Will You Crash Your Motorcycle?

**Zed** · 8th May 2005, 18:59

I made a statement in another thread that "accidents are inevitable in motorcycling". I must confess that inevitable (unavoidable) was the wrong word to use, but it did get me thinking about what message I was trying to convey. The reality is that motorcycle accidents are common and that all of us who ride experience many close calls for one reason or another, sometimes ending up on the ground.

Most, if not all motorcyclists I have met and spoken to have had at least one accident during their riding experience. I questioned 3 riders (albeit retired) about this this afternoon and they all had their crash stories to tell! Up until last year I could have proudly lifted my head and said that I had never binned in my 20 years riding but that clean slate was soon dirtied with 2 bins within 3 months of each other, the 2nd resulting in a write-off and break from bikes altogether for 6 months! It's also very eye-opening to search through the KB threads to see just how many of us have binned over the last 12 months. One senior KB'er said these words to me once: "it's not a matter of if you bin it, but a matter of when?" :unsure:

So will you crash your motorcycle? I think it's more of a probability than a possibility, I believe the poll will demonstrate this. It is indeed "avoidable", but for how long? 1 month, 1 year, 10 years? I hope never!

Note: This message is meant to be a help not a hindrance.

**Coyote** · 8th May 2005, 19:04

I've binned a number of times. Twice in Round one couple of weekends back, another 2 times in motard, and dozens of times on the dirt. Fortunately, I've been able to learn from the mistakes leading to these bins so I haven't done it on the road

Everyone should have a go riding on the dirt. You learn alot about throttle control, clutch control, reading slippery surfaces, etc. Damned good fun too

**Waylander** · 8th May 2005, 19:08

Been in three bins so far almost writing off the honda. Will I be in another one? probably but knowing that helps me to keep my "eyes open" while riding so I can make the time between wrecks as long as possible.

**woody68** · 8th May 2005, 19:12

I've been back riding for about 3 months kids and stuff you know,and i've had a couple of close calls already.

I've had three big bins in 20 years and still got 30 years riding in me so think there will be a couple more on the cards.
Experience tells me so.

**Motu** · 8th May 2005, 19:13

I think your poll is a bit mixed up,so I won't vote on it - the poll is have you crashed....bit you are asking IF????

I am totaly opposed to the ''it's not a matter of if but when'' theory - YOU DON'T HAVE TO CRASH! I've had plenty of prangs,but that's my problem,I didn't care at the time,I still crash off road,and I don't care about that either - it's a state of mind....

**Brian d marge** · 8th May 2005, 19:18

not so much now on the road ...ws a dispatch rider in london for a few years so used to bin it often
Now I potter on me Enfield ,,,so no not now its been years since I sent one sliding ...
BUT I race MX ...and every weekend over the handlebars I go!!!!!
The one before last ,,I came of a Jump and the guy infront squared off the corner ,,,...I tore the TOPs of the fork legs and the no plate AND a new set of Bar ...( they can get expensive !!)

I give the new wepon ...2 meetings before I abandon ship !! mid flight .....

Stephen

**Zed** · 8th May 2005, 19:20

Originally Posted by Motu

I think your poll is a bit mixed up,so I won't vote on it - the poll is have you crashed....bit you are asking IF????

Sorry I don't get you? I purposely added the word "road" in the title of the poll to exclude off-road bikes.

**VasalineWarrior** · 8th May 2005, 19:26

Yeah only had one big off, but the ammount of close calls ive had must be into triple digits. Its a fact that i accept each time i hop on the bike that i may potentially have a fall, but hey life cant be lived from the living room eh?

**justsomeguy** · 8th May 2005, 19:28

Well.......... me???...........

enough said.....

**oldfart** · 8th May 2005, 19:30

Gravity will get you every time. Crashing m/cycles is inevitable.

**Zed** · 8th May 2005, 19:32

Originally Posted by oldfart

Crashing m/cycles is inevitable.

But is it really?

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
Main Entry: in·ev·i·ta·ble

Pronunciation: i-'ne-v&-t&-b&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin inevitabilis, from in- + evitabilis evitable
: incapable of being avoided or evaded

**Waylander** · 8th May 2005, 19:36

It may not be inevitable but it is a fact that motorcyclists have to deal with. with all the crap on the roads today from sand or loose dirt to gravel and moronic cagers the odds of a wreck happening are quite good (well bad really but you know what I mean) Better to asume it will happen and prepare for it but still try to avoid it than otherwise.

P.S. Does anybody else keep thinking of agent Smith when they read this thread?

**oldfart** · 8th May 2005, 19:36

yup, I haven't crashed since 79 when I dumped my pissed self & a mate on the road. This means my time is overdue. Crashing is to bikes what tomatoe sauce is to hot dogs

**pommie girl** · 8th May 2005, 19:41

Inevitable might not be the right word for it, but consider this ... you can factor in your own abilities when you're out, but how can you possibly account, every single second of every single ride, for the vagaries and idiocies of those other people driving/riding around you?