Now I Lay Me Down...
#21
07-04-2012 | 10:02 AM
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 628
Likes: 14
From: Sweden via Bisbee, Az.
Why some people want to give dumb-*** remarks to a legitimate question is beyond me. If you don't dig the forum, leave. Or better yet, go to the Grumpy COOl-guy section.
The best advice I have for the OP is to barrow a dirt bike and ride all afternoon. YOu'll get the hang of a bike at its limits and how to lay it down.
The best advice I have for the OP is to barrow a dirt bike and ride all afternoon. YOu'll get the hang of a bike at its limits and how to lay it down.
#22
07-04-2012 | 11:16 AM
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 7
From: Canada
You thought the OP's question was legitimate, LOL! It oozes sarcasm from every sentence.
I beleive that to have to lay it down equals no skill. It's an excuse used to justify the crash, usually the result of panic braking and wheel lock-up, which led to the "my bike is a hockey puck" ritual.
cheers
I beleive that to have to lay it down equals no skill. It's an excuse used to justify the crash, usually the result of panic braking and wheel lock-up, which led to the "my bike is a hockey puck" ritual.
cheers
#23
07-04-2012 | 11:26 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,427
Likes: 2
From: Smack Dab in the Middle of Louisiana
There are many threads with a reference to 'laying it down'. The 'it', being your bike. Some descriptions make sense to me, e.g., someone loses their balance in a low-speed or even no-speed situation, and literally 'lays' the bike over, or 'down'...gently, more or less.
But there are other references where the term is used apparently with regard to a maneuver where the rider, running at speed, lays the bike over on its side and slides it...to avoid running headlong into a substantive object in the path of the bike. It doesn't appear it's only a trick practiced by stunt-men and speedway racers either. Some amazingly ordinary guys seem to have done it. Guys who are frankly...well, a lot like me. But speaking for myself, I don't have the first idea of how to go about 'laying it down'.
I take it there's a technique to this maneuver, a guy doesn't just get on the brakes too hard and wash out the front-end so that he's reduced to sliding down the road next to his bike... Right? 'Laying it down' is a conscious maneuver, a last resort decision a rider makes when he's tried everything else, and there's nothing left but to smack headlong into an obstacle...or 'lay it down'.
Those of you who've 'laid it down', how did you prepare for the moment? I can't imagine you practiced it. How did you learn to 'lay it down'?
My girlfriend has an explanation. Her bet is Jesus loves bikers, and if and when that special moment comes when all else has failed and there's nothing left but to smack into something, He endows the afflicted rider with the super-ability to 'lay it down'. It's magic. According to my girlfriend. As soon as the moment passes, the guy's an ordinary rider again. Jesus takes His mojo back. I told my girlfriend this was silly. Jesus wouldn't waste his time on this kind of thing. Besides which, all the devils and skulls and demons and evil-stuff that bikers wear--I can't imagine Jesus is all that partial to us. But my girlfriend became adamant at that point that the way she said is the way things are. I didn't argue with her. I wanted to eat dinner. And sleep in bed. And other stuff, too. You know how women are. My girlfriend's a good person. But her explanation was...well, like a fairy tale.
So what's the real way to 'lay it down', the one you guys who have had to do it, used? Thanks...
But there are other references where the term is used apparently with regard to a maneuver where the rider, running at speed, lays the bike over on its side and slides it...to avoid running headlong into a substantive object in the path of the bike. It doesn't appear it's only a trick practiced by stunt-men and speedway racers either. Some amazingly ordinary guys seem to have done it. Guys who are frankly...well, a lot like me. But speaking for myself, I don't have the first idea of how to go about 'laying it down'.
I take it there's a technique to this maneuver, a guy doesn't just get on the brakes too hard and wash out the front-end so that he's reduced to sliding down the road next to his bike... Right? 'Laying it down' is a conscious maneuver, a last resort decision a rider makes when he's tried everything else, and there's nothing left but to smack headlong into an obstacle...or 'lay it down'.
Those of you who've 'laid it down', how did you prepare for the moment? I can't imagine you practiced it. How did you learn to 'lay it down'?
My girlfriend has an explanation. Her bet is Jesus loves bikers, and if and when that special moment comes when all else has failed and there's nothing left but to smack into something, He endows the afflicted rider with the super-ability to 'lay it down'. It's magic. According to my girlfriend. As soon as the moment passes, the guy's an ordinary rider again. Jesus takes His mojo back. I told my girlfriend this was silly. Jesus wouldn't waste his time on this kind of thing. Besides which, all the devils and skulls and demons and evil-stuff that bikers wear--I can't imagine Jesus is all that partial to us. But my girlfriend became adamant at that point that the way she said is the way things are. I didn't argue with her. I wanted to eat dinner. And sleep in bed. And other stuff, too. You know how women are. My girlfriend's a good person. But her explanation was...well, like a fairy tale.
So what's the real way to 'lay it down', the one you guys who have had to do it, used? Thanks...
I do not see anything wrong with Allen's question..........I just have to ask why you don't believe your girl friend.......fairy tales are cool. We have seen stranger things in life.
You mentioned; she had an explanation, so I take it you asked.... And then did not like and agree with her theory (explanation).
This is when you might of kissed her on the head and told her she is precious, and cute.
But like most guys you questioned her sensibility, as you said she became adamant, and you say we know how women are.
LOL, I find the whole story very funny, to say the least.
As far as the so called laying it down.........there are a couple good answers posted before mine that explain it fair enough, so I'll stay out of that side of the post.
#24
07-04-2012 | 12:06 PM
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Lumberton NC
I think it is a fair and valid question, even if it is "tongue in cheek" so to speak. My best explanation is this: In any survival situation, the moment between "oh Sh**!!" and possible death your brain goes into something often referred to as Hyper Awareness. You are there when everything appears to be moving in slow motion. You are able to make decisions and act with split second timing that seems like much longer. I've been there/done that many times myself, though never resulting in "laying it down". I came pretty close a few weeks ago while riding at night. I was going 55mph and a golf cart full of Teen and preteens crossed the road in front of me. I locked the rear brake and knew I was going to impact. The rear wheel slid to the right and I swear I could see the whites of their eyes right before I realized that if release the brake the bike would correct and go left. I missed them by inches. The whole situation over in less than 3 seconds I would guess, seeming like a minute.
That is what I think, for what it is worth.
That is what I think, for what it is worth.
Last edited by tobmis01; 07-04-2012 at 12:17 PM. Reason: Added content
#25
07-04-2012 | 12:58 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 0
From: BC
What?? there is a cool guy section? 
How do I find it???
I think when the chit hits the fan, the above poster has it correct in regards to hyper awareness (combined with some skill and a bit of luck)
How do I find it???I think when the chit hits the fan, the above poster has it correct in regards to hyper awareness (combined with some skill and a bit of luck)
#26
07-04-2012 | 01:05 PM
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 556
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
Laying a bike down had better not a 'pre-emptive' manuever ..... Your tires do a much better job of scrubbing off collision speed (which is, of course, the critical factor) than do the shiny parts of your bike. Even if you and the bike 'part ways' as the bike is laid down...you want the whole circus going down the road as slow as possible.
#29
07-04-2012 | 03:31 PM
Yuuup! (Scratches big belly thru overalls and spits out a little chew before continuing in a gravely kinda slow southern drawl) Had ta lay er down the other day! Patooy!!
