Motorcycle collision information
Discussion
I, together with several others on here, have an active interest in motorcycling. We know how vulnerable motorcyclists are in the event of a collision. Below is a break down of such an accident for your perusal...
MOTORCYCLE COLLISIONS AND INJURIES
We all know that a small vehicle generally has a significant disadvantage during most accident situations. Lack of mass and compact physical dimensions often account for serious injuries under conditions where had they been in a larger vehicle the injuries would not have been so significant.
What about the poor motorcyclist? He operates in a stream of traffic with hazards far more extreme than those confronting the occupants of a small vehicle. He has minimal structural vehicle protection and often comes into direct physical contact with the opposing vehicle. Unlike the motorist, who is enveloped in the protective shield of his passenger compartment, it is the motorcyclist's body that serves as the energy absorbing structure. His fate so often depends on the nature of the impacted structure and the chance orientation of his body as it strikes the vehicle/object.
Consider then the effects of a 40mph impact into the side of an emerging car.
As the motorcycle contacts the front door of the car the inertia of the front wheel is such that it penetrates 6 inches into the door before, at 15ms (milliseconds), the wheel contacts its engine. The rider starts to slide forwards on the seat. At 25ms the motorcycle frame experiences a deceleration of 39g.
The front wheel continues to crush further into the door of the car and it collapses as the engine starts to penetrate the side plane of the car. At 63ms the maximum penetration reaches 34 inches. The motorcyclist's knees are buried into the side of the car whilst he is still in a seat posture after sliding forward onto the fuel tank. At 55ms his legs sustained a deceleration of 71g.
The pivotal action of the knee contact rotates the rider to a standing position bringing his chest forcibly against the 'A' pillar where, at 80ms, he experiences a deceleration of 109g. The sudden deceleration of the chest flails the head forwards over the top of the car; the helmet strap stretches and at 105ms allows the face to strike the roof at 105g. Following this the helmet latch disengages depriving the rider of head protection during any subsequent collision with the car or road surface.
The motorcycle and rider fall motionless to the road. Total time elapsed: 1.42 seconds.
Think once, think twice, think BIKE!
Street
MOTORCYCLE COLLISIONS AND INJURIES
We all know that a small vehicle generally has a significant disadvantage during most accident situations. Lack of mass and compact physical dimensions often account for serious injuries under conditions where had they been in a larger vehicle the injuries would not have been so significant.
What about the poor motorcyclist? He operates in a stream of traffic with hazards far more extreme than those confronting the occupants of a small vehicle. He has minimal structural vehicle protection and often comes into direct physical contact with the opposing vehicle. Unlike the motorist, who is enveloped in the protective shield of his passenger compartment, it is the motorcyclist's body that serves as the energy absorbing structure. His fate so often depends on the nature of the impacted structure and the chance orientation of his body as it strikes the vehicle/object.
Consider then the effects of a 40mph impact into the side of an emerging car.
As the motorcycle contacts the front door of the car the inertia of the front wheel is such that it penetrates 6 inches into the door before, at 15ms (milliseconds), the wheel contacts its engine. The rider starts to slide forwards on the seat. At 25ms the motorcycle frame experiences a deceleration of 39g.
The front wheel continues to crush further into the door of the car and it collapses as the engine starts to penetrate the side plane of the car. At 63ms the maximum penetration reaches 34 inches. The motorcyclist's knees are buried into the side of the car whilst he is still in a seat posture after sliding forward onto the fuel tank. At 55ms his legs sustained a deceleration of 71g.
The pivotal action of the knee contact rotates the rider to a standing position bringing his chest forcibly against the 'A' pillar where, at 80ms, he experiences a deceleration of 109g. The sudden deceleration of the chest flails the head forwards over the top of the car; the helmet strap stretches and at 105ms allows the face to strike the roof at 105g. Following this the helmet latch disengages depriving the rider of head protection during any subsequent collision with the car or road surface.
The motorcycle and rider fall motionless to the road. Total time elapsed: 1.42 seconds.
Think once, think twice, think BIKE!
Street
Yep and they are out there in abundance - car drivers that are clueless that is.
Still as a biker its your life and you need to protect it - ride defensively and at the right pace for the environment.
I was nicely surprised by the courtesy of car drivers as a mate and I blasted over the hills yesterday. Many moved left and were quite aware of our presence.
Still as a biker its your life and you need to protect it - ride defensively and at the right pace for the environment.
I was nicely surprised by the courtesy of car drivers as a mate and I blasted over the hills yesterday. Many moved left and were quite aware of our presence.
