View Full Version : What to do in the event of an off?
missyburd
24-02-09, 11:58 PM
Bit of a pessimistic thread I guess but I was chatting to Berlin t'otha night about how basic but vital information about what to do in an off just isn't a fundamental part of a CBT or bike test anymore.
Now if I remember rightly (and do correct me if I'm wrong!) but:
In the event of a lowside you should spread out your arms and legs as much as possible.
In the event of a highside you should "dive" off the bike and then try and spread arms and legs out.
There was another one I was told but I can't remember it now!:oops:
A lot of people have unfortunately had offs on here (as is bound to happen!), some have got up and walked away, others not so much :( and I'm curious as to what you might have done on looking back, or what you did that you think may have helped you avoid further injury.
Those that have been, do you even get time to think about what position to get into? In retrospect, what do you think would have been the best thing to do?
Those of you who've had tests of recent months or years, were you taught anything at all in this area?
I'm hoping this may be a useful thread to some people, it will be at least to me!
Luckypants
25-02-09, 12:09 AM
why would you spread your arms / legs wide, thus exposing yourself to hitting signs / trees /other vehicles with your limbs? Also exposing vulnerable areas such as the femoral artery /groin, ribs and brachial artery?
What is the advantage of spreading yourself out wide?
missyburd
25-02-09, 12:11 AM
What is the advantage of spreading yourself out wide?
Slows you down? :confused:
Whenever I've had an off, be that on the road or the field etc, I tend to just let instinct take control. It's served me well so far.
Basically, just going floppy, not doing much & generally going with the flow.
In the past, I've landed upside down on the back of my neck, without even so much as a helmet on from approx 50mph and didn't get a scratch.
One day my number will be up, but at least I've had fun whilst I've been here. :)
Jester666
25-02-09, 12:16 AM
1. Say/think "Oh S**t!" several times.
2. Say "Ow!!" lots of times.
3. Look for the bike.
4. Swear a lot when you see it upside down and missing lots of plastic.
5. Check limbs for movement.
6. Sit down when the pain finally hits you!
In that order! :lol:
Luckypants
25-02-09, 12:18 AM
Slows you down? :confused:
:D In the air or on the ground? Get yerself out mountain biking, loads of falling off practice and you can see if you ever get the chance to flap your arms about.:geek:
About the only thing I would do, instinctively from riding MTBs years ago, is NOT put out my arms to catch myself then try to 'go with it' like Baph said. If sliding down tarmac at speed, I may try getting on my back but it is more likely I'd hit a kerb / hedge etc before this, graceful slides only happen on the track. :)
Luckypants
25-02-09, 12:19 AM
1. Say/think "Oh S**t!" several times.
2. Say "Ow!!" lots of times.
3. Look for the bike.
4. Swear a lot when you see it upside down and missing lots of plastic.
5. Check limbs for movement.
6. Sit down when the pain finally hits you!
In that order! :lol:
spoken like a true veteran! O:)
I should imagine trying to relax and go as limp as possible ? I´m basing that on the fact that drunk people and babies seem to get away with more injuries than others.
however no doubt the yellow T-shirt brigade will answer shortly....
Jester666
25-02-09, 12:21 AM
& 7. Try to get out of your leathers before the 'nice' ambulance man insists on cutting them off!! Grrr!
1. Say/think "Oh S**t!" several times.
2. Say "Ow!!" lots of times.
3. Look for the bike.
4. Swear a lot when you see it upside down and missing lots of plastic.
5. Check limbs for movement.
6. Sit down when the pain finally hits you!
In that order! :lol:
+1. I must admit, when I've come off on the road, I've thought "feck feck feck, this is going to be expensive..." then after hitting the deck "where's the bike & what damage has been done?... Right fine, I can still ride it."
Jester666
25-02-09, 12:23 AM
Back on topic.
The main thing is to get away from the bike. Once you realise that is all gone to poo, push hard with your feet to get away from it and avoid getting tangled up as everything goes 'sky, ground, sky, ground etc'.
missyburd
25-02-09, 12:30 AM
I would think there's really not much time to think AND act, has anyone actually thought "Oh crap I'm coming off, quick into the position! " Just doesn't seem realistic to me. The whole relaxation thing clearly makes sense but how easy is it to actually do that when in that situation? Or is it more, dare I say it, a practice thing?!
Those of you who have come off, do you find that any previous experience of falling off mountain bikes (as LP has) or trials bikes sort of "sets you up" for an off?
ThEGr33k
25-02-09, 12:36 AM
Stay relaxed is the best thing to do to be honest... The off I had was pretty quick 40mph, but I was relatively fine because I was relaxed, and hit nothing. Luck really.
As to how easy, really easy... just think "ok im coming off, don't panic Capitan Manering!" :)
I would think there's really not much time to think AND act, has anyone actually thought "Oh crap I'm coming off, quick into the position! " Just doesn't seem realistic to me. The whole relaxation thing clearly makes sense but how easy is it to actually do that when in that situation? Or is it more, dare I say it, a practice thing?!
