How does one do this?

I remember Len's post about a low-speed, low-side dumping of a 600RR. He came out of a driveway and cranked the throttle a bit too much, making the bike slide. Basically, what does one do to correct a situation like that and stay upright?

I am asking because I somehow saved my bike and body from certain harm about 10 minutes ago. I did exactly what Len did (had just started raining), but put my foot down. The bike slid left, then right, then left again as I attempted to correct...then straightened out. My ***** hurt, and I'm in shock, but I'm ok.

The thing is, I have no idea what I did to save the situation. Can anyone put it into words, so I can rely on something other than luck next time?

 

Good to hear nothing happened.....I don't know either but thats how i dumped my bike, going into a corner a bit hot and was hard on front brake, hit some gravel and watched the bike slide across the road and hit the ditch Id be curious as well...i don't think it could have been prevented in my situation due to gravel but good question

 

Well, I wasn't braking, as it sounds like you were. I was accelerating from about 5 or 10 mph, in first gear.

 

You cranked over too hard on cold tires. Opening the throttle caused the rear to spin, sliding the rear. The bike wobbled because it was trying to right itself. If it had caught traction, you might have been thrown.

In a situation like this, your best bet is to keep your front wheel in the direction of the skid (similar to when a car skids), and hold the throttle at the same position. Don't shut off the throttle or brake.

Good to hear you made it out relatively unscathed. Only thing worse than blue ***** is bruised *****...

 

don't forget that roads are the most slippery when rain just starts. i'm no expert but i don't think i would have put out my leg; had you not been able to straighten things out, you may have broken something...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marmaladeboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You cranked over too hard on cold tires. Opening the throttle caused the rear to spin, sliding the rear. The bike wobbled because it was trying to right itself. If it had caught traction, you might have been thrown.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I know how I got into trouble...I just have no idea how I got out!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Good to hear you made it out relatively unscathed. Only thing worse than blue ***** is bruised *****... </TD></TR></TABLE>

You said it. I had to check my tank for blood, lol...

 

i hammer the throttle on cold tires on cold asphalt with my 1000rr for fun

WHEN IN DOUBT, GIVE IT GAS! &lt;----saves your life 99% of the time

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by immortal &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i hammer the throttle on cold tires on cold asphalt with my 1000rr for fun </TD></TR></TABLE>

You're also a F***ing lunatic!

I do not, at this point, have the bike control skills necessary to do the stuff you do in your photos...or to do tank-slappers for fun. But I saved this thing somehow, and I want to know how I did it!

 

You've gotta somehow make it a automatic response that you don't chop the throttle. The bike wants to stand up straight because of rotating inertia. Not just the wheels but also the rotating engine assembly. Then you've just gotta react. Normal stuff like, don't put your foot down, keep your arms nice and loose, look straight towards the direction you wanna go, etc. etc. The more practice you have, the more it will be second nature. For most of us, that just involves as much seat time as possible.

Personally, I'm getting used to the fact that my front tire lifts off the ground when I accelerate out of a turn or my rear tire slides a bit when I hit a manhole cover or cross the yellow line. The secret is.. there is no secret. Its all in your seat time.

You've probably had just enough seat time to automatically react to your incident. Do it enough and it'll turn into an automatic response. Like driving a stick. Good save

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ross R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You're also a F***ing lunatic!

I do not, at this point, have the bike control skills necessary to do the stuff you do in your photos...or to do tank-slappers for fun. But I saved this thing somehow, and I want to know how I did it!</TD></TR></TABLE>

as loony as it may sound, i agree. the tankslappers i've had where i cracked the throttle and lifted the front were far more pleasant than the ones where i backed off.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by usdmPC3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">as loony as it may sound, i agree. the tankslappers i've had where i cracked the throttle and lifted the front were far more pleasant than the ones where i backed off. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Nothing says lov'n like Ohlins in the oven. Can't even begin to tell you how many times the little shock thingamabob on top of my triple has saved my ***.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ScareyH22A &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Nothing says lov'n like Ohlins in the oven. Can't even begin to tell you how many times the little shock thingamabob on top of my triple has saved my ***. </TD></TR></TABLE>

its actually a funny case of irony; i sold my gpr just as i was thinking that i didn't need it. then the tankslappers rolled in. i will probably get an ohlins one; i'm curious to try that style this time around.

 

WIth any bike slide you dont wanna let go of the throttle. Once there is no power going to the rear the tire will grab and try to throw you. To save it is all about throttle control and not to panic. Dont put your leg down stay neutral onthe bike slowly let off the throttle to help get the bike under control or maintin the current throttle and keep you head up dont focus on the ground look where you wanna go. And just like what ScareyH22A said its all about seat time and feeling whta the bike is going to do. Believe it or not my experiences with riding Dirt bikes for Years has saved my butt numerous times. The most important thing is dont panic.

