Uphill hairpin Fail Video

[Ken C]

Sometimes we can learn from videos of when things go very wrong. Here is my take on the video of the two Harley riders who drop off the inside of a hairpin turn:Video Lesson: Uphill Hairpin Fail | Riding in the Zone

[feralchimp]

Great write up, Ken.

[ZX-12R]

What's the technique to pick up an 800lbs bike that's fallen downhill? It's hard enough to do with a 250lbs dirt bike.

[Not Sure]

What's the technique to pick up an 800lbs bike that's fallen downhill? It's hard enough to do with a 250lbs dirt bike.

1-800-TripleA

[Falko]

What's the technique to pick up an 800lbs bike that's fallen downhill? It's hard enough to do with a 250lbs dirt bike.

Get a couple guys to lift it.

(C'mon, can't believe that softball hung there that long)

[SteveM]

Most likely it will be winched up, dragging everything possible along the way. If the owner's spend $$$ I guess a boom lift could pick it straight up. I can't imagine that it sitting almost upside down will be good for anything...

[aldend123]

What's the thoughts on the calling 911 and using the word 'emergency' in this situation? I guess internal injuries are sometimes not visible, but I feel like it was fairly obvious they were unharmed. I'm sure they're pretty shaken, I bet it was the wrong kind of exciting as the bike rolled in to that pit. But it didn't sound like anyone was really talking about whether others were okay, or whether to just call a tow truck.

[jimmycapp]

What's the thoughts on the calling 911 and using the word 'emergency' in this situation? I guess internal injuries are sometimes not visible, but I feel like it was fairly obvious they were unharmed. I'm sure they're pretty shaken, I bet it was the wrong kind of exciting as the bike rolled in to that pit. But it didn't sound like anyone was really talking about whether others were okay, or whether to just call a tow truck.

I thought the Passenger of front bike was pinned or something. Broken ribs too.

[Kurlon]

What's the technique to pick up an 800lbs bike that's fallen downhill? It's hard enough to do with a 250lbs dirt bike.

Back to, grab seat and handlebar, lift with legs while walking back.

[aldend123]

I thought the Passenger of front bike was pinned or something. Broken ribs too.

On second look, I think you're right. I thought the guy in black was the rider, and so I'm thinking he looks fine. But I now realize I think he's one of the sport group, and they're standing around looking at someone possibly pinned, that I don't think we ever see. So I guess nevermind.

[carsick]

If there's somebody under that bike, those folks need to be paying a LOT more attention to that situation. I saw that at a car accident once, people all milling about talking about what just happened and who should we call, when the driver is unconscious and upside down in the overturned car. I checked on him and tried to keep him from hurting himself more when he came to, however in retrospect the better option might have been to knock his drunk ass back out until the authorities arrived, as he ran off once he flailed his way out of the wreck.

[Falko]

In instances like this, many times minutes count. Call 911/emergency to get them notified and mobilized. They can figure out if/who/why they are going to take someone.

[SteveM]

911 is Job1

Better to have them on scene and not need them than to realize they are needed too late. I assumed they were calling in when they asked what road they were on, but in this day and age, someone's cell phone could have pinpointed their location immediately and allowed an informed 911 call while walking back to the scene.

As much as even the rider might not want them there, this is time when overreacting isn't

[Imbeek]

Much lighter bikes, but here's a dude who knows how important it is to get the bike off a trapped rider:

Cody Williams pulls bike off Jessy Nelson at Unadilla |
ProMotocross.com - Home of The Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship

[DucDave]

I kind of thought they could roll both bikes down the hill sideways until their wheels were pointed down hill. Then lift 'em and, if possible roll or ride em down to the road at the beginning of the hairpin. Kind of like getting your skis downslope when you fall. I know they're heavy but there are enough able bodied folks available.

(More a hypothetical really...gotta treat the riders above all else...)

[commuter]

Sometimes we can learn from videos of when things go very wrong. Here is my take on the video of the two Harley riders who drop off the inside of a hairpin turn:Video Lesson: Uphill Hairpin Fail | Riding in the Zone

Visual Direction Control.
That's what our riding instructor focused on when we were learning how to best handle turns. Look where you want to go. The bike tends to go where you look.
Great analysis of the accident. Very avoidable. I hope I would handle it better. I keep practicing. All the time.
Very happy nobody got hurt, more than possibly bruised egos. I see one rider holding his side, but he's on his feet, so that's a good thing.
It's always embarrassing to show the underside of a bike, eh? Not to mention, wasting all that fuel that probably came out the top of the fuel tank. Yikes. Poor guys.
Notice, the best in people. They all stopped, including cagers. People are intrinsically good. Only, the worst in times tends to bring out the best in people.
Keep the rubber side down, the shiny side up, and may the wind be at your back.

[dontpanic]

Ken, you wrote about taking a parking-lot course.

When I was in L.A. in June, I rented bikes for my brother and me. The first thing I did with my Road King was take it for a full-throttle blast down the street... not! I rode to the far end of the lot and practiced doing tight circles. Boy, was that an eye-opener. It gave me an instant appreciation of just what a beast it was - but as a result, I had zero surprises during the ride. (In fact, it turned into a terrific couple of days!)