173 mph: that's about when I jump off a motorcycle

This news about Marc Marquez at practice at Mugello:

"According to reports, Honda's Marc Marquez lost control of his bike while doing 198 mph on the long straight at Mugello, ultimately jumping off his bike at 173 mph to avoid hitting a wall. Fortunately, it appears that Marquez is not seriously injured. He has a swollen chin and strained neck in addition to some bruising. He and his team will likely make a decision tomorrow whether he will race on Sunday. "

Jumped off his bike at 173 mph. Holy s$!t, I can't imagine such craziness! I usually don't jump off my bike once I'm over 100!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motogp/22733560

he should have just 'laid er down'

Well, I know I bounced and slid a lot better 45 or 50 years ago than I do now- but that kind of speed for any get off is well into the danger zone. I give him lots of props for making the unpleasant but safer choice- you always lose hitting a solid object......One of the things we used to teach newbs in cages is never give up in the face of an impending crunch- intelligent action can always reduce risk and tilt the odds more your way right up until you stop moving....

Hope he makes the race- his riding is entertaining....

Usually at somewhere around 110 mph I pull back the stick and fly off into the sunset. 175 is about the cruise speed of the Beech Baron I used to fly quite a bit, and I never thought about jumping off so long as the wings were still attached

35634 said:

he should have just 'laid er down'

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I had that conversation with a HD rider about 4 days ago. His bike was in the shop getting repaired from the laydown. It was all I could do to avoid the instructor lecture about doing that being really dumb. He was adamant that he was standing on the rear brake and it would not stop. Never touched the front so he would not go over the bars. My tongue still hurts from biting it.

No one lays a bike down on purpose, they lose control.


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Well, I believe he made the right decision if his only other choice was to stay with the bike and strike the wall at around 170 MPH.

He's qualified 6th for the race tomorrow.

it appears that Marquez is not seriously injured. He has a swollen chin and strained neck in addition to some bruising.

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Just needs an ATGATT adjustment.

He wears an Alpinestars airbag suit which deployed before he hit anything.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/marquez+crash+telemetry