Glad to hear your Ok

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ross R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
But I saved this thing somehow, and I want to know how I did it!</TD></TR></TABLE>

it's happened to me when i haven't been ready for it and i'm talking about my rear swinging to left and right big time.... you just stay on the gas and it will usually save itself. it happens so fast that you don't really have much control until it's happened to you a bunch, then you'll get a feeling for it and it'll be automatic.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ross R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How does one do this?

I remember Len's post about a low-speed, low-side dumping of a 600RR. He came out of a driveway and cranked the throttle a bit too much, making the bike slide. Basically, what does one do to correct a situation like that and stay upright?

I am asking because I somehow saved my bike and body from certain harm about 10 minutes ago. I did exactly what Len did (had just started raining), but put my foot down. The bike slid left, then right, then left again as I attempted to correct...then straightened out. My ***** hurt, and I'm in shock, but I'm ok.

The thing is, I have no idea what I did to save the situation. Can anyone put it into words, so I can rely on something other than luck next time?</TD></TR></TABLE>


I don't think we're qualified to teach people the essentials of riding but I know someone who is... Keith Codes. I can't recommend his book highly enough A Twist of the Wrist 2. Get it. And share it with all your friends when your done. He's extremely talented at putting his thoughts into worlds. There's tons of diagrams and relatively simple explanations on complicated subjects. It's at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi...07846

 

If the rear slides the best thing to do is to ease off the throttle not shut it, very easy to say, very hard to do. If the front slides and you are in a corner then it is possibe to pick it up with your knee. If you can do both the above in harmony and in complete control then you need to be racing.

 

I'm curious to find out why he was out riding after midnight when it just started to rain.

 

What was the lean-angle of the bike? If your tires break loose while you are almost straight up, you can do as the above poster said and easy of the throttle... the tire will not spin as much and you will regain traction which will want to stand the bike upright.

If the bike is upright its more or less a matter of smoothness and not letting the tire spin so much that you slide. If you're at the track and you're at a huge lean angle, then you're basically screwed because once the back tire loses complete traction you're going down.

 

ha, I've done this several times. Still don't know how the hell I managed to keep from low/high siding.

Maybe it's natural talent, lol.

not

 

Just counter steer and do a mad phat d0rifto out of it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ScareyH22A &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


I don't think we're qualified to teach people the essentials of riding but I know someone who is... Keith Codes. I can't recommend his book highly enough A Twist of the Wrist 2. Get it. And share it with all your friends when your done. He's extremely talented at putting his thoughts into worlds. There's tons of diagrams and relatively simple explanations on complicated subjects. It's at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi...07846</TD></TR></TABLE>

Is it as good as the video?? I had Twist of the Wrist on video, and it was VERY good....if the book is better then i am defently going to pick that up this weekend...get some reading in before i can ride...

 

I've never heard of the video. The book I'm talking about is the 2nd edition A Twist of the Wrist 2. In many ways, the 2nd edition is more practical for everyday riding situations as well as in racing conditions. One of my friends got me to read it and I couldn't thank him enough. He himself is a very good rider. He owns a 999R and is one of the most experienced riders I know. I've gotta say that this book will help develope your skills at an accelerated rate.

Keith Codes is the founder of California Superbike School and many professional racers have attended his school. http://www.superbikeschool.com/ He is also the 1st person to develop the skill of countersteering on a motorcycle.


Keith Code's Biography

Here is a chronological list of Keith Code's motorcycle activity; riders he has trained and discoveries he has made over the past quarter century.

