Racing crashes

[Goblin]

With my recent spectating at race meetings, I have noticed that when people crash, a few have mentioned that this is a good thing and the only way to really learn is to fall off a few times. So how true is this?

As an experienced road rider(22 years) I havn't had an off for just over 11 years(touch wood!). The last one was not my fault but all the others were from pushing it beyond my skill level. Now I am planning on having a go at racing I fear a bin will put an end to my racing before it even begins. I personally feel that to do well you are better to NOT fall off.

I would appreciate hearing opinions from experienced racers and your thoughts on crashing.

[svs]

personally I'd prefer it if I never fell off. However I think you've got to realise that when you are pushing yourself and a bike in a race, it's inevitable that things will go wrong occasionally. You'll either go too fast, or otherwise mess something up. Then you crash.

If you're prepared for it, it makes you a bit more relaxed about the whole racing thing and it's not a big deal when you do fall off. If you worry about crashing all the time, then you're probably not going as fast as you could.

You've just got to trust yourself, the bike, the track and other riders. Sometimes that trust is a bit misplaced

[tomthepohm]

Yea crashing makes you a much better rider. ermmm

[k14]

I would appreciate hearing opinions from experienced racers and your thoughts on crashing.

Yep, crashing is just part of the sport. I like to think I'm not scared of crashing but its more the $$$ signs that are floating away from the bike as its tumbling down the track that is a bigger deterurrent.

With my old pos bike I didn't give a crap if I crashed. Now with my new shiny bike I am really paranoid about crashing and screwing up the nice paint job. I know its inevitable but here's hoping it won't be for a while.

[Coyote]

Crashes have prevented me from learning

[Kickaha]

It hurts and you break shit

[Goblin]

Yep, crashing is just part of the sport. I like to think I'm not scared of crashing but its more the $$$ signs that are floating away from the bike as its tumbling down the track that is a bigger deterrent.

With my old pos bike I didn't give a crap if I crashed. Now with my new shiny bike I am really paranoid about crashing and screwing up the nice paint job. I know its inevitable but here's hoping it won't be for a while.

Thanks svs and k14.....I do feel prepared for a bin physically. I feel quite safe and well protected with all the right gear on but like you k14, it's the financial bit that worries me.

[Korea]

I think you pretty much said it all in the first post...
Don't ride above your skill level ~ that means don't go charging the turns trying to be 'fast' and basically scaring yourself.

I think Keith Code said in Twist 2 that you can make the most progress by riding at 70-80% of your personal limit and improve from there. Anything over that and SR's (survival reactions) will kick in and make you do something you'll regret.

Great to hear you're going racing ~ I hope to follow soon!

[Two Smoker]

Most of it has been said already... Crashing sucks, and it costs lots of money... But when you ride a bike on its limits all the time, being a fraction on the throttle too soon can chuck you into a high side... It is possible though to push hard without crashing and learning the limits... For instance the front can start to push when you on the edge of the tyre or braking to hard in the turn, or the rear will slide when you apply too much throttle to soon...

Its all part of learning... Best thing to do, go out, go hard, come back in, look at your tyres, see your chicken strips, and go out again and learn abot futher... Get reference points whilst out there... Like my knee is still hitting the fairings and track at the same time...

But for the racing your doing, go out there and have fun, and you will naturally push it harder when you get red rage and are trying to pass someone...

[RT527]

Yea crashing makes you a much better rider. ermmm

Or look at it the other way.....It could make you better at crashing!!!!? Just a thought

[Goblin]

Most of it has been said already... Crashing sucks, and it costs lots of money...

But for the racing your doing, go out there and have fun, and you will naturally push it harder when you get red rage and are trying to pass someone...

Cheers TS. Yeah the plan is to go & have fun. I have wanted to race for too long now and find myself getting more competitive on the road which is not a good thing. About time I took it to the track.

Thanks Korea. I now have a copy of Twist 2, thanks to Road Rash Will start reading it tonight. I'm going to try not to put pressure on myself to be fast but build up over time. I wont have the luxury of tyre warmers etc. or even a pit crew but it's going to be a shitload of fun! All the best to you in starting racing too. Hope to see you some day.

I hear you Kickaha! I just dont wanna go there...again!

RT527.... I never want to be good at crashing. I'll leave that for the Muppet Team.

[GSVR]

Get reference points whilst out there... Like my knee is still hitting the fairings and track at the same time...

Thats how you know you've lowsided I guess.

[FROSTY:Me]

You DO NOT need to crash.Given ya bikes in good nick youll find by focussing on beating the track,beating yourself you will both improve and have fun. --

[bladez]

crashed at manfeild and broke collerbone lesson for me dont ride manfeild
i think an off does help as then you know your limit and how far you can push it.

[Goblin]

crashed at manfeild and broke collerbone lesson for me dont ride manfeild

That's gotta hurt Hope ya get back on Manfeild and show it who's boss!

You DO NOT need to crash.Given ya bikes in good nick youll find by focussing on beating the track,beating yourself you will both improve and have fun. --

Cheers FROSTY