Those of you who have come off, do you find that any previous experience of falling off mountain bikes (as LP has) or trials bikes sort of "sets you up" for an off?
I used to ride mountain bikes, then BMX's, then field/trials bikes (including road legal bikes off road), and I've fallen off more times than I care to remember, including setting myself on fire more than once (Jester's advice about pushing away from the bike should be adhered to!).
If that's helped me or not, I don't know.
Specifically talking about my last off, roughly 60mph on a B-road, I remember consciously thinking "OK, I haven't scrubbed enough speed for this corner, if I throw it on the floor it'll damage less than hitting that dry stone wall." I kid you not that was my thought, within maybe 20-25m of entering the corner.
Once I'd decided to throw the bike on the floor, the next thing I remember is arriving at the bike on my feet.
I've had the experience countless times where time itself seems to slow down. You can't react any quicker, but thought's come through at frantic speed.
missyburd
25-02-09, 12:39 AM
The off I had was pretty quick 40mph, but I was relatively fine because I was relaxed, and hit nothing. Luck really.
Luck, yes am inclined to agree with that. YC came off at about that speed (possibly a bit slower, my memory fails me these days :rolleyes:) and smashed his wrist bones just cos of the way he landed :(
I've had a few little offs.
Just go with it, loosely slide down the road with, it if you're doing some speed. :p
When I low slided at about 30 on my 125 I just let go and the bike was sliding in a shower sparks faster than I was bouncing.
The two low speed ones I've had I just thought ******** to saving this and literally jumped off it and landed fine, in one case on the SV still standing follewed by half arsedly managing to catch the bike falling.. Witnessed by a member aswell. ;)
Buy crash bungs.
many, many moons ago, RD125LC, 50-55, car pulls out, i swerve and catapult through the not knowingness, thought F00000h0000k, i rolled like a ball, road rash (not to noticeable now), no breaks.
was wearing trainers, trackyz, shell top. was exteremly stupid. thought i looked the biz! that was my clothing lesson ya could say?
was more scared of a rollockin of my mum at time and so thought i could hide the fact i was injured! was 18 i think.
i couldnt get out of bed the morning after, 3 days in bed! i was so sore, and i think what made it far worse was mentaly going over what had happened, shock kicked in i think, well i know! situation at time, if i had a 'sprawled' i most probably be still having shelltop and trainers surgically removed! i chose to roll knowing that where i was heading there was no obstacles. split second. knowing the road helps.
i have explianed 'ditching' and 'if this or that happens' to my unfortunate other! 'Me'Shell, who has never been on a bike before, well until august last year (when i got 'Silver') and loves it, pillion. we were recently looking at different atricles concerning heart rendering stories. i think LUCK is the biggest key.
Optimist!
Jester666
25-02-09, 12:49 AM
...including setting myself on fire more than once (Jester's advice about pushing away from the bike should be adhered to!).
Explain!! :shock:
Jester666
25-02-09, 12:51 AM
Those of you who have come off, do you find that any previous experience of falling off mountain bikes (as LP has) or trials bikes sort of "sets you up" for an off?
Several years as a courier in London taught me how to fall off!
Get away from the bike and then try and relax!?!
SETS YOU UP !!!
he he
try judo
sorry !
xXBADGERXx
25-02-09, 12:58 AM
Here is what happens
1. Happy puttering along minding own business
2. Insert series of unfortunate events here
3. Hear the noise of above event and think "Fuuuuu.. that sounds expensive"
4. Completely ignore any advice you have been told about checking yourself over , to see how badly damaged your pride and joy is .
5. Throw gloves on the floor in temper after slipping over trying to pick the bike up and knocking more bits off it .
6. Abandon bike to one side of the road after arranging pickup for it
7. Fix it as cheaply as possible on eBay
8. Big the story right up in the pub for Hero points and make it more and more elaborate with each telling .
30 years of falling off has taught me to get away from the bike asap, and then give in to body weight. If you're rolling and tumbling then pull all arms and legs inwards and let yourself roll - don't try and stop it, you'll stop soon enough. if you're sliding then lift your arms and legs inwards and just slide. Sticky-out bits catch on things and get broken.
There's no way I'd spread-eagle if I was going down, no way at all.
I would think there's really not much time to think AND act, has anyone actually thought "Oh crap I'm coming off, quick into the position! " Just doesn't seem realistic to me. The whole relaxation thing clearly makes sense but how easy is it to actually do that when in that situation? Or is it more, dare I say it, a practice thing?!
You would be surprised. When you have an accident things tend to move in slow motion.
I remember thinking when I was in the air seeing the floor "owch this is going to hurt" and then thinking when I saw the bike slide past me "but that is going to make me cry" I was right on both counts.
Quiff Wichard
25-02-09, 01:43 AM
Limp option for me every time...
