The Usual Suspect rides over the Hardknott & Wrynose passes in the Lake District. Climbs, switchbacks, CRASHES!!! Hardknott Pass: one of the 10 steepest roads in the world. / theusualsuspect
I actually rode it two weeks ago but in the opposite direction. It was early morning, wet, foggy and I was gloveless because they had got soaked the day before. I loved it haha! The trick to any steep riding, road or off road is selecting a low gear early and staying in it, keeping your eyes going up the hill and not focused on the apex and keep momentum! Great video !
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. I did learn a lot from it that's for sure. I've gone on to take her fully loaded over the a lot of the really tough Alpine passes... Check out the 8 Nations series that's just started to land on my Channel.
Thanks for watching. Its a GoPro session on the bars pointing at me. Its a GoPro hero 7 Black on the helmet and the bike forks. Subscribe for lots more stuff in 2022. Plus I have a camera gear video on my channel.
A brave man that shows his tumbles . Luckily you didnt hurt yourself and only slight damage to the bike. I have been over Hardknott many times in the last 50 years on many types of British bikes including a 3 speed LEVelocetteand the best advice I would give would be to engage first gear at the bottom and leave it in till you get to the top.Another tip is dont follow closely behind anybody else.If they stall you will also.I always observe the vehicle in front and make sure they have got a fair way up before I set off.Having said all this I like you managed to drop my C10l BSA the other week on the steepest section of your descent and I was in first gear.The engine lost power and stalled and I tried to put my feet down to find nothing there and over I went. It shook me up for a moment but luckily only my pride and headlight rim were dented. I throughly enjoyed the video by the way it was very well filmed and documented.Keep up the good work.
Thanks so much John, some great advice. I'm hoping I'll get another go at it before the end of the year. Glad you enjoyed the video. Got a follow on video coming up, on the road home. Take it easy and keep watching.
@@TheUsualSuspect Thanks for reply.I will await attempt number two with baited breath,try it from the Eskdale side .It is generally regarded as the more difficult side I have ridden my Sporster up both sides but have to say that they are a handfull on those hairpin bends .Not for the feint hearted Iwish you good luck and full marks for trying. See if you can get any of your friends to accompany you and make a day of it I am sure it would make a great video. Remember Ride Safe and get home in one piece..
Respect to you mate for ‘baring all’. Also I’ve watched many of these Hardknott Pass vids, yours is the first to really show to me the severity of the drop on ‘other side’. Cheers.
Those narrow roads, tall hedges either side, blind corners and steep climbs mean you need a big pair to take a H-D up through there. It was nice how the people joined in to help you get it back on the road. Good video, thanks for taking us along. Here in America I'd call that a game trail or maybe a farmer's lane. Two way traffic- not good. You guys have to deal with some wee tiny roads, man.
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. It's a narrow and steep on that's for sure. Got some crazy roads on more rides to come so, stay tuned loads more stuff to come in 2022, including the highlands of Scotland, The House of Trembling Madness and the Normandy beaches.
Great video and unlucky with the fall,have an 09 fatboy and the first couple of gear are quite long,very easy to get caught out.Luckily you didn’t suffer much damage and the engine bars are definitely well worth fitting.Keep the videos coming,they are great 👍
Felt it for you there, that horrible feeling you get just before you drop it knowing its going to happen and no matter what you do you ain't gonna stop it, think we've all been there and got the t-shirt. Very lucky to have so little damage, good video 👍
Thanks so much for watching and for your comment. Yeah she's a fat one that's for sure, the camera doesn't do it justice, it was really steep and I had both brakes on and just couldn't stop her, so I tipped her to stop her going any further. Stay tuned for lots more rides and shenanigans in 2022, including the Normandy beaches, the Scottish Highlands and the House of Trembling Madness...
Kudos for having the balls to show the video and for carrying on. It's rare to see many bikes so there's not that many of you willing to even try, and I wouldn't blame them. Done it a few times in a car with ease, scrapes the underside on the switchback though, but never on a bike, it looks tough. Beautiful machine, I hope the damage wasn't too expensive. Totally agree about the engine bars, never understood why more bikers don't use them.
Hi, thanks so much for watching and for your comments. I was lucky, broke the indicator and the license plate and that really it. Worse happened on the 8 nations episode 9 whilst in France. Stay tuned loads more stuff coming up.
I did this route a couple of months ago, you picked a gorgeous day for it. An outstanding part of the world. It was perfect for my adventure bike, cudos for doing it on a Harley!
In 1978 I bought a brand new Ford Capri 3.0S and when it was two days old a valve spring snapped right on the top of a deserted Hardknott pass. I had to walk four miles to the nearest phone box to ring the AA breakdown truck, (No mobile phones in those days) Lol! Glad you were not hurt anyway.
Hi Alan, thanks so much for watching and for the great story, it's still pretty much like that as mobile signal is very hit and miss up there. Stay tuned for much more coming in 2022, including the Scottish Highlands, the Normandy beaches and the House of Trembling Madness...
Well done my friend for uploading it, many wouldn't have, all respect, don't be hard on yourself, as Wrynose & Hard Knott catches out hundreds of very capable riders every year going up and down both ways.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. It was a school boy error on my part. Been and done it again since (see the 6 passes video) and then took her over the Stelvio pass this summer on an 8 nation alpine ride (see 8 nations series).
Great video mate, sorry to see the drop… I’ll have to check out this route not been there before certainly a point of interest for my channel thanks for showing us!
Thanks for checking out the video and the channel. It's an amazing ride. There is a follow on video coming of a route from where I finished over one of the best biking roads I've ever seen.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. It was very handy... though having reviewed the video, its actually me that knocked the indicator off with my foot as I came off.. just didn't realise it at the time... stay tuned for loads more to come in 2022.
Did this route again last year, 5’4 on a gsx1400. Was so glad and lucky not to meet any cars, my two mates who had never been over it on bikes were loving it. Always a slight relief once the ‘ordeal’ is over 😀
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. I totally hear you... It was a relief at the end.... But like good rollercoaster, you just end up wanting to ride it again... Stay tuned for loads more stuff coming in 2022, including the Normandy beaches, the Highlands and the House of Trembling Madness
I did it on a Yamaha 1100 Dragstar Cruiser towing a trailer with all my camping gear in, to say it was challenging is an understatement, I won't ever do it again towing a trailer that's for sure.
great vid, and respect to you for posting it, a lot of people would have deleted the footage after dropping their pride and joy, I had a mexican standoff just below the summit with a couple of japanese tourists who were in a bmw x5, they suddenly appeared at the top of the brow and STOPPED, just as I had about 20 feet left to climb, handbrake on (we were in a car) , foot break pressed hard, wife screaming at me that we are about to die, I was defo not reversing back down that section to find a passing place, I hand signalled to the bmw driver, that I was going forward only, after what seemed ages (about 5 minutes) my hand signals were getting a lot more animated, the driver decided to reverse, after sitting there like a lemon wondering what to do. Once at the top I told the wife it was her turn to drive, I then got into a lot trouble cause she refused (it was her idea to venture up there and she had been crapping herself all the way up) would luv to try it on two wheels at some point, first gear for the win, whether on 2 wheels / 3 wheels / or 4 wheels / or a tank
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. That's a great story about your trip over there. Hoping to get back again soon. Stay tuned loads more stuff to come in 2022.
@@TheUsualSuspect I mentioned to the wife I was watching your vid, she still refuses to try it, what a wimp! (I said I would not be a passenger, but I'll fly a drone to film her attempt, she declined)
Hope you're ride went better than mine. Still I learned a lot from the fall, Check out the 8 Nations Road Riot Series on my Channel... coming up is The Stelvio, Staller, Bernina, Julier and Grossglockner passes... best ride ever!!!
Me and my partner rode this on sport bikes over the summer, we came so close to disaster. I posted a couple of videos of it. Including our big moment on that tight switchback on the way down (we did it the other way). It's great to see how many people where willing to help you out.
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. Stay tuned loads more stuff to come in 2022, including the highlands of Scotland, The House of Trembling Madness and the Normandy beaches.
Without being holier than thou, the Hardknott is definitely not for Harleys. As a tour guide I have driven it loads of times in both directions and had some hairy moments. I intend to do it on two wheels but not on my Bonneville.....the little XSR125 is perfect for the job !! Great vid though well done for recovering and getting through it !!
14 of us did that yesterday morning - the opposite way to this. Three of us went down at the turn you were looking into at 33:30. Mine was a fully dressed and fully loaded FJR and I’d stopped to help the guy in front. Not enough beans, stopped going forwards = start going over - then you are NOT going to stop it! Took three of us to right it and a lot of something to carry on up! Lots of rain and cloud didn’t help either!
