wind and broken bones

**wendy** · 9th April 2006, 07:42

hey all

I had my first broken bone last saturday. I fractured my (L) clavicle.

It wasnt as painful as i though it would be but it just aches all the time.
the radiologist was a biker and was telling me about his falls he was pretty cool and told me not to give up.

i was traveling on the hwy and a car 2 cars up stopped pretty fast to turn into a road, so the car in front stopped quickly and i applied both brakes but i turned the handle bars. i flew over the handlebars and landed in the ditch, got a mild concusion too.

boyfriend was following in his car and another couple helped (they where bikers too). smashed the back of the bike but its only the fairing and taillights and the plastic in the speedo broke and the L mirror.

got a temp taillight and no rear fairing on now.

rode it yesterday for the first time since the accident my confidence was a bit low but i was fine until 20mins from home the wind was knocking me about it got pretty scary so i stopped and a couple (bikers) with a dirtbike and trailer stopped and asked if i needed help, they put my bike on the trailer and drove me home.

any advice for riding in windy conditions?

im glad bikers are helping bikers

: , the first time i came off and broke some of the bike it was a biker who stopped and helped me too.

ive had 3 accidents since getting my L's 2 months ago. 1 was just dropping the bike.
am i a really bad rider? got friends who have come off that many times but in a few years and iv done it in only 2 months.

have many others here come off many times especially when on L's?

**paturoa** · 9th April 2006, 08:20

I voted 5 for on road offs, but I've had hundreds of off road offs.

I just googled "motorcycle training school" for nz sites and it came back with 34 responses. Might be the go.

**Kendog** · 9th April 2006, 08:44

I have found riding in the wind (and riding in general) is a confidence thing. The more you ride in the wind the easier it gets and yesterday was damn windy.

Just take it easy, pick the days to go for a ride if you can and see if you can come out on some of the KB rides. There are pleant of friendly people here.

**APPLE** · 9th April 2006, 08:45

Hey wendy firstly, welcome from me 2 you to ''KB...as a learner way back wen,i came off my rgv,went wide on a right hand sweepa up on 2 the grass and lost it altogether slid for ages thru the fence into a paddock,2nd bin,easter last year,cumming in to warlkworth,took my eyes off the 4wd in front of me,turned back and he had stopped?shhhhhiiiiitttttt.....wipe out or write off'' rather.luckily no broken bones.thank god for leathers.....

**inlinefour** · 9th April 2006, 08:54

Im sitting here typing with my left hand only as I have a fractured right clavical. First broken bone ever after flipping a quad down 90 mile beach

edit: i see there are alot of squids here perhaps? I guessed 30 including offroad, might be more...

**Ixion** · 9th April 2006, 09:20

Firstly, as to coming off.

Crashing is always bad. You should never accept crashing as "something that's going to happen". Because if it does happen, you may die, and it does NOT have to happen. There are riders on here who have been riding for 10,20,30,40 years and never crashed , and many more who have only one crash in that time.

But crashes at this early stage of your rding experience DO NOT mean you are a "bad rider". What they mean is that you are a learner rider. Which you already know, right.

Slow down (plenty of time later to work up speed, at this stage you are better to go slow and get the riding techniques sorted) , and consider a defensive driving course and or a riding course. Almost all crashes are avoidable if you know what to do and what to look for.

Are there any experienced riders you can ride with ? I see you are in Australia so KB rides are no help, but are there local clubs you could ride with. Time spent riding with an experienced rider is a great help to a learner - not just for technique but for confidence too . Just be careful that the experienced rider realises you are a learner and does not start showing off.

As to wind. It is far more scarey than dangerous. I have only ever heard of one person actually coming off because of wind and that was a lightweight chick on a very lightweight bike.

Just relax, leave your hands loose on the bars, keep engine revs well up and keep your speed up. Don't freak out if the wind makes you swerve around a bit, you should have a whole lane to move in. The wind WILL blow you around a bit but it will NOT blow you off.

Do not be disheartened, the learning process on a motorcycle is one all riders go through. Just take it easy, and slow down.

**Maha** · 9th April 2006, 09:31

I voted none, didnt want to vote and hex my clean record , felt a bit like when you say '' B-B-Q tonight? '' and it piss's down......

I have dropped it tho', getting off thinking the side stand is down when its not, um done that twice...........

**Sniper** · 9th April 2006, 09:39

Bugger to hear about the off. In my experience, only riding in wind can give you the skills and confidence to do it over and over. I used to livve in Blenheim which being in a valley, you used to get really odd winds, but after the first couple of offs, you get used to riding.