Had an off at approx. 65mph on a motorway in June. I don't remember the part where I left the bike, but between going airborne and hitting the tarmac I remember thinking, "Crap, roll, roll, roll!"
After that I was sitting up on the central reservation, not a clue what happened. However, my helmet had lovely rings of scrapes around it, so clearly I followed up on my thoughts. Injury count for hitting the deck at that speed and bouncing off the central reservation twice was a broken wrist, a sprained ankle and some friction burning from my leathers where I hit the floor. I'm still convinced I did the right thing!
Limp option for me every time...
:rolleyes: phnar phnar
I've had three offs in the past, and was lucky enough to walk away from all of them. They happened so quickly I didn't have time to realise I was going until I was on the deck, which is maybe what saved me from seriuos injury. I didn't have time to tense up.
The one at speed, I remember sliding along the road looking at the lights of an oncoming car, and the only though I had was '****, who's going to feed the cat?' Luckily, I lived to feed it. :D
Explain!! :shock:
Well, since you asked, I'll try not to derail too much (but since this is a "crash" thread anyway...).
Back in the days when I used to mess about in fields on semi-road legal bikes (highly illegal activity these days), a friend of mine wanted to take some pictures of me on his bike (I think it was a Suzuki SK125 but all I really remember was that it was a Suzuki, and it was 125cc) for his photography coursework.
So I was riding around, having my photo taken, and he turned around to me "Take the bike off that ramp & I'll get a pic of you in the air." Fair enough.
Now, before I continue, I was at this point wearing combat style trousers and trainers. Maybe a jumper, but it was summer. I was (luckily in hindsight) wearing a helmet, which is pretty unusual for the way I was back then.
This ramp that he pointed at, was maybe 3 ft long, but was at probably 55-60degrees. It was a grass mound, with a field at the bottom and a tarmac playground at the top. There's also a small lip at the top just after the grass flattens out, which I was keen to avoid catching the bike on.
So I head off down the field, 180, and back towards the ramp. Click up 3 gears and pretty hard on the throttle. I hit the ramp somewhere near the top of 4th gear. I've no idea what speed that was as the bike didn't have a working speedo.
The photo (I still have it somewhere in the house) shows the roof of the 2 storey school through the front wheel of the bike. :cool:
Unfortunately, due to the angle of the ramp, the bike decided it wanted to go vertical in front of me. So I'm flying though the air with the bike basically pulling an extreme wheelie out in front of me. I'm still holding the bars as the bike touches the floor (youth: I figured I could save the landing :confused: ).
Then I'm sliding on the tarmac (mmm, smell those lovely concrete burns all over my rear!!), with the bike only a small distance infront of me. The oil tank on the bike happens to be on the side that hit the floor first, and the tarmac ripped a nice hole in it. Oil onto the nice hot engine. To complicate things further, whilst I'm sliding, the petrol tank developed a hole, and petrol started pouring out onto tarmac, and the hot engine.
So now my nicely ripped trousers are on fire. :) My mate runs over and takes some pictures before he helps me make sure the fire is out. On looking at where I stopped compared to where the ramp is, I've slid maybe 30-40 meters.
A group of kids I went to school with were playing football (could of been rugby) in the field further up, and witnessed everything. So as they cheered/laughed, I took a bow.
We had a bit of a giggle about it, I went to hospital (not much they could do really as I wasn't that injured) and a few days later I'd fixed his bike. So we went out for a ride on it again.
PS. Concrete burns on your rear make it REALLY hard to sit down for a while. The above may sound cool, but it really fricking hurt (after the event). Pretty much any of the times I've set myself on fire, I can't really remember feeling it.
Red Herring
25-02-09, 08:33 AM
I guess I've been really lucky, in 22 years of competition and road riding I've only ever been off during the competition bit, however I've done a fair bit of that!
Generally there are two types of crashes, those where you fall off the bike, and those where you ride into something. As a general rule you get less warning on the falling off, one moment you are riding, the next you are on the ground, however spotting the circumstances leading up to the fall can give you some warning so keep an eye out for gravel, manhole covers, diesel, etc.... When you are clearly going to ride into something then, as i think Baph said, you do get a brief moment to influence things. The first thing is not to panic, even if you only get a split second it's still time to do something, even if it's only to stand up so you go over the car that's just pulled out in front of you rather than into it. Despite the urge to get away from the bike, and that is good advice once you are definitely coming off, bikes slow a lot quicker on tarmac with the brakes than on their side so try and lose as much energy as possible before giving up. At a huge number of the crashes I've been to where the rider has simply run off the road his mate who was immediately behind him has made it round the bend simply because he has come off the brakes and had a go. If you are definitely not going to make the corner look at where you are likely to go instead. If you can influence course at all try not to go straight at a tree. The vast majority of fatal and serious injuries on bikes happen when a rider hits roadside furniture so avoid it if you can!
