For those who frequently embark on cross-country motorcycle journeys, encountering the occasional "sand place" is inevitable.
Sand is characterized by its high friction and loose structure, which significantly affects the motorcycle's performance. It leads to increased resistance in the front wheel and insufficient power in the rear wheel, causing the vehicle to sink.
How to Safely Navigate Sand Place
1. Adopting the Right Stance: To handle sand effectively, shift your stance slightly backward compared to the standard cross-country position. This redistributes the weight on the front and rear wheels, reducing the pressure on the front wheel to approximately 40% and increasing it to 60% on the rear wheel.
This adjustment decreases the front wheel's burial depth in the sand, reducing friction and resistance. Conversely, the rear wheel sinks deeper, increasing tire-sand contact, resulting in improved rear-wheel power.
2. Key Points of the Sand Stance
When navigating sand, shift your center of gravity backward without sitting on the seat. Maintain one finger on the front brake and one on the clutch. Keep both elbows raised and exert more effort than usual with your knees clamped to the bike.
Both feet should be on the foot pedals, with the left foot avoiding the gear lever, and the right foot using the brake pedal lightly. While starting, avoid applying excessive pressure to the rear wheel to prevent getting stuck.
3. Throttle and Clutch Control: To start and proceed through sand, you'll need to manage the throttle carefully. The ideal engine speed may vary between different motorcycles, but generally, on flat terrain, maintain a minimum of 4000 rpm in first gear.
Keep the throttle application smooth and avoid abrupt acceleration. When the bike is in motion, use inertia to your advantage, and try to avoid stopping. Never ride with the clutch partially engaged while applying full throttle.
4. Constant Practice: The sand stance requires continuous practice until mastered. If you haven't fully grasped it yet, it's advisable to stay in the standing position when navigating sand. However, if you find yourself in an emergency, you can use a sitting position.
In this case, focus on clamping both knees to the bike and keeping your feet on the pedals. Even if the bike tilts slightly, maintain throttle control to naturally maintain balance.
How to Get Unstuck from Sand
Situation 1: Deep Stuck, Rear Wheel Idling
Solution:
1. Lower the bike's body.
2. Remove the rear wheel from the sand pit and place it on solid ground.
3. Use the positive support method to lift the bike's body.
4. Follow the steps of "situation one" to extricate yourself from the dilemma.
Situation 2: Shallow Sand, No Bottom Drag, Rear Wheels Not Idling
Solution:
1. Clear obstacles from the front and rear wheels.
2. Disable traction control (ASC, MTC, TC, etc.).
3. Start in second gear (first gear may be suitable for some vehicles or terrain).
4. Pop the clutch and apply the throttle smoothly while completely releasing the clutch.
5. If necessary, get off the bike and push, increasing the chance of success.
Precautions:
1. Park with the front end down or at least on level ground.
2. If you notice the rear wheels sinking, release the throttle immediately and assess the situation.
3. Be cautious about deflating the front and rear tires, as improper deflation could lead to rim damage.
4. After riding in sand, thoroughly clean the chain, shock absorbers, bearings, and other parts to minimize wear and tear.
5. Following beach adventures, promptly clean the entire bike to prevent rust.
