Crashing

**Deano** · 1st July 2010, 07:51

What are racer's thoughts about crashing ?

How often is too little or too much ?

I know what Drew and Mr Shirriff's thoughts are on the matter......ya carnts !!

I mean, I try pretty damn hard and get some good results.....better than average anyway.

But I haven't crashed in the whole time I've been racing (4 years). I've had a few bins riding on the road (no major's - very badly sprained/bruised foot was the worst)

Oh hang on - I crashed a bucket (AJ's Christine) at the slipway......doing all of about 20kph. Does that count ? "Everyone" crashed Christine.

I've run off the race track 3 times at high speed. Two of those I could have seriously farked myself up, and I've had a lot of other small moments.

I never used to buy into the "you need to crash to find the bikes limits", or "if you're not crashing, you're not pushing hard enough".

I prefered to find the limits at a slightly slower rate and rely on feedback from the bike to let me know when its about to let go. But I have been recently reassessing that philosophy.

So what are your thoughts ?

p.s. This is a bit of a larf really so don't take any of it too seriously.

**yungatart** · 1st July 2010, 07:54

From my point of view as a marshall, I'd prefer if you lot didn't crash...especially at my point!
It makes my job a lot easier.
Keep it up, Deano

**Str8 Jacket** · 1st July 2010, 08:05

It's a hard one.... After no offs for the past 2 years I had prepared myself for a few crashes this season but that was really more because I was planning on learning to move off the bike more and use the brakes less. After having the accident from the seizure last round I am a little hesistant about getting back on my RG and I actually feel a little nervous about getting back out there. I forgot what it was like to have a decent off on the track, it hurts and is a real ego killer!! I am not thinking about giving it up but I don't know if I will actually try and push myself once I get back out there in round 5.

I don't think crashing is an indication that someone sucks so much as how they handle it afterwards and what they learn't from it. I also think that there may be a bit of merit in the old "you never know how far you can push it until you lose it" mantra. Sometimes I think I need a bit of crashing practice anyway, you know just in case!

**Kiwi Graham:Me** · 1st July 2010, 08:22

I think there is three reasons you crash, your fault, bikes fault and someone else's fault.

I guess if your trying something new, the way you know it works or not is if you come out the other side still on your bike!

Two things I know about crashing is.............it's expensive and it takes longer to mend the older you get!

**CHOPPA** · 1st July 2010, 08:36

I think commenting on this subject might give me some bad karma or something hahaha

**codgyoleracer** · 1st July 2010, 08:53

Reference article: :-)

http://www.glenwilliams.co.nz/Articl...CrashorNot.pdf

**Goblin** · 1st July 2010, 08:56

Oh Deano...you've cursed yourself now. I started a thread in the same vein a few years back and it was Motorbob who told me the crashes find you...and they did.

Got taken out first time, then lost the front on turn 2 of the first practice of the day. I wasn't even trying.

Just keep racing and pretend you never started this thread. Hmkay?

**Crasherfromwayback** · 1st July 2010, 09:04

Difficult one Deano. But I always found it hard to know just how hard I could go until I parted company with the bike!

**Trudes** · 1st July 2010, 09:09

Crashing sucks and I try to avoid it...... sucks even more when the only reason you crash is because other people take you out

but tis racing and unless you're prepared to crash at some point you shouldn't be doing it and we could all ride about in our undies. Anyway, like Goblin said, hope this thread hasn't jinxed you, maybe you're just a careful and thoughtful rider, which I think is not a bad thing!

**Qkkid** · 1st July 2010, 09:18

Originally Posted by Kiwi Graham

I think there is three reasons you crash, your fault, bikes fault and someone else's fault.

I guess if your trying something new, the way you know it works or not is if you come out the other side still on your bike!

Two things I know about crashing is.............it's expensive and it takes longer to mend the older you get!

Hang on a minute..............

What about the weathers fault

Pee gravels fault

Diesel on road Fault

**Kiwi Graham:Me** · 1st July 2010, 09:37

Originally Posted by Qkkid

Hang on a minute..............

What about the weathers fault

Pee gravels fault

Diesel on road Fault

All the above are someone else's fault

**Deano** · 1st July 2010, 10:12

Originally Posted by CHOPPA

I think commenting on this subject might give me some bad karma or something hahaha

Originally Posted by Goblin

Oh Deano...you've cursed yourself now. I started a thread in the same vein a few years back and it was Motorbob who told me the crashes find you...and they did.

Got taken out first time, then lost the front on turn 2 of the first practice of the day. I wasn't even trying.

Just keep racing and pretend you never started this thread. Hmkay?

You see I have deliberately tried to jinx myself/tempt fate several times recently in the hope of getting rid of my crash virginity. But it hasn't worked. I'm not superstitious either.

**Quasi** · 1st July 2010, 10:14

Originally Posted by Deano

Oh hang on - I crashed a bucket (AJ's Christine) at the slipway......doing all of about 20kph. Does that count ? "Everyone" crashed Christine.

Oh cripes - thats not the one he is trying to convince me to ride at the slipway this Sunday is it?

**sugilite:Me** · 1st July 2010, 10:22

I'd ask myself, how old are am I, and how well do I bounce? Having a few moments through the average race day tells me I'm close enough, I'm not sure what pushing that extra .05% will teach me. However, when I was younger on dirt bikes I was truly disappointed with myself if I had not at least had one crash per session. After my 1st black top crash, I modified my point of view and still had a few prangs anyway