It's not that unsafe surely?
Discussion
Hi all. Can't say I frequent this forum too much as I don't own a bike, just pop in every now and again to get a little bit of that friendly biker atmosphere! 
Anyways, I am seriously considering taking my test this summer, especially with the new regs coming into force next year. One of the things that is making wonder if it's worth it though is exactly how safe are you out on the road? (I'm not a big girl's blouse before you say it! keep reading.
)
All the bikers I talk to, not one of them can say that they haven't had a fairly major crash in their time on a bike. Now obviously the circumstances are all different and I know the throttle works both ways as the saying goes, but I think most crashes involving bikers tend to have a car involved somewhere along the line. So what has been your experience? Am I likely to stay safe as long as I don't ride like a tw@t or am I gonna get nerfed at some point in my riding career?
Anyways, I am seriously considering taking my test this summer, especially with the new regs coming into force next year. One of the things that is making wonder if it's worth it though is exactly how safe are you out on the road? (I'm not a big girl's blouse before you say it! keep reading.
) All the bikers I talk to, not one of them can say that they haven't had a fairly major crash in their time on a bike. Now obviously the circumstances are all different and I know the throttle works both ways as the saying goes, but I think most crashes involving bikers tend to have a car involved somewhere along the line. So what has been your experience? Am I likely to stay safe as long as I don't ride like a tw@t or am I gonna get nerfed at some point in my riding career?
You can guarantee that something, sometime will happen whether it has something to do with you or not.
Starting out with the right attitude will help, training before and after your test (saves learning the hard way) also wearing the correct riding gear is a good idea.
Not meant to put you off but like everything, there are two sides to it.
By the way I do have a great time on mine.
Starting out with the right attitude will help, training before and after your test (saves learning the hard way) also wearing the correct riding gear is a good idea.
Not meant to put you off but like everything, there are two sides to it.
By the way I do have a great time on mine.
As long as you don't ride like a t
t you can be certain any crash you have won't be your fault. My only crash in 20k on a bike was me being hit on a roundabout whilst stationary, it did break my wrist though and write the bike off.
Providing you wear the right gear, as i was at the time, you should get away with not a lot of damage.
I think it would be foolish to say you'll never have a crash on a bike though.
t you can be certain any crash you have won't be your fault. My only crash in 20k on a bike was me being hit on a roundabout whilst stationary, it did break my wrist though and write the bike off. Providing you wear the right gear, as i was at the time, you should get away with not a lot of damage.
I think it would be foolish to say you'll never have a crash on a bike though.
Edited by Silent1 on Sunday 8th April 23:32
Silent1 said:
As long as you don't ride like a tt you can be certain any crash you have won't be your fault.
t you can be certain any crash you have won't be your fault.I beg to differ. Though you can minimise the risk there are far too many variables of road, traffic and weather condition to come up with a generic statement like that. Misreading a tightening radius bend can see you through a stone wall at 40mph, a speed which might have seemed ok on the approach and was not indicative of riding in an aggressive manner (like a t
t).The training is second to none...the instructers make a fine job of instilling defensive riding ...basically assuming every driver is blind and has not seen you ..which is sometimes the case....The UK`s roads do need a sharper eye looking for potholes,loose gravel/grit etc, frustration when the sunny weather refuses to play ball on a Sunday afternoon ... all part of the fun....you soon get used to what to expect & what you can get away with....In my experience it`s best to leave the more spirited riding to the trackdays....
gRsf12 said:
Silent1 said:
As long as you don't ride like a tt you can be certain any crash you have won't be your fault.
t you can be certain any crash you have won't be your fault.I beg to differ. Though you can minimise the risk there are far too many variables of road, traffic and weather condition to come up with a generic statement like that. Misreading a tightening radius bend can see you through a stone wall at 40mph, a speed which might have seemed ok on the approach and was not indicative of riding in an aggressive manner (like a t
t).On looking again i can see what you mean and maybe it would've been better to say, as long as you don't ride like a t
t you'll be less likely to put yourself into a compromising situationAs above and I believe the most bike deaths are when a ride loses control on a bend 
I read in Ride (so it must be true
) that the classic is to arrive too fast at a left hand bend, panic, sit the bike up and exit stage right into an oncoming car.
Since I'm at cliche corner, I'll also say "There are bold riders and there are old riders, but there aren't any old bold riders"
So all in all, your safety is in your own hands - trouble is that once you get on a 600 or similar the horns come out
I read in Ride (so it must be true
) that the classic is to arrive too fast at a left hand bend, panic, sit the bike up and exit stage right into an oncoming car. Since I'm at cliche corner, I'll also say "There are bold riders and there are old riders, but there aren't any old bold riders"
So all in all, your safety is in your own hands - trouble is that once you get on a 600 or similar the horns come out
Both of my "offs" have been when entering a corner too fast. I panicked, hit the brakes and went straight on. I was extremely lucky there was nothing solid to hit on the first one, and that there was nothing coming the other way on the second. Only had one near mis sice (touching head)so I think I've learnt something. I get 90% of my corners "wrong" but I get out at the other end still smiling, so I'm happy.