Finally dress for a fall. As has already been said long graceful slides are rare on the road, generally something gets in the way first, so go for armor over leather (both is better still) but make sure it fits properly otherwise the brief slide you do get will pull the armor round to where it isn't supposed to be. Heads, hands and feet (the sticky out bits) are the most vulnerable and also the bits you need most (you can still do quite a bit with an arm/leg in plaster, you try it with both hands!) so I always wear helmet/boots/gloves even if nipping to the shops. And finally, finally, to quote Sid, don't fall off, that's good advice!!
The Guru
25-02-09, 08:57 AM
...
In the event of a lowside you should spread out your arms and legs as much as possible.
In the event of a highside you should "dive" off the bike and then try and spread arms and legs out.
I think this is what you do if you have an off and land on quick sand :smt102
Dave20046
25-02-09, 09:10 AM
I basically thought 'oh ****' 'not my head' etc. etc. There was no time to do owt else, smashed on the brakes, parted with the bike connected with the car,bounced,flew,rolled.
adamw2k2
25-02-09, 09:11 AM
Nice thread this one, I had previously thought about starting such one myself. I think Red Herring's post is very useful. I have had one off on the road, and I do believe that after the shock of realising you are off the bike and scraping along down the tarmac your brain switches to the primevil 'survival' mode and you start to make decisions at 100 times the normal rate.
My off was a slide due to a patch of gravel, and so didn't really have chance to do anything before I realised that I was actually off the bike and although it was only a low speed off, I seemed to be sliding down the tarmac for what seemed like minutes.
At the time I was wearing boots and a jacket but didn't bother with the leathers that day and instead was wearing jeans - one thing that flashed to mind is what a friend of mine had told me previously about what he had done when he had came off his bike, that was to get his legs of the road by lifting his body up and making a 'bridge' between his ankle and elbow. This is what I did and so ending with a huge chunk missing from my left boot and my elbow armour destroyed :( but my body vertually unscathed - even the jeans were still completely intact after! :)
I know that every off is different, but i'm sure that most end with you scraping down the road - and it is definately true that you brain is working so quick that you do have the possibilty to alter what happens even after you've left the bike!
Bit of a pessimistic thread I guess but I was chatting to Berlin t'otha night about how basic but vital information about what to do in an off just isn't a fundamental part of a CBT or bike test anymore.
Now if I remember rightly (and do correct me if I'm wrong!) but:
In the event of a lowside you should spread out your arms and legs as much as possible.
In the event of a highside you should "dive" off the bike and then try and spread arms and legs out.
There was another one I was told but I can't remember it now!:oops:
A lot of people have unfortunately had offs on here (as is bound to happen!), some have got up and walked away, others not so much :( and I'm curious as to what you might have done on looking back, or what you did that you think may have helped you avoid further injury.
Those that have been, do you even get time to think about what position to get into? In retrospect, what do you think would have been the best thing to do?
Those of you who've had tests of recent months or years, were you taught anything at all in this area?
I'm hoping this may be a useful thread to some people, it will be at least to me!
See! You were drunker than you thought! :)
This is what I told you:
In the late 80's, I attended a race school and as part of the lessons we learnt how to fall off :smile:
Depending on what kind of crash we were facing we were given different methods of "Falling with Style" so that injuries were minimised and chances of getting clobbered by a following rider (or car coming the other way) were reduced.
I've done a bit of checking and can't find anywhere that still offers this kind of thing.
In a high side we were taught that we should not straighten out and roll upon landing. Keep arms in and don't lock your arms.
In a high speed wipe out (Like in losing the front end into a fast corner) we were told to get onto our backs and spread out so we didn't roll and just slid gracefully to a stop (and even when to get back up, whilst still sliding so we could run back to the bike)
In a regular off we were given a position like a Z shape body with Gloves (fisted hands) pressed against the visor and of we rolled the contact points were Knees, bum and forarms.
If sliding feet first down the track we were taught to roll as we slid away from the racing line so as we slid we moved sideways too. handy if you're sliding towards an oncoming car.
In a T bone Situation we were taught to jump up and off the bike so we flew over the obstacle we had just hit (gate, fence, car , barrier etc) as the most serious injuries come from an abupt stop. Sliding down the road on the other side of the obstacle is the safer option.
It took a while to get them ingrained but once learned they were a reflex action depending on situation. You just did them instinctively as soon as you leave the bike. Even now, I find myself priming my legs to jump if a car driver looks like pulling out.
You can see that the GP/Superbike racers have had these lessons when they come off.
Does anyone know if these courses are still available?
from this thread...
http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=96017
Served me well. No serious injuries despite far more than my fair share of tumbles (see, trying to ride around the outside of a FZ750 on a LC250 at the last corner isn't such a good idea, no matter how many times you try it :) )
Fastest off was about 140mph at the end of Knockhill straight racing a borrowed (oops) GSXR1100 and didn't even have a bruise. Didn't even make the corner either :D
C
missyburd
25-02-09, 10:48 AM
Cheers for the replies guys, some really useful stuff!
