I think I slayed a turtle

[shadowmaker07]

I didn't see it (because of the way the trees cast shadows here and there on the rode) but I heard the crunch pop. My son must have heard it but didn't say anything for a few seconds and then his question was this:

"what would happen if one of the tires blew out?" I replied that hopefully, I would be able to keep it under control enough to get the bike stopped so then he asks "if you could not do that, then what? So that made me wonder, is there a "good" way to dismount a bike when it is fixing to crash so you are hurt less or is it better to stay with it and roll with the punches?

[Inferno]

It depends on the type of crash.
Sometimes it's better th stay behind the bike. Other times it's better to jump.
Either way, try to roll. You will do less damage to your body if you can roll instead of slide or splat.

[ralphlong]

Inferno is right - if possible try to stay loose and roll upon impact. You may tumble some, but tensing up can cause more damage.

For a good lesson on how to crash watch a motorcycle race. When the pros have a get off at high speed, they slide and tumble. They also wear really good gear.

Stay safe out there.

Ralph

[chefonahonda]

Now I have had a real issue with Turtle Slayers, they are slow and defenseless. On the other topic I often think about how will I react if crashing is eminent. Keeping loose, tucking in arms and legs and rolling seems like a good idea if I can manage that in the moment. Almost always wear good gear.

[MikeB]

The question of the "best" way to crash reminds me of this classic poster. All you have to do is remember step 7.

[Coalfreak]

Now I always thought that sliding was better....more likely to get road rash, but if you tumble, you are more likely to break wrists, knees, neck, etc. Guess it comes down to what type on injury do you want to avoid? I would rather not break bones personally, while jackets with armor, leathers, helmets will help reduce road rash.

[ralphlong]

Originally Posted by Coalfreak

Now I always thought that sliding was better....more likely to get road rash, but if you tumble, you are more likely to break wrists, knees, neck, etc. Guess it comes down to what type on injury do you want to avoid? I would rather not break bones personally, while jackets with armor, leathers, helmets will help reduce road rash.

Yeah, I guess you are right. Sliding is probably better than tumbling. But if you can't slide tumbling is better than freezing up and trying to stop your momentum ubruptly. You want to disapate the energy of the crash as slowly as possible.

Not crashing is probably best.

Stay safe out there.

Ralph

[jpr1968]

I can't believe that anyone would preach bailing out when there is a passenger on board. No way would they be able to get clear quick enough. Try avoid laying it down or bailing off unless there is no option. Can't imagine that a turtle would cause a crash most of the time. I ran over a few back when I was in Norfolk and they just went crunch.

[John Hopkins]

52 years ago I worked with two men who had motorcycles and sidecars, in those days the sidecars were made of wood by a firm called Watsonian, the screens were plastic and they had a roof that could be opened or rolled closed, one of them offered me a lift home because they went past the top of my road, and I accepted, The last thing he asked was did I want the top open and I said yes..so after grumbling he opened the top...

All went well until we were a mile from my home, I was in the second bike, the sidecar wheel came off the bike in front and shot back towards us, as the rider in front fought to hold his bike up and come to a stop, the rider in my bike tried in vain to avoid the fast travelling sidecar wheel on a narrow stretch of road with a ditch along the side, the wheel hit the sidecar, the bike turned a summersault, and flipped me through the small hole in the top, as I landed on my feet on the grass verge beside the road, the bike continued over my head to land in the ditch on top of the sidecar which was crushed to small splinters, I straightened up from the crouched position that had saved my life from the flying bike, without even having to move my feet as I watched the bike land..now that is the best way to get off a bike in an accident..

The other two riders were able to salvage one bike and ride it home for help..

John.

[Carl722]

I hung on one bike and rode it down and slid under the back of a pickup. Another one threw me off high side. I got bruises from both. If you can hold on to the bike it can take a better hit than your body. If it throws you off you can't do anything. I have bailed off of a dirt bike before as it was going over on a gravel road in a turn heading towards a bluff. The bike was really close to the edge of the bluff when it stopped. If I had stayed on it maybe it would have went over the edge, who knows. The way I figure is I will wear my gear and any passenger will too. I will manage my risks as much as possible and be safe but if it happens there is very little I can do at that point. If you spent life worrying about what if you would never ride or even get in a vehicle. My wife is so worried about a motorcycle she won't even get on it. She don't want to let my son on it either and he is nearly 11. I guess I am just going to get him some gear and let him ride with me and take the dog house treatment for it.