Drop it or not
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 301
Likes: 30
From: ETX
Drop it or not
Ive read two or three post today people dropping their bikes, Im about to start a winter build and getting tins painted so my question is should I kick her over in the shop and get it out of the way before the build starts? haha
Banned
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 437
From: Mandurah, West Oz
This from a forum in 2006 (not a member, Google found this)
Whenever I hear someone explain how "they had to lay it down (drop their motorcycle) to avoid a crash," I want to smack their empty skull and listen to it ring like a Chinese gong.
I don't know where someone would ever get the silly idea that intentionally "laying down" an upright motorcycle is some kind of defensive manoeuvrer. Yet, there are some "riders" who persist in thinking it is!
The coefficient of friction of a rubber tire against the road surface is off the charts when compared with steel, or chrome, or plastic against the road. End of story. And, No: You can't ride your downed motorcycle to safety like some magic carpet.
What about swerving?
The MSF Basic Rider Course practical exam covers swerving. You ride directly toward the instructor. At the last moment, the instructor points to one side or the other. If you swerve in that direction, you get ten points. If you swerve in the WRONG direction, you still get eight points. If you fail to swerve, you fail the course. The MSF does not teach you how to "lay it down." The "swerve-ability" of an downed motorcycle is zilch!
How about braking?
Even if you are unavoidably about to collide with an object -- a bridge abutment, oncoming car, tree, etc. -- doesn't it make more sense keep on the brakes, slowing your forward speed, until the very end?
Let's put this "laying it down" crap to rest. It ain't "old school" and it never was. It ranks right up there with: "I ride better after a few drinks", "helmets are for sissys" and "I only use my rear brake". Ugh!
I don't know where someone would ever get the silly idea that intentionally "laying down" an upright motorcycle is some kind of defensive manoeuvrer. Yet, there are some "riders" who persist in thinking it is!
The coefficient of friction of a rubber tire against the road surface is off the charts when compared with steel, or chrome, or plastic against the road. End of story. And, No: You can't ride your downed motorcycle to safety like some magic carpet.
What about swerving?
The MSF Basic Rider Course practical exam covers swerving. You ride directly toward the instructor. At the last moment, the instructor points to one side or the other. If you swerve in that direction, you get ten points. If you swerve in the WRONG direction, you still get eight points. If you fail to swerve, you fail the course. The MSF does not teach you how to "lay it down." The "swerve-ability" of an downed motorcycle is zilch!
How about braking?
Even if you are unavoidably about to collide with an object -- a bridge abutment, oncoming car, tree, etc. -- doesn't it make more sense keep on the brakes, slowing your forward speed, until the very end?
Let's put this "laying it down" crap to rest. It ain't "old school" and it never was. It ranks right up there with: "I ride better after a few drinks", "helmets are for sissys" and "I only use my rear brake". Ugh!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,310
Likes: 2,446
From: Eastern NE
Either that (tip over), or put the wrong kind of oil in the motor & ask if it'll cause damage...
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 211
From: Independence, Missouri
I believe people who drop their bikes never figured out where to put their gas caps. So, if you haven't yet figured out that important question, by all means go ahead and kick it over. Probably will kill all the bad karma in advance.
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