Berlin: Maybe I was a bit drunker than I thought but you didn't tell me allll that :p I certainly stand corrected, my memory fails me too much these days :rolleyes: :oops: :-( Thankyou for clearing it up though!
I've come off just the once while pillioning but that was at ~20mph, I just remember us jumping off it and me scraping a thumb :rolleyes: But like others one of my immediate thoughts was "get the bike out of the road!!!" and feeling so sorry for it! My first thought was if Chris was ok :smt057 lol!
Pray..... :D
:smt051 :)
I wouldn't ever spread out my arms and legs, seems like a stupid idea. The best thing to do is go limp. But i think in the event of an accident, people tend to tense up anyway, so what ever you plan to do will probably be forgotten in the event of an emergency.
dizzyblonde
25-02-09, 01:52 PM
In the event of a lowside you should spread out your arms and legs as much as possible.
In the event of a highside you should "dive" off the bike and then try and spread arms and legs out.
hmmmm let me just slow time down enough to remember to do this:rolleyes::rolleyes:
except it kinda goes
oo cack...oo feck me head..sh!t thats a new helmet. Get up quick out of road, and run towards bike upside down, next to a wall facing you...and shout nnoooooooooo in slow motion. Turn it off, and try picking it up:smt100, realise your in shock and sit on the floor and sulk:smt100, til someone nice runs over and picks it up! Inspect damage and curse for the next 12 hrs about how expensive your fairing is.
& 7. Try to get out of your leathers before the 'nice' ambulance man insists on cutting them off!! Grrr!
Ahh now Im Indoors tried this, then collapsed only to wake up x amount of days later and be told he nearly lost his leg in surgery:( cause it was smashed to pieces.
on another note spreading your arms and legs whilst diving (read thrown) off a pillion seat in the fast lane of the m62 would really work, maybe you could sprout a cape and fly over to the hard shoulder thus ommitting the brown trouser moment when you realise your head is going to get squashed by the next car,as its laying on the lane markings!
captainsmelly
25-02-09, 01:59 PM
A mate's advice to me is just to get away from the bike asap, even before an impact if its unavaidable (and you see it coming) Ride with the balls of your feet on the pegs, and be ready to jump!
He is quite an experienced crasher.
Haven't tested it out though..
maybe you could sprout a cape and fly over to the hard shoulder thus ommitting the brown trouser moment when you realise your head is going to get squashed by the next car,as its laying on the lane markings!
now your on to something there. Instead of these silly airbag jackets, we could have some of those wing suits. So instead of hitting the brakes when you're about to crash, you pin the throttle, spread your arms and gracefully swoop off above it all.
The drawback, of course, is that you might not realise when u get it all wrong... until the light starts to shine from the sky...
Alpinestarhero
25-02-09, 03:36 PM
I like to watch common crashers from the wold of motorcycle racing to learn how to fall.
Sete Gibernau and Checa seem to favour the "hold arms in" approach
Xaus has limbs all over the place (he is 100 foot tall though)
James Haydon always looked like a flying squirrel
A mate's advice to me is just to get away from the bike asap, even before an impact if its unavaidable (and you see it coming) Ride with the balls of your feet on the pegs, and be ready to jump!
He is quite an experienced crasher.
Haven't tested it out though..
What crap advice :roll: 100% of my riding is moments before an unavoidable accident and I've never chosen to jump off yet. I just chose to avoid the accident.
_Stretchie_
25-02-09, 06:31 PM
"What to do in the event of an off?"
Slide down road
Realise bike might be chasing you
Turn over to see it hit the kerb on the other side of the road
Shed a tear as you realise you've hurt your baby
Get up and brush yourself off
Pick bike up
Sit down, place head in hands and sob a little in as manly a fashion as possible
: )
mikelcfc
25-02-09, 06:36 PM
when i had my off( stupid rain) at bout 40 i just thought "this could hurt" as i knew i was heading towards a car, but it turned out it didnt really . the worst thing for me was hearing my bike slide down the road, especially as i was facing the other way.
speedplay
25-02-09, 06:40 PM
1. Say/think "Oh S**t!" several times.
2. Say "Ow!!" lots of times.
3. Look for the bike.
4. Swear a lot when you see it upside down and missing lots of plastic.
5. Check limbs for movement.
6. Sit down when the pain finally hits you!
In that order! :lol:
+1
dizzyblonde
25-02-09, 06:46 PM
"What to do in the event of an off?"
Slide down road
Realise bike might be chasing you
Turn over to see it hit the kerb on the other side of the road
Shed a tear as you realise you've hurt your baby
Get up and brush yourself off
Pick bike up
Sit down, place head in hands and sob a little in as manly a fashion as possible
: )
you missed one, scream like a girl when you see a mates bike coming quickly towards your nuts somewhere between the kerb bit, and crying like a baby;)
mmm. Jester's post is nearest to muy own experience. It all happened so quickly, one moment this red Saxo was coming straight at me, ther next the bike shook like hell (cos I'd grabbed the front brake when leant over) and lowsided. I remember thinking 'Sh!t!' before hitting the road on my left side, I landed on my left shoulder, elbow and hip. Huge pain. I didn't whack my head and stayed conscious except when I had the morphine and things went very hazy.
