Poor technique under pressure
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 432
Likes: 5
From: Tennessee
Poor technique under pressure
Ok, I'll admit to a little pride in my MC riding. So far 80K plus miles and no drops or accidents. I practice, read, gear up and do everything that I can do to be safe while still riding a tad bit agressively.
On a short trip to the store today, a woman in an SUV decided that she would enter the traffic pattern and make a quick turn into the Wall mart. Unfortunately, I was in the lane that she was bound and determined to invade.
I applied both breaks, and locked up the rear.... was able to still steer and moved into the median to avoid the crash.
Here is my rub. I practice panic breaking but when I really had to do it....I did it wrong. Too much right leg and not enough front break. Fortunatenly no high side, but not because I did it correctly.
Other than getting ABS breaks.... what can you do when the adrenalin is flowing to maintain technique?
R. Todd
On a short trip to the store today, a woman in an SUV decided that she would enter the traffic pattern and make a quick turn into the Wall mart. Unfortunately, I was in the lane that she was bound and determined to invade.
I applied both breaks, and locked up the rear.... was able to still steer and moved into the median to avoid the crash.
Here is my rub. I practice panic breaking but when I really had to do it....I did it wrong. Too much right leg and not enough front break. Fortunatenly no high side, but not because I did it correctly.
Other than getting ABS breaks.... what can you do when the adrenalin is flowing to maintain technique?
R. Todd
Last edited by Kumite; Oct 10, 2010 at 03:34 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
It's tough, the road surface (grit/sand, etc), can effect how your braking goes. That weight shift to the front requires lots of finesse to the front and rear brakes to keep it all just right.
You did well, you avoided the crash!
You did well, you avoided the crash!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 14
From: navarre ohio
the only way to practise is have a buddy pull out in front of you at random..next time do the same thing you did this time.. but dont panick.. when ever a accident happens they say it is like its in slow motion,it might sound crazy but your thinking speeds up, use that to your advantage.. think out what your doing in the panic situation
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 744
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From: Fresno, CA
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: In a house down by the river
Without your present technics and practices the outcome would probably have been less favorable. You did well, nothing is perfect.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 948
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From: Oklahoma City
I did almost the same thing a few months back...
Survived without accident or going down but came within inches of the other vehicle.
I have been riding close to 40 years and I'm a professional truck driver. so I'm trained to be highly alert when operating any vehicle. But there are those times when someone does the unexpected.
These big harleys are heavy and carry alot of momentum...
and they dont stop as quick as many other bikes because of that.
Since then, I do a few practice emergengy stops every so often just to get some of the muscle/ reaction memory and I think it has helped. I think all you can do is practice your stops and anticipate the other driver to do something stupid.
Survived without accident or going down but came within inches of the other vehicle.
I have been riding close to 40 years and I'm a professional truck driver. so I'm trained to be highly alert when operating any vehicle. But there are those times when someone does the unexpected.
These big harleys are heavy and carry alot of momentum...
and they dont stop as quick as many other bikes because of that.
Since then, I do a few practice emergengy stops every so often just to get some of the muscle/ reaction memory and I think it has helped. I think all you can do is practice your stops and anticipate the other driver to do something stupid.