First Off – Chalk up another statistic

[Caphel]

Sadly I am now another statistic. I have only had my license for three months and had my first off today. Completely my fault, no other parties involved.

I was going right at a round about and was going reasonably quickly round it. As I was coming around I spotted some nasty looking loose gravel on the outer lane which I was headed for. Seeing as I had now spotted it and was looking at it I guess I was heading for it even more.

Instead of trying to tighten the turn I stood the bike up a little and then tried to lean it back in after the gravel. That was a mistake. I managed to get past most of the gravel fine and then I tried to lean the bike back in. All was ok for a little bit and then the back wheel spun a bit and then caught which stood the bike right up. I stayed on but was now upright and heading towards the kerb.

Up the kerb I went and it was only a short ride across some grass and then the bike went down, I came off and the bike landed in a ditch. How much of a cliché is that. New rider puts himself in a ditch.

Got up and dusted myself off. I felt fine at the time, apart from my right knee which has a small graze and possibly some small bruising. I looked into the ditch to see my poor bike lying there. It was looking up at me and asking, “What did I ever do to you to deserve this?”.

I then had to pull the bike out of the ditch and get it upright by myself. It was a bit of a struggle but I managed it. Some damage was immediately obvious, like the back right indicator missing, the front right indicator hanging off, a bent rear brake pedal and half of the front brake lever missing.

I checked that the brakes were still working and that the steering looked ok and then decided it looked in a good enough state to ride it home nice and easy.

I will need to take the bike to someone to have a look at to see what needs fixing, it looks like there are quite a lot of little things that have been broken. I also want to make sure there is nothing wrong with the steering / forks.

I am still fine, though starting to feel a little sore and stiff in places, though I guess this is to be expected. I guess I should count myself lucky, but I sure feel pretty annoyed with myself right now.

[woolley]

Yeah it is annoying but dont feel too bad mate, i didnt even last that long.
In fact, i have just finished rebuilding my bike this afternoon, after coming out a lot worse than what your saying (Having broken my arm and swapping nigh on everything bar frame, loom and forks).
Just take it in your stride, learn from it, and dont let it put you off. Afterall, everyone has an off at some time or another.

Woolley

[anthony_r6]

At least no one else was involved, and no insurance companies need to be spoke too. You have learned a lesson and it will make you a better rider. I've come off 3times now, all without involving any other vehicles (if you don't count the cars that had to wait for me to move the bike out the road!) But they all came together a couple of months ago. I feel now I know a lot more about the bike and how it handles, limits etc.
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Ted : "Maybe he's agoraphobic."
Dougal : "Jack scared of fighting? I don't think so, Ted."

[Rogerborg]

>>> Spill counter <<<
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[mistergixer]

[Pie-Roe]

Firstly, sorry on crashing, but getting out the way early is best, now you know it hurts when riding sensibly, it will stop you being the new ghostrider.

Everytime I crash and ride home, or even repair and ride, the bike feels funny, but in reality it's probably you thinking every little thing you were accustomed to just being part of the ride being some hideous deformation of the headstock/forks/frame from a 25mph slide into nothing. A good check is to go along at around 30mph and let go of the steering looking directly at the headstock, (make sure you don't crash again!) and everything should be lovely and straight. Wobbling, bar to bar slapping action or excessive vibes are bad.

Pyro
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[Caphel]

Thanks all. I was obviously very lucky yesterday. This morning I am feeling pretty darn good. Still pretty annoyed with myself, but not really sore in the slightest.

The extent of my injuries seem to be a graze about the size of a penny and a bruise a bit bigger than a 50 pence piece. I also have some sore muscles, but I am not sure if this is from the off or from having to pull my bike out of the ditch.

[Mehty]

Glad to hear your alright mate, I had a bit of a tumble a week or so ago - Fairly similar to yours actually! I was aching all over, with only a graze on my knee just over the size of a 50p! Oh, and with the missing indicator situation!

I also checked my bike over and rode it home. You should have been able to tell if anything mechanical was majorly wrong from that short journey... It would be cheaper and probably quicker to find someone breaking the same bike as you (what bike btw) and get the parts cheap to replace! Not only do you learn about the bike, but my god it's alot cheaper! (If i had ordered my - Rear mudguard/plate holder, F/R Indicator, head light and clock enclosure from Yamaha it would have come close to £200, got everything in perfect nick off a breaker for £60 inc next day postage )

As others have said, you'l learn from the experience i know i did when i came off! Still scared of tight right hand bends, but my general riding and corners have improved!
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2007 YBR 125 (sold), 2011 ER6-N (sold), LHD 1999 GSX750F (sold), ??????