There wasn't time to pull in arms and legs, let alone think on it. I was surprised that I hadn't broken my shoulder and elbow, instead I broke my pelvis.
Instinct once in the road was to stand up. I tried, but I couldn't move my legs, at that point I was frightened silly and hurting badly, but I remember thinking 'get out the road' so I rolled onto the kerb. And that's when all the onlookers appeared out of nowhere, trying to take my helmet off.
The only saving grace about the pillock in the Saxo - who had had his wheels on my side of the double white lines - was that he was a consultant anaesthetist and knew exactly what to do before the ambo arrived and carted me off.
Never saw my SV again.
7 June 2004. Not a good day.
A mate's advice to me is just to get away from the bike asap, even before an impact if its unavaidable (and you see it coming) Ride with the balls of your feet on the pegs, and be ready to jump!
He is quite an experienced crasher.
Haven't tested it out though..
Ok, first thing is, don't take the advice of someone who crashes a lot. Take the advice of our Wise and Benevolent Ruler Sid Squid and DON'T CRASH!
Secondly, no one seems to have included my favorite step in the crash cycle; somewhere before oh **** oh **** oh ****, I always think slobbolcks: I've done it again...
_Stretchie_
25-02-09, 07:57 PM
you missed one, scream like a girl when you see a mates bike coming quickly towards your nuts somewhere between the kerb bit, and crying like a baby;)
Oh yeah.. Cheers Bambi killer
;)
I'd blocked that bit from my mind
:smt036
petevtwin650
25-02-09, 08:05 PM
"What to do in the event of an off?"
Slide down road
Realise bike might be chasing you
Turn over to see it hit the kerb on the other side of the road
Shed a tear as you realise you've hurt your baby
Get up and brush yourself off
Pick bike up
Sit down, place head in hands and sob a little in as manly a fashion as possible
: )
What NOT to do is:
Shout "You insensitive B@stards" at your caring mates lunging in front of your downed bike, whilst on the phone to the recovery people. :smt043:smt043:smt043
_Stretchie_
25-02-09, 08:10 PM
They were intense times mate
; )
OMG this thread is so funny. :lol:
All these I do this or I did that. I bet 99% of all accidents and offs that happen, by the time you have realised what has happened the accident is already over.
The only real people that are going to have any time to think of the accident they are having are those that are happening on the track. And even then most will just wonder WTF just did happen.
MoDaddy
25-02-09, 08:21 PM
by the time you have realised what has happened the accident is already over.
The only real people that are going to have any time to think of the accident they are having are those that are happening on the track. And even then most will just wonder WTF just did happen.
Exactly.
I remember drinking beer, going out of the bar, riding to the first turn, hearing scraping sounds, feeling a bump on my head, maybe some sparks?
Next memory is standing on the side of the road holding a badly bruised Kawasaki and thinking to myself, "What a freakin idiot you are."
dizzyblonde
25-02-09, 09:19 PM
Oh yeah.. Cheers Bambi killer
:smt036
hmmm well...i didn't crash on that one. That was a case of Bejeezus, what the feck was that?:confused: closely followed by left and right slappertislapslap, and thinking oof me wheels not square, and i'm still on, and a slow stop a half mile up the road. I shook like hell when I did stop, Mel and YC running up to me with YC shouting
feckin hell Lou, you just cut Bambi in half!:shock:
and then a whole field of orgers inspecing the remains of said deer with much delight, and poor me with nice new purple camos and boots, now stained red..grrrrrr
oooo look your rims have got furry eyelashes...that incidently went to Bordeaux and back and covered abot 2000 miles:cool:
missyburd
25-02-09, 09:21 PM
All these I do this or I did that. I bet 99% of all accidents and offs that happen, by the time you have realised what has happened the accident is already over.
This is what I was trying to get at, people mention the whole off being in slow motion but surely its over before you have time to think!
dizzyblonde
25-02-09, 09:23 PM
This is what I was trying to get at, people mention the whole off being in slow motion but surely its over before you have time to think!
it happens in an instant, but whilst it happens, it feels like it lasts a lifetime, everything goes in slow motion, then speeds up fruriously like a frying pan in the face when you get up off the road.
you missed one, scream like a girl when you see a mates bike coming quickly towards your nuts somewhere between the kerb bit, and crying like a baby;)
Since when did you grow nuts?
dizzyblonde
25-02-09, 09:29 PM
Since when did you grow nuts?
I was talking about Stretchies nuts. When he had his off in Wales he nearly had them sliced off by the bike that came a little too close for comfort as he slid over the road I believe
Dave20046
25-02-09, 09:31 PM
gladys' nuts. Man I've had some bad nut contacts in crashes. Smashed a mirror in one, broke my pelvis with them sandwiched inbetween it and the tank in the other.
