[ssncob]

If we've exhausted the RR track aspect of this, I have a releated question: Why is it more jarring to hit an obstacle with the front wheel(s) than the rear?

Ones a fairly perpendicular compression, other is a levered swing action.

 

[Scarlet O’Honda]

I would like to start a discussion regarding crossing railroad tracks. I personally prefer to cross railroad tracks at 90 degrees so as to prevent lateral slipping on wet days. If the railroad tracks cross the road at any angle other than 90 degrees, I will move to the side of my lane that will allow me to aim across the lane to give me as close to 90 degrees as possible. While living in San Francisco I hated having to ride on streets that had street car rails going parallel to my riding. Whenever I had to move in my lane, the motorcycle handling got really squirrelly while riding on the tracks. Please provide some viewpoints and/or experiences for us.

Railroad tracks, highway paving and speed bumps oh my. Out in the western states like Colorado, we have cattle guards. Round pipes over a pit with spacing between the pipes. Those will pucker your seat cover

 

[RidercoachDale]

It’s best practice to go across at 90 if possible, rise off seat keeping knees bent, a quick throttle blip to lighten front end, roll off after crossing, do not brake, keep weight slightly back. Practice with 2x6

 

[Molon Labe]

Right!
Stand on the pegs, I do that. I find getting off the seat and using my legs like "shocks" helps absorb the impact. That technique I learned from riding 10 speeds. Something I've noticed in many other riders (particularly cruisers), is that they rarely if ever, get their butts off the seat since their pegs are so forward. The Blackbird I ride makes this style most conducive.

Exactly..... no need for speed, look for the smooth spots in the center or on the sides, post on those pegs & use your legs as shocks! Do the 90* (or as close to it as you can), frontload, release, & a slight goose just before impact. It might take a bit of practice, but very quickly it becomes 2nd nature, just like manual shifting!