Thats a pretty sobering post Street
I too rarely experience any probs from car drivers - most tend to see me and many move out of the way. Once or twice people have moved to actively block my path while filtering along a stationary dual carriageway, but in that situation i've just stopped and struck up a conversation with the driver of the car/van sat next to me. An Alfa Romeo driver once showed distress at my ability to overtake his shiney penis extension and decided to tailgate me until I managed to overtake the car in front. Other than that ive had a happy 2 months motorbiking
I too rarely experience any probs from car drivers - most tend to see me and many move out of the way. Once or twice people have moved to actively block my path while filtering along a stationary dual carriageway, but in that situation i've just stopped and struck up a conversation with the driver of the car/van sat next to me. An Alfa Romeo driver once showed distress at my ability to overtake his shiney penis extension and decided to tailgate me until I managed to overtake the car in front. Other than that ive had a happy 2 months motorbiking
Glad you're doing ok with the biking game Dave...
Just get out as often as you can and don't run before you can walk...and all that...
I would seriously recommend you now take some advanced tuition...
Read on: 
It will improve your safety and best of all you'll be able to handle your bike better and get more out of it..
Why take the test? - Why should you be interested?
You realise that road and traffic conditions are becoming increasingly complex, and machines and riding requirements are constantly changing. Being a good rider means that you never stop learning. Becoming a better rider involves reviewing and adapting your skills to keep pace with change and ensuring that you get the best out of your bike rather than letting it get the better of you!
Enjoying your riding
You should consider taking the test for all sorts of solid reasons:
Improving your riding skills and becoming an advanced rider will not only make you safer but you'll find that you get more enjoyment when out riding.
Passing the RoSPA advanced riding test will prove and grade your skill, placing you among the best riders in the country.
Do you have the ability?
The simple answer is yes. You will need to know and follow the guidance in the current issues of Motorcycle Roadcraft and The Highway Code. However, you will be unwise to apply for the advanced test unless you have had some additional training. We have a national network of local groups that have trained and experienced tutors willing, free of charge, to offer you assessments, advice and support to prepare you for the test. The group will also provide you with the opportunity to meet other advanced riders and to take part in its social activities.
Preparing for the test
We also have a National Register of RoSPA approved professional advanced motorcycle instructors who will assess your training needs and agree a course tailored to strengthen your skills and prepare you for the test. The list of instructors is available here.
The test
The RoSPA advanced riding test is regarded as the most comprehensive and challenging available to the public. Our examiners are Police Advanced Certificate holders and many are or have been Instructors. They will grade your ride and complete a written report on your performance. A 'RoSPA Gold' is the highest civilian riding standard available and the holder will be a master of his or her art. Bronze and Silver passes are also commendable achievements. You will be able to obtain information about the skills and test standards from the local group, but basically, the examiner will assess your overall ridingperformance, how you respond to what is happening around you and the smoothness with which you use the controls.
Other benefits
Research indicates that advanced riders are 20% less likely to be involved in an accident. Apart from being safer on the road, you can also gain from:
lowering your insurance premiums,
reduced levels of stress,
improved fuel consumption,
less wear and tear on your bike.
And that's not all - often overlooked reasons for taking the test are the challenge, pride, sense of achievement and the confidence to be able to ride your machine to its safe limits. Advanced riding is about safety, skill and enjoyment; it's not about stress and speed.
Street
>> Edited by Streetcop on Sunday 25th July 18:48
Just get out as often as you can and don't run before you can walk...and all that...
I would seriously recommend you now take some advanced tuition...
Read on:
It will improve your safety and best of all you'll be able to handle your bike better and get more out of it..
Why take the test? - Why should you be interested?
You realise that road and traffic conditions are becoming increasingly complex, and machines and riding requirements are constantly changing. Being a good rider means that you never stop learning. Becoming a better rider involves reviewing and adapting your skills to keep pace with change and ensuring that you get the best out of your bike rather than letting it get the better of you!
Enjoying your riding
You should consider taking the test for all sorts of solid reasons:
Improving your riding skills and becoming an advanced rider will not only make you safer but you'll find that you get more enjoyment when out riding.
Passing the RoSPA advanced riding test will prove and grade your skill, placing you among the best riders in the country.
Do you have the ability?
The simple answer is yes. You will need to know and follow the guidance in the current issues of Motorcycle Roadcraft and The Highway Code. However, you will be unwise to apply for the advanced test unless you have had some additional training. We have a national network of local groups that have trained and experienced tutors willing, free of charge, to offer you assessments, advice and support to prepare you for the test. The group will also provide you with the opportunity to meet other advanced riders and to take part in its social activities.
