I'm in the camp where scraping should be taken as a warning and not to be panicked over. If you don't know the limits of you and your bike your ability to react to an emergency situation could be compromised.

It's just like driving a car in the winter, drifting on purpose, hand brake turns ect. i think it makes you a better driver/rider when you can reach the limits and calmly react and make the right inputs to carry you thru the situation.

How many riders here have locked the front or rear brake on purpose (sans ABS) to see how the bike reacts? I do it a few times a season, especially in the spring, just as a shakedown and get re-aquainted with the bike.


cheers

 

I'm too concerned about getting a flat spot on my tire, but get enough practice locking up my back tire in regular traffic...

 

To scrap or not to scarp? Is it a valid question? Do you have a choice? Will you slow down to take that corner just to avoid scraping? I used to have a Fatboy, scrap the floorboards all the time, nothing scared me from doing that. Now I have a Dyna w/forward control, I ride even harder lol.
P.S. Scraping doesn't reflect your riding skill imao

 

I will also add that the only time I have scrapped my pipes, was on a very low speed 180 degree turn two-up. Scrapping boards on the Lo through the twisties is almost impossible not to do. I have also scrapped the primary a couple times on my BadBoy, but it is lowered a couple inches.