Afraid I might eventually hurt myself

headshrink · October 14th, 2011, 09:51 AM

I have a little over 3 years and 26K miles of riding experience. To date, I have been fortunate enough not to have high/low sided, etc. I consider myself an advanced-beginner.

The other day I was carefully making a turn on a wet road, when my rear tire hit a metal plate (saw it too late). My rear started to slide out, which normally wouldn't scare me THAT much, but I was leaned over a bit. I instinctively put my leg out to catch my fall. I knew instantly this was a bad idea, but it was like flinching. Fortunately I recovered, and did not go down. However, if I had actually low-sided, it would have been too late.... I might have a broken leg, or at best a nasty sprain.

I work on my riding technique all the time, but how can I scrub this leg-breaking move from my instincts?

bob706 · October 14th, 2011, 10:20 AM

I wouldn't scrub it per say, learn from it and keep it tucked away.

LoneRonin · October 14th, 2011, 10:23 AM

you've been in the game this long and now you're scared??

Scared is a state of mind...Whatever you've been doing has got you this far so just trust in yourself.

I've had about 3 crashes but I picked myself back up looked at my bike and continued to ride her home although limping and bruised. You're a rider, you know what you signed up for.

Toly · October 14th, 2011, 10:42 AM

I think Keith Code school or someone teaches traction control in the wet... sign up for it. Then it will be one less worry on your mind

csmith12 · October 14th, 2011, 11:39 AM

"Practice your roll off as much as your roll on". Straight from the Twist of the Wrist 2 low traction situations part of the video. Although it doesn't cover riding on a metal surface.

alex.s · October 14th, 2011, 11:44 AM

step 1: buy a $100 pocket bike with ****** tires.

step 2: hose down a patch of slick concrete

step 3: ride in circles.

Alex · October 14th, 2011, 12:29 PM

Duct-tape your boots to the pegs?

csmith12 · October 14th, 2011, 12:56 PM

now there is 102 uses for duct tape

nickjpass · October 14th, 2011, 02:57 PM

You can always get new gear.

LoneRonin · October 14th, 2011, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

step 1: buy a $100 pocket bike with ****** tires.

step 2: hose down a patch of slick concrete

step 3: ride in circles.

step: 4: go trail riding you're bound to fall in your first 20 minutes and you'll get over the fear quick.

Live2ride · October 14th, 2011, 07:28 PM

Bob, I had a similar situation happen in a turn a few months ago where my rear tire slide out at least 1-2 ft while leaning in a turn. My natural reaction was to put my foot out and imo it save me and the bike. I stomped my foot against the pavement as my bike was headed for disaster and immediately the rear tire corrected and I went on my way. It's my honest belief that my reaction saved me, I never thought I'd react like that but it sure did help it seems. In most cases I'd consider it dangerous to do, glad you made out alright.

setasai · October 14th, 2011, 08:13 PM

Do what humans are designed to do, persevere! Not very helpful I know but it's something I try to live by. Learn from your mistakes, take it to heart and move on. You'll be proud of yourself if the situation arises again and you react correctly.

Lil_Green_Demon · October 14th, 2011, 10:13 PM

OP, you've gone a good number of years without a serious incident. Don't allow a close call such as this to set you back!

headshrink · October 15th, 2011, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneRonin

step: 4: go trail riding you're bound to fall in your first 20 minutes and you'll get over the fear quick.

It is my assumption, which may be wrong, that trail/dirt riding wouldn't be as dangerous in a similar situation....

Not to worry, I won't let it hold me back, I just wanted to work this out as a preemptive measure.

Cuongism · October 15th, 2011, 09:57 PM

Trail riding will actually reinforce the bad street habit of putting your feet out though

headshrink · October 15th, 2011, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuongism

Trail riding will actually reinforce the bad street habit of putting your feet out though

Bummer.... I thought I would be able to tell my wife I need another bike then, for safety.

