Uneven pavement

[tim22]

A few days ago a guy was killed on the highway around here where they were re paving. Apparently, he lost control when he attempted to shift lanes and hop up from the old, lower surface to the newer, higher surface--you know where the new black top is a few inches higher than the old.

I've been in this situation before and I recall I was able to transfer no problem (low to high), but maybe my memory is failing me. I do remember just a few months ago I was on the highway and that time I know I didn't make the transition and just waited it out in the lane I was in until the construction was over and the lanes were even again.

I know on city streets it would probably be okay because when traffic is clear you can slow down and cross it at a sharper angle (or less of an angle I guess I should say). But on the highway this isn't really possible--plus you're going much faster.

Anybody ever have any experience with this? I mean, is it a hard, fast rule that you NEVER hop lanes on the highway?

[cageyar]

I've transfered up onto the new pavement at highway+ speeds-you have to increase the angle of approach and cross it closer to 90 degrees-I steer into it and hit it at about a 70 degree angle-if you try to ease over it at a shallower angle, you could ricochet off it or get the front up and then the back doesn't want to go-either way could be trouble.
Steer into it to increase the angle and I've ridden up them at 75mph+.
I wouldn't attempt it though if the lip was over 4" or so.
Sounds like the victim wasn't familiar with the concept.

[tim22]

How do you achieve a 70-degree angle at +highway speeds or over 75mph? Unless I am misunderstanding you, that'd be quite a swerve.

[cageyar]

Assuming the new pavement is in the left lane, you move to the right side of the right lane and then turn into the left lane-granted not with traffic right next to you.
Coming back from Indy MotoGP to NJ, it happens more than once. You just turn into it and I get my a** off the seat a little. The bike will go right up if you hit more square. 70 degrees is a guesstimate-just not shallow.

[sgoodwin]

It works as cageyar says, just hit it hard at a good angle. I've jumped 2-3" differences this way. Still sucks though as you really don't want to do it often.

[plucky]

the other thing to remember is to keep the weight to the rear - stay on the gas, or roll-on more. Loading the front by rolling off the throttle, or worse, applying the brake makes the transition worse.