The Stupidest Statement In Motorcycling | The Shop Manual

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After crashes, you may have heard other riders say they "had to lay it down" to avoid an even more dangerous situation. In this episode of The Shop Manual, Ari busts the "hadda lay 'er down" myth with some help from controlled crash expert and Hollywood stunt double Tom McComas.
Advance your motorcycling skills with articles from Common Tread! rvz.la/3UyT1hC

[@RevZilla]

Try practicing some techniques for safer riding: rvz.la/3tpdcCK

[@awalmmahmed1795]

I made a mistake... And I had to lay it down

[@fitzstermoto]

@@awalmmahmed1795 Hahaha ... I love it! LOL

[@JeremyTaylorNZ]

I remember this 'had to lay it down' claim being made back when I started learning to ride 28 years ago... and the old saw is still being used. Thanks for calling it out!

[@darthtyranus7683]

See it all the time in Texas half the riders here stay on the right foot stop and go or hold the front brake more often than normal

[@abdulazizsaleh9567]

@@awalmmahmed1795 😅😅😂

[@naustin09]

"I had to lay her down" is what people say when they have a near miss, but manage to crash anyway.

[@jerryglennie5375]

Classic "Oh Sh*t" reaction

[@ScottTheImpaler]

Ha! That’s about right.

[@nwmotog]

lolololol. Best. 😂

[@mike-e-moto4615]

😅 I love this

[@rickyv3911]

Survival reactions

[@mediocremichael]

Last year, no kidding, I heard the President of the local ABATE tell me, in all seriousness, that helmets are dangerous. "Had to lay her down" might be number two. Good vid, thanks for posting.

[@jamesatwood4433]

I had someone say this to me once. I smiled and nodded, I just wanted to pay for my food and leave.

[@Hansengineering]

"I had a motorcycle once!" no1currrrrrr

[@user-yk9sz9mh1t]

@@Hansengineering then proceeds to bullshit about it being too dangerous for them now, like ok bud don't care.

[@Hansengineering]

@@user-yk9sz9mh1t exactly. The only dude I am fine with hearing his "used to do" stories rode the HELL out of bikes. He's into the high 20s on models ridden/owned. He and his wife both stopped riding when they had kids. It wasn't a singular event, it was a mutual decision arrived at after evaluating decades of ride experience.

[@dkalir]

Thanks Revzilla! One of the best videos I’ve ever seen on motorcycles! There’s so much BS and machismo going around, it was truly refreshing to see someone who knows something - and a Hollywood pro - call it what it is. This may have implications far and wider than this video!!!! Great job!

[@AriH211]

Glad you appreciate it! Now everyone has a video link to send to that friends that "had to lay it down."

[@gauravj6648]

My Man!!! I was literally thinking about Vinales bailing out at 290kmph at the start of the video and you had it all set for an example. Here in @india we don't bail out but definitely mess ourselves up while trying to save a pedestrian or a stray dog 😜

[@dingetje50]

I love the shop manual series! I have recently acquired a carburated bike and I'm wondering what's the best method to tune the carburetor properly. Could you maybe do an episode on that in the future?

[@0Rookie0]

One example I can see of crashing to avoid injury is ditching a bike on a cliffside so you don't go down as well.. But guess what? At that point, you already made a mistake. Of riding past your vision.

[@leonramsay9539]

I had to "lay her down once" Car failed to see me when they were meant to stop at a controlled intersection, the driver entered the intersection and actually stopped right in the middle of the road in front of me after finally realizing I was there approaching front their left. Literally stopped. No more than 20 meters directly in front of me, i was doing roughly 50-60 kph, so I had to choose, broadside their left side front passenger door area (maybe go over bonnet) try and go around their rear and potentially face any oncoming traffic head on or "lay her down" as best I could on the left and pray to whoever's was listening... I can still remember looking up from my back and watching the front of their SUV pass gracefully through my field of vision from inside my helmet as my head scrapped across the road. Always wear the best gear you can afford

[@GuardianPrepping]

Someday, I too hope to have the need for a good opening knife :D Also, great video.

[@jiggy7719]

BUT HOSS I HAD TA LAYERDOWN FRON ALL THE CLIBBINS IN THE ROAD

[@bazza8947]

The biggest safety issue in the US is the insane motorcycle licensing laws. Letting a learner choose any motorcycle on the market is ridiculous. You have riders learning on litre sportbikes and finding our the hard way it was a bad idea. The ones that survive usually have 3 inch chicken strips yet have every bolt on extra bling to look cool hahaha

[@Motowagon54]

Gobbless borther... Dang ol grass clibbins got me... Haddalayerdown...

[@oooooooooooooook8692]

HADDALAYERDOWN HOSS GOBBLES

[@mototrips1]

Always great videos…thanks!!

[@adan1985]

I’ve only ever heard “I had to lay her down” from Harley guys, I said what we were all thinking

[@jonathancarino]

“I had to lay it down” is what the guy who barely rides 500 miles a year for 16 years and is more experienced than you would say.

[@hiflyer1168]

Amen brother.

[@David..]

“I had to layer down” is actually incredibly helpful information, because it immediately lets you know to ignore literally anything that person says after that point since they’ve demonstrated they’re an idiot.

[@oliviersavard8676]

haddalayerdown

[@10secondsrule]

I did not even know this is phrase exists but now that's exactly what I'd do after hearing it.

[@mopedmarathon]

I had to layer down once, simply way too much clothing for such a warm day.

[@RG-500]

Yup, I totally agree. “I had to lay her down” and “Loud pipes save lives” immediately disqualify someone from a reasonable discussion.

