First experience on metal grate bridge

[Rockwork]

Hey, what is the best way to ride across metal grating on a bridge? I was out for a ride to the shore this morning and wasn't prepared to traverse the bridge across the bay. It was constant shimmy the whole way across. Is it best to decelerate and go slow? As the bike wobbles can you lose control?

[motogrady]

it's like a dirtbike in the mud or sand,
 just keep the speed and kinda let the bike
move around like it want's.
and yes, it is kinda scary.

I used to live in Maryland, did the Chesapeke Bay Bridge kinda regular,
200 feet up, don't look down hahaha........

[sgtslag]

There is no great answer.  By the time I reach the other side, I am nearly a basket-case, as it is scary...  I found that Pirelli MT66 Route tires are nearly immune to them, for the first 3,000 miles, or so.  After that, they tend to become more affected by them.  The Pirelli's will last around 10,000 miles, rear, so it is not a perfect solution, but they grip the road like glue, in rain, as well, so that's the route that I go.

I also slow down, never above 15-20 MPH, when crossing.  I ride two-up, 98% of the time, so my experiences may be worse than your's, as my bikes are much heavier, and likely more affected because of the higher weight.  Try to relax (this is what I tell myself, every time, over and over, until I reach the other side...).  Cheers!

[MarkPBG]

I'm in South Florida and with all our bridges and drawbridges, I can hit more than a dozen of these in one ride. I have Dunlop Arrowmax GT501's on my bike now, and I can honestly say I don't even notice a difference from being on the pavement. I even had to make an emergency lane change ON THE METAL GRATE because a cager decided to switch lanes at the top of the bridge....to the ONE I WAS RIDING IN! It switched lanes as if I were on dry pavement.
My old 1999 Katana 600 with whatever tires the factory put on it, was plain wobbly on those grates, so I really have to agree that the tire makes one hell of a difference.

[Black 750K8]

I never slow down if any thing I give it a little gas never look down just give the bike it's head like a horse don't pull back kick it in the ass you will get use to it.

[Cabreco]

In the MSF basic rider course we were taught to:

1. Maintain constant speed
2. Maintain a loose grip on the handlebars

The tighter you hang on (death grip) the more the bike will try to get away form you.
It works, don't get me wrong it's scary as hell, but it works.

BTW you think it's scary on a CB750? I just went through it riding a 900lb FULL PACKED Yamaha Venture
riding 2 up. Total weight 1,350 lbs. I knew it was coming & I did EXACTLY as trained.
It felt worse than it was. My buddy was running a cam & my bike stayed straight & true!