Properly Executed Emergency Stop VS "Laid It Down"
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 306
Likes: 2
I have been riding off and on for 40 years and never have I considers laying down a bike as an option.
I always felt that proper use of brakes will always be the fastest way to stop a bike.
I also know that as long as I am on the bike I still have options.
If I were to "lay the bike down" all my options go out the window.
I always felt that proper use of brakes will always be the fastest way to stop a bike.
I also know that as long as I am on the bike I still have options.
If I were to "lay the bike down" all my options go out the window.
I posted paragraphs, and didn't begin to make the point as well as T-Bear did in four lines.
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 3
From: utah
Sometimes it's not a choice. I've laid a bike down once about 15 years ago. I was on my Honda CBR 900RR riding behind a pickup on a two lane street that was a little twisty. The pickup pulled off onto the shoulder so I continued to pass in the travel lane. The next thing I know the truck pulled back into the lane so I instinctively started to turn left to avoid him. Well, it turns out he was pulling a u-turn and next thing I know I'm looking at the broad side of the pickup and I'm still doing around 30-35 mph. I tried the "emergency stop" but since my bike and my lean was slightly left the rear tire slid. The bike went down. I was fortunate enough to stop the bike significantly before I actually hit pavement so I only slid a few feet. I ended up under the driver's side of the truck. I was also lucky enough that he saw me so he had stopped his vehicle.
Now, 15 years + later are there things I would have done differently? Absolutely. Part of the reason I crashed due to being young and scared? Definitely. I walked away with a little road rash on my leg. Protective gear did the rest.
I'm trained by my job to face stressful emergency situations and I "laid it down". You guys can all theorize and talk technical "what you should do" all you want but until you're staring at that grill or driver's side door there's no guarantee you'll execute the perfect "emergency stop". Would I have rather done an "emergency stop" and kept the bike upright? Absolutely. I anticipated the wrong move by the driver and I paid for it.
The best thing you can do is what they say in all courses-drive defensively. My OL rags on me about how I drive like I'm an old man. I allow lots of space between me and the cage. If the cages are being aggressive I either gun or back away. I do whatever I can not to be under that pickup again.
Now, 15 years + later are there things I would have done differently? Absolutely. Part of the reason I crashed due to being young and scared? Definitely. I walked away with a little road rash on my leg. Protective gear did the rest.
I'm trained by my job to face stressful emergency situations and I "laid it down". You guys can all theorize and talk technical "what you should do" all you want but until you're staring at that grill or driver's side door there's no guarantee you'll execute the perfect "emergency stop". Would I have rather done an "emergency stop" and kept the bike upright? Absolutely. I anticipated the wrong move by the driver and I paid for it.
The best thing you can do is what they say in all courses-drive defensively. My OL rags on me about how I drive like I'm an old man. I allow lots of space between me and the cage. If the cages are being aggressive I either gun or back away. I do whatever I can not to be under that pickup again.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 19
From: Dayton
Two possible reasons: One, you're coming up fast on a car and you know you're going to hit it, so you lay it down to put more bike between you and the back of the car and/or the bumper you'd prefer to slide under rather than wear it across your face.
Me, I just try to plan an escape route if slamming on both brakes isn't going to do it for me (have done).
Me, I just try to plan an escape route if slamming on both brakes isn't going to do it for me (have done).
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 208
Likes: 3
Just had this conversation with two guys at work. One actually told me that years ago he was trained to wreck the bike to avoid a collision. That was in the md. air guard that trained that way. The subject came up when, on the news, the former Baltimore police comish wrecked his new victory to "avoid a wreck". I mentioned that was a dumb thing to do.
I have been riding 45 years and about 40 years ago tboned a car. I stayed hard on the brakes and was almost stopped when I hit the car. I told my two buds that I figured I could slow down much faster using the brakes, properly, have abs now, than sliding down the road on my ***.
I have been riding 45 years and about 40 years ago tboned a car. I stayed hard on the brakes and was almost stopped when I hit the car. I told my two buds that I figured I could slow down much faster using the brakes, properly, have abs now, than sliding down the road on my ***.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 9
From: Greensboro, NC
Dave Hough, a long time motorcycle rider and one of the first to start writing about safety. In his book Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well, talked to long time riders and wanted to now why they didn't get into as many accidents as newer riders. What came out of it was long time riders had a sixth sense about traffic. It comes down to paying attention to what traffic is doing around you, and remembering that on a bike you really never have the right of way. There is no way you are going to win a fight with a cage.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 9
From: Greensboro, NC
I would really LIKE to believe this, but I think otherwise. I could probably "practice" all that stuff 8 hours a day 7 days a week. But If I'm faced with a situation where my mind goes into full on PANIC mode I think all the practice and preparation in the world goes right out the window.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 9
From: Greensboro, NC
You are leaving out an essential step in that the point of a "lay down" (last ditc effort) is to scrub as much speed off BEFORE the lay down. Then, the effects of sliding, bad as they may be will be reduced and it may be better than an upright impact. Either situation is undesirable, prior planning is better and a rider who uses the lay down as a first response has no business being on a bike.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 9
From: Greensboro, NC
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 9
From: Greensboro, NC
If there is enough time to "lay er down", there is time to use the brakes.