Hot action d@mn. My first low-side...

[swatter555]

"4. Evaluate my rear brake technique? As best I can figure in hindsight, my back wheel locked up and slid left, taking me down. Any suggestions?"

It does sound like you locked up the rear in a panic. I guess just practice having a lighter touch on the rear brake.

[yoda731]

Why did the minivan need to brake hard? Weren't you looking ahead past the minivan to see possible problems up there? Were you following too closely so you couldn't stop in time?

Yeah, I've been asking myself these questions. We had just started from a red light a few seconds before, so I was closer to the minivan (from having been stopped behind it) than I try to be while driving in traffic. And related to this, I wasn't back far enough yet to see around it. And the minivan didn't linger, so...I dunno.

[jmillheiser]

good to hear your ok and the bike didn't get damaged much

Definately take some time to practice emergency stopping.

I had a similar incident happen about a month ago. I was able to keep it upright though, the back end did try to slide on me but I got it back under control and stopped just short of the cages bumper that slammed on their brakes.

this may sound a bit strange but it may have been your front wheel that locked up that caused your lowside. during the emergency stop I did a month ago the front did lock up but I got out of it as soon as I felt it lock and reapplied the front brake, the back also locked but as soon as I got the front wheel back the bike started to straighten out despite the back tire being locked (I did shift my weight into the skid to try to counter it).

[BigChickenStrips]

glad your okay.

[yoda731]

Thanks for the thoughts from all, and from the band-aid from Ryan.

I will definitely keep practicing the stops. I have made 20 minutes or so each week so far to "drill" on low-speed maneuvers and stops. Every little bit helps.

I am still replaying this incident in my head. But the whole thing from hitting the brakes to hitting the ground (yipes!) was probably less than three seconds. The only thing I figured out while it was happening was that the rear end went left.

But, like I said earlier, I love riding, and ten minutes later was gleefully on my way again.

[NorthernPete]

well they say the bestest thing to do is get back on that horse again!

[Sev]

Glad you're okay.

PS, minivans can be facking tough to see around.

[NorthernPete]

Glad you're okay.

PS, minivans can be facking tough to see around.

ban Minivans!!!

[old-n-slow]

Any suggestions?

Having read your post I have two suggestions for you. One is to head off to a parking lot or seldom used road every once in a while and practice emergency stops. You need to learn how much pressure to apply before the brakes lock up. As part of that practice be aware that 80% or so of your braking should be done with the front wheel. The hard stops transfer weight off the rear wheel onto the front tire, this makes the rear tire more prone to lockup and consequent loss of stability.

Second suggestion. Never Never never get close to the car ahead of you at a stop light. Always leave plenty of space, more then you would with a car. You probably know that proper proceedure is to leave the bike in first gear at a stop in case you have to take emergency measures to avoid being rear ended. Where are you going to go if you are jammed up to the car ahead? Remember that under these circumstances you are going to become the "meat" in the sandwich if you get rear ended. You will get away from the light just as quickly if you are back thirty feet or so. This is something I notice all the time with motorcyclists. I can never understand why they seem to want to be jammed up just a couple of feet behind the car in front.

Glad to hear that your first lay down was basically injury free. It can happen so easily and as you found out, so quickly.

[gitarjunky]

Glad to hear you're alright man. That is one good thing about living in California, you can work your way to the front before the light turns green and leave those cagers in the dust and not have to worry about them! Wrecking sucks, but it could have been a lot worse...just learn from it (sounds like you have) and keep on keepin' on.