[Highside: The rear tyre loses traction momentarily, then regains it. This causes the rider to be jolted from his seat.]
Biker Boy By Zaihan Mohamed Yusof
Avoid a "highside" to stay on the safe side
IF you're about to crash your motorcycle in a corner, seasoned riders would say, "Better lowside than highside."
What does it mean?
A lowside happens when your bike slips away from under you while it is banked low in a corner.
The bike can slide due to slippery road surfaces, cold tyres or too much braking or throttling.
Usually, the rider trails behind his motorcycle, sliding harmlessly on his buttocks or back.
In a highside, the rider is violently ejected off the motorcycle.
It can happen at any speeds as the rear wheel loses traction, and suddenly regains traction, causing the motorbike to straighten up.
In a corner, this sudden straightening up of the bike can cause the rider to be thrown off, often resulting in broken bones on impact with the ground.
In rare cases, a rider may even be killed when he is crushed by his motorcycle trailing behind him.
Both crashes can occur on the road or the circuit.
What's more important is to be able to recognise when a lowside or highside is about to happen. Then, just maybe, you would be able to engage in counter-measures to prevent any serious injuries.
Avoiding both crash scenarios begins with correct braking and throttling inputs.
Losing traction in a highside starts when you brake too hard on the rear wheel, causing it to skid and slide.
The rear wheel could also "step out" or lose traction when you throttle too aggressively while exiting a corner.
Instead, apply equal amounts of front and rear brake pressure prior to cornering.
This will stabilise your motorbike before you bank it.
As you go past the apex of a corner, gently throttle away.
Reserve hard acceleration for when your motorcycle is more or less upright, not still leaned over.
Your tyres have the most traction when your bike is upright.
No brakes
While it may sound illogical, do not reach for your brakes when your rear wheel starts to lose traction.
Riders instinctively do so, in order to slow things down.
But what it does to the rear wheel when you apply the brakes, is to stop the spinning and unfortunately, regain that sudden traction.
And before you know it, you will meet Mr Highside.
If you have to use the brakes, use it gently.
Another school of thought is to maintain the throttle, instead of closing it or applying the brakes, when your rear wheel starts sliding.
Highly experienced riders avoid highsides by controlling the throttle to adjust traction on the fly.
This method comes with experience and bravery.
For most of us who use the roads and not the race circuit, there should not be any worries.
If your riding style is not aggressive, chances are you're not going to lose traction and control while cornering.
Road riders usually lose traction when they encounter oil or wet spots on roads.
Racers or those who push their bikes to the limit are often the ones who experience lowsides and highsides.