@jonchilds1637 Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. It is a bit of a monster. I've been back a couple of times since and been fine, gonna have to take the new bike over it though. Check out the rest of the channel for more amazing mountain roads.
Enjoyed watching the video. Easier on a Sportster a you say. It’s a challenge. Had trouble in a van in winter - insufficient traction on the hairpins. Van slid back 😬
Great honest video .... i rode it on a pushbike, got up ok but crashed on a wet hairpin descent and didn't stop rolling until about 50m away from the bike, long walk of shame in ballet shoes lol, never been back
Thanks for watching and for your comments. Jesus... hope you weren't too injured from that. Gonna go back soon for another go on the same bike!. Stay tuned for loads more rides in 2022, including the highlands of Scotland, The House of Trembling Madness and the Normandy Beaches.
It's not just the right bends and road incline that makes Hardknott a bugger - it's that the tarmac is rough as crap and really rippled in places which means it's hard to get the power down when you need it. I did it in a Peugeot Expert van.
Ohh mate felt for ya on that one what a ride and some fantastic scenery too , I was a little surprised when you actually had to ask for a lift what was that about . She's a big old girl ta lift I reckon, now a subscriber take care out there. cheers !!! : )
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments... she is a big girl and it was a steep slope, if I'd have got her upright on my (which I can do on flat ground), she'd have just kept rolling back... stay tuned for loads more stuff coming in 2022 like the scottish highlands, the Normandy beaches and the House of Trembling Madness...
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. I have taken quite a lot of hate for that video... so it's great to get a positive comment. I do go back in a later video and stay upright. Please check out the rest of the channel for loads of great roads and rides.
I did Hardknott and Wrynose on a Honda 90 back in the 80s. The problem is drivers sightseeing. 30mph to 5mph, no signals or warning. Fried the clutch of a 250 following a car of sightseers with no passing places.
@@kf-dk5pb Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. That's a great story about your trip over there. Hoping to get back again soon. Stay tuned loads more stuff to come in 2022, including the highlands of Scotland, The House of Trembling Madness and the Normandy beaches.
Not the ideal bike to do that on but you see just about every other type of bike up there so it's worth a try ! I think I spotted a Honda Monkey bike in your vid coming the other way too, at least it's small and lightweight though ! I rode all over the Lakes on my SV650 a few years ago and really enjoyed it, plenty of low down torque, great handling and fairly low seat height gave me plenty of confidence, it was pretty much perfect for those type of roads, it just wasn't comfortable on long rides though. Then I bought a CB900f and rode that up there, again plenty of torque and good handling, this time with more comfort but the seat was higher and the bike is heavier so inevitably I dropped it but not on a mountain road, this was in a town ! Approaching a junction on the side of a steep hill and I got wrong footed so the bike went over ! Just snapped the end off front brake lever and bent the rear lever so was still rideable luckily but it put me off tackling anything more ambitious ! The thing that really irritates me the most in the Lakes is the number of people you see with poor driving skills and overloaded cars ! They always seem to be in the most unsuitable cars for those roads too and get themselves into ridiculous situations, it must be a nightmare for recovery services !
Cheers for watching Ian, and for the comment. I'll have a go at most things. Its not the most ideal bike for that kind of thing, but I gotta be me... got more silliness coming up this summer with rides in the Highlands and in Europe, so stay tuned.
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. It was very scary!!! Stay tuned for much more content in 2022... Including The Scottish Highlands, The House of Trembling Madness and the Normandy Beaches.
I had an incident once on the far side driving in the opposite direction just about where you met the cyclist with the red top. Even though I have ridden and driven it several times including on a combo (it’s a real test negotiating the steep right handers with a chair on)it caught me out. It was a blistering hot day and some patch roadworks had been done right in the apex of the bend (much narrower at that time) which had a 1 in 2 gradient at that point, the new gravel was just lying in a pool of molten tar. The car was fwd and as it came to the apex the n/s wheel just ripped the gravel out and the wheel dropped into the hole it had dug. 🤢 .It took several bouts of to-ing and fro-ing before I could get it out. Not helped by a moron in a Landcruiser coming right up my a### limiting my movements and sounding his horn. He was fortunate I didn’t lamp,him. Meanwhile a querulous passenger had bailed out and walked to the top.😆
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. I learned a lot from that day. Check out the rest of the channel for videos on trips to Normandy and then a huge one around the Alps where take in Stelvio Pass and Grossglockner loads of amazing roads and beers along the way.
Not sure if anyone else has noticed or even yourself, but it looks like when you fell-off, your right foot connected with the right hand indicator. Time stamp around 25:00 min mark. Can just see your foot get close to that indicator. So possibly a little room for "Benefit of the Doubt" as far as damage is concerned. But love the ride and your Harley looks and sounds awesome and you have a new subscriber to your channel, watching in Byron Bay, Australia.
Thanks so much for you comments and for watching. Great to know I've reached all the way down under.. thanks for the sub, keep watching as there's more to come in 22 like the Highlands of Scotland and Normandy beaches ride...
Went over that bugger in the 70's, on my way to Windscale. IN A ( Reliant) 3 WHEELER. Had to stop at the top for an hour, as the old fibreglass bonnet was in danger of catching fire !!. Happy days.
LOL that sounds crazy. Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Check out the 8 Nations series that's started to land on my channel some crazy roads on that.
Fair play to you doing it on the Harley Ferguson. Not ideal on any cruiser or big tourer. Done it numerous times on different bikes but last time I struggled on my tenere 700 thanks to many numpties in cars blocking the road in difficult sections. Not helped by my suffering with long covid which has screwed up my balance😕. Great roads and hope to do them again soon but without the cars getting in the way.
Thanks so much for your comments and for watching. It was struggle with that bike. After overtaking the van I was just in the wrong gear, and that's one of the steeper parts (video doesn't do it justice). Still I learned a lot and have gone on to do much more (check out the 8 Nations series). Thanks again.
Looks like the Runcorn Bridge opening shot.....you from that neck of the woods like me. Love the low revving grunt of your bikes motor....sounds like its almost at idle speed.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. It is the Runcorn bridge. I've got a couple of sets of pipes, but those are my favourites. Check out the 8 Nations series on the channel for lots of great roads in the Alps.
That was a nice ride Phill I did it myself two up with camping gear on a Honda 400/4 but that was in the early 80s. Just like you I fried the clutch and boiled the brakes but I wouldn’t mind doing it again on my Moto Guzzi
Thanks so much for watching and for the comment.. I'm looking forward to returning to it in the next few weeks for another go. Stay tuned for loads more stuff to come in 2022... including rides in search of the best beers... for drinking afterwards obviously! Thanks again
@@TheUsualSuspect For sure. I'll be in Whitehaven in the Lake District from the 28th to the 31 of July. So it will be in one of those days 👍 You're welcome to join me 🏍️👍
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. Stay tuned loads more stuff to come in 2022, including the highlands of Scotland, The House of Trembling Madness and the Normandy beaches.
Or ride my Dct honda and just trail brake. Trail braking is the way i ride roundabouts, nasty bends and sharp uphill or downhill bends. Revelation in stabilising the bike
I did exactly the same as you the last time I rode it few year ago on my ol lambretta, exactly the same sot too. The problem is its so steep that if you are in the wrong gear you loose all forward momentum as soon as you pull the clutch. I have the additional problem of lack of torque and needing to keep the revs up.
Thanks so much for watching and for the comment. Wow, and I thought I was brave on the Fatboy.. I have laughed a lot about it since. Stay tuned for lots more content to come in 2022 including rides in search of the best beers... for drinking afterwards obviously!
Glad you're ok, looks like your right heel kicked the indicator off as you went down, not the guy that helped you stand it up. Hardknott pass is a notorious pass, I've 2 wheeled & 4 wheeled it, nice bike, sounds like my Heritage Softail classic I had back in 2000.
Hi Steve, thanks so much for watching and for the comments, yeah I had to back and do slo mo replay to see it. Didn't feel it at the time. Stay tuned as loads more to come in 2022..
I rolled like tumbleweed this afternoon mate..🤦😂 dropped the Aprilia 1k on the killer bend with big killer pothole.. definitely a road that needs some respect. 👍🍻
Rode it many yrs ago, two up on BMW k100.Very challenging ,had to concentrate on some turns and found it essential to keep momentum going. Oh yes,I`m only 5Ft 6 ins which didn`t help.I recon the ideal bike would be a 250 super moto or KTM 390,certainly nothing big.
She can be a beast... and fully loaded she's even worse... Check out the 8 Nations Series that's just started land on my channel, A load of great Alpine passes, and a load of beers to go with it. Thanks so much for your comments and for watching.
