What Is a Highside? A Beginner’s Guide to the Motorcycle Crash and How to Avoid It

Definition of a Highside Crash

A highside is a motorcycle crash that begins with rear wheel traction loss and ends when the rear tire suddenly grips again while the bike is misaligned. The abrupt traction regain creates a violent snap that can catapult you up and over the motorcycle.

In simple terms, the bike starts to yaw from a sliding rear, then—because of oversteering dynamics and the tire’s attempt to realign—grip returns too quickly. This transfer converts sideways motion into a rapid rotation, producing a severe rider ejection risk. Understanding these motorcycle crash mechanisms is the first step in preventing them.

Causes of Highside Accidents

Highsides rarely stem from a single mistake; they come from a chain of inputs and conditions that end in traction regain hazards. Common triggers include:

• Chopping the throttle mid-corner after the rear starts to step out, causing an abrupt weight transfer and snap regrip.
• Locking the rear with excessive rear brake, then releasing it suddenly so the tire hooks up while out of line.
• Aggressive downshifts or heavy engine braking without rev-matching, which momentarily overwhelms rear grip.
• Applying throttle too early or too hard while leaned over, exceeding available traction, then having it return abruptly.
• Surface changes like gravel, paint stripes, tar snakes, wet leaves, or diesel spills that cause an initial slide followed by clean tarmac that bites back.
• Cold or overheated tires, worn tread, or incorrect tire pressure standards that reduce the margin before a slide and make recovery unpredictable.
• Unsettled suspension from abrupt inputs—braking, turning, or accelerating all at once—reducing contact patch stability.

Comparison Between Highside and Lowside Crashes

Both highsides and lowsides start with a loss of traction, but they diverge in how the incident ends. In a lowside, the tire continues to slide and the bike falls inward, typically sending you to the ground on the same side as the turn.

In a highside, the rear regains grip while misaligned, whipping the bike upright and launching you. Because of the rider ejection risk and the height and unpredictability of the toss, highsides are generally more violent and injury-prone than lowsides.

• Lowside: progressive slide, lower impact speeds, more predictable path of travel.
• Highside: abrupt snap, greater vertical forces, higher chance of secondary impacts and tumbling.

Safety Measures to Prevent Highside

Prevention centers on smooth inputs, reading traction, and avoiding sudden transitions that provoke traction regain hazards. Practical habits include:

• Set your corner entry speed before turn-in so you are not braking hard mid-corner.
• Use light maintenance throttle through the middle of the turn to stabilize the rear and suspension.
• Roll on the throttle progressively as you pick the bike up; avoid abrupt on–off–on throttle changes.
• Modulate the rear brake gently and release it gradually if it starts to skid—never “snap” it off.
• Rev-match downshifts; consider a slipper clutch if your bike offers one to reduce rear wheel hop.
• Mind surface cues: shine on paint, gravel patches, damp shade, or temperature swings that alter grip.
• Check tire condition and follow manufacturer tire pressure standards for your load and conditions.
• Leverage modern electronics—ABS and traction control—while remembering they are aids, not guarantees.
• Practice in controlled environments to build reflexes that default to smooth throttle control and inputs.

Proper Throttle and Brake Control Techniques

Consistent technique keeps the chassis composed and the contact patch working for you. Use this sequence to protect rear grip:

1. Corner entry: Complete most braking while upright. If you trail-brake, taper pressure smoothly as lean increases.
2. Turn-in to apex: Settle at a light, steady “maintenance” throttle to keep weight balanced and reduce rear wheel traction loss.
3. Apex to exit: As the bike picks up, roll on progressively. Throttle should be a smooth, single increasing motion.
4. Downshifts: Blip the throttle to match revs so engine braking does not overwhelm the rear; a slipper clutch further cushions mismatch.
5. Rear brake: Use sparingly in corners. If it skids, ease off gently to prevent a sudden hook-up and snap.
6. Corrections: If the rear steps out, stay calm—hold a steady or slightly reducing throttle and let the bike realign before adding power.

The theme is continuity—avoid sudden spikes or drops in torque or brake force. Smooth control preserves traction and minimizes the conditions that create a highside.

Importance of Tire Maintenance

Your tires are the only things connecting you to the road, so their health directly affects slide onset and recovery. Follow your bike maker’s tire pressure standards and check pressures cold with a reliable gauge before rides.

Inspect tread depth, look for cuts or cords, and replace aged or squared-off tires that heat unevenly. Mismatched or worn tires can reduce feedback and make traction regain less predictable.

Warm tires gradually in the first miles with gentle lean and throttle. Recheck pressures after significant temperature changes, heavy loads, or sustained high speeds, and adjust according to the owner’s manual or swingarm placard.

Proper inflation, sound carcasses, and appropriate compounds expand your grip envelope and reduce the odds that a small slide turns into a highside.

Riding Within Skill Level

Most highsides occur when inputs exceed available traction by a margin the rider cannot manage. Choose corner speeds that leave room for mid-corner surprises and resist chasing faster riders.

Build skills progressively. Practice braking, downshifts, and throttle roll-ons in a parking lot or at a training course or track day where errors have space to unwind. Fatigue, stress, and poor visibility shrink your margin—ride accordingly.

Confidence comes from repeatable technique, not bravado. If you keep smooth inputs, respect surface clues, and maintain your tires, you greatly reduce the risk of a highside.

FAQs

What causes a highside crash?

A highside happens when the rear tire slides—often from abrupt throttle, heavy engine braking, or a rear-brake skid—and then suddenly regains traction while the bike is misaligned. That quick hook-up snaps the bike upright and can throw you off.

How can I prevent a highside while riding?

Enter corners at a manageable speed, use steady maintenance throttle through the turn, roll on power progressively as you pick the bike up, rev-match downshifts, and release any rear-brake skid gradually. Keep tires healthy and pressures set to the manufacturer’s standards, and be cautious on variable surfaces.

What injuries are common in highsides?

Because highsides can launch you, injuries often involve impact trauma: shoulder and wrist injuries, rib or clavicle fractures, head and spinal injuries, and soft-tissue damage. Quality protective gear and an airbag vest can reduce severity but cannot eliminate risk.

Why is a highside more dangerous than a lowside?

A lowside usually slides you along the ground in a more predictable path. A highside adds vertical and rotational forces from the snap regrip, increasing ejection height and the chance of multiple uncontrolled impacts, which raises injury severity.