[@LEuler-wl1jp]

@@RG-500 "Loud pipes save lives" the one that I heard too many times from the people who crash so oftenly

[@Grovreicraynth]

Hey Ari! Could your next shop manual episode tackle the common noises motorcycles make and which ones we should be mindful of? As a new rider, it can be quite difficult to recognize if something's wrong woth the bike by sound alone. Something experienced mechanics are really good at.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thats an interesting topic actually 🤔

[@Dwit2EEs]

Just treat noises like a car They're pretty much the same thing. The cam tensioner might rattle a bit but just tighten it a lil. Lifters tick, rods knock, pistons clap... just like a beat up car. If the engine isn't worn tf out then you won't hear the noises. And get a repair manual for the bike. Will save you a lot of questions 💪🏾

[@Grovreicraynth]

@@Dwit2EEs The thing is, I'm new to riding bikes and working on my own bike is not my strongest suit. I'm a heart surgeon. That's like me telling you: "They're pretty much the same thing. Your chest might hurt a bit but just take a pill. Hearts beat, lungs take in air, blood circulates...just like an old man. If the body isn't worn tf out you won't feel a lot of pain. And get an anatomy book. Will save you a lot of questions. See my point? I'm a beginner and I wanna learn.

[@Anthony-en5ov]

This! I was hearing a weird grinding noise coming from my rear brake whenever I came to a slow stop. Took it to a shop and they said everything was totally fine. I definitely want to know more about which noises are normal or not

[@eksnacks6030]

YES.

[@SALTxTHExWOUND]

Had to lay her down? I’m doing anything and everything to NOT lay her down 😂🤣

[@dielaughing73]

It's kind of the number one rule of motorcycling..

[@christianclausen9434]

Ari.... Best explanation of "I ran outta talent" I have heard. I am a professional motorcycle safety trainer, and have had this rationale delivered to me many times. Thanks for steering away from panic reaction, and towards practice and training. Well done, sir!

[@GunNut37086]

I've heard this lie in certain motorcycle circle more than others. I'm not naming any names, but in my experience the number of "had to lay her down" stories is directly proportional to the amount of chrome on the bike.

[@alanaspurling6469]

Yeah, handlebar tassel crowd too. 😉

[@SoloPilot6]

INVERSELY proportional.

[@SqueakyNeb]

@@SoloPilot6 No, proportional. Boomers, chrome, and weird old myths and sayings all go hand-in-hand.

[@SoloPilot6]

@@SqueakyNeb But every time he lays it down, there is LESS chrome. Thus, inversely proportional.

[@lcgiv4u]

@@SoloPilot6 It took me a second too…😂

[@tannerhawes6890]

The only time I've seen someone lay er down for a good reason was to slide under a wire hung across a dirt road that wasn't visible from a distance. It was actually extremely impressive.

[@denisthek]

I had to do that once slow speed did not see a wire in a parking lot-scary.

[@diptenkrom]

did this once on dirt on a mini bike. thought there was a hole in the fence, and it was just all the lower stuff. Top cross was still there, and it was not fun on dirt at low speed, so i would not really like to see that on street at all.

[@viviansee9989]

I had to stabbed my brakes as hard as I could and crash or else instead of a small cut on my neck it would be a lot worst. Some sicko decided to thread a glass thread (use in competitive kite flying here) between two pillars overpass.

[@billmastrippolito7132]

Had that happen to me.

[@moteroargentino7944]

Holy sht. Impressive on the rider and disgusting on the psycho who set that wire.

[@bikedude5911]

As a MC instructor, I used to have a rubber puck and a metal puck. I would use them to show that you can stop a LOT faster on rubber than metal. I also mention to my students that, as you mentioned, we ,just practise our emergency braking and swerving so that we can stop our bike as quickly as possible. As I tell students, we may not always be able to avoid a collision but with our practised skills , the collision will hurt a lot less at 10mph rather than at 40 or 50mph.

[@jamesmcgrath1669]

How about 150 mph how much will it hurt then. The fact is here in Australia and the rest of the world most motorcycle accidents especially ones involving sports bikes are failure to take the corner and smidys, even the best riders can't wash off speed when travelling that quick let alone the idiots we see with little experience riding powerful sports bikes. The problem isn't how you part company with the bike but how you were riding initially, and for a fool if he can manage to shed some speed then drop the bike he may live to ride again.

[@newenglandscrambler2262]

The "layer down" phrase has its usefulness. It's one of those key things I listen for when swapping biker stories with potential riding buddies that immediately tells me I should avoid group rides with that particular person. That and talking about practicing figure 8s in a box and see if they have a confused look on their face or their eyes immediately glaze over. All the folks I ride with get absolutely competitive about how tight a slow-speed turning radius they can manage on a big bore bike.

[@h.d.h]

You're so right. People will freely tell you they are bad riders, but they use code for it.

[@BobJones20001]

I ride fast, but slow is where it is at. Control that beast at full lock, feet up stopping, weight shifting at idle. Always lots to learn

[@newenglandscrambler2262]

@@FXFBS23 💯 . Two of my riding buddies are MSF instructors and we routinely get into parking lot drill challenges.

[@8089kyle]

Im a riding instructor, this is what 90% of riders aren’t ready to hear. Thanks Ari for clearing the air.

[@poonchild]

I’d say 90% of riders are ready to hear it. What make soyu think they aren’t?

[@gordanmoran4549]

Yeah you missed out you ride a GS 😁😁

[@donblub]

that problem goes even further, 90% or more are not capable to own up to their mistake

[@MotoGiant]

KZbin SEARCH "Had to Lay Her Down - The MYTH of Rider Error in Motorcycle Crashes" just put that out a few days ago?