Hey mate, is it OK to feature your clip in a moto edit some time soon? It will be credited in the description & comments section with your name watermarked on the clip. Thanks, MM
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. That's a great story about your trip over there. Hoping to get back again soon. Stay tuned loads more stuff to come in 2022, including the highlands of Scotland, The House of Trembling Madness and the Normandy beaches.
Was up there last year & one of my mates came off just after where you said “switch back”. broken pannier & a bruised ego. Pannier rolled about 100 yards down the road. Anybody watching that hasn’t ridden it will think it’s not that steep because the camera doesn’t do it justice at all.👍👍👍
Thanks so much for watching and for the comment... Its a crazy road that's for sure, and very steep, and going to head back this year. Stay tuned for loads more stuff coming in 2022
Nice vid, cracking ride... My advice would be NEVER attempt it in the wet, NEVER stop on the big climbs and be very aware when the bend falls away from you cos if you need to put your foot down you're a gonner - oh and the first gear thing!
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. All very valid and accurate points... will be taking them on board when I go back. Stay tuned loads more stuff to come in 2022, including the highlands of Scotland, The House of Trembling Madness and the Normandy beaches.
Great video Phil. To be honest the choice of bike to tackle this sort of terrain um um !!. At least you where OK. Funny when you have an off and i have had loads all you worry about is the Bike, and what the wife is going to say to you when you get home lol.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Absolutely, after the bike, the first thought was the wife's just gonna call me a knob... Quite a few times. Stay tuned for loads more stuff coming in 2022 including the Scottish Highlands, The Normandy beaches, and the House of Trembling Madness...
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Subscribe to the channel for lots more rides and mayhem in 2022, including the Scottish Highlands and the House of Trembling Madness...
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. I have done it couple more times since. Once the other way. Check out the rest of the channel. Loads of great roads across Europe on there.
I have some great memories of Hardnott pass as a nipper. We lived in Barrow-in-Furness and my late father collected old motorbikes, mostly Douglas, but also AJS & Matchless, Rudge. I remember his 1956 Douglas Dragonfly gave problems as we were passing over the pass…and the engine began to lose power, so as the kid on the pillion was easiest to move, I jumped off to ride pillion on his friend’s 1930’s Douglas Bulldog…the only problem was that the Bulldog didn’t have a pillion seat, so I completed the trip, over the pass and back to Barrow on a bloody luggage rack. And those bikes had rigid rear ends! I don’t think I have walked the same since! That was 40 + years ago. 20 years ago I emigrated to South Africa, where were have some blistering passes. Used to enjoy them on a Honda VFR, but now I can no longer ride, I have a Porsche 911 which provides different fun.
Thanks so much for watching and the comments. Wow, you've had a real variety of experience. Loved that ride despite the tumble. Would love to ride round SA. Maybe one day... Do the Harley dealers hire, do you know? Stay tuned, loads more great ride and shenanigans content coming in 2022. Enjoy the Porsche!!
@@TheUsualSuspect yes, they certainly do hire Harleys in Cape Town. The 2 really good places to ride bikes (or drive Porsche’s!) are the Western Cape, and the areas up around Nelspruit. But here in the Western Cape, we have the added benefit of being wine country! My father and I had plans to keep most of his collection of bikes here in South Africa, where we don’t have an issue with rust…the heat here is very dry. But to keep a couple of the racier models over there for classic TT, and various races and hill climbs that we used to do. Sadly, those plans had to be ditched. First he got Parkinson’s Disease which gradually restricted what he could do with his old bikes and cars. Then an old rugby injury caught up with me, and I ended up in a wheelchair back in 2000. Sadly my old man passed away before we could enjoy some South African passes together. Actually he never enjoyed riding with me, as he always claimed I rode too fast, and was much happier with me on a pillion or stuck in a sidecar…. I do have some videos of the passes down here on my other channel. Will copy the link over.
@@dissol1306 thanks so much for sharing such great memories, its one of the benefits of doing stuff like this channel. You get to chat with people from all over the world about their amazing experiences and lives. Sorry to hear about your dad. Hopefully one day in the not to distant future I'll get there rent a big one and get to see that amazing land.
Indeed... thanks so much for watching and for your comments. There's another incident I had more recently in an upcoming episode of the 8 nations road riot on my channel.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Glad you enjoyed the video. Stay tuned for lots more in 2022, including the Scottish Highlands, the Normandy beaches and The House of Trembling Madness.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Subscribe to the channel for lots more rides and mayhem in 2022, including the Scottish Highlands and the House of Trembling Madness...
What is going on? Would it be ok if I share this video for an edit that I'm working on? I'll credit you and drop a link in description as well. Thanks in advance mate
That Harley sounds just like a garden rotavator I used in the 1980's!! Hell that thing is really agricultural! Ive always heard how torquey Harley were supposed to be!
Thanks for letting me re-live the pass. I rode it over fifty years ago on a 650 BSA twin. What impressed was that every really steep part seemed to have a hairpin at the bottom of it. I would love to ride it again but sadly it is a long way from my home and I am not keen on riding long distance these days.
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. Stay tuned loads more stuff to come in 2022, including the highlands of Scotland, The House of Trembling Madness and the Normandy beaches.
The camera flattens the road out a lot, you need first gear early on and stay in it, watch your line and take it easy, you may need to use your clutch as well and you need torque.I rode it in the mid '50s and it hasn't changed from what I remember. There is more traffic now The road was first made by the Romans in about 110AD
Top marks for getting back on and giving it a go. Most would have turned back. The gopro doesn't do the steepness of the climb justice. After watching this,I'll take spare underwear just ìncase...😆 Top stuff. Well done.
Thanks so much for the comment on the vid and thanks for watching... I'll be back over there again in the next few weeks for another go, and three other passes in the same day.. I'll try not to fall off this time.
I have driven that road many times. I would ride it too (I am not a very brilliant rider) however trying to ride it on a Harley.. inevitavable result really. The number of times I have flaged down camper vans and lowered cars to stop them distroying their vehicles and getting very stuck going up there. It took 6 of us to try to un stick a lowered BMW 3 serise at the start of the pass! He was determined to carry on even when we told him it got very much worse further up.. so we left him stuck and all got in our cars and left him there. He was not going to listen.
Hello, Rider! How are you doing? Love this clip! Would it be OK if we used it in a youtube video we're making and maybe share it on our social media? We'll credit you in the video and all descriptions. Thank you! :)
Enjoyed the video, bad luck just wrong gear and slightly off line. Honister is another slightly-less-scary alternative fun route. Don't think you can blame the guys who helped you for the indicator though, you caught it with your right foot when you dropped it. Craziest thing in this video is the guy at about 35' trying to ride up the other way on a Brompton! Thats the definition of optimism.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments, glad you enjoyed the video. Planning on a day with all the major passes in the lakes quite soon. So stay tuned for that one.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Its a crazy road for sure, I've seen a video of someone trying it in a long wheel base sprinter... and failing. Stay tuned for much more rides and shenanigans in 2022 like the Scottish Highlands, the Normandy beaches and The House of Trembling Madness...
Love that road, first time I did it was 2 up with GF on the back, no problem but we were on a Street triple which, with bike & two riders, weighs about the same as the dry weight of a Harley & more power
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Wow 2 up, you're brave... it was tough with one. Stay tuned for more rides and shenanigans in 2022, including the Scottish Highlands, the Normandy beaches and the House of Trembling Madness...
It happens. Make sure you take a video of your succesful rides over the passes! I've ridden these and other passes/ steep roads and they're a lot of fun but I've seen a few low speed lowsides and funnily enough they were all the humungous 'adventure' bikes.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. You'd be surprised how many people have a go at you for what you ride... stay tuned for more rides and shenanigans.. hopefully no drops in 2022.
@@TheUsualSuspect Daft isn't it? You've got a great bike that wouldn't be for me. Who cares? Ride your own ride. I've had 1930's singles with girder forks to 21st Century Superbikes and I loved them all (mostly!). Keep up the vids and maybe see you on t'road.
Great video Phil, shame about the drop. I rode it myself a few month back on a Yamaha Tracer as it was always on my bucket list, if there is any advice I can give anyone thinking of doing this ride, if you think you should be in second gear leave in first and so on. Keep the bike in a low gear, all the time.
lol. Good advice. Something I learned a long time ago on a similar sized V twin cruiser of another brand. {Kwaka Nomad}. No one wants advice in hindsight as I am sure you have thought of every mistake you made already {The Usual Suspect}. None the less I have seen it before. When a bike stalls on a backwards down hill {I know the right foot is often down on the ground and panic stops you hitting the rear brake!} so dump the clutch and stall the engine. It will give you a moment to regain composure while the engine holds the bike along with the front brake though that {brake} does not do much. These low RPM high torque bikes can get a rider complacent then a sudden sharp pinch just becomes too much in a blink of an eye and going for 1st is already too late. I watched you riding after the fall and I imagine you were just a little overcome with emotion to think straight as you still were often having to feather the clutch because you were not in 1st. I thought for one moment it was going to cost you a 2nd fall but you pushed through it just. I loved listening to you ride and am sorry you had the fall but I hope it helps others to understand: Choose 1st very early before you need it! You can always upshift after the tight pinches if you did not need it; but chances are you will.
