Spike (Nicky Katt): You’re the chick who won the tunnel run two nights ago.
Barbara Wilson, aka Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone): Yeah, that’d be me.
Spike: Yeah, well that was kid’s stuff. Why don’t you take your little tricycle and run along home.
Barbara: Why don’t we have a side bet?
-Batman and Robin
Aside from the delectable sensations of the wind whipping through your hair and having a 1,000-pound hog between your thighs, riding a motorcycle is an indispensable skill when escaping a baddie. Maneuvering through tight spots and turns on a motorcycle, you may be called upon to pop a nose wheelie or stop on a dime to fend off pursuers-or, well, just to impress the heck out of them. They might stop dead in their tracks when they see how high your rear end can get. According to stunt rider Ken Kelley, they’re more likely to quit the chase because they’re choking on your dust. A Department of Transportation-approved helmet, leather jacket with back protector, Kevlar gloves, leather riding pants with rear end and knee protectors, and a high pair of thick leather boots are recommended equipment. At the very least, wear a helmet, gloves, and a jacket if your only option is to jump on the bike and go.
PERFORMING THE ROLLING ENDO
A Rolling Endo or nose wheelie-where the rear wheel of your motorcycle comes off the ground and the vehicle continues to roll on its front wheel only-turns the bike into a barrier between you and your pursuers when you are being chased or fired upon from behind. The Rolling Endo requires a large, heavy motorcycle for maximum stability in the roll.
Step 1: Bring the bike to speed.
The ideal speed is about 40 mph.
Step 2: Lean your weight forward to lock up the front shocks.
Position your arms and torso above the front shocks. Press down so that your weight compresses the shocks as far as they can go.
Step 3: Lock the front brake to bring the rear wheel up.
Squeeze the front brake lever on the throttle side of the handlebars so that the front brake locks up. The front wheel will stop spinning and begin to stick, rather than roll, across the surface. The rear end of the bike will begin to rise off the ground.
Step 4: Immediately feather the front brake and find the bike’s balance point.
Let off pressure on the front brake to allow the front wheel to once again roll more freely. The more you let off, the more the rear wheel of the bike will fall back down to the surface-and vice versa. Find the balance point on the bike and feather the brake accordingly. Because your weight is now over the front of the bike, the further forward you lean over the handlebars, the further the rear wheel will come off the ground.
Step 5: Adjust your balance to stay on the bike.
Continue to feather the front brake on or off and adjust your weight forward or back. Focus on the balance of the bike to keep steady. Riding a Rolling Endo feels similar to standing on a small skiff that is rocking in every direction.
Step 6: When clear of your pursuers, put the rear wheel down.
Feather off the front brake and shift your weight to the back of the bike to slowly lower the rear wheel back to the surface.
February 13th, 2010 at 9:07 am
Hi there, you doing well? I recently got myself a bike and I desperately require some assistance with a query i have been experiencing ever since i got it. I am the type of person that can get very cold very easy and i cant seem to keep warm enough on my Motorcycle! Do you know maybe how I can i fix this?