Preparing for the test
We also have a National Register of RoSPA approved professional advanced motorcycle instructors who will assess your training needs and agree a course tailored to strengthen your skills and prepare you for the test. The list of instructors is available here.
The test
The RoSPA advanced riding test is regarded as the most comprehensive and challenging available to the public. Our examiners are Police Advanced Certificate holders and many are or have been Instructors. They will grade your ride and complete a written report on your performance. A 'RoSPA Gold' is the highest civilian riding standard available and the holder will be a master of his or her art. Bronze and Silver passes are also commendable achievements. You will be able to obtain information about the skills and test standards from the local group, but basically, the examiner will assess your overall ridingperformance, how you respond to what is happening around you and the smoothness with which you use the controls.
Other benefits
Research indicates that advanced riders are 20% less likely to be involved in an accident. Apart from being safer on the road, you can also gain from:
lowering your insurance premiums,
reduced levels of stress,
improved fuel consumption,
less wear and tear on your bike.
And that's not all - often overlooked reasons for taking the test are the challenge, pride, sense of achievement and the confidence to be able to ride your machine to its safe limits. Advanced riding is about safety, skill and enjoyment; it's not about stress and speed.
Street
>> Edited by Streetcop on Sunday 25th July 18:48
Thanks mate. Ive been out with 2 different IAM guys as well as many experienced bikers - all have said im a good bike rider for someone whos just passed - thats obviously very different to 'a good bike rider'! All have also said im a safe rider.
Ive been out on the bike almost every day, but have had a weeks rest, with another week to come - I stupidly agreed not to ride for two weeks as the family are on holiday and all are very anti bike - I knew they'd be too busy wondering if I was still alive to enjoy their hols so said Id use the car for a fortnight. Im wishing I hadnt now - the damn suns come out!
Ive got a full IAM course booked but TBH i didnt like the style of riding i was taught on my IAM observer session. There were lots of good points but a couple i didnt agree with -
a)road positioning. Im all for positioning for a better view around the corner, but my IAM guy was right in the damn gutter (where all the gravel and dead animals and stuff tend to lay!) on right hand bends and sometimes over the white line on left handers.
b)I saw his brake lights twice over the course of a nigh on 100mile ride. This was when traffic lights suddenly changed from green to amber. He used engine braking instead. The upshot of this was that i had to anticipate when he was going to brake, otherwise id have been constantly gaining on him. I agree with the logic, and use engine braking a lot myself, but i also tend to brush the rear brake pedal, just to let the numpty behind me know that im slowing, otherwise im at risk of being rear ended IMHO. Many people just dont plan ahead - they react to brake lights ahead but will just barrel on into me if they dont see a brake light?!
c)Roundabouts. If the guy was going left, he'd indicate left but position himself to the far right of the left hand lane, or even in the right hand lane itself - presumably for a better view, but hes blatantly risking some numpty shooting up his inside, someone who could potentially be going straight on and who will probably turn him into road pizza the moment he cuts across the front.
Now maybe he was riding like this as he KNEW there were no cars about to rear end him or cut him up - but its not a style i enjoyed, so ive taken on board bits of it (like the engine braking and road positioning) while ignoring the bits i dont feel comfortable with - you may think this to be arrogance on my part, but its really not that i think i know best, more that i feel very vulnerable when deploying certain aspects of the methods i was taught.
Anyway, loving biking - looking to sell the Bandit in the next few months and get a YZF600 Thundercat - not having a fairing is doing my nut in! lol
What area are you based in mate? Id quite like to do one of those police ride training things, and if i can combine it with meeting a fellow PHer then all the better! Ive also had, for some time, the strange nagging urge to apply to the Police force, so I could pick your brains too! LOL.
Thanks for the advice mate.
Dave
Ive been out on the bike almost every day, but have had a weeks rest, with another week to come - I stupidly agreed not to ride for two weeks as the family are on holiday and all are very anti bike - I knew they'd be too busy wondering if I was still alive to enjoy their hols so said Id use the car for a fortnight. Im wishing I hadnt now - the damn suns come out!