[@russelljimenez4715]

Even the examples he showed were people jumping off bikes on fire/without brakes without laying the bike down. The only actual example of haddalayerdown ive seen is Marc Marquez Mugello 2013 FP1 wehre he had to lay it down at 210mph or face potential death. Other than that, its all just bad riders managing to turn a near miss into a crash.

[@cisium1184]

"I had to lay it down" is prong #2 of the Gas Station Trifecta, the three statements you hear when you're filling up and some guy approaches and talks about motorcycles. *_"I used to own a __________"_* = I used to own a __________. *_"I had to lay it down"_* = I panicked and totaled said __________. *_"I quit riding when I got married"_* = My wife controls the money and refused to let me buy another bike after I panicked and totaled said __________.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

☝ No greater truth has been spoken

[@kBIT01]

@@lees907 My wife has a similar, albeit more expensive, condition. If I get a new bike then so does she. I did manage to talk her into not getting a new one when I traded one bike in for another.

[@user-gdxt-7399]

; please explain the 1st one

[@josiahwright7114]

@@user-gdxt-7399 he's basically saying the only thing truthful he said was that he used to own a bike.

[@xxmush5362]

Whats special about Sept 14th?

[@fuwafuwarowatari]

its between that and 'loud pipes save lives' for dumbest statement.

[@joujimiichi1]

I live in LA and when everyone is paying more attention to their phones than the road in downtown, loud pipes definitely save lives. I have 4 bikes and only my sport bike has stock exhaust and there is a very noticeable difference. Here where lane-splitting and filtering is legal and encouraged, it is more dangerous on city streets vs the highway. That said, I would have to agree with you when it comes to the highway. Most people drive with their windows up and with highway speeds, wind velocity and modern well-insulated vehicles they will not hear your loud pipes but in down town Los Angeles where everyone is texting or staring at their GPS doing door dash, loud pipes absolutely make a difference.

[@Dave_D]

Personally, I find it easier to lock up the back wheel, bring the rear round and get it to get grip at just the right moment to throw me OVER what has just pulled out. (All deliberately, of course)

[@quinnkirlew9892]

I prefer to pop the clutch and pull a sweet nooner to drive up and over what I'm about to crash into, then pull my drag chute (because I'm also a professional drag racer) to float gently to the ground.

[@Dave_D]

@@quinnkirlew9892 Nope. Despite signing up for that course, thanks to my dyslexia, I’m still not qualified for that sort of manoeuvre. On the plus side, professional drag artist pays much better than I’d of imagined!

[@lmallanao]

My skill isn’t as good, as I just started riding. But Scotty Kilmer says if I gotta lay it down, I should try to get on top of the bike, and ride it like a surfboard

[@padrescout]

Oh yes, the tried and true "ejection" method of escaping an accident. Works well for fighter planes :D

[@dimosk7389]

this thread is evolving hilariously!!! lol

[@byever1]

I had to lay it down to watch this video.

[@Kingsoupturbo]

The Canadian version of this is "I hit some Black ice" it wasn't their fault they were on their cell phone or driving on bald summer tires, it was the impossible to control ice of dooooom that spins cars into the ditch the moment you touch it (on 4 contact patches no less!)

[@questioner1596]

Especially since at a steady speed on a straight flat road, nothing happens if you lose traction - you just continue in a straight line.

[@Kingsoupturbo]

@@questioner1596 Its amazing how often you see people in the ditch on straight sections of road. We've hit full -20c winter here in Calgary, every year you see how bad it gets when winter hits. California (L.A. anyways), light rain, people don't even leave their houses

[@questioner1596]

@@Kingsoupturbo, I live in northern Manitoba, and on icy mornings we all seem to make it to work before the roads get salted, but on Saturday mornings we usually see several in the ditch because the drunk people can't handle a little ice. My point is that with a little understanding of physics, some reaction time and presence of mind, it's quite easy to stay on a slippery road.

[@behar]

When I crashed i didnt lay the bike down, the bike laid me down

[@shadowstyleb]

Same here. Dude in the car that cut me off laid my bike down for me and almost killed me.

[@FiniteBlu]

I find it more funny than anything. “WHET LEAVES ON THE GROUND SO IHADDALAYERDOWN”

[@gurnblanston3210]

As a retired police officer that has heard countless idiots claim "I had to lay 'er down", and as an expert-licensed motorcycle road racer and motorcycle road racing instructor, I call B.S.. It's a LIE that they make up AFTER they crash themselves out because they didn't actually know how to ride, and because they didn't know how to ride, they had no idea how they ended up on the ground.

[@Abonilla21]

Had to lay er down bud

[@jaynadler4136]

Fabulous and important video. Thanks for posting this Ari. Riding schools teach techniques for crash avoidance. If you ride and have not taken a course, it's a great idea to sign up. If you have taken courses, there is always more to learn. Look for a different course. They are always fun and a great use of time. Besides, riding school is usually lower cost than the deductible to repair your "laid down" bike.