Out of interest dizzy did you ever tell your little one what you did to bambi?
dizzyblonde
25-02-09, 09:37 PM
Out of interest dizzy did you ever tell your little one what you did to bambi?
Yes Dylan knows mummies bike splattered Bambi all over the road.
Dave20046
25-02-09, 09:40 PM
Yes Dylan knows mummies bike splattered Bambi all over the road.
:twisted:
MattCollins
25-02-09, 09:53 PM
oooo look your rims have got furry eyelashes...that incidently went to Bordeaux and back and covered abot 2000 miles:cool:
What, the story or the eyelashes?
dizzyblonde
25-02-09, 09:59 PM
lol.....the eyelashes....was gutted when I changed the tyre and me bike lost its furry trim :-(
This is what I was trying to get at, people mention the whole off being in slow motion but surely its over before you have time to think!
I've experience the slow motion first hand.
it happens in an instant, but whilst it happens, it feels like it lasts a lifetime, everything goes in slow motion, then speeds up fruriously like a frying pan in the face when you get up off the road.
+1.
As I said previously, you think a hell of a lot faster, but that doesn't necessarily mean you have the time to react.
Dave20046
25-02-09, 10:05 PM
Last time I had an off I freeze framed ran home grabbed my leathers and good lid then resumed.
DeeHawk
26-02-09, 07:56 AM
Last time I had an off I freeze framed ran home grabbed my leathers and good lid then resumed.
http://blog.pharmalive.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/o_rly.jpg
Best trick yet.
Dave20046
26-02-09, 08:14 AM
haha well I bent the truth a bit there, I took a ride to castleton, chapel en le frith etc got back home tohught that was so good I might do it again. donned my leathers, did it again just on the homeward straight BANG.
here is what happens
1. Happy puttering along minding own business
2. Insert series of unfortunate events here
3. Hear the noise of above event and think "fuuuuu.. That sounds expensive"
4. Completely ignore any advice you have been told about checking yourself over , to see how badly damaged your pride and joy is .
5. Throw gloves on the floor in temper after slipping over trying to pick the bike up and knocking more bits off it .
6. Abandon bike to one side of the road after arranging pickup for it
7. Fix it as cheaply as possible on ebay
8. Big the story right up in the pub for hero points and make it more and more elaborate with each telling .
lmao
Here is what happens
1. Happy puttering along minding own business
2. Insert series of unfortunate events here
3. Hear the noise of above event and think "Fuuuuu.. that sounds expensive"
4. Completely ignore any advice you have been told about checking yourself over , to see how badly damaged your pride and joy is .
5. Throw gloves on the floor in temper after slipping over trying to pick the bike up and knocking more bits off it .
6. Abandon bike to one side of the road after arranging pickup for it
7. Fix it as cheaply as possible on eBay
8. Big the story right up in the pub for Hero points and make it more and more elaborate with each telling .
+1 :D
9. Get home, get online and start a thread about how dramatic it was .......with pictures!!!!! :rolleyes::p
STRAMASHER
26-02-09, 01:18 PM
The only thing i remember after hitting the deck after locking the front in the wet was how loudly I said "OW!".
The only other time was during a highside and doing a handstand on the bars ,looking down on my bike and thinking, "Ah, this is a big crash".
Its only goes in slow motion if you are not hitting stuff!:smt042
Dave20046
27-02-09, 08:59 AM
The only thing i remember after hitting the deck after locking the front in the wet was how loudly I said "OW!".
The only other time was during a highside and doing a handstand on the bars ,looking down on my bike and thinking, "Ah, this is a big crash".
Its only goes in slow motion if you are not hitting stuff!:smt042
I had very similar thoughts.
"ohhhhh shiiit! *bang* so this is what a big crash ill feel like"
Was just about to ponder whether that was 'it' for me when I heard 'JEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESUS' ringing through my lid....it was me shouting it, one hand clenched on my balls. I was very much alive. good times.
Dave20046
27-02-09, 09:14 AM
Peoples stories about locking up in the wet or 'losing the front end' worry me. Is it very sudden and unannounced? I've never felt too uncomfortable in the wet, what causes it?
Peoples stories about locking up in the wet or 'losing the front end' worry me. Is it very sudden and unannounced? I've never felt too uncomfortable in the wet, what causes it?
I've had a few moments with the front end sliding a little. I wouldn't say letting go, because it's not that drastic. But there's some slides now & again.
A front slide is pretty unannounced, unless it's caused by the road surface, and even then they're a little unpredictable.
I've developed the habit over years of riding that when the front slides, I yank on the bars upwards (as if trying to wheelie), and without turning the bars, try to pull the yoke towards the inside of the bend. In reality on the SV, I don't think the suspension even extends, let alone the wheel coming up - so I don't know if it does anything to help, but it's an instinct I have. I wouldn't suggest anyone else try that either. It could go horribly wrong.
