highsides, lowsides, and how to avoid them

[tttbyy]

I'm sure this information is scattered around the forum somewhere, but seeing all the crashes definitely makes me wonder if I know everything I need to that will help avoid going down, high or low. Help is greatly appreciated.

[Ivan_markII]

To prevent lowsides--buy a bike with antilock brakes.
To prevent highsides--buy a bike with traction control.

However, such bikes are expensive so you're going to have to act proactively.

Basically lowsides occur under two conditions
--When you brake hard going into a turn, you lean it, and then you dump it because there's too much force on the front tire.
--When you are braking, not leaning, and either you lock up the front tire or, more commonly, you lock up the rear tire.

Highsides occur under only one condition
--You are accelerating while leaned over, the rear tire spins, the bike slews, and then grips, sending you over.

Recommended actions for preventing lowsides.
--Avoid heavy braking into turns.
--Try to have partial throttle when going through turns.
--Avoid using rear brake under very heavy braking.

Recommended actions for preventing highsides.
--Be wary of using lots of throttle on corner exits.
--If the tire spins and the bike slews sideways do nothing; closing the throttle will only make the highside worse but keeping the throttle open lets the tire catch less violently.
--Replace rear tire if worn. Most highsides that I've personally seen had a worn rear tire that the rider wanted to squeeze just a few more miles out of.

[RayOSV]

Disagree with a couple of the points above in minor ways.

A low side can occur when the rear loses traction while leaned and washes out. Easy on the throttle and rear brake while leaned over.

A high side can occur when heading straight and the rear loses traction, steps out sideways (leaning a bit), regains traction, and snaps the bike back straight. Be aware of road conditions where you can lose traction in the rear while heading straight (watch your throttle and rear brake again).

Basically both conditions can be largely (not totally) prevented by being smooth and not giving the bike to harsh of control inputs plus not running out of traction.

[Kalvin00]

Ray nailed it. Note that many street highsides occur when riders wack the throttle with cold tires...

[BlindSword]

How long does it normally take tires to warm up enough to stick on the corners properly? I usually ride normally for 10-15 minutes before hitting twisties.

[UberGoober]

Once again, Ray comes through. Great post.

[bush]

Originally Posted by BlindSword

How long does it normally take tires to warm up enough to stick on the corners properly? I usually ride normally for 10-15 minutes before hitting twisties.

I don't think tires will warm up to optimal track-type temperatures when riding on the street. The safest bet is to maintain a margin of safety when riding to avoid getting into a highside or lowside situation.

Ride conservatively and worry more about your inputs than hitting corners at high speeds.

[Ice-is-Scary]

Prevent lowside- stay off loose surfaces, counter lean if you are cornering hard at low speed, don't corner hard at low speed, don't snap on the front brake too fast if you arn't completely comfortable with it.

Prevent highside- stay off loose surfaces, don't pinch the throttle going around a turn, don't grab rear brake to fast going around a turn

[MAD_CAT]

I lowsided becasue i went off the throttle during turn.