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. Nah it was just a bit of damage, all sorted in a few days. It is a great road, but very steep 30% inclines in places. Will definitely do it again this year. Stay tuned for that and loads more rides and shenanigans in 2022, the Scottish Highlands, Normandy beaches and the House of Trembling Madness...
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Please subscribe to the channel to keep updated with more great rides and content coming soon. There is another video of the Hardknott and 5 other passes. Thanks again.
bless ya bud.. anyone who says they've never dropped a bike is either lying or very lucky, and most drop them in way more mundane places.. btw, just past that pub at the end is the Boot National trust campsite. Its an absolute Beauty, i recommend.
Cheers so much for the comments and for watching. I'll be going back this year so might just try that camp site. Lots more stuff coming this year including the Normandy beaches and the Scottish Highlands.so stay tuned. Thanks again
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Yeah she's got the engine for it, just a bit heavy. Wouldn't change her for anything though. Gonna go back again at some point soon.
My mate dropped his TDM coming over the other way; he had slowed right down and by the time he changed from second to first had lost momentum and was rolling backwards feet down with the front tyre struggling for grip. No luck and over he went. There was very little damage, just annoyed at himself for not changing down sooner.
As a past owner of a Road King so I can say from experience you tend to use a gear too high, it sounds good but you are at the bottom of the torque curve. It also does not allow engine braking to be used in addition to the brakes. You mentioned hot brakes, not something I have experienced. Speed wobble, yes. But the glides have panniers and top box ++,etc..
Thanks dude... I learned a lot from it. Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Check out the 8 Nations series that's just started on my channel for some even crazier rides around Europe.
@@TheUsualSuspect yeh.. I did the pass a few weeks ago and would like to run an intro of how treacherous it is before I then do it. .I have 4 channels I have asked for that bit when it fails. No-issue If you would rather not. Just a thought.
I'm driving the pass in September this year with some friends. I hope none of us fall down. But it will be a big adventure for us who live in a flat area.
Hi thanks for the comments and thanks for watching. You'll love it. Done it couple of times since with no issues. It was a schoolboy error. Please subscribe to the channel as there's a series of videos coming about huge trip around the alps in a few weeks. Thanks Phil
Oops. I’m a local and I’ve ridden it a few times. You didn’t even get to the hard bit. IMO West going up is biggest challenge. I’ve ridden a Road King over the Dolomites and into Eastern Europe where the hairpins are cobbled so it can be done. P
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. Don't give me ideas for worse roads... I'll only end up havin a go! Stay tuned for lots more content to come in 2022 including rides in search of the best beers... for drinking afterwards, as I don't condone that kind of thing!
The first clip you used in the video is me, fact was that i was with a passenger and three full trunks on the back of my bike. If you are by yourself on a empy bike.. two fingers in the nose. Congratulations, i think you should try it as i did and then post it.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. It is a really steep ride. Check out the 8 nations series on my channel for amazing mountain passes like the Stelvio and Grossglockner.
I've cycled that route after driving up from "down south", have driven over there too, but where you had to slip the clutch to get around the "f#ckin hell" corner, I just got stuck & hade to be towed up from there by a local farmer 😂 £££! Will try in on the motorbike, but will probably have to sort out a trailer for the van first
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. I definitely will next time I go over. And it is a mega road. Stay tuned for more rides and shenanigans in 2022, including the Scottish Highlands and the Normandy beaches and the House of Trembling Madness.
I'd have needed reinforced underwear... thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Loads more cool stuff coming in 2022... including rides and beer... not at the same time though!
A mate from the area took us on it, he never told us the route. Queue 3 Scottish bikers constantly saying WTF. That and the Applecross roads are about the most technical in the UK
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. I may have to check out the Applecross roads, stay tuned for that and much more in 2022 including the Highlands, the Normandy beaches and the House of Trembling Madness.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. It's really steep! Been back and done it again without falling off. Check out the 6 passes video and the 8 nations series for more great roads.
And you went 'up' the easy side! The two sharp bends you took going down are much harder coming up, especially if you meet a car coming down that does not want to stop for you. You downhill leg will not touch the ground, until your backside does, that is. At least you survived to tell the tale.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. It was such a good ride even with the mistake. Check out the 6 passes vid and the Normandy rides. All great rides.
I actually rode it two weeks ago but in the opposite direction. It was early morning, wet, foggy and I was gloveless because they had got soaked the day before. I loved it haha!
The trick to any steep riding, road or off road is selecting a low gear early and staying in it, keeping your eyes going up the hill and not focused on the apex and keep momentum!
Great video !
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. I did learn a lot from it that's for sure. I've gone on to take her fully loaded over the a lot of the really tough Alpine passes... Check out the 8 Nations series that's just started to land on my Channel.
Great video , it felt like I was riding it again. Loads of tense moments but very satisfying on completion. Well done for your honesty.
Cheers for watching Chris. was a good day despite the fall, catch you on the road.
Thanks for watching. Its a GoPro session on the bars pointing at me. Its a GoPro hero 7 Black on the helmet and the bike forks. Subscribe for lots more stuff in 2022. Plus I have a camera gear video on my channel.
A brave man that shows his tumbles . Luckily you didnt hurt yourself and only slight damage to the bike. I have been over Hardknott many times in the last 50 years on many types of British bikes including a 3 speed LEVelocetteand the best advice I would give would be to engage first gear at the bottom and leave it in till you get to the top.Another tip is dont follow closely behind anybody else.If they stall you will also.I always observe the vehicle in front and make sure they have got a fair way up before I set off.Having said all this I like you managed to drop my C10l BSA the other week on the steepest section of your descent and I was in first gear.The engine lost power and stalled and I tried to put my feet down to find nothing there and over I went. It shook me up for a moment but luckily only my pride and headlight rim were dented. I throughly enjoyed the video by the way it was very well filmed and documented.Keep up the good work.
Thanks so much John, some great advice. I'm hoping I'll get another go at it before the end of the year. Glad you enjoyed the video. Got a follow on video coming up, on the road home. Take it easy and keep watching.
@@TheUsualSuspect Thanks for reply.I will await attempt number two with baited breath,try it from the Eskdale side .It is generally regarded as the more difficult side I have ridden my Sporster up both sides but have to say that they are a handfull on those hairpin bends .Not for the feint hearted Iwish you good luck and full marks for trying. See if you can get any of your friends to accompany you and make a day of it I am sure it would make a great video. Remember Ride Safe and get home in one piece..
Not forgetting that on the LE you had to take your hand off the handlebars to change gear.
Respect to you mate for ‘baring all’. Also I’ve watched many of these Hardknott Pass vids, yours is the first to really show to me the severity of the drop on ‘other side’. Cheers.
Those narrow roads, tall hedges either side, blind corners and steep climbs mean you need a big pair to take a H-D up through there. It was nice how the people joined in to help you get it back on the road. Good video, thanks for taking us along.
Here in America I'd call that a game trail or maybe a farmer's lane. Two way traffic- not good. You guys have to deal with some wee tiny roads, man.
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. It's a narrow and steep on that's for sure. Got some crazy roads on more rides to come so, stay tuned loads more stuff to come in 2022, including the highlands of Scotland, The House of Trembling Madness and the Normandy beaches.
Great video and unlucky with the fall,have an 09 fatboy and the first couple of gear are quite long,very easy to get caught out.Luckily you didn’t suffer much damage and the engine bars are definitely well worth fitting.Keep the videos coming,they are great 👍
Thanks so much for commenting and checking out the videos... loads more to come. Totally agree about the gears and the engine bars....
Felt it for you there, that horrible feeling you get just before you drop it knowing its going to happen and no matter what you do you ain't gonna stop it, think we've all been there and got the t-shirt. Very lucky to have so little damage, good video 👍
Thanks so much for watching and for your comment. Yeah she's a fat one that's for sure, the camera doesn't do it justice, it was really steep and I had both brakes on and just couldn't stop her, so I tipped her to stop her going any further. Stay tuned for lots more rides and shenanigans in 2022, including the Normandy beaches, the Scottish Highlands and the House of Trembling Madness...
