Use your brakes
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 98
From: north of the south pole
I like to see how long I can be stopped before I take my feet off the pegs. Helps with learning to balance yor bike.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,907
Likes: 8,758
From: Galt's Gulch - MI
Now, this guy has the 3 techniques down to a science:
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 539
Likes: 5
From: Harleyland, USA
I'm guilty of often waiting a full second or two to drop my feet after coming to a stop.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
I'm confused why you believe "Laying it down" is an intentional decision rather than a crash made unintentionally and in a panic? Not to mention the obvious complete lack of control that ensues in a skid. Unless of course you have devised some way to steer a motorcycle that is skidding on its side while you may or may not be attached to it?
It is a crash, but a controlled crash just the same as an airplane emergency landing in a field somewhere or with a stuck landing gear..how many pilots have had to do this? How many do you think are prepared to do this if necessary? Do you really think that they will always make it to a safe runway or that if they wish it hard enough that the landing gear will cycle down and lock?
If you are a good rider, you assume nothing and prepare for everything.
Moving on...............
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 265
Likes: 14
From: Abilene TX
Because it is something you fear and I do not.
It is a crash, but a controlled crash just the same as an airplane emergency landing in a field somewhere or with a stuck landing gear..how many pilots have had to do this? How many do you think are prepared to do this if necessary? Do you really think that they will always make it to a safe runway or that if they wish it hard enough that the landing gear will cycle down and lock?
If you are a good rider, you assume nothing and prepare for everything.
Moving on...............
It is a crash, but a controlled crash just the same as an airplane emergency landing in a field somewhere or with a stuck landing gear..how many pilots have had to do this? How many do you think are prepared to do this if necessary? Do you really think that they will always make it to a safe runway or that if they wish it hard enough that the landing gear will cycle down and lock?
If you are a good rider, you assume nothing and prepare for everything.
Moving on...............
Novice
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers
definition; foot draggers--cagers who always hang around the Harley dealership but never buy a bike
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 2,500
From: Tennessee
Because it is something you fear and I do not.
It is a crash, but a controlled crash just the same as an airplane emergency landing in a field somewhere or with a stuck landing gear..how many pilots have had to do this? How many do you think are prepared to do this if necessary? Do you really think that they will always make it to a safe runway or that if they wish it hard enough that the landing gear will cycle down and lock?
If you are a good rider, you assume nothing and prepare for everything.
Moving on...............
It is a crash, but a controlled crash just the same as an airplane emergency landing in a field somewhere or with a stuck landing gear..how many pilots have had to do this? How many do you think are prepared to do this if necessary? Do you really think that they will always make it to a safe runway or that if they wish it hard enough that the landing gear will cycle down and lock?
If you are a good rider, you assume nothing and prepare for everything.
Moving on...............
If you are a good rider, you keep it up on two wheels where you can control it and have some stopping power working for you....You know, the whole rubber tires and brakes thing.
Once you are on your side, you have "0" control and "0" braking power.
The only ones that "lay it down" to avoid a crash are beginners that lose control and drop it and then "claim" that they "Had to lay'er down" and idiots...Which of those categories do you fall into.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
I find this post kind of funny. There is a big difference between a plane crash landing and "laying down" a motorcycle. A plane that is in the air and with landing gear that is stuck has to come down eventually and the pilot has no other choice than to land with no landing gear. On a motorcycle you DO have another, much better, choice besides "laying it down". And that is to stay on the brakes and reduce your speed as much as you can before impact. I would much rather hit a car at 20mph still upright than at 40mph or faster while sliding on the ground with no control whatsoever.
A 20 mph head-on impact will kill you, or at least, cause serious injuries. I will also bleed off as much speed as I can but take my changes on the ground or at least slide the rear around to facilitate to a side impact if I conclude that is the safer option.
I think a lot of these responses are from folks who have never been in that situation and forced to make a decision. I have two choices...if you fear sliding the rear around and maybe laying it down, you have one.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 578
Likes: 522
From: Durango CO
As a motorcycle forum I think it's important to get accurate information out to beginner and fellow motorcyclists.
Never lay a motorcycle down to "avoid" a crash.
For those that are skeptical here's some links:
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/mo...t-2-46474.html
http://motorcycle-central.com/how-to...ur-motorcycle/
http://www.hupy.com/library/don-t-la...e-accident.cfm
If you lay your bike down you will get injured worse.
If you lay your bike down you can no longer blame the accident on the guy that pulled out in front of you.
http://www.hupy.com/library/don-t-la...e-accident.cfm
Never lay a motorcycle down to "avoid" a crash.
For those that are skeptical here's some links:
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/mo...t-2-46474.html
http://motorcycle-central.com/how-to...ur-motorcycle/
http://www.hupy.com/library/don-t-la...e-accident.cfm
If you lay your bike down you will get injured worse.
If you lay your bike down you can no longer blame the accident on the guy that pulled out in front of you.
http://www.hupy.com/library/don-t-la...e-accident.cfm
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 578
Likes: 522
From: Durango CO
I say never but it's like seat belts. You hear of a crash into a river and the driver drowns. Then you say the seat belts caused his death and you'll never wear seat belts. The cases of seat belts causing more injuries are very rare. When you are about to crash your motorcycle do not think you can analyze the situation well enough to decide in a split second if you should bail. Laying a motorcycle down is so rarely a good idea you need to remove any thought of such a plan.
Once you hit the pavement you are sliding out of control. Follow the statistics. NEVER lay your bike down on purpose.
Once you hit the pavement you are sliding out of control. Follow the statistics. NEVER lay your bike down on purpose.
Last edited by Durango Dave; Dec 21, 2015 at 10:04 AM.