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commonground
 Standard Member
155 Posts
Windsor, PA
USA
Yamaha
V Star 1300
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 Posted - 05/22/2016 : 6:36 PM
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The other day a friend and his wife came to visit. Part way through the visit the guy asked to look at my bike. How could I say no. While looking and sitting on my bike, he stated that he had ridden earlier in his life and was now getting back into biking. He said that his brother, who had been a MSF instructor for many years had recommended that he take Basic Rider Course. He said he wasn't sure whether it would be worthwhile since he had time on a bike.
I told him that since he had never been to any safety classes, I thought that it would wise to follow his brothers advice even though, he had ridden before. He asked about what was taught and I recounted some of the things that I benefited from as a new rider. After I had covered quite a few basic techniques, he asked a Great Question, "Do they teach you HOW and WHEN to lay the bike down?" My answer was, "They teach you how not to lay the bike down and how to brake properly and how to swerve" I then explained how much more traction for slowing tires offered than the metal parts on the bike. I hope that he follows his brother's advice.
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SkootchNC
Advanced Member
1062 Posts
[Mentor]
raleigh, north carolina
USA
Harley-Davidson
road glide
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Posted - 05/26/2016 : 4:49 PM
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I had a fellow explain to me, that in the old days police officers were trained to "lay down" their bikes, in order to use them as "cover"
I have also heard WWII motorcycle dispatch riders were taught the same thing.
I'm just a poor country boy with no great intellect.... but using a gas tank as a shield from bullets.... well that just doesn't make sense... |
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commonground
Standard Member
155 Posts
Windsor, PA
USA
Yamaha
V Star 1300
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Posted - 05/26/2016 : 7:50 PM
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| I have heard, "I laid her down" from quite a few riders. They survived and believe that the reason was, that they laid the bike down. I also found that telling them that their theory is wrong, falls on deaf ears. These folks are usually seasoned riders with little or no training, recent or from way back when. I dunno maybe in years past people were taught to lay a bike down. |
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wmcooper
Junior Member
33 Posts
perry, ga
USA
Honda
shadow aero
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Posted - 05/28/2016 : 5:51 PM
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When I took the MSF course recently they taught us emergency braking and emphasized not to 'lay her down'
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bachman1961
Advanced Member
2271 Posts
[Mentor]
colorado springs, co
USA
Honda
CB750 NightHawk
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Posted - 06/06/2016 : 5:28 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by commonground
I have heard, "I laid her down" from quite a few riders. They survived and believe that the reason was, that they laid the bike down. I also found that telling them that their theory is wrong, falls on deaf ears. These folks are usually seasoned riders with little or no training, recent or from way back when. I dunno maybe in years past people were taught to lay a bike down.
I think many of us have talked to people or know of persons who claim to have laid the bike down as a purposeful tactic and we feel we (may) know differently. In the case where they were as a 'deer in the headlights', fully unprepared, under-skilled or lacking control of the bike, the bike went down. Some of these riders won't allow their ego the minor bruise to admit they didn't know what the heck to do or how to choose a better tactic because their tool box of tactics was never supplied or created from training experience. Who has time to train and practice ?? Come - on IT's time to RIDE !!
I think more times than not, a bike isn't laid down on purpose and when it is, it's nothing more than giving up on a better set of odds at the moment they realize they don't know any better.
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Great Question