[@deezweezerz5405]

SPEAK UP LIBRUL, WHEN YOU COME ARCOSS SOME GRAS CLIBBINS IN THE ROAD THERE AINT NOTHING YOU CAN DO BUT LAYERDOWN

[@Phyde4ux]

A friend was in an accident where he said he "laid the bike down". But being the a$$hole friends that we are, always re-tell the story with the "had to" part added.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

I've got some asshole friends like that... When one of the guys would sheepishly admit to "laying down" a bike, we knew he dropped it... AND the guys (with or without me) would add that "had to" bit in retelling... When I had an incident, I just beat them to it, "I just decided it was time to lay her down." Enter the guffaws... Whatever you're gonna say after a mess, they're going to HEAR "I f**ked up" anyways... You might as well make it funny when you tell it. ;o)

[@frankmaggerise1126]

I worked at a motorcycle shop last year and heard many stories of "a car pulled out in front of me so I had to lay it down" yes this is BS. Most of them also wore a t-shirt and shorts while riding. The rider really just never learned how to stop in an emergency. Most of them were new riders and blame the car. Was the car hiding behind a tree and then all of a sudden they were in front of you? There are 2 factors here 1; you were not paying attention and 2; you never learned to stop fast. Locking up one or both brakes will make you lay it down but it won't slow you down. Staying on the bike and using the brakes correctly is your safest way to avoid the crash. Watch for cars because they are not looking for you.

[@youtubeaccount5153]

“I call bull****.” As I’m taking a drink of coffee, start to laugh, and the coffee goes down wrong. Thanks Ari.

[@MinnesotaNice763]

You didn't choke, you just laid the coffee down.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@MinnesotaNice763 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@youtubeaccount5153]

@@MinnesotaNice763 well done Sir. 😂😂😂

[@exothermal.sprocket]

You didn't _pour_ coffee on your keyboard....you violently ejected coffee from your mouth loudly all over the keyboard.

[@Porsche996driver]

It’s an OLD SCHOOL SAYING from the ‘50’s and ‘60s when modded bikes and choppers DID NOT HAVE FRONT BRAKES! Back when going through an intersection took REAL COMMITMENT lol. Anybody saying that today is making excuses….

[@andrewhannam.]

When I hear anyone saying "I had to lay it down" when discussing an accident, their riding ability is immediately questioned...

[@lacrossev]

And when they just say: "I crashed", we all just naturally go on to the learning mode of "what happened?" instead of questioning their riding ability. "Had to lay it down just really doesn't need to exist as a phrase, it offers nothing to anyone. People who hear it immediately think its BS and people who say it don't learn anything because they think they were in control of their problem and therefore they did the best that anyone could in that situation.

[@1simp695]

@@lacrossev They were in control of their problem, but the are to insecure to admit they made a mistake.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

But they _HAD_ to. They plum ran out of talent and there was no choice left.

[@jakeymon22]

I hit a deer this sumer and I literally laugh when people ask if I had to lay it down. No, I applied as much pressure to my breaks as possibly made contact with that deer, knocked that dear over, because I was incontrol I road over that dear and the only thing damaged was from the shit in my drawers 🤣🤣 pulled over did a quick check and road home. They look on there face is usually priceless because ironically there usually the ones who say a 135 pound man (me) is not big enough to handle a roadking.

[@jakeymon22]

Also the people who try to degrade me for practicing slow speed maneuvering and braking in parking lots, and yes drop my bike on occasion while doing so. That's the place to do it, not on the road

[@ChaseN194]

PREACH! There are too many ego fueled, fragile masculinity adult children out there that simply dont understand how stupid they sound.

[@Holmaaron]

I’d say the one *possible* exception to this is dirtbiking, and it’s less of a lay down than an ejection. Often to avoid going over a cliff or back down a hill you just climbed, and usually once a crash has already started.

[@cjjorge6636]

yep

[@kBIT01]

He covered some other reasonable exceptions as well. The bike being on fire was a good one.

[@davidmcleod5133]

@@kBIT01Pfff… only fair-weather weekend riders ditch their bike just because it’s on fire! 😂 Just think of it as “heated grips, seat… tank… fenders…” and keep riding through the winter! 😅

[@fynnyw7774]

GODDAMM GRASSS CLIBBINS HADDERLAER DOWN HOSS GOBBLESS Sent from Samsung fridge

[@firedog5339]

My MSF instructor several years back covered this very topic as a teaching point and mentioned that exact phrase. He solidified in everyone’s minds that there’s always a better option than laying it down. Glad you guys covered the topic too.

[@MOTOTREK]

Well done cinematography.

[@HillbillyonaYZ]

Sooo much truth in this. I've been hearing it (mainly from the HD crowd) for years, and yeah, the line usually fits in with the equally WTF theory of "the front brake will just get you killed". So many myths and so much misinformation still perpetuated in motorcycling it's bizarre.

[@ThaSideWeed]

I've never heard it live from anyone ever in a decade, between RC/MC members and mostly every other category of rider. I'm not from the US tho, nor have I spoken to many US riders. It's anecdotal of course, but may be some credit to the idea that it's more of a regional thing? Misinformation is however abundant, especially from those who have pseudo-experience like a lot of miles driven, and who aren't honest about lack thereof.

[@hoofhearted1955]

@@ThaSideWeed I've heard it quite a few times over the years in Australia. I usually say "you mean you crashed", some people admit it but some get really shitty when called out, l just laugh and avoid riding anywhere near them.

[@Lord_Verminaard]

Absolutely. It's almost always from the HD crowd. (not to generalize, but I am sure you know the type I am talking about)

[@Lord_Verminaard]

@@ThaSideWeed Most countries have a much more developed driver (and rider) education program than we have in the States, many US riders that have their endorsement don't even take any rider training classes, they just take the exam and off they go. I took a 2-day comprehensive Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, which is optional of course, but I found the skills to be extremely useful and I feel like it should be mandatory for anyone getting their endorsement.

[@ThaBootyBandit]

Its understandble from HD riders since the brakes on those are pretty much shit anyway. You'd probably be better off bailing.