Kudos for having the balls to show the video and for carrying on. It's rare to see many bikes so there's not that many of you willing to even try, and I wouldn't blame them. Done it a few times in a car with ease, scrapes the underside on the switchback though, but never on a bike, it looks tough.
Beautiful machine, I hope the damage wasn't too expensive. Totally agree about the engine bars, never understood why more bikers don't use them.
Hi, thanks so much for watching and for your comments. I was lucky, broke the indicator and the license plate and that really it. Worse happened on the 8 nations episode 9 whilst in France. Stay tuned loads more stuff coming up.
I did this route a couple of months ago, you picked a gorgeous day for it. An outstanding part of the world. It was perfect for my adventure bike, cudos for doing it on a Harley!
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Please check out the rest of the channel, especially the 8 nations series. Some amazing roads.
In 1978 I bought a brand new Ford Capri 3.0S and when it was two days old a valve spring snapped right on the top of a deserted Hardknott pass. I had to walk four miles to the nearest phone box to ring the AA breakdown truck, (No mobile phones in those days) Lol! Glad you were not hurt anyway.
Hi Alan, thanks so much for watching and for the great story, it's still pretty much like that as mobile signal is very hit and miss up there. Stay tuned for much more coming in 2022, including the Scottish Highlands, the Normandy beaches and the House of Trembling Madness...
Well done my friend for uploading it, many wouldn't have, all respect, don't be hard on yourself, as Wrynose & Hard Knott catches out hundreds of very capable riders every year going up and down both ways.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. It was a school boy error on my part. Been and done it again since (see the 6 passes video) and then took her over the Stelvio pass this summer on an 8 nation alpine ride (see 8 nations series).
Great video mate, sorry to see the drop…
I’ll have to check out this route not been there before certainly a point of interest for my channel thanks for showing us!
Thanks for checking out the video and the channel. It's an amazing ride. There is a follow on video coming of a route from where I finished over one of the best biking roads I've ever seen.
Handy having those van drivers nearby to help get you vertical even if they bust your indicator! Great video. Must try it soon.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. It was very handy... though having reviewed the video, its actually me that knocked the indicator off with my foot as I came off.. just didn't realise it at the time... stay tuned for loads more to come in 2022.
Indicator knocked off by right leg. You have to scroll carefully to catch it on the video.
Did this route again last year, 5’4 on a gsx1400. Was so glad and lucky not to meet any cars, my two mates who had never been over it on bikes were loving it. Always a slight relief once the ‘ordeal’ is over 😀
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. I totally hear you... It was a relief at the end.... But like good rollercoaster, you just end up wanting to ride it again... Stay tuned for loads more stuff coming in 2022, including the Normandy beaches, the Highlands and the House of Trembling Madness
I did it on a Yamaha 1100 Dragstar Cruiser towing a trailer with all my camping gear in, to say it was challenging is an understatement, I won't ever do it again towing a trailer that's for sure.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments... check out the rest of the channel, I go back and go to the Alps too...
great vid, and respect to you for posting it, a lot of people would have deleted the footage after dropping their pride and joy, I had a mexican standoff just below the summit with a couple of japanese tourists who were in a bmw x5, they suddenly appeared at the top of the brow and STOPPED, just as I had about 20 feet left to climb, handbrake on (we were in a car) , foot break pressed hard, wife screaming at me that we are about to die, I was defo not reversing back down that section to find a passing place, I hand signalled to the bmw driver, that I was going forward only, after what seemed ages (about 5 minutes) my hand signals were getting a lot more animated, the driver decided to reverse, after sitting there like a lemon wondering what to do. Once at the top I told the wife it was her turn to drive, I then got into a lot trouble cause she refused (it was her idea to venture up there and she had been crapping herself all the way up) would luv to try it on two wheels at some point, first gear for the win, whether on 2 wheels / 3 wheels / or 4 wheels / or a tank
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. That's a great story about your trip over there. Hoping to get back again soon. Stay tuned loads more stuff to come in 2022.
@@TheUsualSuspect I mentioned to the wife I was watching your vid, she still refuses to try it, what a wimp! (I said I would not be a passenger, but I'll fly a drone to film her attempt, she declined)
It's a tough rd to ride, I'm.doing the lakes next month, been told to leave it in first gear for the sections that are steep.
Great video
Hope you're ride went better than mine. Still I learned a lot from the fall, Check out the 8 Nations Road Riot Series on my Channel... coming up is The Stelvio, Staller, Bernina, Julier and Grossglockner passes... best ride ever!!!
Me and my partner rode this on sport bikes over the summer, we came so close to disaster. I posted a couple of videos of it. Including our big moment on that tight switchback on the way down (we did it the other way). It's great to see how many people where willing to help you out.
Cheers for watching and cheers for the comments. I've been and subbed to your channel, gonna check out the vids over the weekend.
Awesome thanks, we are doing a 3 week tour in America this summer on Harleys. So hopefully right up your street.
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. Stay tuned loads more stuff to come in 2022, including the highlands of Scotland, The House of Trembling Madness and the Normandy beaches.
Without being holier than thou, the Hardknott is definitely not for Harleys. As a tour guide I have driven it loads of times in both directions and had some hairy moments. I intend to do it on two wheels but not on my Bonneville.....the little XSR125 is perfect for the job !! Great vid though well done for recovering and getting through it !!
Thanks for sending this to me, luckily it seems nothing major was damaged.
Pride more than anything else for such a school boy error...
14 of us did that yesterday morning - the opposite way to this. Three of us went down at the turn you were looking into at 33:30. Mine was a fully dressed and fully loaded FJR and I’d stopped to help the guy in front. Not enough beans, stopped going forwards = start going over - then you are NOT going to stop it! Took three of us to right it and a lot of something to carry on up! Lots of rain and cloud didn’t help either!
@jonchilds1637 Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. It is a bit of a monster. I've been back a couple of times since and been fine, gonna have to take the new bike over it though. Check out the rest of the channel for more amazing mountain roads.
Enjoyed watching the video. Easier on a Sportster a you say. It’s a challenge. Had trouble in a van in winter - insufficient traction on the hairpins. Van slid back 😬
Wow, you're a braver person than I... It was hairy enough on a bike. Thanks for watching the vids. Loads more to come.
Thanks so much for your comments... you might be right!
Great honest video .... i rode it on a pushbike, got up ok but crashed on a wet hairpin descent and didn't stop rolling until about 50m away from the bike, long walk of shame in ballet shoes lol, never been back
Thanks for watching and for your comments. Jesus... hope you weren't too injured from that. Gonna go back soon for another go on the same bike!. Stay tuned for loads more rides in 2022, including the highlands of Scotland, The House of Trembling Madness and the Normandy Beaches.
Hey, thanks for sending me this clip. I'll use it soon.
Thanks so much.. look forward to it.
It's not just the right bends and road incline that makes Hardknott a bugger - it's that the tarmac is rough as crap and really rippled in places which means it's hard to get the power down when you need it. I did it in a Peugeot Expert van.
Thanks so much for watching and for the comment. I thought I was brave doing it on the Hog.. a Peugeot van!!! Stay tuned. Loads to come in 22
Cheers Phil great video, I now know I WILL NOT be doing that on the Harley lol.
It's definitely not the sensible thing to do!!!
Ohh mate felt for ya on that one what a ride and some fantastic scenery too , I was a little surprised when you actually had to ask for a lift what was that about . She's a big old girl ta lift I reckon, now a subscriber take care out there. cheers !!! : )
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments... she is a big girl and it was a steep slope, if I'd have got her upright on my (which I can do on flat ground), she'd have just kept rolling back... stay tuned for loads more stuff coming in 2022 like the scottish highlands, the Normandy beaches and the House of Trembling Madness...
Hello! Just checking did you submit this video?
Yes I did
@@TheUsualSuspect Thanks a lot :)
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. I have taken quite a lot of hate for that video... so it's great to get a positive comment. I do go back in a later video and stay upright. Please check out the rest of the channel for loads of great roads and rides.
Anyone who attempts Hardknott on a bike has my respect. I did it in my Astra a couple of weeks ago, and it was bloody scary
Thanks Tony, glad you're enjoying the channel.. it was tougher than I expected, hence I came off...
@@TheUsualSuspect Hope the bike wasn’t hurt too much?
I did Hardknott and Wrynose on a Honda 90 back in the 80s. The problem is drivers sightseeing. 30mph to 5mph, no signals or warning. Fried the clutch of a 250 following a car of sightseers with no passing places.
@@borderlands6606 had the same problem two up, screaming at the cars who where oblivious stopping where ever they fancied.
@@kf-dk5pb Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. That's a great story about your trip over there. Hoping to get back again soon. Stay tuned loads more stuff to come in 2022, including the highlands of Scotland, The House of Trembling Madness and the Normandy beaches.
