Should you be laying down your bike to prevent a collision? Technically the answer is no but like with anything there is exceptions. All of the safety programs and safety experts say you should not have to lay down your bike to avoid a wreck.
I know that’s this is a bit controversial, even for myself, but keep an open mind about this. You should never put yourself in a situation where you may have to make this choice, but there could be situations where laying down your motorcycle, I prefer the term forcing your motorcycle into a crash, may be the best option for self preservation. I have certainly seen it in my my days of riding times when, in some cases, if the rider hadn’t forced their motorcycle into a crash they would have been seriously injured or worse.
So, there are certainly exceptions to any rule, including this one. But the reason why I’m talking about this is the reasoning behind it. It reinforces some things that you need to think about and keep in mind as you ride.
There is a reason it is not in the safety manuals to lay your bike down to avoid a wreck. You shouldn’t have to do that. Because if you’re doing everything you’re supposed to be doing to be riding safely and defensively, you shouldn’t have to resort to laying your bike down to avoid a collision.
And what they reiterate there is that if you’re keeping your head on a swivel, if you have proper lane positioning, and as part of the lane positioning, you always know, in any given situation, what’s your out? Is it going to the left? Is it going to the right?
Are you leaving enough distance in front where if someone’s not stopping, you can pull forward, or forward and to the right, or forward and to the left? So, that’s what I like the most about this safety tip, which is to reiterate and reinforce those things that you’re supposed to be doing all along, in hopes that you don’t have to resort to laying your bike down.
So, once again, it’s a good reminder to always be riding in a defensive posture. Have these things in your mind at all times, particularly the head-on swivel, where you’re watching what the other motorists are doing. Have your outs and have proper lane positioning so you can see what’s coming at you. Also, make sure you can see where you can use your out to get out of the way without having to lay the bike down.
We'd like to hear your thoughts and comments on this.
One of the things I remember most about the MSF course was to "always be planning your escape route." I had always stopped at a light in neutral with both feet down but after the course I stop at least a car length away from the car in front, in 1st gear, left foot down, right foot on brake, hand on throttle and watching the rear view mirrors....even after a few cars have gotten behind me. It's another reason I don't have a radio or use ear buds when riding...so I can hear the "danger" coming from behind.