Mulholland Videos and Lessons Learnt

[Fallout]

Note: This isn't meant as a morbid freak show. I watched these vids and found myself seeing what went wrong and learning from them. I thought others could benefit in the same way. And also, if my observations are wrong, I could benefit from other people's opinions. Hopefully MODs will see the benefit of this, and not see it as a "HAHAHA, THIS GUY BROKED HIS BIKE. HAHAHA" type post.

There are only two accidents really really sensitive people may not want to watch. No.2 is a highside and the guy hits his head. He is ok apparently, but the impact is hard, so may shock the particularly delicate of you. No.4 the guy goes over a cliff, but before you are shocked and burst into tears, he is totally fine, and has a nice gentle tumble into some bracken.

Original post:

Youtube keeps recommending me these vids, so I keep clicking them. Anyway, for those that done know, there is a road called the Mulholland Highway in CA where bikers ride and crash every day, normally on the same corners.

From a positive perspective, there's a lot to be learnt. None of the vids show any real injuries. They're all fairly minor lowsides and high sides on one medium to low speed corner, so it's not a horror show. I find it's good to watch them and figure out what the rider did wrong, and hopefully learn from it.

Here are a few and what I take from watching it ....

1.
A perfect example of why not to use the front brake when you're leaning it over into a corner. Bike low sides from very little lean due to front brake ...

2.
A good example of too much power out of the turn. Rear wheel slides, he closes throttle and high sides. Also he properly smacks his head. Would probably be dead without the helmet. So a testament to why helmets turn death into a get up and walk off scenario. Warning: This is the only vid that shows a crash that people may consider a bit nasty, but reading the comments it appears the dude was fine.

3.
Exactly the same as above, but the rider doesn't close the throttle, and therefore lowsides, and has a much more minor accident. My conclusion is, when the back comes out, its probably best to open the throttle and guarantee a lowslide then close the thottle and attempt to rectify it. Perhaps the best cause is to just keep the thottle open the same, hoping it'll sort itself out. Another lesson: WATCH WHERE YOU PARK YOUR BIKE, especially on popular biker routes.

4.
This guy applies rear brake when he feels he's going to fast. Also looks like there may be some target fixation. Rear brake could've resulted in a highside, but the rail stopped him first! Lesson to be learned: don't brake, lean the bike over, take the corner, and if you are going too fast you'll come off with the more minor lowside when your lean angle is too extreme. Don't worry! He is fine too!

5.
A great example of how minor a lowside can be. You'd probably injure yourself more stubbing your toe, assuming you have gear on. Lowside PREFERABLE!

6.
This is a good example of how a little moment which can be recovered from turns into a crash. I suppose you get the willies up you (wayhey) and then bottle out of the corner, although your speed means you're already commit. Lesson learnt: if something happens mid turn that scares you, force yourself to recommit to the turn. Don't try and bottle out of it. It's already too late.

I hope nobody thinks this is me being morbid. I honestly think there are good lessons here! If you disagree with my thoughts, please chime in with your opinions.

[Luckypants]

Is it me or does there seem to be a distinct lack of grip on that corner? If so and it is well known, why don't folks just take it easy?

[Fallout]

I don't know mate. It doesn't seem great, but there are plenty of vids of bikes caning around it leaning all the way over. I think the problem is all the cameras are there, so everyone is trying to go as fast as they can round it, then all the mistakes happen. I think there are literally thousands of bikes going up and down there every day though, so it's bound to happen.

Riding above their limits, not knowing wtf they are doing, trying to show of.
Not morbid showing these, I think it was a bit morbid laughing every second I watched them.

Videos like 2 and 3 would have worked out fine if they knew what throttle control was. I've had my back come out further than that because of silly ducati loosing coolant on the track, just easy of the throttle and they to would have been fine. Would also have helped if they knew what getting heat into tyres meant, dropping tyre pressure to up the heat and grip, maybe even being on a sport tyre would have helped.

1, 4 and 6 froze, driving above their limit, proper lean would have worked just nice me thinks.

Nr 5 I'm not sure what he did, angle and speed does not dictate a lowside but his riding style is neither super-motard/cross or roadracing style, it's just not right, you either hang off, or you sit on the other side of the saddle with your foot out.

Oh, nice job Fallout good man

[Fallout]

Originally Posted by speedyandypandy

Nr 5 I'm not sure what he did, angle and speed does not dictate a lowside but his riding style is neither super-motard/cross or roadracing style, it's just not right, you either hang off, or you sit on the other side of the saddle with your foot out.

Not sure either mate, but we can't see his tyres. I suspect they're probably not up to the job of that lean angle for one of many reasons. Plus it looks a bit like he was adjusting lean angle, or perhaps speed, as there is a minute amount of wobble going on. I reckon maybe a constant smooth throttle and smooth line might've had him round the corner safely. Can only guess though!

No.5 has a movement to his right leg I saw this as him using the back break to try and back it in to the corner then step the back out on exit. Too much back break with the lean he had going meant it stepped out too quick for him to deal with. Its ok though its a drz takes a lot more than a slide to stop one of those

[Fallout]

I'm aiming to get one this winter mate, for winter greenlaning to keep me biking. You still got yours or did it go when the new one came in?

Originally Posted by Owenski

No.5 has a movement to his right leg I saw this as him using the back break to try and back it in

or just 'normal' breaking to adjust his line, I think you've spotted the reason, Hawkeye'ski

I've ridden this road on a Ducati Multistrada and the long sweeping left hander is very slightly off camber which catches many people out. There are so many people with cameras that people get their superhero act on and go for the pose shot. Sadly some run out of skill. The whole of the Mulholland highway is a super twisty road with very smooth tarmac, however it is very definitely this corner that catches most. It is almost definitely the most fun road I have ever ridden.

edit: One thing to watch out for on roads over there is the cats eyes, they have them in pairs either side of the double yellow lines in the centre of the road, looks like No.3 caught these and that is what unsettled the back wheel. They are big and must be avoided!