Watty
Race Dog
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2006
- Messages
- 3,954
- Reaction score
- 3
- Location
- Port Elizabeth
- Bike
- Suzuki Djebel 250XC
Water-crossings
Now to us Wild Dog Adventure Riders one of the most talked about topics must be that of water-crossings. Mention the word Baviaanskloof, and immediately the question is asked, "How was the water-crossing at Smitkraal? Did you moer off?" Yet, exactly what is the correct manner to approach the water, and which corrective actions should be taken when things go horizontal. Please view this article as a synopsis of the correct techniques. I do not profess that it is conclusive in any manner. Any constructive criticism would be welcomed so as to enhance this piece of writing.
Now, the very first thing you must realize is not to go blindly into the crossing with a full throttle and screaming revs. Crossing any river like a charging, raging bull is inviting disaster, i.e. a fast moving bike will buck violently on a rocky river bed, and you will fall off! Just think about those mechanical bulls at the fair ground - when the bull speeds up, you fall off!
Water-crossings can be anything from a small little stream (no problem).
Or nice long, deep crossings (require utmost concentration).
Crossing a river is about balance and smoothness. You should move forward by keeping the momentum of the bike. If the bike bucks, accelerate smartly, but just enough to keep the bike upright and moving. Never plunge into a river without investigating the river bed first.
Sight on a spot on the opposite bank and walk straight towards it. If it is good, return for your motorbike and ride it through along the identical route. If the river bed is a bit uneven and the river crossing challenging, remove your panniers, top box and other bags.
Know where the air intake manifold is on your bike. (GS owners - your intake is lower than you think!) If the water is close to the height of the manifold, you must turn the engine off and push it through (or fit a snorkel to the manifold opening). If your bike takes in water (or falls over during the crossing) it will stop, no problem, but do NOT try to restart it. The re-starting can cause damage to the starter-motor sub system running into thousands of Rands. Also, if the bike was completely drowned, the odds of water entering the combustion chamber is good, and trying to force the piston up and down against water (which is not compressible) is going to cause damaged con-rods, valves, etc. Push the bike out, and once on dry ground go about getting the bike going again ASAP!. Drain as much water as possible from the motor/gearbox â?? even if it means turning the bike upside down! Dry all electrical contacts (use good old Q20 moisture displacer literally). Also do not neglect to check the fuel tank for possible water contamination.
And finally . . . LOOK UP, body relaxed, arms easy, body balanced, legs bent. Gently power towards a spot on the opposite bank making a small bow wave with the front wheel. If the bow wave starts to wet your upper body then you are going too fast and you will fall off should the bike hit an awkward spot. Never look into the dark murky depths, unless you want to investigate it up-close and personal.
Now to us Wild Dog Adventure Riders one of the most talked about topics must be that of water-crossings. Mention the word Baviaanskloof, and immediately the question is asked, "How was the water-crossing at Smitkraal? Did you moer off?" Yet, exactly what is the correct manner to approach the water, and which corrective actions should be taken when things go horizontal. Please view this article as a synopsis of the correct techniques. I do not profess that it is conclusive in any manner. Any constructive criticism would be welcomed so as to enhance this piece of writing.
Now, the very first thing you must realize is not to go blindly into the crossing with a full throttle and screaming revs. Crossing any river like a charging, raging bull is inviting disaster, i.e. a fast moving bike will buck violently on a rocky river bed, and you will fall off! Just think about those mechanical bulls at the fair ground - when the bull speeds up, you fall off!
Water-crossings can be anything from a small little stream (no problem).
Or nice long, deep crossings (require utmost concentration).
Crossing a river is about balance and smoothness. You should move forward by keeping the momentum of the bike. If the bike bucks, accelerate smartly, but just enough to keep the bike upright and moving. Never plunge into a river without investigating the river bed first.
Sight on a spot on the opposite bank and walk straight towards it. If it is good, return for your motorbike and ride it through along the identical route. If the river bed is a bit uneven and the river crossing challenging, remove your panniers, top box and other bags.
- Do not approach bad patches too fast or in a gear that leaves you in the middle of the power band. Choose a lower gear at the bottom end of the power band so that you will be able to accelerate out gently!
- Hold onto the handgrips firmly so that you do not lose your grip when the front wheel hits a submerge object.
- Always keep a straight course. This keeps the motorcycle upright and reduces the chance of losing control if you hit a submerge object.
- If the river is not too deep, but is flowing very strongly, don't stand up and try to ride your motorbike through. Rather stay seated and using your legs, paddle your bike across. Also get a friend to walk through with you, holding the back of the seat to steady the bike.
- Generally a river bed offers a hard surface (otherwise the river would become a swamp) so don't worry about thick mud at the bottom. You may however find some mud right next to the river banks so gently power through these two areas.
- River beds are also generally made up of stones with smooth, round edges. Therefore you can deflate your tyres by 50% for a wide and difficult crossing.
Know where the air intake manifold is on your bike. (GS owners - your intake is lower than you think!) If the water is close to the height of the manifold, you must turn the engine off and push it through (or fit a snorkel to the manifold opening). If your bike takes in water (or falls over during the crossing) it will stop, no problem, but do NOT try to restart it. The re-starting can cause damage to the starter-motor sub system running into thousands of Rands. Also, if the bike was completely drowned, the odds of water entering the combustion chamber is good, and trying to force the piston up and down against water (which is not compressible) is going to cause damaged con-rods, valves, etc. Push the bike out, and once on dry ground go about getting the bike going again ASAP!. Drain as much water as possible from the motor/gearbox â?? even if it means turning the bike upside down! Dry all electrical contacts (use good old Q20 moisture displacer literally). Also do not neglect to check the fuel tank for possible water contamination.
And finally . . . LOOK UP, body relaxed, arms easy, body balanced, legs bent. Gently power towards a spot on the opposite bank making a small bow wave with the front wheel. If the bow wave starts to wet your upper body then you are going too fast and you will fall off should the bike hit an awkward spot. Never look into the dark murky depths, unless you want to investigate it up-close and personal.