[@tenderblender945]

I HAD TO LAY ER DOUN BECOUSE OF THE CLIBBINS HOSS Sent from my smart Michelin Pilot Road 1’s

[@RaijinTheThunder]

GOBBLESS BORTHER TELL DEB I SAY HI -sent from Porter Cable Sawz All

[@Black70Fastback]

yeah, so my wife was practicing on my motorcycle and for some reason locked eyes with me instead of where she was going when ALL OF A SUDDEN a curb jumped out in front of her! In order to save the lives of all the school children riding to work that day in the curb, she bravely and gently laid the bike down by grabbing as much front brake as humanly possible for someone of her small stature. This is the story of why I now have to use the clutch with two fingers since half the lever is missing and have discomfort in my left foot because the peg will never be the same shape again that it ever was.

[@Sethleavescomments]

I thought Thomas was gonna be Ari wearing a mustache and a evel knievel jacket.

[@hubertsang7418]

And open faced white helmet.

[@Theguyunderyourbed22]

A dude once told me he had to lay it down because the car in front of him slammed on the brakes and he went on his brakes but ABS engaged and he knew he would smack into the back of the car so he decided that it's better to slide into it than to crash into it so he dropped tje bike and ultimately did not slide into the car. At the time I was fairly new, and I didn't really believe him but I wasn't exactly sure how to question him on it. However a few weeks go by and he gets his bike back from the shop, I take a good look at it and I told him, your bike doesn't have ABS. He then tried to tell me that I remembered his story wrong and made up an entirely different story about how he had to lay it down.

[@timrodierides]

Hooray - glad someone's finally said this. It's not really a phrase you hear much of here in the UK, but it always just seems like a macho translation of 'I crashed'.

[@philhawley1219]

Yes, I have heard bar stool pub bikers come out with this phrase. My first question to them is 'Did you run out of road?' As they are just about to come up with a tale of skillful heroism I simply reply ' You mean you ran out of ability '. I have been riding for 40 years and I've been down the road a few times and been hurt, but that was due to youthful over enthusiasm. The last time was in 1986. Since then my bikes and body remain unscarred, I still ride big bikes as fast as it is prudent to do so ,get the adrenaline flowing, not the diarrhoea!

[@Iskalawagz24]

CLIBBINS! GOBBLESS!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

The issue with this video is that I can only like it once and not infinity times. Every show I attend I usually get trapped in a 30 minute story revolving around a Harley rider who "had to lay it down" and by the end my head hurts from how hard I had to work to keep my eyes from rolling. Admitting you crashed or made a mistake is so much better and doesn't make a person seem "less than" they were moments before. Own it and move on. Save us the story.

[@joep6592]

I did it. I took off from the light in the right lane raced two lanes to the left only to find the street curved right with a high curb on the left. I started to lean right but panicked and jumped off thinking I couldn’t lean it over that far without falling over the curb to oncoming traffic. I’ve since had lessons. 😁

[@nick4506]

simmilar thing happened to me. the second day after getting my license went into a corner fast and felt my toes touch the pavement then the side of my foot then the footpeg started to fold back. i swear my ass was clenched so hard you could make diamonds in there. deffinitaion of death grip then the corner ended, pulled off and consitered picking up a different hobby. changed my foot and body position, and got rid of those stupid lean indicator bolts on the bottom of the pegs, and some bike changes to get it higher off the ground for more clearance there and kept haveing fun.

[@urmomsahoe1]

If you haven't taken a motorcycle course I would. Even if you have, they usually have more advanced courses you can take. Its always good to have practical practice in a controlled environment even seasoned riders could use refreshers on occasion.

[@AgentJayZ]

The only time I have ever heard people talk about "layin' 'er down", they have been big talkers who have never actually ridden a bike in their life. I think the image comes from rigid pegged bikes on dirt roads more than 50 years ago, long before disc brakes.

[@daveyf6b572]

I've been riding for over 40 years and have been extremely lucky to never "had to lay it down" except in a parking lot. The bike was not moving or even running. I was getting on it and my passenger jumped on at the same time. The bike leaned too far and I bailed! Lesson learned. 😄

[@urmomsahoe1]

I swear parking lots are one of the most dangerous places. The other night after a long shift with little sleep I went to the store and getting off my bike I somehow managed to forget the kickstand and stumbled a little before catching my footing again. This will be my 3rd year riding so it was a little embarrassing but oh well.

[@Redmongoose-rdm]

Nope, laying bike down sound like putting your dog down. Very bad.

[@RevUnstableBoy]

ok 2:51 had me legit LOLing. I agree with this 100%. I am an MSF rider coach here in NJ and I always tell my students that if you are going to have an impact. get as slow as possible before it. this is done with solid progressive braking skills and staying in control of the bike as long as possible.

[@Black70Fastback]

filming that part had to be a pain in the ass.

[@noob2x]

@@Black70Fastback how the heck did they film it anyway?

[@Black70Fastback]

@@noob2x I assumed it was stop motion

[@MrOrangeVest]

Yes! That was great showing the slow motion slide.

[@jamesmcgrath1669]

As i stated on here before i believe there is a place for laying the bike down to save your life. The first thing I will say here is most of you have never ridden high powered worked seventies bikes such as the Z1 which made 160 hp or more and 10.2 quarter mile times in the seventies. Then you consider these things had no real brakes and people rode them at very high speeds here in Australia. I had a friend with one in 1978 doing over 200 kmh in the metro that's the real problem crash into a semi and he was killed, now if he had tried what you suggest he was still dead but I believe if he had layed it down he would still be with us today.

