Your worst crash / accident

[forever learning]

worst crash/accident what caused it in your opinion I only ask because I’m only 3 years into riding and need to know what to look out for

[Blackshear]

worst crash/accident what caused it in your opinion I only ask because I’m only 3 years into riding and need to know what to look out for
Been riding for uh. not even a month, and anything you can see (Yourself included) is to be looked out for... Demanding task, but so is coming back home in one piece on some days...

[PirateJafa]

Cold tyres have a fraction of the grip that warm tyres do. So even your "normal" speed for a corner may be excessive if you've only just left home!

Generally though, I'd say the best for a "new" rider to hear would be "If you want to get somewhere fast, take the car". Know you limits and just because you got away with doing something once doesn't mean you'll get away with it forever. :)

[MidnightMike]

3 years and still breathing. You obiously know what your looking out for then.

[duckonin]

DO not focus on others misfortune, it may only make you worry...

Ride your own ride, be aware, watch all who are in front of you like a Hawke, use all of your vision left and right and also behind, stay relaxed and positive, most of all in town do not be in a hurry, ride in your lane where you can see what is going on,....there is more that experience will teach, be safe think positive take care...

[Katman]

Except for the unexpected, you cant look out for that.

That's exactly what you should be working at looking out for.

When I'm riding I'm constantly running through 'what if' senarios in my mind.

[TOTO]

TIP: Scrub your new tyre with sandpaper to get rid of the shiny silicon layer or wait till you have done 300km on it before you start pushing it in the corners.

Not gonna go into crash details but lets say that if you follow this tip it will likely save you from writing off your bike due to a low side.

[MidnightMike]

That's exactly what you should be working at looking out for.

When I'm riding I'm constantly running through 'what if' senarios in my mind.

I probably should hae reworded that. meh, that part deleted.

[enigma51]

worst crash/accident what caused it in your opinion I only ask because I’m only 3 years into riding and need to know what to look out for

Racing or road riding?

Racing its cause it going to happen

Road riding i would say 99% of its cause you get cocky

[enigma51]

That's exactly what you should be working at looking out for.

When I'm riding I'm constantly running through 'what if' senarios in my mind.

I assume you stay home a lot. To scared of going out something might happen

[Ixion]

Something usually does. But i think most long term riders do the constant "where will I go if..., " thing . After a while it becomes second nature, y'don't even realise you are doing it.

[Big Dave]

Something usually does. But i think most long term riders do the constant "where will I go if..., " thing . After a while it becomes second nature, y'don't even realise you are doing it.

'Yes - I KNOW you didn't see me - because you didn't look - fortunately I was watching YOU all the way, dipshit.' is one of the most rewarding sentences a rider can utter.

[skidMark]

worst? shit... how the hell do i narrow it down, i havn't had anything too major yet a few broken bones, the ones that would have been seriously bad were the ones i have wrestled back, if i hadn't saved one of those i wouldve got seriously mashed up...

i spose of all my crashes the worst would be running off a blind left hander on open road if a car had been coming the other way that would have been my lot, luckily thier wasn't...

...reason?

...using the road as a racetradck with another biker mate who was pushing up my rear, and if i had braked they wouldve gone right up my arse and we would have both been eating pavement. so i waited for them to brake late, which they did, very late, and yeah....

i ran outta brakes.... :(

[dwnundabkr]

'Yes - I KNOW you didn't see me - because you didn't look - fortunately I was watching YOU all the way, dipshit.' is one of the most rewarding sentences a rider can utter.
++1
sorry BD but i am going to have to quote you again the biggest advice i am sure any experienced rider can give is, ride a bike and treat everyone around as they have not seen you
i can tell you and i am sure most of us can tell you a few of our friends, mates, buddies would still be here or not banged up if they had followed this simple little rule

[Grahameeboy]

In 1985 I was hit by a hit and run in London. I was thrown about..well I somersaulted....50 feet in the air, missed a road sign and landed in front of a shop window...on my back...bike landed a few feet near me...I got up...bike was a mess but managed to get home.

