ABS. Almost always perfect – column

So a wheely. I made that by accident. On a well-worn Bandit 1200. Of course I had already seen on YouTube people of all currently known genders riding on the rear wheel for miles, while supporting their feet on the taillight.

But actually I didn't see the point in that. After all, I saw them fall just too often. Motorcycles have two wheels. Humans usually have two legs. That has been thought about. Moreover, I know the story of one motorcyclist who seriously damaged his motorcycle jacket in such a failed action. On the backside. But still: If you can perform such tricks and more on your motorcycle, then - as long as it goes well - that speaks of admirable vehicle control.

I never claimed to be a good motorcyclist. But I am now an experienced motorcyclist. So when I was chasing someone who combined fast straights with extremely chunky cornering, I gave him plenty of room in front of me. And when there came a straight stretch long enough to get my old horse going, I passed it quickly. As an experienced motorcyclist, I could of course have overtaken the good man in a bend, but perhaps he would have been so shocked that he could have hit me. You can't be too careful as an experienced motorcyclist.

Fred proved that things can sometimes go wrong with experienced riders. I found it at a motorcycle fair where many experienced motorcyclists were happily strolling among many old parts. Please note: Fred and I are not old. Fred and I are experienced. But that Fred was on crutches? That surprised me from such an experienced motorcyclist. After all, he wasn't old yet?

Like everything, the story was different than I expected. Fred was a victim of the current state of technology. He is almost fused with his Honda CB1000 Big One from 1995 or so. And he also has a cheap BMW. He likes to fool around with that Bavarian thing in local or regional car parks, public roads and – occasionally – in shopping centers. Sometimes even by invitation. Because when Fred is fooling around with his BMW, hard core BMW Fahrers become very nervous and the average figure skater is a loser.

With these skills he is world famous in a limited circle. But all in all, Fred was now on crutches. I asked him how he was, what happened to him. He said he had performed his tricks at a local shopkeeper's day. That the audience was suitably impressed by that. Especially when he put his Lief in position, drove towards her, made a stop, kissed her, fell back on two wheels and continued driving.

After the party there was someone who wanted to show that he could do that too. That hero put his Lief in position and rode towards her. At the supreme moment, the young God squeezed his front brake hard. Then it turned out that his motorcycle was equipped with ABS, the only electronics that I do appreciate.

The rear wheel only rose briefly. But the engine kept going. The girl dove to the right, was hit and spun into Fred's back. Fred lost his balance, spun away and also fell. When he fell, he injured his knee until it bled. Sometimes pre-programmed safety is quite a dangerous thing.

The young hero stopped the adventure as an instant single with scratches on his helmet and on his ego.