Not the ideal bike to do that on but you see just about every other type of bike up there so it's worth a try !
I think I spotted a Honda Monkey bike in your vid coming the other way too, at least it's small and lightweight though !
I rode all over the Lakes on my SV650 a few years ago and really enjoyed it, plenty of low down torque, great handling and fairly low seat height gave me plenty of confidence, it was pretty much perfect for those type of roads, it just wasn't comfortable on long rides though. Then I bought a CB900f and rode that up there, again plenty of torque and good handling, this time with more comfort but the seat was higher and the bike is heavier so inevitably I dropped it but not on a mountain road, this was in a town ! Approaching a junction on the side of a steep hill and I got wrong footed so the bike went over ! Just snapped the end off front brake lever and bent the rear lever so was still rideable luckily but it put me off tackling anything more ambitious !
The thing that really irritates me the most in the Lakes is the number of people you see with poor driving skills and overloaded cars ! They always seem to be in the most unsuitable cars for those roads too and get themselves into ridiculous situations, it must be a nightmare for recovery services !
Cheers for watching Ian, and for the comment. I'll have a go at most things. Its not the most ideal bike for that kind of thing, but I gotta be me... got more silliness coming up this summer with rides in the Highlands and in Europe, so stay tuned.
Respect to you, I have done it half a dozen times now on my GS, but that looked just scary in your bike.
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. It was very scary!!! Stay tuned for much more content in 2022... Including The Scottish Highlands, The House of Trembling Madness and the Normandy Beaches.
I had an incident once on the far side driving in the opposite direction just about where you met the cyclist with the red top. Even though I have ridden and driven it several times including on a combo (it’s a real test negotiating the steep right handers with a chair on)it caught me out. It was a blistering hot day and some patch roadworks had been done right in the apex of the bend (much narrower at that time) which had a 1 in 2 gradient at that point, the new gravel was just lying in a pool of molten tar. The car was fwd and as it came to the apex the n/s wheel just ripped the gravel out and the wheel dropped into the hole it had dug. 🤢 .It took several bouts of to-ing and fro-ing before I could get it out. Not helped by a moron in a Landcruiser coming right up my a### limiting my movements and sounding his horn. He was fortunate I didn’t lamp,him. Meanwhile a querulous passenger had bailed out and walked to the top.😆
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. I learned a lot from that day. Check out the rest of the channel for videos on trips to Normandy and then a huge one around the Alps where take in Stelvio Pass and Grossglockner loads of amazing roads and beers along the way.
Not sure if anyone else has noticed or even yourself, but it looks like when you fell-off, your right foot connected with the right hand indicator. Time stamp around 25:00 min mark. Can just see your foot get close to that indicator. So possibly a little room for "Benefit of the Doubt" as far as damage is concerned. But love the ride and your Harley looks and sounds awesome and you have a new subscriber to your channel, watching in Byron Bay, Australia.
Thanks so much for you comments and for watching. Great to know I've reached all the way down under.. thanks for the sub, keep watching as there's more to come in 22 like the Highlands of Scotland and Normandy beaches ride...
Went over that bugger in the 70's, on my way to Windscale. IN A ( Reliant) 3 WHEELER. Had to stop at the top for an hour, as the old fibreglass bonnet was in danger of catching fire !!. Happy days.
LOL that sounds crazy. Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Check out the 8 Nations series that's started to land on my channel some crazy roads on that.
Fair play to you doing it on the Harley Ferguson. Not ideal on any cruiser or big tourer. Done it numerous times on different bikes but last time I struggled on my tenere 700 thanks to many numpties in cars blocking the road in difficult sections. Not helped by my suffering with long covid which has screwed up my balance😕. Great roads and hope to do them again soon but without the cars getting in the way.
Thanks so much for your comments and for watching. It was struggle with that bike. After overtaking the van I was just in the wrong gear, and that's one of the steeper parts (video doesn't do it justice). Still I learned a lot and have gone on to do much more (check out the 8 Nations series). Thanks again.
Looks like the Runcorn Bridge opening shot.....you from that neck of the woods like me.
Love the low revving grunt of your bikes motor....sounds like its almost at idle speed.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. It is the Runcorn bridge. I've got a couple of sets of pipes, but those are my favourites. Check out the 8 Nations series on the channel for lots of great roads in the Alps.
That was flat out!!
That was a nice ride Phill I did it myself two up with camping gear on a Honda 400/4 but that was in the early 80s.
Just like you I fried the clutch and boiled the brakes but I wouldn’t mind doing it again on my Moto Guzzi
Thanks so much for watching and for the comment.. I'm looking forward to returning to it in the next few weeks for another go. Stay tuned for loads more stuff to come in 2022... including rides in search of the best beers... for drinking afterwards obviously! Thanks again
Great video.
Looking forward to ride it in July when I'm over from Norway on my bikeholiday.
Give me a shout when you are going to do it. I could join you if thats ok.
@@TheUsualSuspect
For sure.
I'll be in Whitehaven in the Lake District from the 28th to the 31 of July.
So it will be in one of those days 👍
You're welcome to join me 🏍️👍
Drag rear brake, first gear, some revs, feather the clutch, turn head and look where you want to go.
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. Stay tuned loads more stuff to come in 2022, including the highlands of Scotland, The House of Trembling Madness and the Normandy beaches.
Or ride my Dct honda and just trail brake. Trail braking is the way i ride roundabouts, nasty bends and sharp uphill or downhill bends. Revelation in stabilising the bike
I did exactly the same as you the last time I rode it few year ago on my ol lambretta, exactly the same sot too. The problem is its so steep that if you are in the wrong gear you loose all forward momentum as soon as you pull the clutch. I have the additional problem of lack of torque and needing to keep the revs up.
Thanks so much for watching and for the comment. Wow, and I thought I was brave on the Fatboy.. I have laughed a lot about it since. Stay tuned for lots more content to come in 2022 including rides in search of the best beers... for drinking afterwards obviously!
Glad you're ok, looks like your right heel kicked the indicator off as you went down, not the guy that helped you stand it up. Hardknott pass is a notorious pass, I've 2 wheeled & 4 wheeled it, nice bike, sounds like my Heritage Softail classic I had back in 2000.
Hi Steve, thanks so much for watching and for the comments, yeah I had to back and do slo mo replay to see it. Didn't feel it at the time. Stay tuned as loads more to come in 2022..
@@TheUsualSuspect Only one thing to remember on two wheels, enjoy the ride, but enjoy the return home more. Stay safe.
I rolled like tumbleweed this afternoon mate..🤦😂 dropped the Aprilia 1k on the killer bend with big killer pothole.. definitely a road that needs some respect. 👍🍻
Gutted man, proper shite when it happens, hope you got it sorted. Cheers foe watching
Rode it many yrs ago, two up on BMW k100.Very challenging ,had to concentrate on some turns and found it essential to keep momentum going. Oh yes,I`m only 5Ft 6 ins which didn`t help.I recon the ideal bike would be a 250 super moto or KTM 390,certainly nothing big.
She can be a beast... and fully loaded she's even worse... Check out the 8 Nations Series that's just started land on my channel, A load of great Alpine passes, and a load of beers to go with it. Thanks so much for your comments and for watching.
Hey mate, is it OK to feature your clip in a moto edit some time soon? It will be credited in the description & comments section with your name watermarked on the clip. Thanks, MM
Absolutely. Please do, hopefully it might increase my subscriber numbers. I'll have another one soon of a crunch in France...
I just subbed! Thanks mate, I will let you know when I use it.
Legend... Cheers man
@@MotoMadness If you get chance to check out any of the videos, I'd love to know what you think. Thanks again
@@TheUsualSuspect Hey mate, your clip is in the edit called WITH RIDING COMES RISK - WEEKLY DOSE OF MOTO MADNESS. Thanks for being a part of it!
Magic ride mate.... I ended up on the coffee table.. 😂👍
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. That's a great story about your trip over there. Hoping to get back again soon. Stay tuned loads more stuff to come in 2022, including the highlands of Scotland, The House of Trembling Madness and the Normandy beaches.
Have done that ride and agree it can be a bit hairy in places. I now have a DCT bike so always in the right gear, thankfully, haha!!
Was up there last year & one of my mates came off just after where you said “switch back”. broken pannier & a bruised ego. Pannier rolled about 100 yards down the road. Anybody watching that hasn’t ridden it will think it’s not that steep because the camera doesn’t do it justice at all.👍👍👍
Thanks so much for watching and for the comment... Its a crazy road that's for sure, and very steep, and going to head back this year. Stay tuned for loads more stuff coming in 2022
@@TheUsualSuspect ye same here, doing a run to the Scottish boarders & we zig zag all the way up from wetherby. 👍
@@brno221973 wow, that sounds like a great ride...