[@harrimanfox8961]

LOOK OUT FER CLIBBINS HOSS

[@Whiskers74]

Thankfully only laid down my bike twice, and both times were my fault. The first was when I was on my learners permit, and I pushed into a corner a bit harder than I usually would, ran over a stick on the road with the front tyre and got lowsided. The second one was just after I switched from a sports bike to a cruiser. I was leaving a friends place who had a steep driveway with a 90 degree bend just after I got moving. Muscle memory was still there for the sports bike, so my feet weren't far enough forward when I went for the floorboards, I clipped the up shift (rocker shifter), popping the bike into neutral as I started to turn. The bike stopped, and was leaning too far for me to catch, and decided it wanted to lay on its side. I've since corrected that muscle memory so I don't repeat that mistake.

[@VoyagingVoyager]

After a decade as a motor cop I learned that far too many motorcycle riders won’t take 5min to better themselves on their bikes but would love to tell you how they went 150mph. Nothing but a hazard to their own welfare. Ten tons of confidence and an ounce of skill and ability.

[@Hansengineering]

Holy shet was that Bond chasing a Renault 5 Turbo?

[@vickilenoir8683]

When I was starting out and heard that phrase I thought it really meant laying it down, which happened to me a few times. I'm very short legged so I can only one foot my bikes at stops and if the terrain is complicated sometimes the bike ends up at such an angle that I cannot hold it upright anymore and I have to lay it down. I don't drop the bike, I control the descent so I can then completely get off and pick it up.

[@charlienyc1]

While that can and will happen, that's not what most people mean with that phrase. I had that happen at a railroad crossing, with a "fun" combo of a steep drop off to the gutter and gravel. Good times!

[@kBIT01]

I did that with a KLR one time. That's called the infamous parking lot drop.

[@Zomby_Woof]

When I was stationed in Hawaii I lived in a house that was part of a dude ranch that had gone bankrupt...anyway, to reach it you had to go down a dirt road about a mile and a half. Except it wasn't dirt. It was thus gawdawful ground coral that turned into the splipperiest substance I have ever encountered. I was just creeping through it and the bike would just slide ride out from under me. I'd half to get off push it back up by the bars and slog a little further each time. Then I noticed why it was so hard to keep upright. The clay/mud/concrete had build up between the front tire and fender to where the tire wouldn't turn anymore and was just plowing through the muck. Finally got home and spent a solid hour with a hose and a big screwdriver getting the mud off it. Mentioned this to a neighbor and he said no one took that road when it rained - they cut through the golf course next door.

[@igorandreyst_]

i see my friends riding like gsxr bros everyday no training, no feel for the bike... TONS of near misses fortunately no one had to "lay her down" YET but they use another excuse... "i have experience", "i know what to do in X situation"... in my head i'd slap them senseless. 19 yo kids going up the mountain 100+mph with just gloves. I had a GSXR750 for a MONTH, sold it because I was "scared", it was not even close to fun riding it. I had e RE Himalayan before it lol. After that got a Tiger 800 then a F850 now a R1250GSA got all this in 4 years BUT this time I got training. Moral of the story To all new riders: BIKES ARE COOL AND CRAZY DANGEROUS. GET TRAINING.

[@NJtriple7]

I’ve been riding for 9 years. I’ve gone through 4 bikes. The only time I’ve ever said, “I had to lay my bike down” was during my early days of riding when I dropped my bike at a red light or at a stand still and tried my best to keep my bike from leaning over too much, but after a certain point I had to let it go.

[@1simp695]

Yeah, that's my biggest problem at this point. I've been riding for 3 years. For two of them I was on a scooter from 1985 and 1 of them a 250cc chopper, both are pretty low seat heights so since I got my first "Proper" bike(2011 BMW F650GS) a month ago I am struggling with the height and weight of the bike when doing u-turns, backing up downhill/on uneven terrain and the "stop and go" of traffic. So for me I had to "lay her down" when practicing these thing a couple times simply because at a certain point I couldn't keep the bike up anymore. But to characterize an on-the-road accident where you made a mistake as not having a choice in the matter makes you seem insecure.

[@Dangerwiggles]

@@1simp695 the weight of a tall bike is hard to get used to. It'll probably take you at least 1000 miles in the seat to get used to it. Some tips: If you have any room to adjust your clutch find what works best for you, clutch play is huge on slow speed maneuvers. Keep the speed up and counterweight! Also if you're staying on the bike centered and like tip toeing it, get used to sliding your butt off the seat- keep foot on brake, but only have your leg swung over. Get your other foot planted solidly on the ground. Another thing to practice that could help you get used to the weight of the bike and where the balance point is... Practice dismounting without using the kickstand. Hold the balance while you're swinging your leg off or on. I never had the confidence to do this with my heavy street bikes, then I had to learn how to do it with my track bike... Now I can do it on my street bikes easily (just need to mentally prepare for the extra weight).

[@justinmaxwell4199]

That is called "dropping"

[@ericdoe2318]

3:36 ha jokes on you that move of “putting it down” as described by your guy sounds a lot like one of the few tricks a inexperienced heavy cruiser rider and pull off with ease

[@6Twisted]

"I had to lay it down" people are the same people who say ABS is for noobs 😂 Another thing people say that annoys me is that standing up lowers your center of gravity. It shows a lack of understanding of basic physics.

[@aidenpearce5275]

imo, abs is always nice to have but you shouldn't rely on it

[@supermotardrider]

I love how you used the bent frame cbr300 as a crash prop!

