"2 types of riders, those who've crash, and those who will crash..."

[SoarAndEnvision]

I was talking to a coworker today who is a rider of 2 years and into some heavy stuff as far as I'm concerned - wheelies, going VERY fast and other GSXR/R1 related stuff.

He told me this statement and I thought it was interesting inasmuch as I always kind of thought that if you are alert, responsible and quick you can pretty much ride OK. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks!

[kyro2000]

I didn't agree with it until I crashed a couple of year ago, and then I found out the statement is correct.

[D_Klein]

The same could be said about driving your car, but no one ever made a phrase of it because your odds of surviving a car wreck are greater than surviving a motorcycle wreck.

Don't let it intimidate you, but don't forget about it either. It'll help keep the skin on your arse!

[DrBob]

That is an old saying, and not as true as it once was. Accident rates have dropped about 17% in the last 10-15 years thanks to manditory rider instruction. However, about 15% of riders will be involved in an accident (causing at least some damage even if no injuries) this year. The chances of being in an accident are highest in the first 500 miles of bike ownership, peaking again each time a person buys a different bike. And it is fairly rare to find a rider who has not at least dropped their bike in a low-speed or zero speed incident causing little or no damage. Hell, I've had a dozen incidents and accidents over the last 22 years, ranging from it falling over at zero speed to getting rear-ended by a mini-van and spending three weeks in the hospital.

But motorcycles are still a very dangerous mode of transportation, which is the point of that old saying. If you drive the same number of miles on your bike as you do in your car in 2006, you are 36 times more likely to die on your motorcycle than in your car.

[ForbidInjustice]

The odds of crashing on a motourbike are obviously higher than in a cage, since people generally don't respect bikes as much, or at all. How high are the odds of crashing in a cage at least once in your lifetime? Very high; the roads are more dangerous than ever.

Analyse that, and do the math. One conclusion you can draw is that the chances of you, a motourcyclist, "going down" at least once in your riding career are very high.. but that does not make the statement posted above true.. but the originator of that quote [whomever in history it may be] gains satisfaction in being right, because the odds are completely in their favour. But.. if I want someone to try and read my future, I'll call the Psychic Friends Network.

Anyone understand where I'm coming from?


Ride on wind!

[Roaddog]

I rode for 26 years without a crash then had two in less that a year, both were pretty bad and I came close to loosing a foot, if you are going to crash get it over when your young. I think the saying has some truth to it but I'm sure there are many riders who get away with out crashing, I thought I was going to be one of them.

[TechJD]

well I dont like to dispute anyone who has been riding longer than me but
the statics say sence 1990 motorcycle accident have grown consitable (well over double compared to the late 1980's)
enough that the Gov has ordered a new study to try and figure out why


and I heard that statement years ago also
and I beleive it, I think some arent willing to admit they were in an accident sence no-one knows they were and there are no reports to prove them wrong , it's a pride thing

[ForbidInjustice]

Yeah true.. and also depends on what is considered an "accident".. [even though we were taught in the MSF class that there is no such thing as an accident.. as all of them can be prevented in one way or another].

Does dropping my bike in my driveway count? Knocking it completely off the lift stands onto the concrete? Running into my closed garage door [don't ask]? If any of those count, add me to the club!

The odds are stacked against any biker that rides a considerable amount.. but regardless of the high probability, the statement will never be able to be proven 100% true.

Let's all ride safely.

[Scribbles]

Several friends told us that saying well before we started riding. All of those friends have been in motorcycle accidents of some kind. Most were not bad. One friend nearly died, but is back on his feet, and back on a motorcycle seat! All of them recommended that we take the MSF, which we did. We both went down during the classes, and hope (no, we are not holding our breath) that those little crashes will be our only crashes.

I do believe in this saying. The rider may not facilitate the crash, but some things are inevitable.

