There are many myths associated with riding motorcycles. One common myth is that it's a good idea to lay your bike down in order to avoid a crash.

Most motorcyclists have heard at least one story about someone who claims he was forced to lay down his bike to prevent a potentially fatal crash. In many cases, however, these stories end with broken bones, head injuries, and totaled bikes. So it's only logical to wonder whether this is truly the best technique for avoiding accidents. The motorcycles you see today are much more technologically advanced than motorcycles of the past. In fact, motorcycle brakes were once so bad that riders could often stop better by sliding or tumbling off the bike. Back in the day, practicing how to ‘lay down your bike’ was actually a standard part of learning how to ride a motorcycle. Not any more.

Thankfully, we now have more advanced motorcycle tires with much better traction and antilock motorcycle brakes that let us stop in a straight line on any surface. Today's bikes are also capable of stopping faster than they ever were before. This makes the advice about laying down your sled to avoid a crash pretty much obsolete.

For this reason, motorcycle safety instructors no longer teach new riders how to lay down their motorcycle. There maybe some truth to the thought that this myth was merely started by riders who wanted to cover up the fact they accidentally fell. Either way, accepting this lore as fact or as good advice can result in serious or fatal injuries.

Proper Crash-Avoidance Techniques

When faced with a potentially dangerous situation, it's generally best to remain upright on your motorcycle. Remember, tire rubber has an immense amount of traction. However, the plastic, steel, and chrome on the side of the bike, offer almost NO traction. Get the idea? When riding a bike, you need to play the best odds.

Fact: When you stay on your motorcycle instead of letting it slide, you are better able to stop in time or swerve out of the way. The only possible time where it might be a better idea to purposely end up on the ground is when it's better than the alternative. For example; going over a guardrail or down a cliff is definetly a better option than going into the middle of a ten-car pile-up. Remember, once you lay down a bike, you have absolutely no control over where or how you’ll end up. Knowing when and how to stop or swerve is the best way to keep yourself safe while riding a motorcycle. In fact, recent studies show that most accidents can be attributed to two major factors:

• The motorcyclist underbraked the front tire and overbraked the rear tire.

• The motorcyclist did not separate braking from swerving or failed to swerve when appropriate.

To stop your bike quickly, apply both brakes at the same time. If your front wheel locks while braking, release the brake quickly before firmly reapplying and pressing on the rear brake. If you accidentally lock the rear brake, it's best to keep it locked until you have completely stopped. If you are turning or riding on a curve, attempt to straighten the bike before braking. However, if you simply must stop while leaning, it's best to apply the brakes lightly while reducing the throttle.

Of course, if you have the choice, you can swerve to avoid an accident. But if you're in a situation that calls for both braking and swerving, apply your brakes before or after you attempt to swerve. Never try to swerve while braking simultaneously or you and the payment will become fast friends.

In the end, all riders, novice or experienced, should take motorcycle safety courses. Check with your local DMV for safety courses offered near you.