Commuting on mine will end in tears, I'm sure. Partly cause I've got so familiar with the raods I ride too fast, and partly cause all the wallies on the roads. However, treat everyone like a tosser, and it'll help.
I keep telling myself that if I come off again, i'll be sliding it down the road...that way at least I ran out of grip, not nerves cause I'd have saved at least one of the off's that way!
Commuting on mine will end in tears, I'm sure. Partly cause I've got so familiar with the raods I ride too fast, and partly cause all the wallies on the roads. However, treat everyone like a tosser, and it'll help.
I keep telling myself that if I come off again, i'll be sliding it down the road...that way at least I ran out of grip, not nerves cause I'd have saved at least one of the off's that way!
chilli said:
Both of my "offs" have been when entering a corner too fast. I panicked, hit the brakes and went straight on. I was extremely lucky there was nothing solid to hit on the first one, and that there was nothing coming the other way on the second. Only had one near mis sice (touching head)so I think I've learnt something. I get 90% of my corners "wrong" but I get out at the other end still smiling, so I'm happy.
Commuting on mine will end in tears, I'm sure. Partly cause I've got so familiar with the raods I ride too fast, and partly cause all the wallies on the roads. However, treat everyone like a tosser, and it'll help.
I keep telling myself that if I come off again, i'll be sliding it down the road...that way at least I ran out of grip, not nerves cause I'd have saved at least one of the off's that way!
Commuting on mine will end in tears, I'm sure. Partly cause I've got so familiar with the raods I ride too fast, and partly cause all the wallies on the roads. However, treat everyone like a tosser, and it'll help.
I keep telling myself that if I come off again, i'll be sliding it down the road...that way at least I ran out of grip, not nerves cause I'd have saved at least one of the off's that way!
I had a near miss the other day - riding at night, came to a long straight that I know well and thought i'd see what the GSXR1000 (on loan) could do - well I looked down at the clocks and saw 165mph - when I looked up again I was approaching a right hand bend that I usually comfortable take at about 125mph, and I was doing 165! I jumped on the brakes for a second before realising it was just going to put me in a tree so I had to get off the brakes and just leeeeeeeean, still doing in excess of 150mph. Got round though, and the bike didn't complain at all!
Mad Dave said:
chilli said:
Both of my "offs" have been when entering a corner too fast. I panicked, hit the brakes and went straight on. I was extremely lucky there was nothing solid to hit on the first one, and that there was nothing coming the other way on the second. Only had one near mis sice (touching head)so I think I've learnt something. I get 90% of my corners "wrong" but I get out at the other end still smiling, so I'm happy.
Commuting on mine will end in tears, I'm sure. Partly cause I've got so familiar with the raods I ride too fast, and partly cause all the wallies on the roads. However, treat everyone like a tosser, and it'll help.
I keep telling myself that if I come off again, i'll be sliding it down the road...that way at least I ran out of grip, not nerves cause I'd have saved at least one of the off's that way!
Commuting on mine will end in tears, I'm sure. Partly cause I've got so familiar with the raods I ride too fast, and partly cause all the wallies on the roads. However, treat everyone like a tosser, and it'll help.
I keep telling myself that if I come off again, i'll be sliding it down the road...that way at least I ran out of grip, not nerves cause I'd have saved at least one of the off's that way!
I had a near miss the other day - riding at night, came to a long straight that I know well and thought i'd see what the GSXR1000 (on loan) could do - well I looked down at the clocks and saw 165mph - when I looked up again I was approaching a right hand bend that I usually comfortable take at about 125mph, and I was doing 165! I jumped on the brakes for a second before realising it was just going to put me in a tree so I had to get off the brakes and just leeeeeeeean, still doing in excess of 150mph. Got round though, and the bike didn't complain at all!
Bloody hell man...... Just goes to show you haven't been trying hard enough before!!!
Raises the old heart rate a bit eh??!! Still it shows you have the experience to think about your options, and "unlock the freeze". Tis half the battle with cornering for me. Hopefullt Califorian Superbike's will sort that out.
Cheers.
Mad Dave said:
chilli said:
Both of my "offs" have been when entering a corner too fast. I panicked, hit the brakes and went straight on. I was extremely lucky there was nothing solid to hit on the first one, and that there was nothing coming the other way on the second. Only had one near mis sice (touching head)so I think I've learnt something. I get 90% of my corners "wrong" but I get out at the other end still smiling, so I'm happy.
Commuting on mine will end in tears, I'm sure. Partly cause I've got so familiar with the raods I ride too fast, and partly cause all the wallies on the roads. However, treat everyone like a tosser, and it'll help.
I keep telling myself that if I come off again, i'll be sliding it down the road...that way at least I ran out of grip, not nerves cause I'd have saved at least one of the off's that way!
Commuting on mine will end in tears, I'm sure. Partly cause I've got so familiar with the raods I ride too fast, and partly cause all the wallies on the roads. However, treat everyone like a tosser, and it'll help.