Apocolypze01 · October 15th, 2011, 10:58 PM

Smooth, constant throttle. Keeps traction in any situation. As others have said, take a look at CSS. Or at the very least, watch or read Kieth Code's: Twist of the Wrist

Kurgan · October 17th, 2011, 06:19 PM

If the road was wet, odds are your foot would have slid, not stuck, so it would be something like a dirt-tracker situation.

DerTeufel · October 17th, 2011, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuongism

Trail riding will actually reinforce the bad street habit of putting your feet out though

Not sure if that was in jest, but trail riding will get you used to having the bike slide around underneath you. I rarely take my feet off the pegs while playing in the dirt.

Cuongism · October 17th, 2011, 11:52 PM

It'll definitely help you get a feel of the tires slipping, but there's also the habit of putting your feet out for balance. I don't have any videos of myself at the moment, but I'm sure a quick google search of "motorcycle trail riding" will show some good examples. This is the first video that comes up:

Link to original page on YouTube.

Jinx250 · October 18th, 2011, 08:52 AM

FWIW, I don't see what you did as a bad thing at all. I'd rather plant the inside foot and be judged as having bad form than low side the bike.

headshrink · October 18th, 2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jinx250

FWIW, I don't see what you did a sa bad thing at all. I'd rather plant the inside foot and be judged as having bad form than low side the bike.

I'm not worried about looking bad, I'm worried about breaking my leg.

gfloyd2002 · October 18th, 2011, 01:14 PM

Bob, I had a little lowside caused by a mossy patch on a shaded bridge and did the same thing. Hurt my hip a bit when I planted my foot. Like you, I wanted to get better control and positioning for traction loss (and like you the real culprit wasn't my lack of control but a failure of my vision scanning for road surface changes).

So I went to an off-road motorcycle school, and it was fantastic. Riding off road, your back tire is constantly out and you get a ton of practice at technique that isn't panicky. Rich Oliver's Mystery School, which isn't too far from you, caters to street and track riders. Rich, who is a great guy and former AMA road racing champion, preaches that to best understand control of a street or race bike, you have to know how to handle a bike that doesn't have full traction, and the best way to learn that is off road.

Give Rich a call or shoot him an email, and let him know I said hello. His contact info is here.

Jinx250 · October 19th, 2011, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by headshrink

I'm not worried about looking bad, I'm worried about breaking my leg.

I hear ya. But if I had the choice between having my leg under the bike when it goes down or planting the foot to try and save it I'll take the foot plant. But yes, breaking a leg would suck, especially if it's the femur!

October 14th, 2011, 09:51 AM	#1
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	Afraid I might eventually hurt myself I have a little over 3 years and 26K miles of riding experience. To date, I have been fortunate enough not to have high/low sided, etc. I consider myself an advanced-beginner. The other day I was carefully making a turn on a wet road, when my rear tire hit a metal plate (saw it too late). My rear started to slide out, which normally wouldn't scare me THAT much, but I was leaned over a bit. I instinctively put my leg out to catch my fall. I knew instantly this was a bad idea, but it was like flinching. Fortunately I recovered, and did not go down. However, if I had actually low-sided, it would have been too late.... I might have a broken leg, or at best a nasty sprain. I work on my riding technique all the time, but how can I scrub this leg-breaking move from my instincts? __________________________________________________ Honda Interceptor VFR800 DLX (2014, 8th gen) Honda CBR500r (2014) - FOR SALE Kawi Ninja 250r (2008) - Restored and passed-down within family, only to be abandoned

October 14th, 2011, 10:20 AM	#2
bob706 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Mary Esther, FL Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.	I wouldn't scrub it per say, learn from it and keep it tucked away. __________________________________________________ http://sandollarmotorcycleclub.com/

October 14th, 2011, 11:39 AM	#5
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	"Practice your roll off as much as your roll on". Straight from the Twist of the Wrist 2 low traction situations part of the video. Although it doesn't cover riding on a metal surface. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

October 14th, 2011, 11:44 AM	#6
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	step 1: buy a $100 pocket bike with ****** tires. step 2: hose down a patch of slick concrete step 3: ride in circles. __________________________________________________

October 14th, 2011, 12:29 PM	#7
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Duct-tape your boots to the pegs? __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

October 14th, 2011, 10:23 AM	#3
LoneRonin ninjette.org sage Name: Jason Location: Mississauga Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250r Posts: 634	you've been in the game this long and now you're scared?? Scared is a state of mind...Whatever you've been doing has got you this far so just trust in yourself. I've had about 3 crashes but I picked myself back up looked at my bike and continued to ride her home although limping and bruised. You're a rider, you know what you signed up for.

