QuestionI have been riding on my husband's motorcycle and asked him what I should do if he is losing control of the bike. I was wondering if this were to happen, what is the best way to fall off the bike. He doesn't know.
AnswerI have a hard time answering this question without being at least a little cheeky and sarcastic. Please forgive me in advance.
There is no good way to fall off a bike, unfortunately.
If you're riding without protective gear, your best bet is to leap off the motorcycle while it's still moving and hope you land on a big pile of fluffy pillows feet first. A giant marshmallow might also make a good landing pad. ;-)
In all seriousness, though, if you're riding WITH protective gear, the best way to fall is to slide--not fly, not tumble. Sliding on pavement will quickly wear through even the best riding gear, but it will slow you down. Flying through the air will probably mean hitting a solid object (such as the ground or some other fixed object). Tumbling will slow you down but at the expense of your elbows, knees, ankles, feet, legs, arms, head, and neck.
If you're riding without protective gear, it doesn't make a difference how you fall off, just try to protect your head with your arms as best you can. The rest of your skin will probably be ground off but at least you won't die of a head injury.
Best bet is to not lose control of the bike. Don't put yourself in a situation in which you do not have control. When that fails, make sure you have the skills (TRAINING!) to maintain control when the chips are down. If your husband's never taken a safety course, take one NOW, before you get on the bike again.
Pat
