If you have not crashed: What does it mean???

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by SteveP

I've had a couple drops at <1mph and a scary off road excursion a few weeks ago. I'm a very conservative street rider. When I see a turn the first thing I'm thinking is where is the dirt, gaurd rail, decreasing radius, etc.

Oh I'm not saying that I've never crashed or had close calls! Fuck, I drive like an idiot most of the time and deserve to crash! I'm lucky to make it home without crashing almost everyday. I'm saying that IF I didn't ride that way and/or if I owned a Rebel, I'm pretty sure that my chances of a single vehicle crash would be almost nil and my chances of any crash would be GREATLY reduced, if not eliminated at my skill/experience level.

[pauldun170]

I'm on my second set of fairings....that's all I have to say.

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by pauldun170

I'm on my second set of fairings....that's all I have to say.

I don't know how long you've been riding but do you mean to say that it's impossible for anyone, to ride as long as you have on any bike, anywhere in the world without having crashed? Just because you fucked up doesn't mean that everyone will.

[pauldun170]

Originally Posted by TIGGER

I don't know how long you've been riding but do you mean to say that it's impossible for anyone, to ride as long as you have on any bike, anywhere in the world without having crashed? Just because you fucked up doesn't mean that everyone will.

No hidden meaning. Just stating that I'm on my second set (indicating that the last set slid on the concrete against my will) and that is all I'm saying on this topic.

I shall say no more on this jinx happy topic.

[Mr Lefty]

I think it's a combination of luck (cause no ammount of skill is gonna save you from someone pulling out, cutting you off, or a deer in a blind corner)

and skill... to avoid those circumstances that arise where you have the opportunity to avoid them.

the ratio of Skill to Luck changes from person to person. some it's 90% luck... others 90% skill...

but I think it's always a mixture of both.

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by eBBs15

I think it's a combination of luck (cause no ammount of skill is gonna save you from someone pulling out, cutting you off, or a deer in a blind corner)

and skill... to avoid those circumstances that arise where you have the opportunity to avoid them.

the ratio of Skill to Luck changes from person to person. some it's 90% luck... others 90% skill...

but I think it's always a mixture of both.

I can agree that probability can be a factor but I don't see it as a finite commodity that once exhausted, you crash...

I've had a few accidents myself, and in every case I could have avoided the circumstances or modified my behavior and not have crashed.

[Tmall]

Originally Posted by TIGGER

I can agree that probability can be a factor but I don't see it as a finite commodity that once exhausted, you crash...

I've had a few accidents myself, and in every case I could have avoided the circumstances or modified my behavior and not have crashed.

But with your reasoning, just riding your bike makes it your fault. If you'd have not ridden, you wouldn't have wrecked on those days.

[HurricaneHeather]

I believe in the 2 types of riders thing.

Reason being: NOT that we are all doomed from the second we put up the kickstand. BUT that being realistic about what could happen on a bike makes it a whole lot easier to deal with when it DOES happen..

Maybe you go for 40 years without a sigle incident, but I would never want to be in a place where I think I can't crash because of skill/experience/whatever.

The first thing that crossed my mind when I got hit, 'well, shit happens' No panic, just you knew this could happen when you put up the kickstand.

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by Tmall

But with your reasoning, just riding your bike makes it your fault. If you'd have not ridden, you wouldn't have wrecked on those days.

Oh no you don't! I said that I could have avoided the circumstances which means riding my bike, at that time, in that location, in the reckless manner I was riding. If I had modified those factors, I could have avoided my crashes. I'm not saying "avoid riding period".

Examples;

1. 1998 deer crash
a. I was riding at dusk
b. doing 80+ in a 45
c. out in the country

2. 2001 rear ended on the way to Blessing of the bikes
a. was leading a large pack of sport bikes
b. doing well over 100 mph
c. passing a large group of slower moving Harleys
d. went back over to the right without checking mirror and nitwit was passing me on one wheel.

3. 2007 high side
a. was doped up on pain killers
b. low temperature
c. didn't let my tires warm up properly
d. caught a manhole cover in a corner that I didn't notice

I could go on but my point is I could have avoided all of these accidents with better judgment/behavior.

You go out riding and a meteor hits you-unavoidable.

You go riding after being told there's a meteor shower coming and you are hit by one-judgment and completely avoidable.

[skiergirl]

IDK, my personal opinion is that yes I have laid the bike down but that I have not crashed it. Some might think them the same I do not and that's ok...it's all good...