Fatal crash in my city

[Tom in Ohio]

I'm a police officer and we just had a fatal motorcycle crash in the city I work in.

Forgive me if I'm light on the details, but I don't want to put out any info that might identify anyone involved.

The crash occurred during daylight on a residential street. Weather and road conditions were not an issue. Low speed. No alcohol suspected. Blood test results not yet known.

The rider was part of a group.

Evidentally he over-reacted to a surprise event (caused by riders ahead of him) and locked up his rear wheel - no evidence of front wheel braking. The rear wheel slid out, he released the rear brake, the rear tire caught, and threw him high-side. He landed on his head. No helmet. Cause of death not yet determined, but appears to be head trauma.

The lessons are obvious:

Regardless of your time riding, you need to practice emergency stops. Get in the habit of using your front brake primarily. Exercise caution riding in groups and ride in staggered formation. If your rear wheel locks up and slides - stand on it, work the front brake, and ride it out. Smacking the pavement at even low speeds can kill you. I can't claim that wearing a helmet would have saved his life (I'll wait for the coroner's report) but it does appear so.

[holesnipe]

well said. lost a freind almost one year ago to the day on her road king, all because a young girl driving a mini-van was not paying attention [probably on a cell ] god bless you dianne.

[Sleeper]

Good post and advice. I use to practice my braking and riding skills to stay in tune with the bike. This is a good reminder to find an empty parking lot or road and practice the skills again.

[Likemlouder]

thanks for the post. thoughts and prayers to his family. can't be too careful out there. i am going riding now. i always pray before going out. trust nothing on 4 wheels and watch the others on 2. ride safe

[floorit]

Look guys, first I want to say that my heart goes out to the family of this guy. Second I'd like to say that while I'd love to post my opinion on this I'm not going to. We have enough Helmet threads going right now. Lets just let this be what it is. A reminder of what can happen when you ride with OR WITHOUT a helmet.

[xllent01]

If your rear wheel locks up and slides - stand on it, work the front brake, and ride it out

Not sure what you mean by "stand on it"

Best panic braking is achieved with the use of both brakes, as you apply more pressure to the front (before lock up) you readily get more traction to the front tire (more braking) resulting in less to the rear, one would need to modulate the rear brake to keep rear from skidding or going highside..

[Gone]

Originally Posted by xllent01

Not sure what you mean by "stand on it"

if you let go of the rear brake when it's locked up you will go flying. if it locks up you better just keep it locked up until you stop.

[floorit]

Originally Posted by ali_squidz

if you let go of the rear brake when it's locked up you will go flying. if it locks up you better just keep it locked up until you stop.

That's not exactly right. You CAN highside if you let off, but it's not an absolute. With some practice a slide can be fairly controllable.

[xllent01]

Originally Posted by ali_squidz

if you let go of the rear brake when it's locked up you will go flying. if it locks up you better just keep it locked up until you stop.

Thanks but just standing on it is totally wrong.. best to modulate into the transition to keep the rear tire from skidding to control the slide better..


Read above..

[mikeg1200c]

I used to flat track, I know what High side means, it hurts....
A lot of people panic if there back wheel slides, don't let off, ride it out....
Everyone should know how there bike will react to hard braking....