Hey alancorcoran, Look here

[mrlmd1]

Alan - I don't know where to put this post, but since this is your thread, here it is, another off topic question for you -- Do you wear a ski helmet? Do you see anyone on the slopes with a ski helmet?
I'm sure most of you on here know about the recent trajic death of actress Natasha Richardson after a relatively minor head bump after falling while taking a skiing lesson. Sonny Bono and (I forgot which) Kennedy also died from head injuries while skiing. Just wondered if this is becoming more common to wear on the slopes, or are skiers not wanting to look "wussy", like the bikers who don't wear helmets and insist on their freedom?

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

And don't even think about "laying the bike down" in an emergency.

What he said: "I laid her down to keep from hitting that thing that pulled out in front of me."
The truth of the matter: He locked the rear wheel, it started to slide out to the right and he didn't know how to recover. It probably fell over about the time it would have stopped anyway.

[alanmcorcoran]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

Just curious Alan, does the Liner have crash bars ?

No, but I told my wife yesterday I'm gonna order some. I suppose there is another thread on here - how many of youse have 'em on the GeeZee? I should maybe do that too, BEFORE I drop that one.

Also, if I put the bars on, does that mean it can't really fall all the way over? Patrick's video aside, I have some doubts about my ability to pick the thing up, ever. I'm not sure whether I am expereincing normal old guy slow healing, but i apparently effed myself up but good on a few face plants in the mountains and my outer triceps are hosed. Even just to bench the bar hurts so I'm out of the gym business for now. It ain't helping my ability to wrassle the Beast.

[alanmcorcoran]

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

Alan - I don't know where to put this post, but since this is your thread, here it is, another off topic question for you -- Do you wear a ski helmet? Do you see anyone on the slopes with a ski helmet?

This is a subject I am much more expert on! Yes, I DO wear a ski helmet. Yes, many people werar them. I didn't always wear one, just bought one last season (late 2007) as a matter of fact. Two old guys in line at Heavenly had them on and I was effin' with them, and they convinced me to try one, and, I actually like it better than no helmet. Ski helmets are kind of like a 3/4 with no face shield - you wear your goggles over the outside. In addition to protecting your head, they are WARM! That alone sold me.

BTW, I should leave this for mrlmd, but I will bet you 5 bucks Natasha whacked her head BUT GOOD. Ski Patrol don't call the ambulance just cause "you fell on the bunny slope." There is more to this story. She had a fractured skull. Either she had some bone density disease or they are down playing her accident.

[alanmcorcoran]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

What he said: "I laid her down to keep from hitting that thing that pulled out in front of me."
The truth of the matter: He locked the rear wheel, it started to slide out to the right and he didn't know how to recover. It probably fell over about the time it would have stopped anyway.

Not that I'm not capable of the above, but, my last dump was not that exciting. Here's the deal: I wasn't going that fast to begin with. But I was not expecting the light to be on, or cars to be stopped at it. When it turned green, I thought I had time to make it along with the car in the other lane (there is no yellow.) But I didn't. It turned red, he didn't go and I waffled for a millisecond about blowing through it or stopping. I stopped without really doing the mental "I'm stopping" check list. No skid, front brake only, think I was effing with the gears to get to first (I was on a hill and a sharp turn) and I was next to a slope with soft stuff. Just didn't get my foot down on solid pavement before the bike had leaned past the point of no return. I actually set it down very gently - I scratched it up more trying to pick it back up than when I put it down.

Not to blame this on the GZ, but some of my troubles are due to switching back and forth. The two bikes are VERY DIFFERENT and I just need more miles to get used to the switch off. Got to remember to respect the weight of the Strat and be a lot more careful in uphill slow speed/stopping situations.

[mrlmd1]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

I haven't looked up Patrick's video - is that like the ones on You Tube where the bike is picked up by backing up to it and grabbing it backwards with your arms and using your legs to lift it? There are no triceps or arm muscles used in that except to hold on to the bike. It's got to be hard in gravel though, 'cause you need secure planting of your feet to be able to pick up the bike with your quads. Engine guards may only make it a tiny bit easier because maybe it would lie at a slightly higher angle than flatter without the guards, ie, less distance to pick up or easier to grab. They may prevent some scratches on the tank, though if it does get laid down I bet any damage to the brake/clutch levers would be the same.

[alanmcorcoran]

Yes that's the technique. I did have trouble getting under it and with footing. Tank has been okay. Windshield had gotten most of it - a little on the saddlebags this time.

[patrick_777]

Just to add to this a little since there were like 12 posts since this afternoon: When most people say they "had to lay it down", they aren't necessarily meaning they intentionally low-sided it to avoid hitting an object period (some are, but they are morons).
Many of the people I've heard that from are avoiding a violent high-side collision when a collision is inevitable. Think - T-boning a car straight on and flying over the bars, compared to sliding into a car with the bike in front of you. Honestly, I'm not sure which would be worse because you're basically colliding with two vehicles when you slide into it, but from a psychological standpoint, I can see where flying through the air for 20 feet then grinding to a stop 100 feet later would be less desirable. Also add a possible direct impact with the a-pillar and you're talking about possible severed limbs.

mrlmd, I sent Alan a copy of Ride Like A Pro III, which is a very informative video on slow-speed handling of large cruisers and tourers. It's very applicable to all bikes though and I've gotten very good practice sessions out of it.

[alanmcorcoran]

Patrick I was out on a 100 plus mile meander today (on the big one) and I did try to focus on some of the leaning and cornering tips but I really ought to get me some cones and get down to basics in a parking lot. Soon.

[patrick_777]

You can cut old tennis balls in half and use them as cones too...they work really well and don't affect anything if you run them over.