Hit it or Lay it Down??
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 55
Likes: 37
From: Chicago
You didn't have time to brake but had time to "lay it down"?
LEARN how to f-ing brake! I doesn't matter how many years of riding experience one have, proper braking is the most important skill rider can learn.
In my opinion and 40+ years of riding and racing, 90% of riders do not know how to properly brake and what it takes to "lock up" the brakes. This percentage is higher for cruiser types because many riders are afraid of using the front brakes.
With linked braking systems and ABS there is absolutely no reason to be afraid! Squeeze that level!
Laying it down is an excuse and never acceptable! It is the biggest myth!
LEARN how to f-ing brake! I doesn't matter how many years of riding experience one have, proper braking is the most important skill rider can learn.
In my opinion and 40+ years of riding and racing, 90% of riders do not know how to properly brake and what it takes to "lock up" the brakes. This percentage is higher for cruiser types because many riders are afraid of using the front brakes.
With linked braking systems and ABS there is absolutely no reason to be afraid! Squeeze that level!
Laying it down is an excuse and never acceptable! It is the biggest myth!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 10,767
From: SE Michigan
You didn't have time to brake but had time to "lay it down"?
LEARN how to f-ing brake! I doesn't matter how many years of riding experience one have, proper braking is the most important skill rider can learn.
In my opinion and 40+ years of riding and racing, 90% of riders do not know how to properly brake and what it takes to "lock up" the brakes. This percentage is higher for cruiser types because many riders are afraid of using the front brakes.
With linked braking systems and ABS there is absolutely no reason to be afraid! Squeeze that level!
Laying it down is an excuse and never acceptable! It is the biggest myth!
LEARN how to f-ing brake! I doesn't matter how many years of riding experience one have, proper braking is the most important skill rider can learn.
In my opinion and 40+ years of riding and racing, 90% of riders do not know how to properly brake and what it takes to "lock up" the brakes. This percentage is higher for cruiser types because many riders are afraid of using the front brakes.
With linked braking systems and ABS there is absolutely no reason to be afraid! Squeeze that level!
Laying it down is an excuse and never acceptable! It is the biggest myth!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,709
Likes: 7,850
From: New York
My guess is that you are going to be faced with only two (2) scenarios:
1) where the event happens so suddenly you can only react intuitively and unconsciously, or
2) where there is sufficient time to consciously plan an escape route
If 1, whatever happens, happens
If 2, why would you choose to bail? I'd be mashing brakes and aiming for where the obstacle used to be. If I chose correctly, I'm upright with wobbly legs and a **** in my pants. If I chose incorrectly I may be on my side or airborne. Either way, I was in control and destiny was not a deciding factor.
1) where the event happens so suddenly you can only react intuitively and unconsciously, or
2) where there is sufficient time to consciously plan an escape route
If 1, whatever happens, happens
If 2, why would you choose to bail? I'd be mashing brakes and aiming for where the obstacle used to be. If I chose correctly, I'm upright with wobbly legs and a **** in my pants. If I chose incorrectly I may be on my side or airborne. Either way, I was in control and destiny was not a deciding factor.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,122
Likes: 51,434
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Dunno man those 5000 plus lbs slabs of metal the bike runs into while the rider is practicing correct braking stops them on a dime everytime.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 10,767
From: SE Michigan
ok....before you potentially run into a object that hits you back with an equal and opposite force, the only thing stopping you is friction
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,122
Likes: 51,434
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
My guess is that you are going to be faced with only two (2) scenarios:
1) where the event happens so suddenly you can only react intuitively and unconsciously, or
2) where there is sufficient time to consciously plan an escape route
If 1, whatever happens, happens
If 2, why would you choose to bail? I'd be mashing brakes and aiming for where the obstacle used to be. If I chose correctly, I'm upright with wobbly legs and a **** in my pants. If I chose incorrectly I may be on my side or airborne. Either way, I was in control and destiny was not a deciding factor.
1) where the event happens so suddenly you can only react intuitively and unconsciously, or
2) where there is sufficient time to consciously plan an escape route
If 1, whatever happens, happens
If 2, why would you choose to bail? I'd be mashing brakes and aiming for where the obstacle used to be. If I chose correctly, I'm upright with wobbly legs and a **** in my pants. If I chose incorrectly I may be on my side or airborne. Either way, I was in control and destiny was not a deciding factor.
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Club Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 5,887
From: Syracuse NY
I will admit to laying down a bike on purpose twice. Both times on a dirt bike. Probably doesn't count for this thread.
Going down a steep road in Costa Rica with red flour fine dirt over rock. I was on the brakes and picking up speed. I put the left handlebar into the ground like a mountaineer' pick axe.
The other was sliding backwards down a steep hill. Again, picking up speed. Brakes locked up and going backwards.
When I hit a deer on my metric cruiser, I kept that puppy up for maybe 30-yards. Then, because the brakes were locked up and I was in I'm guessing 3rd gear, I got the death wobble as I slowed and over I went at about 10-MPH.
I'm thinking I'd ride the bike to the end. But who knows, really.
Going down a steep road in Costa Rica with red flour fine dirt over rock. I was on the brakes and picking up speed. I put the left handlebar into the ground like a mountaineer' pick axe.
The other was sliding backwards down a steep hill. Again, picking up speed. Brakes locked up and going backwards.
When I hit a deer on my metric cruiser, I kept that puppy up for maybe 30-yards. Then, because the brakes were locked up and I was in I'm guessing 3rd gear, I got the death wobble as I slowed and over I went at about 10-MPH.
I'm thinking I'd ride the bike to the end. But who knows, really.