October 14th, 2011, 10:42 AM	#4
Toly ninjette.org guru Name: Toly Location: NY Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): KTM 390 Duke Posts: 428	I think Keith Code school or someone teaches traction control in the wet... sign up for it. Then it will be one less worry on your mind

October 14th, 2011, 12:56 PM	#8
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	now there is 102 uses for duct tape __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

October 14th, 2011, 02:57 PM	#9
nickjpass #squid Name: nickypoo Location: Five Guys Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jul '16	You can always get new gear. __________________________________________________

October 14th, 2011, 07:28 PM	#11
Live2ride ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Cody Location: NoVa Join Date: Jan 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 yzf r6r previously: 09 ninja 250r, black 07 zx6r Posts: A lot.	Bob, I had a similar situation happen in a turn a few months ago where my rear tire slide out at least 1-2 ft while leaning in a turn. My natural reaction was to put my foot out and imo it save me and the bike. I stomped my foot against the pavement as my bike was headed for disaster and immediately the rear tire corrected and I went on my way. It's my honest belief that my reaction saved me, I never thought I'd react like that but it sure did help it seems. In most cases I'd consider it dangerous to do, glad you made out alright. __________________________________________________

October 14th, 2011, 08:13 PM	#12
setasai ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Brian Location: Detroit, MI Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Green Posts: A lot.	Do what humans are designed to do, persevere! Not very helpful I know but it's something I try to live by. Learn from your mistakes, take it to heart and move on. You'll be proud of yourself if the situation arises again and you react correctly.

October 14th, 2011, 10:13 PM	#13
Lil_Green_Demon Winging It In Life Name: Umar Location: SoCal Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R; 2011 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.	OP, you've gone a good number of years without a serious incident. Don't allow a close call such as this to set you back! __________________________________________________ 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250R (Bought - Apr 22, 2011; Sold - Feb 17, 2015) 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R (Bought - May 01, 2017; Current)

October 15th, 2011, 09:57 PM	#15
Cuongism ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Cuong Location: San Diego Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r, 2007 Daytona 675 Posts: A lot.	Trail riding will actually reinforce the bad street habit of putting your feet out though

October 15th, 2011, 10:58 PM	#17
Apocolypze01 CBR? This is ninjaaaaaa!! Name: Michael Location: Victoria, Australia Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): '97 ZZR250 Posts: 40	Smooth, constant throttle. Keeps traction in any situation. As others have said, take a look at CSS. Or at the very least, watch or read Kieth Code's: Twist of the Wrist

October 17th, 2011, 06:19 PM	#18
Kurgan ninjette.org guru Name: Kurgan Location: Texas Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R Posts: 260	If the road was wet, odds are your foot would have slid, not stuck, so it would be something like a dirt-tracker situation.

October 17th, 2011, 11:52 PM	#20
Cuongism ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Cuong Location: San Diego Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r, 2007 Daytona 675 Posts: A lot.	It'll definitely help you get a feel of the tires slipping, but there's also the habit of putting your feet out for balance. I don't have any videos of myself at the moment, but I'm sure a quick google search of "motorcycle trail riding" will show some good examples. This is the first video that comes up: Link to original page on YouTube.

October 18th, 2011, 08:52 AM	#21
Jinx250 Smoker Name: Bob Location: SoCal Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): Guess.... Posts: 556	FWIW, I don't see what you did as a bad thing at all. I'd rather plant the inside foot and be judged as having bad form than low side the bike. Last futzed with by Jinx250; October 19th, 2011 at 07:17 AM.

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