbr600rr is the bike, in 4th gear at about 120km/h. the rear was about to slide. all right let me try this again.

on the highway at about 120km/h in 4th. i needed to slow down some, because there was a slight curve in the road to where the road's radius was at about 20 degrees to the right no more. instead of applying the brakes, i thought i'd close the throttle. when i did that, the bike's rear tire directed the bike away from the curve, instead of into the curve. i wasnt leaning into the curve because i hadnt reached it yet, but i wasnt able to lean into the curve when i slowed down about 10 or 15km/h because it seemed like i had to fight the bike in order push it into the curve. thats when i opened the throttle and was able to lean into the curve. it freaked me out because when i expected the bike to slow down (which it did), i didnt expect the rear tire to react to the closed throttle like it did.

ok, let me know if  that  made any sense. i would really like to know what i did wrong, right, or what i could have done.

cheers  

OK, I'm still pretty lost, but I'll give it a shot. I think what happened was that when you closed the throttle, you experienced "engine braking", which (sometimes) can have the same affect as actually hitting the brakes. That means it might make the bike "stand up" a bit. Also, completely closing the throttle shifts the weight bias from the rear to the front of the bike. When the weight shifts to the front it also changes the geometry of the steering, changing how the bike responds to steering inputs. A better reaction for you entering a conservative corner like that would be to roll back the throttle, but not entirely close it. Keep it cracked just a little, that also makes for smoother riding and retains the balance and attitude of the bike. Smooth is the key to all riding.

Either that or maybe you had your foot on the rear brake the whole time and didn't realize it. And when you closed the throttle the brake input became appearent.

I'm just guessing at your problem though, motorcyling has it's own language to describe what the bike is doing and right now you're not using the descriptions I would understand. The jargon used in motorcyling, like anything, is very usefull to describe what you are expiriencing. Over time you'll learn it.  

Check that the back brake isn't dragging on its own too.


AT  

Also, did you just roll off the throttle or did you down-shift?  Your bike does not have a slipper clutch and maybe due to engine braking, you experienced what is called "Wheel Hop".  Not really a problem when going in a straight line but can get hairy if you are starting to lean over into a turn.  

Additionally, if the rear tire has been replaced recently or the chain has been adjusted, the rear tire could be adjusted incorrectly (Not tracking in line with the front tire).  I have experienced such a thing when the rear tire was not adjusted with proper alignment.  I noticed that when I down shifted or let off the throttle, the bike would squirm to one side (kind of like hitting a patch of oil with the rear tire).  It was not noticable while cruising along or while accelerating, but was very noticable upon down shifting.  

If the tires are new, take it easy for 100-150 kilometers until you can "Bake" the preservative off of the tire.  If you try to go into a full lean on new tires...you will low side your bike.

Let us know what you find out.  

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OK, I'm still pretty lost, but I'll give it a shot. I think what happened was that when you closed the throttle, you experienced "engine braking", which (sometimes) can have the same affect as actually hitting the brakes. That means it might make the bike "stand up" a bit. Also, completely closing the throttle shifts the weight bias from the rear to the front of the bike. When the weight shifts to the front it also changes the geometry of the steering, changing how the bike responds to steering inputs. A better reaction for you entering a conservative corner like that would be to roll back the throttle, but not entirely close it. Keep it cracked just a little, that also makes for smoother riding and retains the balance and attitude of the bike. Smooth is the key to all riding.

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If you haven't yet, re-check tire pressure(s). With low tire

pressure(s), the bike will resist steering inputs.

4th gear at 72 mph/120 kph-might have been to high in the

rpms to chop the throttle with the new tires. As others

have said, engine braking could be the cause.  

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4th gear at 72 mph/120 kph-might have been to high in the

rpms to chop the throttle with the new tires. As others

have said, engine braking could be the cause.

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A lot of people do that. Look on the bright side though, when you figured it out, it was like freeing up 30hp

Seriously though, proper foot position on a sportbike, for several reasons, will have the balls of your feet on the pegs. Not the arch. You have better control because you can better adjust your weight, and it eliminates the possibility of riding the rear brake or inadvertantly hitting it in a panic situation.  

you guys are great. everything you guys have mentioned was right on. yea, i do have to learn the lingo, that might help

it was the engine braking, and the tire compound (i guess) must of magnified the reaction. the tires are dunlop.

anyways it happend again on my way back from work yesterday. i guess it must have been several factors at the same time that made the bike react the way it did, because where i live, there's alot of wind and sand. so, i'm thinking yesterday and the first time must have been those several factors happening at once. engine braking (because i did just close the throttle at high rpm, not gradually), wind, sand and tires. i'm enjoying the fact that i'm still learning about riding, and its not just about straight aways. i've learned my lesson, still alot to learn.

i have to say that this board and the people are some of the best, in every aspect.

cheers  

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engine braking (because i did just close the throttle at high rpm, not gradually

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