How can we learn from our mistakes?

[Mr Skid]

Some of Ghost Lemur's comments in another thread have got me thinking (a rare occurrence, and one he should probably be rewarded for).

GL has pointed out the good that can come from a 'crash report' in terms of our ability to learn from our own, and others mistakes. In his case, it was learning what to do if your engine seizes, as happened to TS a while ago.

What I would suggest would be the creation of a 'crash report' thread/sticky/forum.

It would be a place for riders to post about their crashes or near misses, with the aim to further educate themselves and other riders about good roadcraft.

It would serve a similar purpose to an inquest i.e. to allow discussion about the cause of the incident, with the aim prevent a similar incident occurring again.

The idea would be for riders who have had a crash to be able to post details of what occurred, what they think might have been causal factors, and how with hindsight they might have dealt with the situation differently.

Riders posting would have to 'own' their crash, and take full responsibility for what happened. This would mean not trying to attribute the blame on other parties or looking for sympathy. I don't doubt that their can be external factors involved in an accident, but as I've said before, blaming someone else won't mend broken bones or shattered fairings, and would be counter productive to the process.

For something like this to work, participants would need to feel they could be honest and frank about the issues. This means that those offering their opinions and advice would refrain from making judgments (not required anyway, as the rider would have already agreed to accept responsibility by posting in the thread) Basically discussions would have to be done in good faith.

The ultimate aim would be for a rider who has crashed to be able to reflect on the causal factors with the assistance of other riders, and come to a realisation of what they could do differently next time.

For it to work, I think it would need buy in from the majority of the active users on the site, and would require self-discipline by the participants i.e. not taking the piss out of or slagging someone for their mistakes.

If anyone has any thoughts, feedback, suggestions, or queries for this, I'd be keen to hear you thoughts.

[RDJ]

A good idea indeed.

However - and this does not mean we shouldn't do it - the threshold for ad hominem argument on this site is quite low.

On the third hand, since I've learned more from a lowside than from a year's riding (which is hardly admirable) - where do I sign up :-)

[Sniper]

Makes sense but I have always learnt that making the mistakes yourself is better as you can never exactly reproduce the circumstances that caused someone elses crash but you can avoid the diesel patch/sand /possum that caused it

[Ghost Lemur]

Thanks for the credit. But I have to say it's the likes of Jim2, Motu and Jackrat who have been my inspiration for self responsibility.

I think it's a good idea. But do have to say, for those of us who want to learn this forum and it's members have done and been doing this already.

The reason my accident was only at 35kph, and I came off as well as I did was solely due to having been on this forum. Between it being drumed into me that "cagers DON'T see you", and it's our responsibility to be able to avoid things meant that when I went to move past a car in peak moring traffic (the car was pulling into a drive way) I slowed right down. Obviously not enough though, as when the car in front off to the side, decided now was a good time to do a u-turn, I didn't have the skills or ability to avoid it. Did everything wrong, locked up brakes, focused on the obsticle instead of the way out. So I payed, both in pain from going for a sommersault over the bonnet, and more by not being able to ride til I've saved for a new machine.

I've learnt the importance of back protectors due to some of the spills KBers have had. I've learnt about quality of different brands, riding styles, cornering, etc.

Obviously it doesn't replace getting out there and doing it. But for a willing novice, it can dramatically improve their skills and knowledge. It's like going out on group rides, in fact I see it as a compliment to group rides. The forums offer the theoretical side of things while group rides offer the practicle.

[Zapf]

I'll sign up to this as well... offering my rich experience of what not to do on an SV and Gixxer...

Just need Spankme to create a new sub forum