Ive got a full IAM course booked but TBH i didnt like the style of riding i was taught on my IAM observer session. There were lots of good points but a couple i didnt agree with -
a)road positioning. Im all for positioning for a better view around the corner, but my IAM guy was right in the damn gutter (where all the gravel and dead animals and stuff tend to lay!) on right hand bends and sometimes over the white line on left handers.
b)I saw his brake lights twice over the course of a nigh on 100mile ride. This was when traffic lights suddenly changed from green to amber. He used engine braking instead. The upshot of this was that i had to anticipate when he was going to brake, otherwise id have been constantly gaining on him. I agree with the logic, and use engine braking a lot myself, but i also tend to brush the rear brake pedal, just to let the numpty behind me know that im slowing, otherwise im at risk of being rear ended IMHO. Many people just dont plan ahead - they react to brake lights ahead but will just barrel on into me if they dont see a brake light?!
c)Roundabouts. If the guy was going left, he'd indicate left but position himself to the far right of the left hand lane, or even in the right hand lane itself - presumably for a better view, but hes blatantly risking some numpty shooting up his inside, someone who could potentially be going straight on and who will probably turn him into road pizza the moment he cuts across the front.
Now maybe he was riding like this as he KNEW there were no cars about to rear end him or cut him up - but its not a style i enjoyed, so ive taken on board bits of it (like the engine braking and road positioning) while ignoring the bits i dont feel comfortable with - you may think this to be arrogance on my part, but its really not that i think i know best, more that i feel very vulnerable when deploying certain aspects of the methods i was taught.
Anyway, loving biking - looking to sell the Bandit in the next few months and get a YZF600 Thundercat - not having a fairing is doing my nut in! lol
What area are you based in mate? Id quite like to do one of those police ride training things, and if i can combine it with meeting a fellow PHer then all the better! Ive also had, for some time, the strange nagging urge to apply to the Police force, so I could pick your brains too! LOL.
Thanks for the advice mate.
Dave
Just to add : Thanks for the edit of your post. Ill look into the ROSPA training - I do feel that you can never have enough training - it potentially gives you the opportunity to learn from mistakes that you havent made yet - and in turn avoid the painful consequences of making those mistakes for real!
Mad Dave said:
a)road positioning. Im all for positioning for a better view around the corner, but my IAM guy was right in the damn gutter (where all the gravel and dead animals and stuff tend to lay!) on right hand bends and sometimes over the white line on left handers.
c)Roundabouts. If the guy was going left, he'd indicate left but position himself to the far right of the left hand lane, or even in the right hand lane itself - presumably for a better view, but hes blatantly risking some numpty shooting up his inside, someone who could potentially be going straight on and who will probably turn him into road pizza the moment he cuts across the front.
On right handers is best practise to be as far over to the left as possible. However, you mustn't sacrifice safety for position. I woundn't be further over than the first double yellow line for example because of both gravel and the chances of 'contact' with the kerb or verge.
As for left handers, nothing wrong with being over the white lines, so long as it's not a solid white line of course, and so long as you aren't in danger of colliding with oncoming vehicles or when a offside junction is present.
mad dave said:Nice bike the Thundercat...should do everything you want with enough power and comfort. Keep it clean through the winter and it'll serve you well. I ride a blackbird nowadays and love the machine.
Anyway, loving biking - looking to sell the Bandit in the next few months and get a YZF600 Thundercat - not having a fairing is doing my nut in! lol
mad dave said:
What area are you based in mate? Id quite like to do one of those police ride training things, and if i can combine it with meeting a fellow PHer then all the better! Ive also had, for some time, the strange nagging urge to apply to the Police force, so I could pick your brains too! LOL.
email me and we'll chat off line, so as not to bore everyone else
Street
Lovely bikes the Blackbird - a mate of mines got one and he blitzed past me like I was stopped - and i was nudging three figures.
I agree about not sacrificing safety - his flourescent jacket was almost brushing the hedge at times! Being on an unfaired, quite light bike, I tend to get blown around a bit. Plus im 6'2 so my body acts a bit like a sail! LOL. For this reason I like to keep a little safety buffer - e.g i generally ride 2 thirds of the way across my lane, towards the white lines, but if the wind gets up, ill move to the centre of my lane in order to give me a buffer in case I get blown either way. Ill drop you an email mate.
Dave
I agree about not sacrificing safety - his flourescent jacket was almost brushing the hedge at times! Being on an unfaired, quite light bike, I tend to get blown around a bit. Plus im 6'2 so my body acts a bit like a sail! LOL. For this reason I like to keep a little safety buffer - e.g i generally ride 2 thirds of the way across my lane, towards the white lines, but if the wind gets up, ill move to the centre of my lane in order to give me a buffer in case I get blown either way. Ill drop you an email mate.
Dave
Very very useful Post that Streetcop.
Personally, I have found riding defensively with good observation/anticipation/positioning has kept me ( so far ) out of trouble. I too find that most drivers are quite happy to move over to the left to let me pass, and I always thank them. Yes and Iv'e had the filter blockers as well but thankfully they are few and far between. I want to take some kind out advanced training as it can only improve my riding. P.S. Is that a photo of your actual bike?