I keep telling myself that if I come off again, i'll be sliding it down the road...that way at least I ran out of grip, not nerves cause I'd have saved at least one of the off's that way!
I had a near miss the other day - riding at night, came to a long straight that I know well and thought i'd see what the GSXR1000 (on loan) could do - well I looked down at the clocks and saw 165mph - when I looked up again I was approaching a right hand bend that I usually comfortable take at about 125mph, and I was doing 165! I jumped on the brakes for a second before realising it was just going to put me in a tree so I had to get off the brakes and just leeeeeeeean, still doing in excess of 150mph. Got round though, and the bike didn't complain at all!
Well done mate !! That's how it should be done...
Rawwr said:
When you start telling people that you're learning to ride (or if you tell people that you do ride), everyone I've ever told has always said the same thing to me:
"I know someone that died on a motorbike."
"I know someone that died on a motorbike."
I can do better than that. I got "There used to be 6 guys in my street with motorbikes, they're all dead now"
I usually now retaliate with "A guy I used to know was hit by a bus while crossing the street. He's dead. Whatever you do, don't go outside!"
When I was learning my instructor opened the first class with the immortal lines:-
"So, you want to learn to ride? Before we start you have to accept that at some point during your riding life you WILL have an accident. And you may get hurt badly or even killed. If you cannot accept that then you shouldn't be here. So, who's going to stay?"
Seemed a little dramatic at the time, but I think he has a point. You can only allow for so many things when out on the road but if you show it respect it deserves then you should be ok. Take it slowly, accept that you will be clueless when you first start riding on your own, and gradually build your skills and knowledge. I hate people that talk about how great they are because they have X years riding experience, but now I have been riding for a while I have to accept that experience does play a BIG part.
"So, you want to learn to ride? Before we start you have to accept that at some point during your riding life you WILL have an accident. And you may get hurt badly or even killed. If you cannot accept that then you shouldn't be here. So, who's going to stay?"
Seemed a little dramatic at the time, but I think he has a point. You can only allow for so many things when out on the road but if you show it respect it deserves then you should be ok. Take it slowly, accept that you will be clueless when you first start riding on your own, and gradually build your skills and knowledge. I hate people that talk about how great they are because they have X years riding experience, but now I have been riding for a while I have to accept that experience does play a BIG part.
chilli said:
Mad Dave said:
chilli said:
Both of my "offs" have been when entering a corner too fast. I panicked, hit the brakes and went straight on. I was extremely lucky there was nothing solid to hit on the first one, and that there was nothing coming the other way on the second. Only had one near mis sice (touching head)so I think I've learnt something. I get 90% of my corners "wrong" but I get out at the other end still smiling, so I'm happy.
Commuting on mine will end in tears, I'm sure. Partly cause I've got so familiar with the raods I ride too fast, and partly cause all the wallies on the roads. However, treat everyone like a tosser, and it'll help.
I keep telling myself that if I come off again, i'll be sliding it down the road...that way at least I ran out of grip, not nerves cause I'd have saved at least one of the off's that way!
Commuting on mine will end in tears, I'm sure. Partly cause I've got so familiar with the raods I ride too fast, and partly cause all the wallies on the roads. However, treat everyone like a tosser, and it'll help.
I keep telling myself that if I come off again, i'll be sliding it down the road...that way at least I ran out of grip, not nerves cause I'd have saved at least one of the off's that way!
I had a near miss the other day - riding at night, came to a long straight that I know well and thought i'd see what the GSXR1000 (on loan) could do - well I looked down at the clocks and saw 165mph - when I looked up again I was approaching a right hand bend that I usually comfortable take at about 125mph, and I was doing 165! I jumped on the brakes for a second before realising it was just going to put me in a tree so I had to get off the brakes and just leeeeeeeean, still doing in excess of 150mph. Got round though, and the bike didn't complain at all!
Bloody hell man...... Just goes to show you haven't been trying hard enough before!!!
Raises the old heart rate a bit eh??!! Still it shows you have the experience to think about your options, and "unlock the freeze". Tis half the battle with cornering for me. Hopefullt Califorian Superbike's will sort that out.
Cheers.
Bloody silly to have got myself in that situation in the first place though eh! I hadn't ridden in the dark in ages and I just forgot how quickly things appear in the dark compared to in daylight! LOL. It took every bit of willpower I could summon to get off the brakes and lean - every instinct I had wanted me to stay on the brakes. Scary stuff. I tend to be a pretty fast road rider (according to other people's observations) and I can honestly say I've never had a fright like it - I usually manage to accurately judge how much speed I can carry without scarying myself, but this time I really did think "Shit, this could really be it for me". I really was that close to the bend, and when you ride at >150mph quite regularly, you forget just HOW MUCH ground you cover every second, and how much distance you cover even when on the brakes. All that speed is nice and friendly until you suddenly need to shed it - then it can get a bit sketchy. LOL.
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