If you're going to hit a car - over or under? - Harley Forum

stephenw · #1 08-31-2009, 12:13 PM

This happened to me the evening before last. I was doing about 50-55mph I came around a blind corner and there was a car and trailer across the road. I was lucky and I was able to stop the bike.
My question is this. If you are in that situation and cannot get your bike stopped are you better off laying down the bike and sliding into the car feet first on the ground or should you aim for the bonnet and try to go over the car?

83XLX · #2 08-31-2009, 01:36 PM

I'd ride the bike upright, hard on the brakes, staying on the pavement if possible. That's your best chance of stopping, or at least slowing down the most before the impact. If you're lucky, the bonnet area is the best place to hit, but in a panic situation like this, your ability to steer to a specific point in the second or two you have to react is very limited. If you have time to aim, aim to miss it!

Whopper · #3 08-31-2009, 02:24 PM

I've heard people say more than once "He pulled in front of me and I laid it down ..." The coefficient of friction between rubber and pavement, even if the tire is locked up, is greater than steel and pavement such as when a bike is on its side sliding down the road. Of course a tire that retains traction is even better than one skidding. A maximum effort stop, under control, is much better than sliding into, or under, an object when out of control. There is nothing good about T-boning a car or truck, but your chances of survival are markedly better if it happens while upright and under control. And though it is minimal, there is probably some value in the energy that gets dissipated when the front tire and forks crush under impact. Just my opinion.

Hammerhead Pat · #4 08-31-2009, 06:23 PM

I think I would do my best to stay on the bike as long as possible and then try to bail off at the last second if possible. Leaving Big Ed and the Twins dangling from the handlebars isn't something I care to think about

Gas Man · #5 08-31-2009, 08:19 PM

Get ABS and just stop! LOL

botzman · #6 08-31-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gas Man

Get ABS and just stop! LOL

GasMan...I wish that were true. Trust me....I know. Both of my wrecks, a car and a deer I had NO time to do anything but hit the brakes and hold on. You need a decent amount of time to consider laying the bike down. Something you wont get when a car jumps in front of you. Both my impacts were while on the wheels and I faired well considering what could have been. Botz

unclepsycho · #7 08-31-2009, 10:22 PM

When the left turner tried to take me out, I jammed the brakes, locked the rear tire in an attempt to swing the bike around the front of the car.... almost...just almost made it but the front bumper caught me at the left shin and pitched the bike around and out from under me. (Dern doc's wanted to amputate... but I didnt let 'em and it healed up ok)

(these next to examples are just hearsay from my friends....)

A buddy saw his left turner and actually was afforded the time to jump...straight up... the bike caught his foot and flipped him 360 in the air and he landed right on the hood feet first.... hopped off and was gonna drag the driver out for a good beatin' when he saw 2 kids in the back seat and momma behind the wheel.....he has kids himself, so all the fire went out of him and he just stood theer while she cried....he got lucky...so he got "lucky" tatooed on his left calf....the one that coulda been mashed.

another buddy said he was going way too fast in the rain and his thought was also to just jump straight up... but he was going 75 mph and he flew for 105 feet. he came out ok too, uh, sort of.

so My answer would be.....1st...brakes...then jump....but never go under, not on purpose.

frisco-rigid · #8 09-01-2009, 12:07 AM

Hey Steve Botz & Unc

It's the type a question that only a guy that's been there can really answer..
Perhaps that's why the ABS post is simply brainless..
I'd like to read that first post you wrote & then deleted Botz.. I have a hunch about it..

2 of the times I hit a car I had no time to make any choice at all..
Over is Natures Way..

And yes Whopper,, the energy sucked up by the front wheel & forks is Considerable for real and the distance you fly is directly related to your speed..

I've gone the Low route several times too but not on purpose..
It's kinda weird tumbling down the road like a hard-hit ground ball and grabbing at the pavement for a non-existant hand-hold and everytime you rotate you see your sickle gaining on you and you just know-- this is gonna leave a mark..

Crimsonaro · #9 09-01-2009, 12:42 AM

I don't know, but even though it is common place to see statements like "I layed it down today", I suspect that it is rare for someone to actually lay one down on purpose. I would guess it is more a factor of being on the brakes too hard or hitting spot where they don't get traction while on the brakes hard and then locking up a wheel for a second. When you do go down, it usually happens so fast you don't have a choice. That and the first natural reaction is to try to prevent it by releasing the binders.

I agree. Vehicles are designed to have the rubber on the road. I'd want to scrub off as much speed as I possibly can and avoid expecting 'metal and flesh' to stop or steer me.

HDDon · #10 09-01-2009, 03:30 PM

I'm trying to remember all the actions you are suppose to take from the motorcycle safety courses I've taken. The first is avoidence, look for an escape route. I'm thinking that at 50-55 mph you are on a two lane road without a curb, so the escape route is the shoulder, better grass and dirt than pavement. The safety course teaches you to stay on the bike upright in a panic stop, once you lock up the rear brake let off and reapply, same with the front, but much more important. All of us need to practice avoidance techniques frequently. Panic stops are one of the things I practice almost everytime I ride. Try it on a country backroad with little or no traffic. If your going to do it while riding two up give your passenger some notice so they can learn too.