[He Rides A White Horse]

On the other hand, I suspect most cycle accidents involve dumping the bike and skipping the head across the road in a glancing blow.

A friend of mine owns a Harley. He has said that he would lay the bike down (sacrificing the bike if he had to) to avoid a direct impact. He also suits up because road rash can be a terrible thing.

[cripplecreek]

Dismounting at speed is the best option a fair amount of time.

[PowderMonkey]

"A friend of mine owns a Harley. He has said that he would lay the bike down (sacrificing the bike if he had to) to avoid a direct impact."

Never "abandon ship." Throwing the bike down is absolutely the worst thing to do. it increases your speed at impact, and the bike becomes a meat grinder.

[Seruzawa]

A friend of mine owns a Harley. He has said that he would lay the bike down (sacrificing the bike if he had to) to avoid a direct impact.

He is an idiot. Does he think he won't get caught with the bike and slide with it? I don't know where this "lay her down" crap started but it's a load of dung. Better to stay on the brakes. Even better get a bike with ABS and keep on the brakes.

And anyhow how does one "lay it down"? Do they practice? I'd love to see that. A buncha clowns in a parking lot practicing "laying down" their $20K Harleys.