My recent slides are becuase my front tyre is getting very close to being illegal for tread depth (it's getting changed next week), and I've been pushing the bike a little harder than I should of been.
What causes it? Too much lean for not enough grip. Whether that be insufficient tread remaining on the tyre, or a wet manhole cover half way around a bend etc.
STRAMASHER
27-02-09, 10:53 AM
Peoples stories about locking up in the wet or 'losing the front end' worry me. Is it very sudden and unannounced? I've never felt too uncomfortable in the wet, what causes it?
What causes it? Being rubbish!!!:)
Only done it once and crashed, that was about 15yr ago. Had just got the new plastics back on the bike (after a mate had tried to right it off) and was on my way to the bike shop when i realised I had no money to pay for the final piece (the £12 badge for the fairing).
This realisation happened immediately before the left hand junction I would use to get to the bank.............indescision! Grab front brake, down on the deck and said "Ow!" before i knew it. :rolleyes::)
I've been riding 18yrs and still ride like a jessie in the wet. Just don't panic brake (easier said than done) by grabbing a big handful. This is when good tyres come into play. Never locked my Avons on the SV whereas the OE dunlops were a joke for me, easily brake overpowered tyre compared to what I was used to..
In the dry though you can lock up the front for fun if you know what to expect. If you progressively brake harder, you will usually hear a chirping from the front tyre, then you know you are pretty much going to lock the front with a bit more pressure. Lock it, come off it. You will get a little slide (inches probably, feels like feet!). Slow,slow speed,practically stopped on a gravel road is a good place to try a lock up. You can get a feel of how the bars and wheel will react when locked.
I find it easier to do on a naked, big wide bars give you more control/balance. Just another bike skill thing to develop.:)
jakesmith
27-02-09, 11:04 AM
Hi Friends,
This is Jake smith & i am new member to this forum...
I like this forum....
Thanks!
Hi Friends,
This is Jake smith & i am new member to this forum...
I like this forum....
Thanks!
Very random!!
Hi!
STRAMASHER
27-02-09, 11:14 AM
Hi Friends,
This is Jake smith & i am new member to this forum...
I like this forum....
Thanks!
No thank you!
How the hell are you fella?:):smt042
No thank you!
How the hell are you fella?:):smt042
am i right to be suspious? :D
STRAMASHER
27-02-09, 11:21 AM
am i right to be suspious? :D
Suspicious of what?
Nah you beat me to a jovial reply to the mad crasher Mr Smith. :)
Random indeed, and given me a chuckle.:D
lovely range of leatherwear he's advertising...
Suspicious of what?
Nah you beat me to a jovial reply to the mad crasher Mr Smith. :)
Random indeed, and given me a chuckle.:D
He is pushing Prom Dresses?
Just thought it was rather random. :D
missyburd
27-02-09, 11:24 AM
ahem, derail alert :-P Gerr'outa ma fred! :-D
Dave20046
27-02-09, 11:28 AM
I've just been on the phone to my instructor
"Hi it's dave"
"still in one piece haha" fudge. Ahh well subsidised advanced lessons can't be a bad thing.
ahem, derail alert :-P Gerr'outa ma fred! :-D
My bad, its the newcomer, not me. :rolleyes:
_Stretchie_
27-02-09, 12:33 PM
I was talking about Stretchies nuts. When he had his off in Wales he nearly had them sliced off by the bike that came a little too close for comfort as he slid over the road I believe
Yep, I rolled over to see the big round headlight of a GSX1400 getting bigger as it approached 'me boyz'.
The world promptly fell outa my bottom but he managed to change direction quick enough.
I still give them a gentle pat every morning in thanks of them not abandoning me at that moment :D
big round headlight of a GSX1400 getting bigger as it approached 'me boyz'.
ooh that woulda been a bruiser :o
vardypeeps
27-02-09, 12:56 PM
I would think there's really not much time to think AND act, has anyone actually thought "Oh crap I'm coming off, quick into the position! " Just doesn't seem realistic to me. The whole relaxation thing clearly makes sense but how easy is it to actually do that when in that situation? Or is it more, dare I say it, a practice thing?!
Those of you who have come off, do you find that any previous experience of falling off mountain bikes (as LP has) or trials bikes sort of "sets you up" for an off?
Iv come off at 40 in the rain before and was sliding into the other side of the road. I could feel my side getting really hot while sliding so made the decision to flip to the other side. Turns out my pants where melting to me and managed to save myself more pain :p
Id say falling off toughens you up for it and you kind of know how to fall. I skateboard and tend to fall at least 3/4 times everytime I go out. Main thing is try not to stick your hands out and if your rolling maybe bring you limbs in a bit so there not smashing on the ground
I have come off a few times on diff bikes and try to kick/slide/roll away from them.
Incedent above sent my bike straight on into the back of a car so I took the chance and slid into the other side of the road!
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