Crashes

[KATWYN]

Reading some threads about motorcycle crashes
made me wonder about when the actual crash happens, what hurts
the most at the time for some people, Pride or the injury for some?

Cos it just seems at the time of a crash it is never ok, but when some people discuss it afterwards, it comes with a bit of bravado.. the comment someone made on a thread saying you "aren't a real motorcyclist till you have had a crash" :confused2 that sort of comment really bothers me.

It seems when some people discuss Motorcycle crashes, it is a bit like the fisherman and the catch of the day stories.

[Hitcher]

Reading some threads about motorcycle crashes
made me wonder about when the actual crash happens, what hurts
the most at the time for some people, Pride or the injury ?

Cos it just seems at the time of a crash it is never ok, but when some people discuss it afterwards, it comes with a bit of bravado...(ie) the comment someone made on a thread saying you "aren't a real motorcyclist till you have had a crash" :confused2 that sort of comment really bothers me.

It seems when some people discuss Motorcycle crashes, it is a bit like the fisherman and the catch of the day stories.

It depends -- how fast, how far, what you were wearing, what you may have hit, if anybody else hit you (including significant others on your return home), how hard it hurt your wallet... and then there's that pride thing. Did anybody else witness this? Was it spectacular and worthy of legend status or is it something not to be spoken of again?

Best advice?? Stay upright!

[riffer]

Every crash I've ever had has hurt physically at the time AND made me feel like an egg.

And they've ALL been my fault.

Luckily, I've had bugger all crashes.

[wkid_one]

Reading some threads about motorcycle crashes
made me wonder about when the actual crash happens, what hurts
the most at the time for some people, Pride or the injury ?

Cos it just seems at the time of a crash it is never ok, but when some people discuss it afterwards, it comes with a bit of bravado.. the comment someone made on a thread saying you "aren't a real motorcyclist till you have had a crash" :confused2 that sort of comment really bothers me.

It seems when some people discuss Motorcycle crashes, it is a bit like the fisherman and the catch of the day stories.

The fact of the matter is - statistically you are likely to have an accident.

My first accident - hurt like F&*k, second one was worse...third one was only bumps and bruises, but mainly to my bonce and alreay damaged shoulder.

However - I knew I would fall off.......but it didn't make it hurt less.

Most of the time - the pain starts well AFTER the accident. Even with my dislocated shoulder I managed to get my gloves and helmet off and get my phone......wonderful thing shock and adrenaline.....

Falling off is a natural part of learning - of course you can ride by never falling off - imho however I don't think you are pushing hard enuf, BUT that is personal choice - not a necessity to enjoy riding, it just was for me.

Now - I have been trail riding - I have already fallen off more times that I did on the road - and nothing dented but pride

[Jackrat]

Yeah my old man used to come up with that,your not a real rider if you never come off crap.In the crowd I hang with if you come off you cop such a bagging it's best to keep your mouth shut.I know a guy whos nick name is Crash,His presence on a ride is not all that welcome.Which kind'a says it all huh!!

[James Deuce]

I've fallen off twice on the race track and both times my hips (both sides - how does that happen?) copped a beating. Nothing broken though because all the bikes are going in the same direction and there's lots more runoff (even if it doesn't look like it) on the track. And you can plan more for where you are going to stop.

All my road accidents have involved breaks (either to myself or my passenger) of some sort, due to fetching up against a hard surface. As wkid says it doesn't hurt straight away. Heuristically speaking I reckon if it hurts straight away it ain't that bad, but if you are writhing in agony 30 minutes later you're in trouble.

[franco]

I've had about 4 crashes in my time riding with no serious injuries except to my pride. They were mostly within the first 12 months of me learning to ride a bike, about 15 years ago, and every incident I've had involved cornering.

When I first got back into biking after a few years off it (5 yrs ago now) I had one wee spill in the Rimatakas. Basically took a corner too hot. I think I developed a fear of cornering as a result - not good for a motorcyclist aye ?!

Shortly after that, I had the opportunity to go on a Stay Upright track day session in Manfield. My bike theory, practical handling and awareness skills, particularly with cornering, improved what felt like 300%. I'm no racer, but to this day I now look forward to getting into twisty backroads, rather than fear them. Yeah.

[Lou Girardin]

It usually doesn't hurt when you hit, it's a few minutes later that you feel it.
Lou

[KATWYN]

The fact of the matter is - statistically you are likely to have an accident.

My first accident - hurt like F&*k, second one was worse...third one was only bumps and bruises, but mainly to my bonce and alreay damaged shoulder.