I've got a blue and gold Fireblade, but eventually want a Blackbird as my missus doesn't like the rear perch.
Personally, I have found riding defensively with good observation/anticipation/positioning has kept me ( so far ) out of trouble. I too find that most drivers are quite happy to move over to the left to let me pass, and I always thank them. Yes and Iv'e had the filter blockers as well but thankfully they are few and far between. I want to take some kind out advanced training as it can only improve my riding. P.S. Is that a photo of your actual bike?
I've got a blue and gold Fireblade, but eventually want a Blackbird as my missus doesn't like the rear perch.
Hi Blademan,
No that's just an example picture. The bike in the picture is the new matt black. Mine's black, but the normal paint black.
As for advanced training, the IAM is the best option. ROSPA is good but the certificate only last for a couple of years and needs to be renewed. Not a bad idea, but I can't help thinking it's to make money and not for actual safety reasons. Afterall, your IAM lasts forever, but you can take refresher courses whenever you like.
There is a big difference between IAM car groups and bike groups. The car groups (IMHO) are very old manish, with string back driving gloves (for extra 'purchase' on the wheel according to Alan Partridge). The bike groups are more interesting and let their hair down a bit...
Street
No that's just an example picture. The bike in the picture is the new matt black. Mine's black, but the normal paint black.
As for advanced training, the IAM is the best option. ROSPA is good but the certificate only last for a couple of years and needs to be renewed. Not a bad idea, but I can't help thinking it's to make money and not for actual safety reasons. Afterall, your IAM lasts forever, but you can take refresher courses whenever you like.
There is a big difference between IAM car groups and bike groups. The car groups (IMHO) are very old manish, with string back driving gloves (for extra 'purchase' on the wheel according to Alan Partridge). The bike groups are more interesting and let their hair down a bit...
Street
I've just done the BikeSafe course with North Wales Police. AT £80 for two days it's well worth it.
The first morning in spent going through the theory of positioning etc and in the afternoon you go out on an observed ride with a Rospa gold instructor, either one to one or two to one. You stop regularly to discuss any problem areas and I learnt a hell of a lot!
The first half of day two we had a talk from the Chief Inspector in charch of road policing in North Wales, who explained their policies etc, accompanied by photos of bike accidents. Most people come off on left hand bends with no other vehicles involved, and not necessarily over the speed limit!
He is anti camera and thinks that too much emphasis is being put on speed reduction. Unfortunately, his boss doesn't quite see it like that (Mr Brunstrom)! In fact, most of the observers were of the same opinion about too much attention being given to speeding.
This was followed by a talk from a vehicle technician who spoke about setting up suspension, tyres etc and a paramedic who explained what to do if one of your mates comes off!
The afternoon is again an observed ride with a different observer.
I would recommend this course to anyone. As they say, it is a taster for further advancement, and they suggest that you go on to do the Rospa or IAM advanced test, after some further training.
Courses are being run all over the country, and quite a few people do one every year as a refresher after a winter lay up.
Definately worth a go.
I have never seen so many Pans in one place!
The first morning in spent going through the theory of positioning etc and in the afternoon you go out on an observed ride with a Rospa gold instructor, either one to one or two to one. You stop regularly to discuss any problem areas and I learnt a hell of a lot!
The first half of day two we had a talk from the Chief Inspector in charch of road policing in North Wales, who explained their policies etc, accompanied by photos of bike accidents. Most people come off on left hand bends with no other vehicles involved, and not necessarily over the speed limit!
He is anti camera and thinks that too much emphasis is being put on speed reduction. Unfortunately, his boss doesn't quite see it like that (Mr Brunstrom)! In fact, most of the observers were of the same opinion about too much attention being given to speeding.
This was followed by a talk from a vehicle technician who spoke about setting up suspension, tyres etc and a paramedic who explained what to do if one of your mates comes off!
The afternoon is again an observed ride with a different observer.
I would recommend this course to anyone. As they say, it is a taster for further advancement, and they suggest that you go on to do the Rospa or IAM advanced test, after some further training.
Courses are being run all over the country, and quite a few people do one every year as a refresher after a winter lay up.
Definately worth a go.
I have never seen so many Pans in one place!
Broccers said:
Hope you have better luck buying a decent bike than you have cars mate 
Seriously badly maintained bikes will kill you where a dog of a Coroder and MR2 will only damage your pocket. Stay safe you and Street.
LOL! I bought ONE shed of a car, and im never going to live it down!
My MR2 was immaculate and never missed a beat. 
Well done on passing your test BTW Broccers.
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