All the best for the healing...

**OMG** · 9th April 2006, 09:41

Roadsafe teaches very good riding skills, emergency braking etc. For anyone in Wellington I definately recommend checking them out to improve. I've never crashed (had a few moments when I've been lucky), but had a real scare with wind (damn baked beans

). I was going over the Rimutakas, pushing fairly hard, had just set-up to go round a corner, was leaning the bike in, when a big gust of wind blew me upright - you can't turn a corner if your not leaning over. This left me heading straight for a solid rock bank. Fortunately at that instant the words of Andrew (from Roadsafe) flashed through my head (which was basically, if you get into trouble and there is nothing you can do, try to ride through the situation - if you're unlucky, you crash (but you were going to do that anyway), if you're lucky you get through), so in that instant, rather than trying to grab a whole lot of brakes (which I'm sure would have resulted in me going straight into the bank), I threw myself as hard as I could back into the corner - and here I am, still no crashes.

Take care out there

**OMG** · 9th April 2006, 09:43

Originally Posted by paturoa

I voted 5 for on road offs, but I've had hundreds of off road offs.

Isn't that why they call it "off" road

**Goblin** · 9th April 2006, 09:50

All my bins(maybe 8) have been entirely my fault except two. Mostly been going too hot into a corner & just lost it. My worst crash was when a dozy old prick turned right infront of me & hit me head on(no indicating or anything) Wrote my bike off. Knocked me unconcious, broke my left wrist and I was bruised from head to toe. there was no time to think...I dont even remember the impact. But it taught me that every one is out to get you and you HAVE to keep scanning EVERYWHERE! Even the traffic coming towards you. You also have to keep an eye on traffic a few cars ahead so if they do anything silly you have time to think and react. All my "Own stupid fault" bins had no injury.

Now riding in strong gusty winds is fun for me. I actually enjoy the challenge and love to feel the bike leaned over while going in a straight line. You just have to relax a bit. Practice is the only way.

As long as you learn something from each bin and you dont get too hurt, you are doing OK. I think the L period is where most have bins....although it was so long ago I dont even remember having a learners licence.

Welcome to KB and I hope you find some useful information here.

Edit: The 8 were all road. Never counted the times I fell off a dirtbike...possibly 50.

**Goblin** · 9th April 2006, 09:58

Originally Posted by Ixion

Firstly, as to coming off.

Crashing is always bad. You should never accept crashing as "something that's going to happen". Because if it does happen, you may die, and it does NOT have to happen. There are riders on here who have been riding for 10,20,30,40 years and never crashed , and many more who have only one crash in that time.

But crashes at this early stage of your rding experience DO NOT mean you are a "bad rider". What they mean is that you are a learner rider. Which you already know, right.

Well I just read this AFTER posting my reply and you are right on the money...AGAIN! Crashing is BAD! It hurts and is not good for you bike, and you can die.

**crazyxr250rider** · 9th April 2006, 11:44

I crap off nearly every weekend but not high speed pole slammers, just the old stuck half way up a rutted hill drop the bike and skidd to the bottom on your ass type

I only have had one bad crash on the XR.......

**MSTRS:Me** · 9th April 2006, 16:38

Originally Posted by Goblin

Now riding in strong gusty winds .... I ..... love to feel the bike leaned over while going in a straight line. You just have to relax a bit. Practice is the only way.

I think most of us were taught or learned that you lean into the wind. I now know that this is not the best way. What you are effectively doing is cornering except the wind is preventing the turn....when a sheltered section is arrived at (usually a hedgerow etc and suddenly) then the turn is initiated. Then you need to straighten up. Then you come out from behind the shelter and away to leeward you go until you can do the lean correction again. Extreme scenario I know, but illustrates what happens in a fair sort of crosswind.
Now....what I recently learned (after 35 years on and off riding) was to get my body off the side to windward but keep the bike upright. This works on the big ol' Gixxer with it's fairings & weight AND on my lad's little 250 Spada (naked & fairly light). The bodyweight to windward provides the same resistance to being blown off the road BUT does not upset the trim when a sheltered spot comes upon you. Altogether more predictable & stable. Try it - I think you will be amazed.
And a big welcome to Wendy. Best advice is.....Relax & let things flow

**yungatart** · 9th April 2006, 17:27

MSTRS is right but if you don't feel comfortable hanging your arse off the seat, just move your shoulders and upper chest off to the side - and relax....keep your hands relaxed on the handlebars. Practice makes perfect... and welcome to the site BTW