However - I knew I would fall off.......but it didn't make it hurt less.

Most of the time - the pain starts well AFTER the accident. Even with my dislocated shoulder I managed to get my gloves and helmet off and get my phone......wonderful thing shock and adrenaline.....

Falling off is a natural part of learning - of course you can ride by never falling off - imho however I don't think you are pushing hard enuf, BUT that is personal choice - not a necessity to enjoy riding, it just was for me.

Now - I have been trail riding - I have already fallen off more times that I did on the road - and nothing dented but pride

Yea I did a lot of falling off on my off road motorcycle (prior to getting into
road riding) and it is not nice...It can be scary...I wondered sometimes why I was doing it in the first place, but kept at it cos I love it. But the thought off coming off on the road is REALLY a rather daunting thought and one that I would like to say i've never done by the time I get to the end of my motorcycling career (when i'm old and grey) statistics or not!

[Yamahamaman]

Hi KATWYN. Just a little tounge in cheek here, but if you are riding in or around Auckland, you may find yourself 'grey' long before you are 'old'. It appears to be happening to me....

[Motu]

Big ones are like being mauled by a tiger - no pain,but you are aware that something bad is happening.It goes down on a scale from there,you feel the injuries happening and know it's going to hurt soon,then small ones where it hurts right now!

None are nice - stay away.

[KATWYN]

Hi KATWYN. Just a little tounge in cheek here, but if you are riding in or around Auckland, you may find yourself 'grey' long before you are 'old'. It appears to be happening to me....

How do you like your (faster red) 2001 yzrf6? I think it the most awesome bike to ride and to look at. The other day I had someone say to me what is your dream bike? I replied pointing - that one over there parked in the garage ! I feel lucky to own one (blue)

The only improvements to the 2001 look I reakon...is having twin exhausts up underneath the seat and the little gap in the front to be complete like the R1.

[750Y]

no-one likes to crash, but it's a fact of life if you are pushing hard or riding past your limit or just a crap rider like myself. Yeah yeah we could all stay within our comfort zone & be smug about others going down(eg 'crash' ...JR), anyone can do that if they choose. hell, an R6 is a race bike with a number plate (i know I've owned one a few years back). they are purpose built for going hard. you could buy one & tootle round but then you shouldn't be on an R6 pretending in the first place. going down sux but you learn from mistakes and can move forward if you're serious & honest about your roadcraft. I like hearing crash stories, helps to keep it real & reminds me why i try hard to improve & stay safe while enjoying the reasons i ride.

[wkid_one]

Interesting thought tho.....in all the sports and pasttimes I have taken part in (quite a few) I have seldom injured myself whilst in competition. The vast majority of accidents occur when practising and/or mucking around........this has actually been studied in general terms by ACC.

The principal reason....is mindset - no matter how much you try.....most people don't concentrate as much when practising/mucking around - and errors are more likely to occur.

Same goes with riding - many riders don't fall off when going hard - because they are concentrating at their utmost......a lot of accidents happen when you are tootling around enjoying yourself......

In saying that, if you are anything like I was and you like seeing how far something will go before it breaks.....then yes, you will most likely fall off. I always said three accidents would be my lot.......

If you get fixated on crashing - you will crash
If you become blase - you will likely crash
If your confidence>capacity you will likely crash

You only have to look at the motorcycle and the factors that can contribute to a crash to realise - riding is a constant endeavour to minimise hazards - that is part of the fun - the risk

My thoughts anyway........

[KATWYN]

no-one likes to crash, but it's a fact of life if you are pushing hard or riding past your limit or just a crap rider like myself. Yeah yeah we could all stay within our comfort zone & be smug about others going down(eg 'crash' ...JR), anyone can do that if they choose. hell, an R6 is a race bike with a number plate (i know I've owned one a few years back). they are purpose built for going hard. you could buy one & tootle round but then you shouldn't be on an R6 pretending in the first place. going down sux but you learn from mistakes and can move forward if you're serious & honest about your roadcraft. I like hearing crash stories, helps to keep it real & reminds me why i try hard to improve & stay safe while enjoying the reasons i ride.

Hey 750y I like to push the limits on the track,where you are supposed to.
Not on the road where there are moving cage dwellers like you coming the
other way. Why don't you own an R6 now? does it make you uncomfortable that a girl rides an R6 (how could that be), so you have to put me down?

p.s i'm not smug about bike accidents by any means. but I think people that
say dumb things about their accidents will never learn and give other motorcyclists a bad name. we pay horrendous ACC levies cos of this sort of person. Accidents happen thats why they are called accidents, but show offs are just a pain in the butt