[@craigmalin6329]

I've had two cars with drivers looking at screens turn directly into me (not "seeing me") while traveling in the opposite direction. If I wouldn't have spent my formative years on motocross bikes (or wasn't on something nimble - FZ07) I'd be dead (twice). There literally are moments when a car going in the opposite direction, turning left into you, gives you VERY few options. But you always have options if you stay on the bike. Practice them, and them practice them some more. Your life may one day depend on it.

[@jothain]

Tbh I don't think you can practice situation like that apart trying to brake as hard as you can in straight and to try to turn quite sharp in speeds. Latter is almost impossible to train safely, meaning to extent what is needed in such situations you mention. What can save you much more likely is to try to expect that stuff like can and likely will happen. Meaning if you drop speed even by 10 on such possible situations, like intersections areas with oncoming traffic will increase possibility to brake speed enough to lessen collision damage tenfolds or avoid situation alltogether. Always remember laws of physics. Double your speed = Quadruple your braking distance. That's just the way it is.

[@TheDeadeye5]

Around here, a lot of cruiser *cough* Harley *cough* riders use this as an excuse all the time. No shade towards Harley guys, but own up to your mistakes. I "had to lay down" my first bike(a supermoto) and said that same thing when I was an inexperienced rider. I didn't have a way to avoid my wreck, but I still played macho about it and used this excuse. I learned later that I should have just taken responsibility for being a lower skilled rider. Now I've gotten a lot better and was even offered an instructor role in MSF classes being held at my state capital. It takes a ton of practice, but it can absolutely save your life to not just be a throttle twisting meathead.

[@padrescout]

Oh I'll say it. Harley guys are a problem and I wish they would ride less.

[@StoneE4]

One day I hope to be as cool as you two guys.

[@TheDeadeye5]

@@StoneE4 😂😂😂😂

[@padrescout]

@@StoneE4 Buddy, you are welcome to do whatever you like.

[@jamesmcgrath1669]

Correct.

[@sdqdfyl]

I got this from a Harley rider... "Always have firm grips on your handle bar, you'll be better on controlling your bike." Bruh........

[@DefZen343]

bro, my body on the pavement stops me faster than the brakes 😎 trust me bro 😎😹😹😂😂

[@kellymeier579]

☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️

[@Firestorm637]

Agree!!!!! Same type of thinking where people will not wear seatbelts as they would rather be thrown from the vehicle through the windshield. Lol! Let the vehicle absorb the crash while your securely attached to the seat. The pilot avoided the apartment complex after they stalled the plane. Again, you have no control after the stall. The plane goes where it goes and pilot along for the ride. Back to motorcycles. Sliding on the ground like a sled on snow. Great video. Thx! Physicians, firemen, pilots,etc., practice emergencies year after year to hopefully develop muscle memory Type reactions. We all have basic survival instincts that must be modified. Like not holding your breath on scuba emergencies or Pull back on airplane yoke in a stall as the plane approaches the ground. Practice emergencies on your bike monthly. Take as many courses as possible. Your the good rider/driver its the other drunk guy/distracted guy in or on the other vehicle. Stability control mandated in cars 2012 and newer. Stability control will be mandated motorcycles soon. Abs required Euro 4 and TC required euro 5.

[@philgman]

The only time i've laid down my bike i honestly thought for 2 weeks that it was the loose gravel on a turning lane. After seeing an DDFM video i realized it was because i grabbed the front break too hard and locked it up. Now that i know what i did, i'm a better rider and i can pass this onto new riders.

[@Inthewind24]

Ok Ari. I agree with you. Until today. I was at a stop sign at a 3 way intersection when someone coming from my left turned into the intersection i was sitting at but they took the turn fast and wide into my lane. They didn’t see me. Me sitting still, an SUV barreling toward me directly in front of me. “I had to lay it down” and jump off and get the F@&$ out of the way. They did hit my bike but I wasn’t hurt. Obviously I was sitting still. I keep replaying it wondering if I could have gunned it and shot out of their way into the intersection but I had the stop, the other two ways didn’t. Would have been equally risky. I’m sure there could have been another way but who knows. Maybe that’s more of a ‘had to tip it over’ but it still sucks.

[@Natter20002]

Ari’s really layin’ it down in this video.

[@nickmartin5803]

Been riding for about 4 years and just had my first crash last week. I have absolutely zero memory of it cause I smashed my head into the ground and knocked myself out, but the paramedic told me I hit a deer. (I'm surprisingly okay actually, just a small scrape on my knee and some sore ribs) But because I have no memory of the crash whatsoever, the part that I keep questioning is how I reacted before impact. Did I attempt to swerve? Did I at least manage to shed some speed? Did I lock it up? Could I have avoided it if I were a better rider, or was it an absolutely out-of-nowhere, unavoidable accident?

[@heathcofran6115]

Well done Ari and Tom. I’ve heard that BS way too many times. This lays it all out. ;)

[@Dranreb865]

Then stop saying it, brotha

[@heathcofran6115]

@@Dranreb865 ?

[@PetrolJunkie]

We live in a country where personal responsibility doesn't exist and you want someone to admit they made a mistake? 🤣😂🤣😂🤣 Seriously though, I always tell people that had to "lay it down" that it was because they didn't practice their emergency maneuvers. Skills save lives.

[@HeavenAintClose]

As someone who came off literally the day before you uploaded this due to lack of attention on my part, the "I made a mistake" reassurance is quite a loving touch. I overdid a corner, 50mph when for my ability I should've been doing 30 max. Luckily all good but it's nice to know that mistakes happen

[@CorridorCulprit]

Or my favorite "it's not if you crash, it's when". Nah dude, just because you crash on the streets doesn't mean I will. (If we're talking track riding it's a different topic, we are talking regular riding here)

[@trwilliams22]

Thanks, Ari. I've been calling BS on this for years. Its what people say when they are embarrassed by their crash.