[Clint]

The statement isn't meant so much as a forcasting of doom as a reminder to always be vigilant. There's certainly a lifetime mileage number where likelyhood of an accident approaches 100%, but I have no idea where that is. Also, there are so many factors that affect your risk that any average statistic doesn't apply to the majority of riders who either fall above or below the number.

Bottom line: anyone who rides thousands of miles a year for a number of years is almost certain to have a mishap. If you don't think so, you're lying to yourself. Whatch it out there.

[jackM50black]

some guys who've been riding a long time have never dumped their bike,... I have dumped mine, once. I think I've learned from it, and I'm never over confident or assume I won't do it again.

[ForbidInjustice]

But it just seems to me to be foreshadowing because it's pessimistic. Not really thoughts you want to have when you're on the road, especially for the folks who take long trips. Yes, be vigilant.. but focus on riding safely, rather than "not crashing". Glass half-full! Keep a positive mind.

Very good points, Clint.

[lil_lissa]

one of the first shops i went to looking at bikes said this to me.

it makes total sense to me... and i can see it on the road.. the people that ride like idiots are obviously the ones who have never crashed before... i know a guy personally who used to ride like that, used to ride with no gear, etc, then crashed the bike into a tree one day (luckily bailed on the bike before that point and got away with a broken foot), and now rides with gear all the time, respects his bike and how he rides...

hindsight is 20/20 right

[Clint]

Originally Posted by jackM50black

some guys who've been riding a long time have never dumped their bike,...

Like, 6 guys? There ain't many.

[texrider]

Originally Posted by SoarAndEnvision

I was talking to a coworker today who is a rider of 2 years and into some heavy stuff as far as I'm concerned - wheelies, going VERY fast and other GSXR/R1 related stuff.

He told me this statement and I thought it was interesting inasmuch as I always kind of thought that if you are alert, responsible and quick you can pretty much ride OK. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks!

Your friend has certainly forcast his own demise, but you and others can learn from what he intends to learn the hard way...

Take it to the track if you want to see what your sport bikes are capable of when pushed to the edge of your skills or it's limits. That way, you may only end up in a haybale rather than under a bus.

[wookie]

You should've asked this question before you jumped into this riding thing.

[Scott58]

My grandfather never crashed, my father never crashed and I haven't either. I also know several riders who use to ride and never crashed either (they are in their 70's and 80's and no longer ride). The truth is not everyone will. As far as increases in accident rates. I'm not sure you need a study to find out that their are not only more riders out there, but also more cars. The more there is the greater the number of accidents. The odds seem to be in that favor, but it doesn't have to be. Stay focused and expect everyone who can do a stupid thing will and ride defensively.

[D_Klein]

Originally Posted by Roaddog

If you are going to crash get it over when your young.

As much as I'd love to, I stopped relying on karma years ago. I think I'd just be wasting my time!

[inspiron]

It depends really how you define a "crash". I've been cut off and dumped a bike in an intersection. I've forgotten to remove a disc lock and dropped a bike. I've been tired and turned without giving enough gas, dropping a bike.

None of these "crashes" has resulted in an injury, so I've never been hurt in a crash. But together, these "crashes" have caused more than $1000 in damage to my bikes. (The first one was the most expensive, and the other guy's insurance paid the repairs).

Clint is right, though. That statement is simply a reminder to keep your eyes open and your thoughts focused. "Daydreaming" while driving a car happens ... and you can recover without any damage. But bikes are much less forgiving...

[Apertureguy]

I'm one of those who considers themselves a very careful rider. I actually sit in traffic with the cages rather then screaming up the shoulder or riding between cars like I've seen guys do on the Interstate. I figure everyone is due a minor mishap...and the trick is to keep it as minimal as possible.

I'm confident I've already had mine. Went for a 170 or so mile ride...when I got to my destination I shut the bike down and got off...forgetting to put down my side stand. I caught her at the last second before anything hit the pavement, but had a heck of a time getting her back up straight.

That was as close as I care to get to crashing. Ever since I keep my head up, eyes open....and generally try to pay attention to my surroundings.