1974--Becomes a typical California street squid canyon racer.
1974--Returns to racing at the club level after 10 years off.
1974--Does four club races, does well, wins one or two.
1975--Does a few more club races as top finisher.
1975--Gets a ride with Yoshimura in club events.
1976--Continues to ride and test for Yoshimura, wins some club events.
1976--Starts writing down his research on riding techniques.
1976--Begins the "Keith Code Rider Improvement Program" for club level racers. Gets astonishing results. Student lap times improve an average of 7 seconds a lap. Press dubs him The Guru of Roadracing.
1976-Gets to winners circle in his first ever Superbike race at Laguna Seca.
1976--Begins research on visual skills. Defines reference points and other key visual skills.
1977--Organizes the new-rider training for the AFM racing club and runs it.
1977--Does the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Instructor course in Sacramento, CA
1977--Trains new riders at MSF courses and for dealerships.
1977-78--Begins publicly sharing his discoveries by holding lectures for racers on riding technique.
1977-78--Begins to apply training techniques to self and wins 11 out of 12 California events in GP and other classes.
1977-79--Active member, board of directors, AFM race club.
1979--Retires from Superbike racing.
1979--Keith hooks up with Richard Lovell and forms the California Superbike School. Richard came to America with the idea of starting a track school from his experience at Brands Hatch where he worked for the track's own school. On calling around to magazines, Keith's name was given to him as the guy who trained riders. The two established and ran the schools together until Richard went on to family business in Wisconsin in 1987.
1980--Starts the first high performance school, The California Superbike School
1981--Contracts with Kawasaki Motors Corp. to train dirtracker Wayne Rainey in roadracing techniques. The rest is history.
1982--Takes the Superbike School nationwide.
1982--Writes the instant best seller, A Twist of the Wrist book. Still selling in quantity worldwide.
1982--Superbike champion Eddie Lawson agrees to write his notes and comments in Keith's first book after attending Superbike School sessions.
1982--Keith asks and Eddie Lawson helps instruct at Superbike School sessions.
1982--Develops the no-brakes rider training format, used by many.
1983--Becomes first teacher to break riding into specific drills.
1983--Coaches Steve Wise for Honda race team. Steve was fearless but crashed a lot. He made it into the winners circle 11 out of the next 13 Superbike and Formula 1 races with Keith as his coach.
1984--Works with Superbike champion Wes Cooley for Kawasaki. Team Muzzy/Kawasaki staff member, Sparky Edmondson said. "What did you do to him, I've never seen anything like that before!" after Keith brought him from a
string of distant 7th place type finishes to winners' circle after coaching him for only one race!
1984--Develops the panic-stop training bike.
1984--Works with national champion dirtracker Ricky Graham to start his roadracing career for Honda.
1984--First Twist book translated into Japanese.
1984--First Twist book translated into German. Becomes immediate best seller.
1984--Works with national champion dirtracker Bubba Shobert to start his roadracing career for Honda. Bubba went on to win the Superbike championship.
1984--Starts training dirtracker Doug Chandler in roadracing. Doug wins 3Superbike Championships.
1984--Develops and implements first ever high perf. step-by-step rider training format.
1984--Begins training Donnie Greene who goes on to win 3 National Championships after Keith's coaching.
1985--Holds seminars for racers to test techniques he writes about in The Soft Science of Roadracing Motorcycles book. Riders get immediate results. Publishes the book.
1985--Wayne Rainey likes the material and agrees to write notes for the book.
1986--The Soft Science of Roadracing is published and is still the only workbook for racers. Daytona Winner Dave Sadowski later says, "I don't need you as a coach anymore, I have the book with all the answers!"
1986--Writes, produces and technically directs the world's first rider training video. Still number 1 in the world after 16 years.
1986--Soft Science of Roadracing book translated into Japanese.
1987--Develops on-track style instruction with immediate handsignal feedback.
1987--Develops on-bike video training.
1988--Twist video is dubbed in Japanese.
1989--Works with Thomas Stevens. Later becomes Superbike Champion.
1989--Coaches David Sadowski. Goes on to win Daytona and other races.
1989--Coaches Fred Merkel. Goes on to win world Superbike title.
1989--Addresses Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) on riding technology.
1990--Coaches Dale Quarterly. Goes on to win national championship and quitscrashing.
1990--Student Doug Chandler wins his first Superbike race, acknowledges Keith's coaching.
1990--Twist video translated into Spanish.
1990--Twist video translated into German.
1990--Produces the first ever full season of roadracing on TV in America.
1990--Resumes coaching of Donnie Greene. Wins another National 250cc title.
1990--Holds first schools in Australia.
1991--Holds first schools in Guatemala.
1991--Starts coaching Scott Russell. Russell begins Superbike career and publicly acknowledges Keith's help. Wins USA and World Superbike Championships.
1991--Voted Motorcyclist Magazine's, Motorcyclist of the Year, for his students and other rider training accomplishments of the past decade.
1991--Coaches Jake Zemke for a season. Jake later becomes national podium regular.
1991--Coaches Mike Smith. Mike goes on to win National Formula USA title.
1992--Coaches factory rider Jamie James.
1992--Chuck Graves becomes Code student. Wins Formula USA title.
1992--At age 48 returns to 250 racing to research A Twist of the Wrist, Volume II. Does pretty well for an old fart. Winners circle at club events, runs in top 10 at some national events.
1992--Discovers quick turn riding technology.
1992--Writes Twist Volume II. Still number one book on high performance riding today.
1992--Discovers pivot-steering technique.
1992--Is honored by Motorcycle Safety Foundation for promoting rider safety.
1993--Discovers hook-turn body positioning technique.
1993--Writes the world's first researched understanding of Throttle Control.
1993--Dissects and presents understandable data on rider input and its effects on handling.
1993--Continues 250 GP racing for grins and giggles.
1993--Writes columns for Sportrider and Motorcycle Consumer News.
1993--Twist, Volume II translated into German. Becomes German bestseller.
1994--Gets into bicycles and invents a corrective device for rider's shoes, patented.
1994--Writes A Gear Higher book on bicycles featuring team Yetti rider Marla Strebb.
1995--Returns to Australia to do schools, by popular demand.
1995--Starts Australian franchise of Superbike School.
1995--Completely restructures Superbike School training format into 4 levels.
1996--Develops in depth training courses for riding instructors.
1996--Does 125 GP bike schools with Moto Liberty to test new training techniques.
1996--Does Harley-only schools to prove new training format works with any rider.
1996--Ben Bostrom comes to school and then works with Keith.
1996--Eric Bostrom comes to school and consults with Keith on riding.
1996--Works with Roland Sands. Sands immediately quits crashing (one to three times per race) and goes on to win national title.
1997--Develops and releases the Steering Drill: trains thousands of riders worldwide.
1997--Starts Superbike Schools in the UK. Schools rocket to number one in nation.
1997--Coaches Sean Higby. Higby becomes top twins competitor.
1997--New visual drills added to the schools already successful ones.
1997--Invents, patents and implements the Lean & Slide bike.
1998--Coaches Tommy Hayden back to winners circle from injuries and bad finishes.
1998--Coaches John Kocinski. Wins World title next season.
1998--Creates the No BS bike to sort out countersteering and body steering.
1999--Lean & Slide bike sales overseas to foreign training centers.
1999--Australian branch expands into Malaysia.
2000--Consults with Chuck Sorensen. Chuck wins national 250 title again and again.
2000--Develops corner-attack technology and adds it to school curriculum.
2000--Develops Knee-to-knee, quick flick stability techniques and adds it to school drills.
2000--UK school wins top road school award at prestigious Motorcycle News annual awards.
2001--Race And Competition Experience curriculum developed.
2001--Employes radar at the R.A.C.E. schools for immediate feedback on technique.
2001--Schools expand to France and Spain.
2001--Invents corrective Body Alignment Device for rider training at schools.
2002--Both Twist books become audio books on CD.
2002--Completes and introduces his wheelie-trainer device.
2002--Schools expand to Greece.
2002--Australian branch expands to the Philippines.
2002--Norwegian DMV adopts Code technique-oriented approach to rider training.
2002--Student count reaches 100,000 riders trained at Superbike Schools worldwide.
2003--Twist, Volume 1 interactive CD version released.
2003--Keith's Slide Bike device becomes standard training for Police, Fire and Civil Defense officials in Singapore.
2003--The school adds Sweden and Ireland to its tour schedule.
2003--Superbike School rider's forum is launched at http://www.superbikeschool.com/bbs
2004--School adds South Africa to its tour schedule.
2004--Who knows what else he'll come up with...