[@danh6720]

Well I've never heard anyone say "I had to lay it down", but I've definitely heard "Hadalayerdown". And if someone says that to you, the most entertaining thing to ask is "Did you have ABS brakes?".

[@EllaBananas]

Sometimes its easy to forget that a massive portion of the motorcycling community is drenched in testosterone supplements and bro culture. Well, not that easy when you're one of the only female riders you know.

[@Berserkism]

Don't be sexist.

[@gokulkrishm51]

What's different when you're a female motorcyclist? Not to hate or joke, it's a genuine question.

[@EllaBananas]

As if on cue the replies here have made my point for me.

[@gokulkrishm51]

I honestly wanted to know. I don't meet a lot of women riders.

[@_Makanko_]

@@gokulkrishm51 Who knows.... I guess the idea that it's hard to admit a mistake and you'd rather sugar-coat or lie about it is gender-related. I don't think the point of the comment was to elicit a discussion.

[@d-day4165]

About time someone addressed this bit of B.S. On hearing “I had to lay it down” I usually interject “tell the truth, you fell over”. If you’re going to tell a fish story make it believable, don’t start w/ “I hooked a mermaid “.

[@cammacgregor9354]

Try riding in a GP race or even ask some of the GP riders about reducing serious head injuries and upper body devastation while flying through the air in an upright position during an incident. Being low or on the ground allows some sliding control versus flailing through the air like a rubber ragdoll. And since crashes cannot be practiced by street riders, putting down the bike is much more logical and safer...bike repair cost is irrelevant. Ask your "expert" how many practice runs are made until the director is satisfied with the action. Being on the street, there aren't rehearsals or multiple retakes. Next time, find someone more qualified to express an opinion.

[@hit_it_if_you_care5211]

Lol jajaja, i dint knew lay it down mean that or have that stigma, i will need a new term to use when referring to my cases do. Still my mistakes but no consider crashes i think. I know they are very specific and they are not in the same situation that Ari explained ending up in a crash, but here they are. 1-First time- going up hill off a highway exit, i couldn't see the top there was a pond in the road basically did all the brake before but my bike did aquaplaning the bike ended side ways on stop and incline to the side i just couldn't hold it or bring it back up, soo i decide it to lay it down as gently as i could before the bike drop me to the ground into the pond CBR only the side blinker bend and dent in the end bars. 2-Second Time- Hella dead battery no even any light turn. after trying pushing it for 40min no kidding in the summer, i was exhausted(i should have give up after 15min), after pushing and jumping right up on the bike, it when to the side, luckily i jump fast to the same side and try to hold it, but nan i just couldn't i was practically holding the bike with my body i ended below the bike and i couldn't lift it i was on my knees, soo i lay down instead. only the peg (the little metal sticking out of the peg to warn when inclining to much when riding) broke and my ego and knee's got hurt. 😅

[@johnthomas2485]

The myth of "laying it down" has its roots in police moto training. In the early 20th century, brakes sucked. So police were actually trained how to go into a "controlled slide." The technique continued to be taught, unfortunately, long after brakes improved. David Hough gives one of the best debunking of the alleged benefits in Proficient Motorcycling. I used to call people out on this BS, but it just isn't worth the hassle now. Maybe if a new rider is around, I might, but generally, not anymore.

[@louisavondart9178]

It was the third lap of a 5 lap motocross race. I jumped over a corner rather than go around it and thus crossed over ( while in the air ) the track marker tapes. A track marshall " black flagged " me so I lay to " lay her down " in order to run over the track marshall, while making it look like an accident. I sent him flying off his hay bale and didn't suffer a scratch to myself or my bike. One of my finer moments.

[@pieterbusa]

Thanks Ari. We were just discussing this recently. You explained it perfectly. Total BS. Agreed.

[@Bobby-wn5yr]

It is of course bullshit. But it is worth noting that one of the origins of the misinformation is they actually used to teach motorcyclists this! It was a mix of old tyre & brake technology and a lack of scientific study, but yeah this actually used to get taught to people. Of course, this was back in my grandad’s day, but up until the 90’s information was passed down without the internet to fact check it.

[@kevinmiller4312]

HADDALAYERDOWN CAUSE OF DEM DAM GRAS CLIBBINS

[@20cent]

My advice would be to stay away from people who BS you about something that doesn't affect you directly. A mistake is always a story granting at least cheering or a good laugh. Who needs a a-hole trying to pass for some kind of hero when they crash, what else do they lie about...

[@squantofingilgar9320]

SORRY HOSS, I DONT THINK YOU HAVE EVER RIDEN. SEASONED HOG CRANKER SINCE 1972. YOU DONT KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I ADE TO LAYERDOWN. YOU WEREN'T THERE. SPEAK UP LIBERAL!

[@robdot1964]

I’ve been preaching for years that motorcycling is saturated with dumb sayings and practices. Such as: Loud pipes save lives. No they don’t ! The biggest issue I see today is lane position and staying in position while group or staggered riding. If you want to survive out there ditch staggered formation riding and never let anyone ride near you. You can still group ride and still not let anyone get close. I see a lot of front tires inline with the rear tire of the bike ahead of you. Stop it!

[@jerimiahjones6776]

What about dumping the bike and then "ride(ing) it like a surfboard" as Scotty Kilmer recommends in the event of an unavoidable crash?