7 witnesses, guy originally reported his car was stolen, then tried to blame me...he went through a red light and was done for a variety of offences.

Had worst accidents mountaineering....not my time to go yet

[McJim]

That's exactly what you should be working at looking out for.

When I'm riding I'm constantly running through 'what if' senarios in my mind.

you should really sell the bike if you hate riding that much.

[Big Dave]

++1
sorry BD but i am going to have to quote you again

Amigo! American Motorcyclist magazine do it without the thank You :-)

[FROSTY]

No point in discussing worst crash really.
The guys you need to ask aint gonna be answering ya in a big hurry.

[idleidolidyll]

Just finished having a punt at the Sound of Thunder in Chch (about 1986) and went to collect the beer with a mate.
He was following me when a land crab (Morris 1100) decided to U turn in front of me.
I dated it and as I flew over the roof, caught my leg between bike and car: 1 achilles tendon almost ripped out.

On crutches for about 6 months and walking properly again in 9.

Despite my pain, the rest of the mob just complained that I broke every bottle of beer strapped to the back!

I obviously couldn't ride home and the Cagiva was rooted.

The boys took my missus home and, on the way, several were deliberately taken out by an angry tin top driver near Kaikoura as they were going over a bridge.

Very lucky nobody died that week.

addendum: a member here suggested i tell a bit more of the story.
The dude who wiped the others out did a runner to the coppers in Kaikoura as they were scraping riders off the road. He told them a crazy bunch of 'bikies' were terrorising him and his family.
When the boys and gals got to the cop shop they cops told them to fuck off or THEY would be in deep shit.

For a year or so the wanker in the car received anonymous phone calls at all hours of the early morning making it clear he should be very worried.

The cops let the bikers down again and the bikers had to take the law unto themselves.

[Headbanger]

Man, I can't believe you broke every bottle.

[idleidolidyll]

Man, I can't believe you broke every bottle.

some of the bastards still reckon i owe them beers!

another member here was one of the riders (i was in hospital in Chch remember). bmwilly was pillioning my missus home. Luckily he wasn't one of those taken out

[Madmax]

No point in discussing worst crash really.
The guys you need to ask aint gonna be answering ya in a big hurry.

Bloody true
:doctor:

[rustycharm]

Someone else posted the best advice I was ever given... 'Ride your own ride'
Don't be tempted to 'try and keep up' with more experienced riders until you are confident in your abilty and bikes limits.
Keep it smooth and get most of your braking done before you enter the corner.... and most of all... ride ride ride!

Read this forum too..
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=69324&highlight=trail+braking+rear

[scumdog]

worst crash/accident what caused it in your opinion I only ask because I’m only 3 years into riding and need to know what to look out for

The last one with a dead motorcyclist.

Too fast into a bend, went wide, off the road, down the bank

The wrapped around the two or three fence-posts that got in the way, was dead when I got there..

Human bodies don't handle that too well so steer clear of that sort of thing.:(

Oh, and see post #22 above.

[Jantar]

My worst accident was in October last year on a Honda CT110. At around 50 kmh I rode into some bulldust in the Australian Outback, The bike stopped and I didn't. One badly injured left shoulder.

The cause: I wasn't payinag attention to the road surface, so rider error. (I'm still not back into riding yet, but only about 2 weeks away)

Second worst accident was in 1976 on a new Suzuki GT750. Taking a left hand 65 kmh sweeping bend (gravel road) at around 65 kmh when I hit ice and the rear wheel stepped out a bit. That wasn't any problem as I was used to it happening on that particular road. I Kept sufficient power on to prevent regaining grip suddenly, when the bike suddenly went into an uncontrollable tank slapper. I tried to clear the bike, but instead got thrown and badly injured my right shoulder.

The cause: When the bike was recovered by the bike shop, they discovered the rear hub had split in half. It was a manufacturing fault, and Suzuki replaced the rear wheel under warranty. Insurance paid for the remainder of the damage. Maybe if I had been riding a lot slower and more carefully it may not have happened there, but then it may have happened on the open road where there was more traffic.