Keith started riding in the dark ages of motorcycling, the 1950's. He first raced in the 60's at age 16, again in the 70's, 80's and 90's. He went to design school; was a photographer; designed and manufactured shoes for the stars; sold pretzels on the street; was a full on drug addict in the 60's; cleaned up with Dianetics; became a writer, inventor and dedicated himself to understanding and teaching the art of riding motorcycles. He was the first person to put words to roadracing and riding, and his research continues today.

Keith lives in Glendale, California with his soul mate of 32 years, Judy. He has one son, Dylan.

 

wow thats alot of stuff...heh....I am going to look into the book today...and see if its worth picking up... the video was very good...it was mostly track orientated but also very good info for canyon riding,...thanks i'll checker out

edit: scarey...You can pickup the video on ebay, im sure you can get a DVD version now. it was preatty outdated video, from early 90's but still had alot of useful information, i think i paid $9 for the vid on ebay.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apocalypse &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm curious to find out why he was out riding after midnight when it just started to rain.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Went to the CVS down the street, and it rained while I was inside shopping.

The bike was leaning rather sharply. I'm still at a loss as to why I'm not injured. I also didn't have much gear on - gloves were in my pocket.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ross R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Went to the CVS down the street, and it rained while I was inside shopping.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Out of "protection" were you?