Is it Inevitable That I'm Going To Have An 'Off' ?

Delvard · Traffic Copper Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Karma :

I passed my car test when I was 17. I'm 39 now owned all kinds of cars and I've never had an accident. Been close no doubt but never been involved in any kind of collison or any kind of RTA.
I passed my DAS test in November. Since then, nearly, not all, but nearly everyone has asked me:
Have you come off it yet?
It unnerves me. Nobody ever asked me this when I passed my car test. I set off for the gym this morning at 8am and the ice covered the cul-de-sac I live in. Thought about it for a moment and set off (carefully) didn't have a problem. Came back after workout ice was still there drove over it, parked up on the drive went in and the missus asked:
Weren't you worried about coming off?
Sad

I replied yeah but I went slowly and it was fine. "Be careful" came the reply. Sad

Why do people assume that you ARE going to come off? Why should I have too? Can't I progress and become a good rider with ability WITHOUT coming off? Are stitches and broken bones a requisite?
I'm starting to think I'll be glad when I DO come off AND survive it Shocked

oh and maybe this emoticon will be involved too Karma

I try and lead a good life Mr. Green

Andy

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A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

White Noise · Mr Dudwee Joined: 17 Dec 2004 Karma :

you can become a good rider without coming off, it just depends about your attitude to riding
i.e what risks you take and where and when you do them
i have come off 4 times and never done and serious damage, the main one i had a whiplash style injury but that was nothing seeing as i was sliding down the tarmac at 120 mph. but this was on a track with nothing to hit
i figure that i haven't hurt myself really badly as on the road i am a fairly safe rider but on the track i like to push it (and get it wrong)
WN

Edit: people always ask as there is the stereotype of bike. you crash/come off and die! Rolling Eyes

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..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

You probably will come off at some point.

It's the unfortunate side of biking. Mistakes in a car can have very little consequence, whereas on a bike a small mistake can have you sliding down the road.

Just make sure you wear full protective gear so if it does happen you've done all you can to protect yourself.

Hopefully you will have years of crash-free biking Thumbs Up

Type_Mo · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Karma :

There was a guy who went 86 years without crashing apparently Razz

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White Noise · Mr Dudwee Joined: 17 Dec 2004 Karma :

freestyler_onli · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Nov 2004 Karma :

They say 'Every biker has a big crash in them. It's whether they get back on or not that determines whether they are a biker or not.'

I had a big 'off' but got back on. However, i cant afford to run a bike due to the money i had to pay to get back to where i was.

Sodding arse! If i dont get a payout, i'll murder this guy. Shocked

Cillit-BANG · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Karma :

Little mistakes in the car go un-noticed, but on the bike they can become a major problem.

Like clipping the curb for example.

There are a lot more things likely to cause you problems than if on 4 wheels.

That said, your road sense should be good from your driving experience.

geordiecbrblo... · Trackday Trickster Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Karma :

syl · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Dec 2005 Karma :

loply · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Karma :

It seems like most bikers have a small (fairly inconsequential) crash at some point.

Bikes are obviouslly a lot easier to crash than cars. Personally Ive had two bike crashes, and I have no lasting injuries.

If you dont get carried away, and you are careful and learn lessons as you go, then I suppose its entirely possible that you wont ever come off your bike.

Most bikers do though, at some point; Its easily done, and usually not important.
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White Noise · Mr Dudwee Joined: 17 Dec 2004 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Wave2k · G's Stalker Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Karma :

A good rider isnt always a fast one. Karma

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dotti · Scooby Slapper Joined: 18 Dec 2004 Karma :

Coming off is not a prerequsite to becoming a good biker, depending on your mentality and reasons for using a motorcycle. However, pain is one hell of a teacher!
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ISLAND GIRL · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Karma :

Reading about this yesterday in this months "Bike" mag. You can be the best rider in the world but still fall off, nothing to be ashamed of, embarrassing yes and I just hope it never happens to me but OH tells me it probably will one day, the article is well worth a read. One poor chap was stuck underneath his bike for 15 minutes before a couple of blokes came along and lifted it off of him, omg Confused

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IronMaiden · Trackday Trickster Joined: 15 Nov 2005 Karma :

The worst is when you come off and spectators laugh at what they see as a hilarious stunt. Laughing

Barney · Spanner Monkey Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Karma :

Delvard · Traffic Copper Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Karma :

Thanks for the great replies. I'm having some Metzler Z6 tyres fitted to the bike this afternoon as both tyres on the bike are pretty shagged now. I just know the fella fitting them will tell me to be careful whilst I scrub them in Mr. Green

I don't resent the kind thoughts or anything but yeah I do feel an arc of tension in my back when I'm told Wink

Andy

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A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

pipnet11 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 17 Sep 2004 Karma :

My view of it is exactly the same as mountain bikes. If I were to ride down normal roads at normal speeds etc I would probably never have an accident (as long as old/chavvy people stay out my way). However, I like going quickly, especially on mountain bikes. So inevitably I am going to crash when I am trying to do something faster, larger, more dangerous than I have before. All comes down to how much risk you want to take with yourself.
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vincecssd · L Plate Warrior Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Karma :

I have been thinking the same recently, I have been riding for almost 2 years now without so much as a scratch, and reading the forum that seems to be somehow unusual in the bike world.
Im not saying im a fantastic rider, as I am a thoroughbred commuter biker and rather cautious generally.

I think that one reason is that it is possible for someone who has never driven/ridden before to take a 1 or 2 week course and find themselves fully licensed to ride a seriously fast piece of machinery. I only learnt to ride a bike after driving for 5 years, it would be interesting to compare accident rates between bikers who only ride bikes, and those who drive cars and have moved into bikes at a later point.

vincecssd · L Plate Warrior Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Karma :

I have been thinking the same recently, I have been riding for almost 2 years now without so much as a scratch, and reading the forum that seems to be somehow unusual in the bike world.
Im not saying im a fantastic rider, as I am a thoroughbred commuter biker and rather cautious generally.

I think that one reason is that it is possible for someone who has never driven/ridden before to take a 1 or 2 week course and find themselves fully licensed to ride a seriously fast piece of machinery. I only learnt to ride a bike after driving for 5 years, it would be interesting to compare accident rates between bikers who only ride bikes, and those who drive cars and have moved into bikes at a later point.

mrchips · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Mar 2004 Karma :

The only time I have "come off" was one day in the ice making a 10mph turn into a driveway, the front came down and it landed on the clutch, so I just had to let the cluch out and away I went. Laughing

Touch wood I've never had a serious accident though.
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