Nice vid, cracking ride... My advice would be NEVER attempt it in the wet, NEVER stop on the big climbs and be very aware when the bend falls away from you cos if you need to put your foot down you're a gonner - oh and the first gear thing!
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. All very valid and accurate points... will be taking them on board when I go back. Stay tuned loads more stuff to come in 2022, including the highlands of Scotland, The House of Trembling Madness and the Normandy beaches.
Did it on a little Z200 kawasaki before I passed my test, then my BSA starfire & HondaRs 250, it's easy on a small lightweight bike........
Great video Phil. To be honest the choice of bike to tackle this sort of terrain um um !!. At least you where OK. Funny when you have an off and i have had loads all you worry about is the Bike, and what the wife is going to say to you when you get home lol.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Absolutely, after the bike, the first thought was the wife's just gonna call me a knob... Quite a few times. Stay tuned for loads more stuff coming in 2022 including the Scottish Highlands, The Normandy beaches, and the House of Trembling Madness...
Hello! May I feature this one for my youtube edit? I'll credit you with watermark on screen of course. Thanks in advance!
What camer do yo use on your steering wheel?
Lovely video in beautiful countryside
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Subscribe to the channel for lots more rides and mayhem in 2022, including the Scottish Highlands and the House of Trembling Madness...
Nice ride Would you do it the other way round and on the same bike or a lighter one [in case you find wrong gear again]?
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. I have done it couple more times since. Once the other way. Check out the rest of the channel. Loads of great roads across Europe on there.
I have some great memories of Hardnott pass as a nipper. We lived in Barrow-in-Furness and my late father collected old motorbikes, mostly Douglas, but also AJS & Matchless, Rudge. I remember his 1956 Douglas Dragonfly gave problems as we were passing over the pass…and the engine began to lose power, so as the kid on the pillion was easiest to move, I jumped off to ride pillion on his friend’s 1930’s Douglas Bulldog…the only problem was that the Bulldog didn’t have a pillion seat, so I completed the trip, over the pass and back to Barrow on a bloody luggage rack. And those bikes had rigid rear ends! I don’t think I have walked the same since! That was 40 + years ago. 20 years ago I emigrated to South Africa, where were have some blistering passes. Used to enjoy them on a Honda VFR, but now I can no longer ride, I have a Porsche 911 which provides different fun.
Thanks so much for watching and the comments. Wow, you've had a real variety of experience. Loved that ride despite the tumble. Would love to ride round SA. Maybe one day... Do the Harley dealers hire, do you know? Stay tuned, loads more great ride and shenanigans content coming in 2022. Enjoy the Porsche!!
@@TheUsualSuspect yes, they certainly do hire Harleys in Cape Town. The 2 really good places to ride bikes (or drive Porsche’s!) are the Western Cape, and the areas up around Nelspruit. But here in the Western Cape, we have the added benefit of being wine country! My father and I had plans to keep most of his collection of bikes here in South Africa, where we don’t have an issue with rust…the heat here is very dry. But to keep a couple of the racier models over there for classic TT, and various races and hill climbs that we used to do. Sadly, those plans had to be ditched. First he got Parkinson’s Disease which gradually restricted what he could do with his old bikes and cars. Then an old rugby injury caught up with me, and I ended up in a wheelchair back in 2000. Sadly my old man passed away before we could enjoy some South African passes together. Actually he never enjoyed riding with me, as he always claimed I rode too fast, and was much happier with me on a pillion or stuck in a sidecar…. I do have some videos of the passes down here on my other channel. Will copy the link over.
@@TheUsualSuspect ua-cam.com/video/lO4uEf8IfwI/v-deo.html
@@dissol1306 thanks so much for sharing such great memories, its one of the benefits of doing stuff like this channel. You get to chat with people from all over the world about their amazing experiences and lives. Sorry to hear about your dad. Hopefully one day in the not to distant future I'll get there rent a big one and get to see that amazing land.
Was up there a couple of years ago on a VSTAR 1300 bloody hard work on a big heavy cruiser
Indeed... thanks so much for watching and for your comments. There's another incident I had more recently in an upcoming episode of the 8 nations road riot on my channel.
'Fitzcarraldo '21- A man with a dream takes his Wurlitzer over a mountain' - ewe & I both enjoyed the opera, thanks : )
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Glad you enjoyed the video. Stay tuned for lots more in 2022, including the Scottish Highlands, the Normandy beaches and The House of Trembling Madness.
Hi, can I use this video for my next video? THANKS.
Yes please do. Can you credit me on the video
A couple of us did this last weekend. I was on a little Cb500x. Perfect for those type of roads
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Subscribe to the channel for lots more rides and mayhem in 2022, including the Scottish Highlands and the House of Trembling Madness...
What is going on? Would it be ok if I share this video for an edit that I'm working on? I'll credit you and drop a link in description as well. Thanks in advance mate
Yes please do. You can use. Thanks
That Harley sounds just like a garden rotavator I used in the 1980's!! Hell that thing is really agricultural! Ive always heard how torquey Harley were supposed to be!
Thanks for letting me re-live the pass. I rode it over fifty years ago on a 650 BSA twin. What impressed was that every really steep part seemed to have a hairpin at the bottom of it.
I would love to ride it again but sadly it is a long way from my home and I am not keen on riding long distance these days.
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. Stay tuned loads more stuff to come in 2022, including the highlands of Scotland, The House of Trembling Madness and the Normandy beaches.
The camera flattens the road out a lot, you need first gear early on and stay in it, watch your line and take it easy, you may need to use your clutch as well and you need torque.I rode it in the mid '50s and it hasn't changed from what I remember. There is more traffic now The road was first made by the Romans in about 110AD
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Please subscribe and check out the rest of the channel.
Top marks for getting back on and giving it a go. Most would have turned back. The gopro doesn't do the steepness of the climb justice. After watching this,I'll take spare underwear just ìncase...😆 Top stuff. Well done.
Thanks so much for the comment on the vid and thanks for watching... I'll be back over there again in the next few weeks for another go, and three other passes in the same day.. I'll try not to fall off this time.
I bet that guy in the blue van you were aggressively revving at on a tight mountain pass, pissed himself laughing when you went down.
He probably was... thanks so much for watching and for your comments.
I've done that pass but I did it on a KTM690 Duke a lot lighter bike than that tank your on it was a doddle for it😂
I have driven that road many times. I would ride it too (I am not a very brilliant rider) however trying to ride it on a Harley.. inevitavable result really. The number of times I have flaged down camper vans and lowered cars to stop them distroying their vehicles and getting very stuck going up there.
It took 6 of us to try to un stick a lowered BMW 3 serise at the start of the pass! He was determined to carry on even when we told him it got very much worse further up.. so we left him stuck and all got in our cars and left him there. He was not going to listen.
@@williamarmstrong7199he must have been absolutely determined to get to Rufford Ford.
Typical BMW driver,fook him.
Hello, Rider! How are you doing?
Love this clip! Would it be OK if we used it in a youtube video we're making and maybe share it on our social media? We'll credit you in the video and all descriptions. Thank you! :)
Yes that's fine please do use it.
Hey mate, would it be nice to feature your clip in my next episode? Credited of course (watermark and link to your channel).
Yes absolutely. Please use it.
Thanks a lot!@@TheUsualSuspect
Enjoyed the video, bad luck just wrong gear and slightly off line. Honister is another slightly-less-scary alternative fun route. Don't think you can blame the guys who helped you for the indicator though, you caught it with your right foot when you dropped it.
Craziest thing in this video is the guy at about 35' trying to ride up the other way on a Brompton! Thats the definition of optimism.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments, glad you enjoyed the video. Planning on a day with all the major passes in the lakes quite soon. So stay tuned for that one.
Did it in a Vauxhall Astra a few years back, (sorry), Brakes so hot by the end it melted the plastic wheel trims. Had to change too!!
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Its a crazy road for sure, I've seen a video of someone trying it in a long wheel base sprinter... and failing. Stay tuned for much more rides and shenanigans in 2022 like the Scottish Highlands, the Normandy beaches and The House of Trembling Madness...
Love that road, first time I did it was 2 up with GF on the back, no problem but we were on a Street triple which, with bike & two riders, weighs about the same as the dry weight of a Harley & more power
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Wow 2 up, you're brave... it was tough with one. Stay tuned for more rides and shenanigans in 2022, including the Scottish Highlands, the Normandy beaches and the House of Trembling Madness...
