Is crashing the only way to become a better racer?

[Keystone19]

I have crashed three times on the track - twice while racing - both of those while pushing the limits, and as a result, going over those limits.

I would prefer not to crash and don't believe that if you race you have to crash.

However, I have always learnt something from each crash. Among other things - don't crash! Also, to find out why I crashed and don't do it again!

So, if something good can be said about crashing, then it is that if you learn from it (as the others above have said) then there will be some benefit from it.

[FROSTY:Me]

It looks to me theres two ways of getting to go fast on the track--two extremes. The slow n steady way -every meeting improving by seconds and fractions of a second -or the rossi style --pushing the limits early on --crashing a lot but usually getting to go really darn fast just BEFORE they crash then going slow for awhile after the crash.
Personally I prefer method 1---mainly because i know how much it bloody hurts to crash--both body and wallet

[Squeak the Rat]

I don't race bikes, so please forgive my observation however obtuse it may seem. I use to applied the "if you dont crash your not learning" theory to mountain biking. I have had to sell my bike because I've had too many head injuries.

[Sketchy_Racer]

Lots of track time and small, methodical increments. Ivan has it sorted.
The official (long) version is in Keith Code's book(s). I've seen the evidence in several young riders recently achieving outstanding riding success, with crash rates around one per 10 meetings. It can be done. I have also seen riders who, for maybe as long as a year, seem to show no promising form. Then, after a few years of plugging away become very, very good. I hope this helps.
I look forward to seeing Rg 100 down south for about 10 club meetings thru the year. Expensive, but the only safe way. Time in the saddle

Now, This i agree with 100%

I wouldnt accept a crash a meeting as 'learning' a crash a meeting means you are out riding yourself.

even a crash every 5 meetings.

(for the record )since mooving from buckets, i have had only 1 crash out of the 12 meetings i have raced at. and the crash was aided by a siezing engine mid turn.

Thanks for the insight Pete.

Oh, and i dunno about me coming down south 10 times... I can only afford to come down once....

-Glen

[Ivan]

Yip I have had a good succes rate on the 125,


Nationals I ran off 3 times all were trying but no dropping,
its about not panicing when you can have bike upright brake hard then release the brakes before you hit the grass or you will lock your front wheel and crash

I am known to be like that tho I dont learn the hard way all I learn is that it hurts and then loose confidence for a while.


I am known for trying myself learning my own limits then asking experienced riders there advice and combine it with myne to get faster,


I like to ride a bike so that I am constantly in control not holding onto it with all my body to keep the thing upright but I am known for dragging my knee alot

Its my riding style if I change it I will go slower,


I am struggling at the mommnt with suspension and it feels like I am riding a bucking bull when I am trying to crank throttle hard to pass the guy in front

[kiwicam]

just to show that crashing is always there no matter how far up the motorcycle racing tree you climb...and sad as it may be they are fun to watch sometimes

[JayRacer37]

crashing a lot but usually getting to go really darn fast just BEFORE they crash then going slow for awhile after the crash.

No, after a crash you don't slow down. Why would you? You have had a fall, and if you can explain, understand, and analyse WHY it happened, WHAT you did to influnce it, and what YOU will change to avoid it again, you SHOULD go faster, cause now you don;t have the 'what will happen here and now' feeling.
Case in point: PR1 Puke, PB 59.4, crash
PR2 puke, PB 59.2, consistanly, moments ion the same place that I was ready for, and a faster speed.

[oyster]

Jay, Squeak the Rat has given you the answer. Please consider how excited so many riders are about the emergence of new young talent, and you are certainly amongst this group. We are all looking forward to seeing your bright career unfold. Jay, eventually a run of low or no injury / bike damage crashes will run out. Then it will bite, and hard. That's when you really slow down. Please do us all a favour and take crashing out of the "required to learn" equation.

Sincerely, I've seen it this before, Oyster

[Ivan]

Its that full noise high side and end up being shocked, THebodyis not designed for hard impacts the risk is there the hard crash may come, It wont be like no other low side


I know of at least 3 riders who retired from racing because they were involved in that crash at Manfield.
There mind is not there with it they have slowed down the body is shocked when the mind is not there you shouldnt be on track.

Now I know alot of other guys are back out there again and fast and I take my hat off to them good on you guys.


But one of my friends he ended up not being able to work all day his headwas injured so bad

I dont think crashing is the way to become a fast rider I thinkriding and learning is the correct way,


No I am not as fast as you Jay and I will admit to that but I have crashed and seen nasty crashes and learnt nothing from them except it hurts

[JayRacer37]

take crashing out of the "required to learn" equation.

Sincerely, I've seen it this before, Oyster

I have never said "crashing is needed to learn". Pushing the limits is needed to understand them, and advance them. Occasionally, when doing this, falls will happen. I'm not talking jumping of once a session, once a day, once a series even. And it's deifnitly NOT a case of, "if you don't crash, your not going fast enough". I'm not advocating crashing on a regular basis at all, just that when you do crash, cause occasinally you will, that is all but inevitable, LEARN something from it. take something away from it, ponder it, and IMPROVE.

[jade]

Wow Jay, that is the best profile pic ive seen here..
your rep preceeds you

[BigG]

Every body falls off sometime, when you push the limits of the bike and yourself, you get better the more you practice and race, you cant come to to much grief on the track, allthough my boy had a massif head injury and was in Hospital for 18 months, mind you that was doing MotorX. Keep riding hard you dont make it unless you got the guts and determination.

[FROSTY:Me]

Jay I think you're missing my point-- from what Ive seen --ie what I have personally observed over the years there seem to be two types of learning curves
one is a slow steady improvement the other is a jerky series of steps upwards --as the limit is passed and they crash and loose a bit of confidence then regain confidence and start going faster again
Some people seem to be able to pick themselves up from a crash and carry on just as fast --but from what Ive seen they are rare

[Shaun]

No, after a crash you don't slow down. Why would you? You have had a fall, and if you can explain, understand, and analyse WHY it happened, WHAT you did to influnce it, and what YOU will change to avoid it again, you SHOULD go faster, cause now you don;t have the 'what will happen here and now' feeling.
Case in point: PR1 Puke, PB 59.4, crash
PR2 puke, PB 59.2, consistanly, moments ion the same place that I was ready for, and a faster speed.

This is the attitude of a rider who will become a world class rider.

Crashing, though not needed, is a part of the game if you want to be fast.

Us oldies, and riders that are not going to be very very fast will slow down after crashes

[White trash]

Wow Jay, that is the best profile pic ive seen here..
your rep preceeds you

WTF?? That's gay! He's gonna get his leathers soaked! What a clown......