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[igofar]

Fellow CVO lovers, I have a question.
We all know that in times of emergency, we fall back on our training. Well I have a question regarding emergency braking training.
When training, do you practise using your horn as you are braking, scanning for possible "escape routes" and steering towards areas that will provide a higher probability of survival?
I was recently forced to put my emergency braking training to the test. I'm happy to say I survived but not for one second did I consider using my horn. I did scrub off a bunch of speed, searched for an "out" and was steering and braking until the point of impact. (No "had to lay 'er down" from me")
As this was an incident on the highway, I don't think the horn would have done much but it was the only safety item I did not use.
Pictures and details of the crash will follow in another thread.
It will be next spring before I am on two wheels again and I think I will incorporate the horn in my training next year. May not help but certainly can't hurt!

Brad, battered and bike less at the moment.

[erniezap]

During an emergency like you describe, I would be looking for an out and scrubbing speed, not adding a distraction with the horn.

[B.A.]

I can NEVER "find" the horn.  Just not part of my routine in an emergency.  Not that it shouldn't be.

If someone, for example, is sitting thorugh a green light I usually blip the throttle.  That usually works.  Point is I never use the thing.  Maybe I"ll join you and practice.

Sorry you're bikeless.  Mend fast!

[Sklywag]

Horn, didn't know I had one, no one listens to horns.

I agree, it's all about scrubbing off speed & finding a place to go.  I have a never lay it down policy as you know what the results of that will be.  There is always somewhere to go if you don't panic.

Heal fast!

[Wild Card]

Interesting.  In the several riding courses I've taken, I've never seen the horn mentioned as something to use in an emergency braking situation.  Seems like one more distraction. 

[darth davidson]

I just screamed inside my helmet !!!!!!!F***KKKKKKKKKK

[Fired00d]

Never thought about using the horn but I do twist the throttle as I'm down shifting... done for two reasons... exhaust sound to gain attention and also to prevent the back tire from locking up during engine braking.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[grc]

I can't imagine the typical motorcycle horn having much of an impact on the clown in a buttoned up car who is talking on his cell phone.  Even the air horns on firetrucks and ambulances around here don't seem to penetrate the fog found in many vehicle drivers these days.  I've seen ambulances come up behind a clueless individual on more than one occasion with the siren going and the driver leaning on the air horn, and the car driver failed to respond or even acknowledge the presence of the emergency vehicle.  When dealing with someone like that, the feeble horn on a Harley wouldn't register at all.

IMHO, concentrate on the braking and evasive maneuvers and don't worry about the horn.  Horns aren't safety devices, and really haven't been since cars were fully enclosed and equipped with things like radios.  They were useful in the horse and buggy era, not so much now.  These days horns are more for blowing when the people in front of you don't immediately floor the throttle when the light turns green, or for when traffic is backed up and you feel the need to add to the misery level by blaring the horn.


Jerry

[ultrafxr]

Like others I think trying to get on the horn is a distraction you don't need.  You did exactly the correct things - looking for an 'out' and if none available scrub as much speed as possible before impact.  Sliding metal and plastic has a much lower coefficient of friction than a well maintained bike upright with good tires and brakes being properly applied so the impact will be at a lower speed.  If I'm going to hit something I'd like it to be at the lowest possible speed.

That old canard of 'had to lay 'er down' is pure baloney as far as I am concerned.  How exactly does one lay it down?  By locking up the rear wheel and low siding.  It is not something you want to do and certainly not to do on purpose.

Practicing braking can, and did save your life. Hope your injuries heal soon.  

[T-Hawk]

I can't imagine the typical motorcycle horn having much of an impact on the clown in a buttoned up car who is talking on his cell phone.  Even the air horns on firetrucks and ambulances around here don't seem to penetrate the fog found in many vehicle drivers these days.  I've seen ambulances come up behind a clueless individual on more than one occasion with the siren going and the driver leaning on the air horn, and the car driver failed to respond or even acknowledge the presence of the emergency vehicle.  When dealing with someone like that, the feeble horn on a Harley wouldn't register at all.

Jerry

X2
Even my PiAA Sports Horns are only attention getters when someone is standing in my way through a busy parking lot.  Popping the throttle seems to work much better.   

[Bowman1836]

I use my horn almost everyday here in the big city. I make sure I'm noticed as much as possible. You really have to almost expect to  know what the guy in the cage next to you is about to do. Most cages just do not see you and you must really expect the unexpected. Learn to use that horn. Also upgrade it as the stock one is not that great.

[Sklywag]

Beep Beep.....

[King Glide]

Forget the horn and work on maximum braking  and finding a hole to go thru.

The old " had to lay her down " is really " I totally panicked and locked the rear brake without the front brake and it slid out from under me" and practice will cure that.

[Dan_Lockwood]

Fellow CVO lovers, I have a question.
We all know that in times of emergency, we fall back on our training. Well I have a question regarding emergency braking training.
When training, do you practise using your horn as you are braking, scanning for possible "escape routes" and steering towards areas that will provide a higher probability of survival?
I was recently forced to put my emergency braking training to the test. I'm happy to say I survived but not for one second did I consider using my horn. I did scrub off a bunch of speed, searched for an "out" and was steering and braking until the point of impact. (No "had to lay 'er down" from me")
As this was an incident on the highway, I don't think the horn would have done much but it was the only safety item I did not use.
Pictures and details of the crash will follow in another thread.
It will be next spring before I am on two wheels again and I think I will incorporate the horn in my training next year. May not help but certainly can't hurt!

Brad, battered and bike less at the moment.

Let me say that I'm glad that you're in good enough shape to be able to write this post.  Things could have been a lot worse for you.

I've heard that when training for the cycle cop duty, they teach you to throw your bike down.  Like someone else said, low friction steel and plastic do not do much to slow the bike down.  I would try to stay upright and avoid as much as possible, but when an older lady pulled out to make a left turn in front of my buddy up in Michigan, he went down, but that was do to the rear wheel locking up and dumping him in the process.

When the first CVO with ABS came out in '08, I bought a SERK Annie.  I watched all the videos of the testing etc and I do believe that the ABS will help out.  The only time I think that you would go down is if you're in a banking turn and hit the brakes; ABS will probably not be of much help.

HD had a test rider with lots of racing experience doing some of the testing and they interviewed him about the ABS.  He said that if he were "testing" an non ABS system, he could stop a non ABS bike quicker, but in a panic situation all bets would be off.  He could not focus 100% on proper handle and pedal control and would probably lock things up as well.  So in a panic straight ahead situation, I would trust the ABS and try to stay in control while trying to steer away.  BUT I have the luxury to be thinking about it now and I was not you in your emergency situation.  All the "I would have done this or that" is not applicable as none of us were in YOUR situation and have to do what you did.

Again I'm glad you came out of it "OK" and can look forward to getting back out in the spring.  I look forward to reading about your actual incident.

Thanks for sharing.

[Rock N Roll]

FORGET THE HORN!  If you need the horn as a warning device, you are already in a critical situation.  I'm always looking for escape options just in case.  I've been riding over 45 years and had my first accident on a street bike last year.  Rounded a downhill right hand hairpin a little too fast (just a little) when my rear wheel started sliding laterally because I hit the rear brake in an effort to slow down.  I knew not to hit the front brake.  That would surely have resulted in losing the front wheel.  No thanks!  JUST REMEMBER, POWER IS YOUR FRIEND!  Hindsight being 20/20, I should have hit the throttle in lieu of the brake!  I have used this technique successfully before.  If you have room to escape, more power will help you far more times than not, IMO!