question... how many practice emergency takeoff's!?

[Jeff Seal]

Since my last "incident" paid off reasonably well, guy sideswiped the bike doing about 50 and took out my turn signal.. Probably the one thing that saved me was the back tire was spinning as I was accelerating away from the out of control truck as fast as I could, so the bike naturally stayed "upright" while the impact occurred...

This got me thinking, I always try to know how my bike will respond under "adverse" conditions and I routinely practice emergency braking, and quick takeoff's didn't take long to be appreciated. Do understand, my last bike (V-Max) would have just landed me straight upside-down and in a world of hurt if I throttled up and dumped the clutch! The Dyna wouldn't lift the front wheel off the ground, unless you're really trying to (it will,btw, but that's not the point!) The scenarios we face in the "real world" are better suited "tried" than left to guess... So until you actually try it, you're not gonna know!

Although I'm not advocating learning how to do "burnouts", a sense of how your particular bike is going to respond and moreso how each individual will respond in a crisis before it actually happens does help! In my particular case, because I was alert and had a "path" to exit to and executed it while being hit, I only came away with a busted turn signal and a ruined pair of underwear! We don't get many second chances, so think how you're gonna react if a 18-wheeler can't stop and is heading straight for you!

Do you have an escape route?, Are you in gear ready for a quick take off? Do you know how your bikes gonna respond and maintain control.... just things to think about!

Please ride safe out there my bro's!!!

Jeff Seal

[SAFXDL]

Very good advice Bro......Thanks!

[Cdouthitt]

I love to practice my emergency take-offs, perhaps this is why my rear tire is bald at 6500 miles.

[Jeff Seal]

Originally Posted by Cdouthitt

I love to practice my emergency take-offs, perhaps this is why my rear tire is bald at 6500 miles.

Tires are pretty cheap compared to most other things... I've been known to BBQ mine from time to time when "inspired". I would rather have a clue about what's gonna happen, than no idea at all.

JS

[8-Ball]

Great idea, Jeff... I'm going to finally start burning rubber this week... and all in the name of safety... I love ya man...

[SLOWHOUND]

I have practiced stopping alot ,but not enough to stop the accident that happened 9 weeks ago,so back to practicing.I never tried to launch my RK in an emergency situation ,guess that will be added to the practice list also now,And I thought riding was just a passive thing ,who new that one had to learn and practice so much ,I have Harris' lesson and work on it now and then,can turn and stop on command real well ,just need to work on the keyhole dragging thing alittle more.

[Nazzdak]

Hello-

I don't practice emergency take offs as much as I practice the art of simply being "aware" of my surroundings. This means that I absolutely never, ever, put my bike in neutral when I'm out in the street. I come to a complete stop each and everytime with an escape plan, with one eye always in the rearview mirror. I like to ride in the furthest left lane at 80-90 mph when on the highway, and I absolutely never allow myself to get boxed in...i.e..a car in back, in front and to the side of me, all at the same time.

If I'm in a group, I like to be either at the very front, or the very back.

In short, I take nothing for granted when I'm on my bike. My ultimate goal is always to put that kick stand down in one piece. I believe everyone has an "inner voice" that speaks to them when they're on their bikes, warning them of potential dangers. I listen to mine very intently...most esp when I'm..

a. tired
b. on a road that is unfamiliar and/or technical
c. at night

If I feel especially vulnerable, I will always tell myself to "turn your brain ON" before I even start the motor.

For these reasons and others, I tend to ride alone 95% of the time. With a passanger, my level of paranoia increases by at least 2 fold.

I do practice my quick stops at least once a year, at a top speed of no more than 40mph. I have found that this exercise comes in extremely handy, esp. when you're on a long road trip.

Glad to hear that you're safe and sound, and that your sled is still in one piece.

David

[Ken R]

. . . . . at anything over 20 mph is scary. My upper limit is about 30 mph if in straight line and maybe 25 if leaning in a curve before the emergency stop begins.

Heck, even in a car an emergency stop at speed is scary; even more so without ABS. There's this apprehension about jamming on the brake pedal.

As I sit at stop signs or lights, I wonder if I would have time to accelerate into my escape path in time. At what point do you decide (while looking in your rear view mirror) that he/she is not going to stop. If they're traveling towards you at 50 feet per second, one would only have a second or two to begin to take action. I'd like to think I could engage the clutch and move out of the way in time; but really kind-of doubt it. So I watch and watch and watch as cars approach from the rear with the clutch touching the friction zone and right foot on the brake, hoping that my decision to stay put is the right decision.

I'm reminded of the guy in the Internet video that was rear-ended by a pick-up truck whos driver wasn't paying attention. There's really not much time to get out of the way. THe wrong decision could also result in an accident.

Ken

[GrayRider]

I started in 1981. I was at my motorcycle shop and the AP called and said, "Be home by six, supper will be ready." I came home at six,..but apparently she meant 6 PM rather than 6 AM...I walked into the bedroom and heard her wrench the 9MM that I'd bought her to protect herself......but not from ME!

I jumped back into my cowboy boots,..ran to the garage and made an emergency take off...it was my first one. I now know how to do it.

[dynageno]

I practice every time I leave the light!