[Forest]

My worst bin was on a rented bike in Melbourne last year.

Started tracking along some metal tram lines on a long straight road. Forgot that it had been raining earlier in the evening. Gave the bike a tiny bit of gas and totally lost grip from the rear wheel. Then the bike high-sided viciously and threw me off.

Was only doing 60km/h but still caused around $8,000 kiwi dollars worth of damage (plus the rental had a $4,000 AUD insurance excess :crybaby:). Luckily I didn't injure myself aside from a couple of bruises.

[Drew]

When I'm riding I'm constantly running through 'what if' senarios in my mind.

That's not a life, it's a sentence.



My worst crash, coming at the hairpin at Pukekoe. Flat out in top gear, reach my braking marker, grabbed the lever...nothing. Scariest moment of my life. Went into the gravel at a horrible speed that doesn't bare thinking about, and landed head first. Got out of hospital many hours later scott free of injury. LUCKY!!!

On the road though, be alert, be courtious (sp), and most of all dont push the envelope. You'll be fine.

[Headbanger]

Back when I was about 14 I rode my oldmans racing quad that he had just spent 6 grand on off an 80 foot cliff when we were riding out on the hill country out the back of Fordell.

When I rode off the edge and it dawned on me that I was in a power of shit, I let her go and rolled off the back of the bike, I dropped about 20 feet and was caught in a gorse bush. The bike had also been caught about 15 feet away from me, I managed to make my way to it and dislodge it.

Pity it started to barrel roll down the cliff, By the time it got to the bottom all the plastics had been smashed off, The a-arms and axle were wrapped around the rest of the bike. The entire box was munted,Wasn't pretty.

....and then there was the time we drove from Wanganui to Baly's beach with the dirtbikes on the trailer (12 hour drive, we spent half a year organising the trip) ,arriving at the beach It was pointed out my chain was loose, I ignored it, an hour later the chain came off smashed a hole in the motor, lost a bit of oil, I fixed it with a scrap of driftwood and some tape, an hour later the gearbox was seized.

Ruined the entire weekend, and the entire motor was written off..

Ok, wasn't a crash, Just reminiscing.


Worst crash on the road, took a corner to fast at Whatawhata, off the road, hit the dirt, barrel rolled and flipped until I was caught by the wire fence, got all tangled up in it, Though it changed my direction of travel and I ended up in a black berry bush along the fence line. Me mates couldn't find me as I now wasn't anywhere near my bike, I had to half stand up (all I could manage with the wires tying me down) and yell out to them, They were about 20 feet away and had there backs to me, so they never saw me and I collapsed to the ground again.

Had to do it three times before I was noticed and one of em came running over and unwrapped the wire, me old mate swears to this day it was wrapped around my throat, I was in bad shape and he saved my life and that I should buy him a beer.......Not quite how I remember it but, but what's a beer between friends?

[Pwalo]

I think you've got it round the wrong way. You don't want to look at crashing, but riding. Ride well, and don't crash. Look where you're going, give yourself a bit of extra space/time on the road, watch the road conditions (weather, other traffic, etc), and it should be fine. Be positive.

Worst crash. Ngauranga Gorge. Hit from behind. Two broken hands, concussion, bruising. I won't make that mistake again!

[Katman]

That's not a life, it's a sentence.


That's right Drew - it's a life sentence.

:msn-wink:

[forever learning]

Wow guys you’ve had some bad ones wasn’t expecting quite this much response, thanks some good advice there as for me I’ve been lucky enough to not have crashed worst I’ve had is the bike stepping out on me. Almost lots my cousin off the back too
Thanks heaps guy I’ll keep the advice in mind

[sinfull]

I think you've got it round the wrong way. You don't want to look at crashing, but riding. Ride well, and don't crash. Look where you're going, give yourself a bit of extra space/time on the road, watch the road conditions (weather, other traffic, etc), and it should be fine. Be positive.

