To bin or not to bin?

**mowgli** · 20th May 2008, 19:06

I had a slow day at work today and got thinking about how often I see noobs being told that binning or dropping their ride is inevitable and to get used to the idea. I think this is defeatist and may even increase the chance of it happening.

Consider first the believer in inevitability. In the split seconds as an incident develops part of their psyche has already accepted that this could be the one and at least part of their attention will be diverted to considering where they expect to end up when the worst happens. Your bike will follow your eyes sealing the inevitability of the bin.

Now consider the non-believer. I put it that they are less distracted by the potential negative consequences and are more likely to concentrate on the task at hand and take appropriate actions. Sure they might still stuff it up but on average they are far less likely to bin.

I haven't been riding road bikes for long so 'd be the first to accept that this observation may be simplistic. But what do you think?

**FROSTY:Me** · 20th May 2008, 19:07

NO crash is EVER inevitable.
Simplistic answer but what the hey

**Katman** · 20th May 2008, 19:15

And furthermore, they then come on here and tell us all about it as though they've just completed some sort of 'Rite of Passage'.

**The Stranger:Me** · 20th May 2008, 19:18

Originally Posted by Katman

And furthermore, they then come on here and tell us all about it as though they've just completed some sort of 'Rite of Passage'.

Why not? It is to be celebrated.

**AllanB** · 20th May 2008, 19:21

Read most of the 'I binned it today' posts here and the theme is similar - they go something like.....

I was doing 200 around a 180 degree bend going down Mt Everest when I suddenly lost it - unsure what the reason was but I noticed later that the road was covered in snow.

Most times unless another party is involved are due to way to much speed for the situation/conditions.

**Katman** · 20th May 2008, 19:23

Originally Posted by The Stranger

Why not? It is to be celebrated.

See, now I can tell that that's a pisstake.

However, I don't know that the same can be said for an unfortunately large number of others on this site.

**Blossom** · 20th May 2008, 19:24

ok...being a noob I would like to add another option to the poll.
No. Every effort will be made to avoid binning.

just being anal. I know a few who have never dropped their bikes so I know it can be done.

**Katman** · 20th May 2008, 19:26

Originally Posted by Blossom

ok...being a noob I would like to add another option to the poll.
No. Every effort will be made to avoid binning.

just being anal. I know a few who have never dropped their bikes so I know it can be done.

I think, if you look closely, you'll find that that option is already there.

**Mikkel** · 20th May 2008, 19:29

I for one don't believe in inevitability.

However, unless you are extremely cautious and mature in your approach to riding, a crash sooner or later is very probable.

Caution and maturity seems to be virtues generally shunned by motorcyclists... You do the maths.

Given enough time, shit will happen! If you're lucky you'll walk away in (self)disgust rather than being carried away in pieces.

**Mikkel** · 20th May 2008, 19:31

Originally Posted by Katman

I think, if you look closely, you'll find that that option is already there.

Except that the 'definitely'-part is a bit too optimistic for my taste.

**mowgli** · 20th May 2008, 19:31

Originally Posted by Katman

A tendency among riders is to absolve themselves of responsibility for their own safety. Instead, they blame external factors, such as road surfaces and other drivers, for imposing danger on them. It's very easy, especially when confident of your own skills, to scapegoat exterior variables rather than consider how you could ride more safely.

Hmmmm, too true

**Katman** · 20th May 2008, 19:34

It is the widespread acceptance of the supposed inevitablity of motorcycle accidents that has lead motorcyclists, in the main, to become exactly as stated in my signature.