It happens. Make sure you take a video of your succesful rides over the passes! I've ridden these and other passes/ steep roads and they're a lot of fun but I've seen a few low speed lowsides and funnily enough they were all the humungous 'adventure' bikes.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. You'd be surprised how many people have a go at you for what you ride... stay tuned for more rides and shenanigans.. hopefully no drops in 2022.
@@TheUsualSuspect Daft isn't it? You've got a great bike that wouldn't be for me. Who cares? Ride your own ride. I've had 1930's singles with girder forks to 21st Century Superbikes and I loved them all (mostly!). Keep up the vids and maybe see you on t'road.
@@iangrimshaw1 Thanks Ian, lets hope so!
Great video... Sorry for the drop.... Looking forward to trying this on my VN1600 👍🏻
Cheers for watching. Its a great ride and I won't make the same mistakes next time. Let me know when you're going. I'd tag along!
@@TheUsualSuspect Definitely will 👍🏻
Great video Phil, shame about the drop. I rode it myself a few month back on a Yamaha Tracer as it was always on my bucket list, if there is any advice I can give anyone thinking of doing this ride, if you think you should be in second gear leave in first and so on. Keep the bike in a low gear, all the time.
Cheers for watching Lee. It's harder than you think, despite the drop still enjoyed it and will be going back again with a group next time.
Good advice
lol. Good advice. Something I learned a long time ago on a similar sized V twin cruiser of another brand. {Kwaka Nomad}. No one wants advice in hindsight as I am sure you have thought of every mistake you made already {The Usual Suspect}. None the less I have seen it before. When a bike stalls on a backwards down hill {I know the right foot is often down on the ground and panic stops you hitting the rear brake!} so dump the clutch and stall the engine. It will give you a moment to regain composure while the engine holds the bike along with the front brake though that {brake} does not do much.
These low RPM high torque bikes can get a rider complacent then a sudden sharp pinch just becomes too much in a blink of an eye and going for 1st is already too late. I watched you riding after the fall and I imagine you were just a little overcome with emotion to think straight as you still were often having to feather the clutch because you were not in 1st. I thought for one moment it was going to cost you a 2nd fall but you pushed through it just. I loved listening to you ride and am sorry you had the fall but I hope it helps others to understand: Choose 1st very early before you need it! You can always upshift after the tight pinches if you did not need it; but chances are you will.
Ouch ! Hope you and the bike OK. Very interesting road, I can see the steep sections are very steep but what a road 😲
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. Nah it was just a bit of damage, all sorted in a few days. It is a great road, but very steep 30% inclines in places. Will definitely do it again this year. Stay tuned for that and loads more rides and shenanigans in 2022, the Scottish Highlands, Normandy beaches and the House of Trembling Madness...
@@TheUsualSuspect p
Awesome video shame about the tumble,
But you got back like a champ
Sending best wishes
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Please subscribe to the channel to keep updated with more great rides and content coming soon. There is another video of the Hardknott and 5 other passes. Thanks again.
@@TheUsualSuspect
Already have buddy,
Sending regards from Hebden
bless ya bud.. anyone who says they've never dropped a bike is either lying or very lucky, and most drop them in way more mundane places.. btw, just past that pub at the end is the Boot National trust campsite. Its an absolute Beauty, i recommend.
Cheers so much for the comments and for watching. I'll be going back this year so might just try that camp site. Lots more stuff coming this year including the Normandy beaches and the Scottish Highlands.so stay tuned. Thanks again
I’ve seen several videos where riders think they can ride in 2nd gear & always come a cropper. If in doubt, leave the bike in first.
You are a braver man than me taking it on on a cruiser, but the bike seemed well fit for the job. ;).
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Yeah she's got the engine for it, just a bit heavy. Wouldn't change her for anything though. Gonna go back again at some point soon.
My mate dropped his TDM coming over the other way; he had slowed right down and by the time he changed from second to first had lost momentum and was rolling backwards feet down with the front tyre struggling for grip. No luck and over he went. There was very little damage, just annoyed at himself for not changing down sooner.
@@jacksjaunts8580 exactly the same... We live and learn. I learned I must have a stiff drink before trying that again... 😆
As a past owner of a Road King so I can say from experience you tend to use a gear too high, it sounds good but you are at the bottom of the torque curve. It also does not allow engine braking to be used in addition to the brakes. You mentioned hot brakes, not something I have experienced. Speed wobble, yes. But the glides have panniers and top box ++,etc..
Thanks so much for your comments and for watching. Please check the rest of the channel, on rides in places Stelvio and grossglockner.
I felt your pain brother
Thanks dude... I learned a lot from it. Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Check out the 8 Nations series that's just started on my channel for some even crazier rides around Europe.
I am putting together a new video on Hardknott. Would you mind if i use a small section of your video from 24:54?
You mean the bit where I have to tip the bike?
@@TheUsualSuspect yeh.. I did the pass a few weeks ago and would like to run an intro of how treacherous it is before I then do it. .I have 4 channels I have asked for that bit when it fails. No-issue If you would rather not. Just a thought.
@@Lochwood92 no problem, go for it. Thanks so much for asking.
The road over from Boot down to Greenhod was also a belter
well done
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Loads more great videos coming soon.
I'm driving the pass in September this year with some friends. I hope none of us fall down. But it will be a big adventure for us who live in a flat area.
Hi thanks for the comments and thanks for watching. You'll love it. Done it couple of times since with no issues. It was a schoolboy error. Please subscribe to the channel as there's a series of videos coming about huge trip around the alps in a few weeks.
Thanks
Phil
Oops. I’m a local and I’ve ridden it a few times. You didn’t even get to the hard bit. IMO West going up is biggest challenge. I’ve ridden a Road King over the Dolomites and into Eastern Europe where the hairpins are cobbled so it can be done. P
Thanks so much for watching and for the comments. Don't give me ideas for worse roads... I'll only end up havin a go! Stay tuned for lots more content to come in 2022 including rides in search of the best beers... for drinking afterwards, as I don't condone that kind of thing!
I found that road easyer on my honda c90 that my honda vt shadow! It is a challange on a big heavy bike.
It is indeed difficult on a heavy bike. It won't stop me going over again... Just hopefully won't come off next time 😃
The first clip you used in the video is me, fact was that i was with a passenger and three full trunks on the back of my bike. If you are by yourself on a empy bike.. two fingers in the nose. Congratulations, i think you should try it as i did and then post it.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Stay tuned for more videos coming soon.
People drive/ride to fast around the Lakes don't have the ability or any forward planning then accidents happen
Imagine being a pillion going over that , Squeaky bum time 😂
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. It is a really steep ride. Check out the 8 nations series on my channel for amazing mountain passes like the Stelvio and Grossglockner.
@@TheUsualSuspect will do 👍
Ha ha great video i did it on my Harley sport glide not the best decision iv'e ever made changed to an Africa twin so will be on it next year
Change down before corner and keep revs up
The sheep were never bothered by the sound of your bike, I put it down to them being used to a John Deere or a Ferguson 👍
I've cycled that route after driving up from "down south", have driven over there too, but where you had to slip the clutch to get around the "f#ckin hell" corner, I just got stuck & hade to be towed up from there by a local farmer 😂 £££! Will try in on the motorbike, but will probably have to sort out a trailer for the van first
Lol... love it. Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Please check out the rest of the channel, expecially the 8 nations series
I would ride in a lower gear coming down and let out the clutch rather than using only the brakes. Beautiful, scary road to ride. Great video.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. I definitely will next time I go over. And it is a mega road. Stay tuned for more rides and shenanigans in 2022, including the Scottish Highlands and the Normandy beaches and the House of Trembling Madness.
It must have been tough going over there in the 1930's on a Brit single.
I'd have needed reinforced underwear... thanks so much for watching and for your comments. Loads more cool stuff coming in 2022... including rides and beer... not at the same time though!
A mate from the area took us on it, he never told us the route. Queue 3 Scottish bikers constantly saying WTF. That and the Applecross roads are about the most technical in the UK
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. I may have to check out the Applecross roads, stay tuned for that and much more in 2022 including the Highlands, the Normandy beaches and the House of Trembling Madness.
Gawd! The rear-pointing camera best reveals the angle and steepness of the road at 33:33
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. It's really steep! Been back and done it again without falling off. Check out the 6 passes video and the 8 nations series for more great roads.
@@TheUsualSuspect Thanks mate, keep the wheels down.
And you went 'up' the easy side! The two sharp bends you took going down are much harder coming up, especially if you meet a car coming down that does not want to stop for you. You downhill leg will not touch the ground, until your backside does, that is. At least you survived to tell the tale.
Thanks so much for watching and for your comments. It was such a good ride even with the mistake. Check out the 6 passes vid and the Normandy rides. All great rides.