A couple days ago on Interstate 5 near mile post 85 here in Washington, a motorcyclist was killed after being run over by a simi tractor/trailer truck. This happened only a couple of miles from our shop.
From eye witnesses it appears the rider (A 52 year old man from California riding a harley) was traveling north bound in the fast lane of a two lane section on I-5 when he over took slowing or stopped traffic. He applied brakes on both ends and locked the rear wheel. The rear of the bike stepped out and caught traction which in turn gave the bike a violent high side tossing the rider head first underneath a simi which was along side him in the slow lane. His body was tossed underneath the trailer between the rear tractor wheels and the trailer wheels. The trailer wheels ran over the rider and he was pronounce dead at the scene. The simi driver had no idea he ran over the rider and had to be stopped by the state patrol to tell him what had happened. Bet the truck driver is still not sleeping well?
I know this has been hounded on before and debated among many on whether or not to use the rear brakes and or how to use them. Many argued they use the rear brake all the time and have never had a problem. Others (Especially Racers) argued if you don't know how to back your bike into corners by use of the rear brake you shouldn't use them at all. I hope I don't stir up a debate over this issue.
I myself had this same senerio happen to me less the simi truck and as a result, I no longer use the rear brake at all. Always ride with my toe on the peg so I'm not tempted to apply the rear brake at the wrong time.
I was on a Hayabusa riding my favorite twisty road when found myself approching a hard turn realizing I was a bit to fast. I set down hard on the front brake and gently applied the rear. The rear immediately locked up stepping the rear of the bike out to the right. I instantly let go of the rear brake but did not release the front brake. Bad Mistake! I was launched like a rocket ship into the air and accross the oncoming lane. It happened in the blink of an eye and I found myself tumbling down the pavement at 80 mph. If there had been an oncoming car, I would be just as dead as the Poor Unfortunate Harley Rider. I was fortunate, the only thing I lost was a Hayabusa about three months old that I hauled home in pieces and got the crap beat out of me on the pavement. Six weeks later I was healed up and normal again.
I only mention this to make unsuspecting riders aware of the pitfalls that can be created by using the rear brake while hard on the front brake. Highsides are a result of the rear of the bike steping out of alignment with the front. There are only two ways that I know of for this to happen. One is to spin the rear causing loss of traction or locking the rear tire causing the bike to step out. You be the judge
I am not suggesting anyone not use the rear brake. I'm only pointing out a pitfall in doing so. If you make a habbit of using the rear brake don't be surprised if you are eventually bitten by the "High Side" snake.
One other thing I may mention to any non believers. When attending Mike Sullivan's Race School, the one thing Mike hounded on was to stay off the rear brake. Mike says use of the rear brake is the number one cause of crashes for first time track users.
From eye witnesses it appears the rider (A 52 year old man from California riding a harley) was traveling north bound in the fast lane of a two lane section on I-5 when he over took slowing or stopped traffic. He applied brakes on both ends and locked the rear wheel. The rear of the bike stepped out and caught traction which in turn gave the bike a violent high side tossing the rider head first underneath a simi which was along side him in the slow lane. His body was tossed underneath the trailer between the rear tractor wheels and the trailer wheels. The trailer wheels ran over the rider and he was pronounce dead at the scene. The simi driver had no idea he ran over the rider and had to be stopped by the state patrol to tell him what had happened. Bet the truck driver is still not sleeping well?
I know this has been hounded on before and debated among many on whether or not to use the rear brakes and or how to use them. Many argued they use the rear brake all the time and have never had a problem. Others (Especially Racers) argued if you don't know how to back your bike into corners by use of the rear brake you shouldn't use them at all. I hope I don't stir up a debate over this issue.
I myself had this same senerio happen to me less the simi truck and as a result, I no longer use the rear brake at all. Always ride with my toe on the peg so I'm not tempted to apply the rear brake at the wrong time.
I was on a Hayabusa riding my favorite twisty road when found myself approching a hard turn realizing I was a bit to fast. I set down hard on the front brake and gently applied the rear. The rear immediately locked up stepping the rear of the bike out to the right. I instantly let go of the rear brake but did not release the front brake. Bad Mistake! I was launched like a rocket ship into the air and accross the oncoming lane. It happened in the blink of an eye and I found myself tumbling down the pavement at 80 mph. If there had been an oncoming car, I would be just as dead as the Poor Unfortunate Harley Rider. I was fortunate, the only thing I lost was a Hayabusa about three months old that I hauled home in pieces and got the crap beat out of me on the pavement. Six weeks later I was healed up and normal again.
I only mention this to make unsuspecting riders aware of the pitfalls that can be created by using the rear brake while hard on the front brake. Highsides are a result of the rear of the bike steping out of alignment with the front. There are only two ways that I know of for this to happen. One is to spin the rear causing loss of traction or locking the rear tire causing the bike to step out. You be the judge
I am not suggesting anyone not use the rear brake. I'm only pointing out a pitfall in doing so. If you make a habbit of using the rear brake don't be surprised if you are eventually bitten by the "High Side" snake.
One other thing I may mention to any non believers. When attending Mike Sullivan's Race School, the one thing Mike hounded on was to stay off the rear brake. Mike says use of the rear brake is the number one cause of crashes for first time track users.