Worst crash. Ngauranga Gorge. Hit from behind. Two broken hands, concussion, bruising. I won't make that mistake again!
Like Pwalo said ride to live !
Seen death a couple of times on the road during rides and don't want to again !
I'm still here so have had no majors, a couple of stupid mistakes cost me but i learnt so they were worth it !

[Muppet]

Here's my two cents, sorry gold coin's worth. Your bike will lean further over than you can. When coming up to a corner and suddenly you think, bugger I'm not going to make it, close the throttle don't touch the brakes look at the way out , don't you dare take your eyes off the road!!! If you hit the brakes on a bend your bike will stand up and you will ride in a straight line of the road. Been there done that, learnt my lesson, saved my ass with the above advice.

[mouldy]

I have 2 things to say , first treat every car driver like he is purposely trying to kill you ,some are and have the ability to look straight through you . Secondly unless your bike is a rolling museum piece in ratty condition it will be more capable then you so when in doubt , power out .

[justsomeguy]

Worst crash - Last year Sept
Financial Damage - Totalled bike, all gear, even my bloody boots, no insurance(didn't get around to transferring it over to the new bike), $15K of bike and gear, 2 months wages lost due to time off, $1000+ in medical bills, $1400+ air fares for dad to fly over and fly us both back to Auckland.
Physical Damage - Broken skull, 2 ribs, twisted wrists, temporary paralysis of right side of face.

Cause - Honestly speaking - stupid attitude - trying to ride a thou above my skill level.

Thanks for the reminder. Sometimes one forgets the true costs of being an utter idiot.

Lesson learnt: Save it for the track or don't f'ken ride. Period.

[Drew]

That's right Drew - it's a life sentence.

:msn-wink:

A clever pun indeed, where did you find the time to think it up, what with all the paper cuts you might have gotten while not paying attention.

[enigma51]

That's right Drew - it's a life sentence.

:msn-wink:

Just like being a cock.

[enigma51]

A clever pun indeed, where did you find the time to think it up, what with all the paper cuts you might have gotten while not paying attention.

He doesn't touch paper way too dangerous.

[MidnightMike]

Here's my two cents, sorry gold coin's worth. Your bike will lean further over than you can. When coming up to a corner and suddenly you think, bugger I'm not going to make it, close the throttle don't touch the brakes look at the way out , don't you dare take your eyes off the road!!! If you hit the brakes on a bend your bike will stand up and you will ride in a straight line of the road. Been there done that, learnt my lesson, saved my ass with the above advice.

Ive done the opposite (and i already knew what you'd typed above)

My first, worst and only crash.

Im not listing all my injuries. Ill just flick a little photo.

Nothing like a bit of hand sewing:

(And I was wearing some really good gloves)

Also another lesson learnt was to have a helmet that fits snuggly.

Mine flipped up caught my chin and ripped my bottom lip and chin away from my jaw.

I stopped counting at 20 stitches, I was distracted when he starting sewing up a part that wasnt numb.

[Katman]

A clever pun indeed, where did you find the time to think it up, what with all the paper cuts you might have gotten while not paying attention.

As enigma says, I don't do much with paper.

I opened up my knuckle with a hammer today though - does that count?

[enigma51]

As enigma says, I don't do much with paper.

I opened up my knuckle with a hammer today though - does that count?

Lost concentration?

[Muppet]

Ive done the opposite (and i already knew what you'd typed above)

My first, worst and only crash.

Im not listing all my injuries. Ill just flick a little photo.

Nothing like a bit of hand sewing:

(And I was wearing some really good gloves)

Also another lesson learnt was to have a helmet that fits snuggly.

Mine flipped up caught my chin and ripped my bottom lip and chin away from my jaw.

I stopped counting at 20 stitches, I was distracted when he starting sewing up a part that wasnt numb.

Holly crap!! I'm with yer, even if you know what to do it can still go tits up. I nearly went wide on a left hand corner and hit a car. I went in too fast, yelled at myself to look away from the car and like you say, power out! This was on an R1, nasty bastard of a bike. I reckon my foot was an inch from the drivers door as we crossed each other.

[Katman]

Lost concentration?

No, I target fixated on my hand.