Why Is Up More Fun Than Down?

[Geezer]

A couple of weeks ago while out for a ride with my daughter (separate bikes) on a very familiar road she asked me to not go down a particular side road but to take a different route instead. OK. Later, after we stopped for fuel, I asked her why. She said that she did not like going down the steep and very tight turns on that road.

I never thought about it before but I kind of agree with her that, although I really enjoy going up that twisty hill I generally go down it much slower than when going up the same road. The same is true of most twisty hills, faster and more fun going up than down.

Do others find this true? Is it just that I am not practiced enough on the down hill or is down actually more difficult than up?

 

[Bounce]

My take (not gospel)

Weight distribution moves traction fore and aft when going down and up hill. Going up hill you have more traction on the rear wheel and less on the front. You stick better under accel because the traction pie is larger. Going down hill the traction pie is bigger on the front wheel. Better grip in the turn but easier to break loose the rear in a turn or when braking. You're more likely to wash out the front wheel going up hill but it's (to me) easier to feel as the front will get lighter. Braking moves weight forward so the distribution is more balanced when going up hill but less balanced when going down hill.

 

[slapnpop]

I find my favorite direction is the climb, though I enjoy both ways. I think it has to do with the ability to slow down easier, and the way my body sits on the bike.

 

[gasman]

I always feel more in control on a climb than a descent. JB

 

[Randy]

During the climb, I feel I have full control of acceleration, however, on the downhills, it's tough to judge how much gravity is adding in.

I guess, if you think about it, going downhill, you actually have more downforce, so, traction should be better. I dunno.

I walked to school uphill, both ways, so, don't ask me.

 

[Ramblin Man]

Thats easy. You have farther to fall going down hill than up.

Try this. Stand on a hill facing up and fall forward and catch yourself with your hands if you want. Then turn around and do the same thing.

 

[deanw]

Going UP, you are in complete control of how much the bike accelerates. Going DOWN, the bike wants to accelerate whether you want it to or not. It's a subtle difference in how much in control you (we, they, I) feel.

In a sport where lack of control can kill you, it's not surprising that DOWN isn't as comfortable as UP.

 

[zorkler]

come to think about it i like up my self . on the down i keep it in a lower gear so the engine does some of the braking .

 

[Geezer]

OK, so it seems to be a concensus that up hill is different enough from down hill and most of us like going up better than going down... er.... down hill that is. Thanks for the comments.

 

[DrEvil777]

I used to love uphill and detest going back down. Too easy to carry too much speed into corners, etc.

After a couple of track days and the CLASS school with Reg Pridmore helped tremendously. I now actually like downhill as much as uphill.

The FJR does carry lots of weight and speed into a downhill corner which still makes me ride it a little more cautiously. It is, obviously, easier on a sport bike.

No substitute for practice and experience. The more track time I put in, the better the street riding.

What I do like about Pridmore is that he preaches safety on the streets, and if you want to ride fast, go to the track. He is adamant about not riding the streets like the track, and its all about being smooth. Smooth riding has helped me to be both faster and safer. I know that there are Keith Code disciples out there and I have read his stuff and plan on doing his track school next year.

 

[afterburn]

It doesn't matter to me one bit. The only difference is that if you are pushing it a bit going down, your arms get pumped quite a bit sooner going down from braking.

 

[Thug]

Up or down no matter...

 

[zorkler]

the pridmore way is super smooth , super safe , and proper body english . i recived the book for fathers day .

 

[BULLIT MAN]

No one has mentioned the effect that the camber of the road has.Ive gone uphill (which i prefer) and come over a rise to hit a reverse camber turn.pucker factor 5.there is a good book out called twist of the wrist that gave me some good pointers about some of these factors.I always like to half speed a road both up and down if im gonna try to advance my skill level on it

 

[moby one]

What I do like about Pridmore is that he preaches safety on the streets, and if you want to ride fast, go to the track. He is adamant about not riding the streets like the track, and its all about being smooth. Smooth riding has helped me to be both faster and safer..

Just got done reading the "Smooth Riding the Pridmore way". It's a good read.

 

[yamaholic]

Pretty normal reaction for all the reasons mentioned.

Lean backwards and lean into the downhill curves more. Lean the body, not the bike. Use the rear brake first to stablize the front end. Don't be afraid to drag them a little (unless it's a long hill) use a gear or more lower than level ground for the same speed. Also, loosen up on your grip. Your nervous and it's easy to tense up. Relax.

Went down to WV last month and really enjoyed the 12%, 4 mile downhill sections over the Applacian and Shenadoa mountains. Really keeps you "interested"!

 

[DrEvil777]

Keith Code write the Twist of the Wrist series which has some great insights. And I have already sang the praises of Reg Pridmore. They both make good reading and as they say, Knowledge is Power!

 

[Geezer]

After reading your responses to my question I road up and dwon that same twisty hill a few times this week. I think the reason up is more fun than down for me is that I have better control of my speed when going up, as some of you have said. I normally regulate my speed with the throttle and reserve the brakes for traffic or stopping so it is not a natural feel for me to use the brakes while going down the hill into a sharp curve (the road has an S curve marked at 10 mph).

Thanks all for your responses. I never cease to learn from you guys.

 

[FJRSANDIEGO]

I prefer up to down on a motorcycle, but can't quite figure out why I like skiing and cycling down a hill rather than up! :blink: