Will You Crash Your Motorcycle?

**Will** · 8th May 2005, 19:48

I am one of the two who have not crashed.

I would like to think that it is because I read the "signs" and avoid anything that threatens my upright stance on my bike. I have certainly had some very close calls such as a seeing the truck chrome wheel nuts spinning in my periphial vision as the said truck pulled into my spot, telling myself not to look (target focusing) and acclerate out of the situation.

But then I wonder how much of it is skill and how much of it is luck, like coming around a corner to find an oncoming vehicle had lost control and spun out, just before I got there.

Been riding for 30 years, off and on, and so far I have not had a crash on road. Mind you, I ride on the side of caution. Don't do wheelies or stoppies, deliberately that is, I know I have inadvertantly done some.
I have dropped my old bike several times but don't count that, or my off-roading incidents.

Here's hoping I have atleast another 30 years of riding ahead of me. Well, that is what I am riding for. One of my aims is to be riding on my 90th birthday.

**Motu** · 8th May 2005, 19:51

Originally Posted by Waylander

with all the crap on the roads today from sand or loose dirt to gravel

There is far less crap on the road these days than ever before,it's more often signposted than ever as well.25 yrs ago you needed a dirt bike to ride on the road.

**Biff** · 8th May 2005, 19:53

Once on the road about 15 years ago when I was side swipped by a cage. That's quite enough thank you.

**Mr Skid** · 8th May 2005, 20:19

Originally Posted by Motu

?????? oh,it's ZED,shoulda known.

C'mon Motu, you know dirt bikes don't belong on *our* roads.
Come back when you get some decent width tires and some nice shiny plastic bits to break.

**Two Smoker** · 8th May 2005, 20:26

I dont want to crash on the road again, and im trying very hard to avoid that at all costs... However on the track.... i plan to crash again... "if you dont crash your not going hard enough, if you crash too much your going to hard..." (relating to the track)

**Ixion** · 8th May 2005, 20:37

Never crashed a bike on the road (or a car for that matter) or injured myself.

Come off more times than I could count off road, and collected a few painfulnesses, but that's a different matter. Off road you're riding for a crash, but the environment is different.

I don't believe it's inevitable. I do think that it's hard to avoid. I've had a vast number of close calls, any one of which could have turned nasty. And I could well come off tomorrow night (could have tonight of a certain stupid old cow who turned across my path at 110kph outside Helensville had had her way! I just knew she was going to be trouble as soon as I saw her). As Mr Zed said, you can go 20 years unscathed , then *bang*

So it's not shameful to have come off. Sometimes shit happens and you just can't get around it. But I do think it should always be regarded as uncool. I don't like bins being flaunted like battle trophies, sends the young ones the wrong message.

Slow down ! (My God, am I starting to sound like Mr Scumdog !

). Be paranoid! Assume that shit is on the other side of the corner or hill! Keep something in reserve!

Ride fast, ride safe, and keep the black squishy bits down, pink squishy bits up, always

**Ixion** · 8th May 2005, 20:39

Originally Posted by Two Smoker

I dont want to crash on the road again, and im trying very hard to avoid that at all costs... However on the track.... i plan to crash again... "if you dont crash your not going hard enough, if you crash too much your going to hard..." (relating to the track)

Yes, but the track is a different matter. On the track you are deliberately riding to the limit of your and your bike's capability. That's what the track is about. No-one should be doing that on the public road. I would crash on the track.

**Zed** · 8th May 2005, 20:59

Originally Posted by pommie girl

...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?

Answer: You can't! So we have to be mindful of this and take extra care as motorcyclists.

**ZorsT** · 8th May 2005, 21:25

As just about everyone i know says:

"If you can't even handle a push-bike how the hell are you going to handle a REAL bike..."

so yeah, i do think i will crash

**Ixion** · 8th May 2005, 21:26

Originally Posted by pommie girl

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?

You can't , entirely, but you do develop a sort of survival sense after a while. And there are quite a few "tricks of the trade" that help you nip vagary and idiocy in the bud - or at least keep out of their way.

**Waylander** · 8th May 2005, 23:11

Originally Posted by Waylander

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?

Hehehe