Bikers who have gone down...aka crashed

[WackyDan]

Accident #1 - Minor. Suzuki 450GS-TL Spring time in Central NY, pulling into neighborhood I caught some sand left over from winter sanding and salting. Bike high sided. Wasn't going fast at all. Bent a few things on the bike, and had an egg of sorts on my shin. I was wearing leather jacket, gloves, and jeans. Maybe had a couple thousand miles at that point.

Accident #2 - Summer time.. 1986 Yamaha Fazer. Accelerating through 65-70 MPH to get ahead of a pack of traffic from a light on a four lane. Nowhere near red line, engine throws a rod. Blows a hole through the bottom and top of engine casing and head. I have hot oil splashed out onto my leg, and metal bits stuck into my jeans. Rode it out and had to jump off at end - rear tire was locked up with the wet clutch and once the case ran out of oil, that tire started grabbing. Jumped off, and body never hit the road. Was wearing my leather jacket, jeans, boots, and gloves. Went down right in front of Harley dealer. How embarrassing. Had minor burns on my leg from the oil and some scratches from the metal cutting into my leg. Had about 12k miles experience at that point.

Accident #3 - Same 86 Yamaha Fazer with newly sourced motor. Came home after 3 weeks of vacation and wanted to charge the bike up with a ride. The day was one of the hottest that summer in South Carolina so I didn't wear any gear except my helmet. Jean shorts, no gloves... sneakers. On a freshly paved mountain road, in slow rush hour traffic, I entered a progressive turn and caught some loose pavement pebbles in the middle of the road. As I leaned her over at about 35 MPH ( That was the speed limit ironically ) and the turn grew tighter, I caught that gravel and lost the rear end until she high sided and off I went. I had road rash over just about every part of my body and went into shock. My helmet also had road rash - it was a non-helmet law state FYI. Taken by Ambulance to hospital. Note: If I had worn my jacket, gloves, full jeans, and my boots, I wouldn't have needed an ambulance ride at all. I think my knee still would have been banged up from impact though. Lesson learned. Had about 50k miles of riding various bikes at that point.

The thing with #3 was... It was a road I knew intimately. It was rush hour traffic on a single lane road... I couldn't have been speeding if I tried. The two variables were simply that it was freshly paved and had loose pavement nuggets on the road, and I felt it was too hot to wear my gear.

I now always wear my gloves, jacket, boots, and jeans. Jeans aren't perfect protection, but compared to the guys I see riding in flipflops/sandles and shorts... It is a big improvement.

 

[soccerballtux]

Need I remind you of FBB?

what happened to him?

 

[theApp]

Plenty of silly little incidents with dirt bikes like looping them and such, only one major street crash.

I was around the 2 1/2 year mark with probably 18k miles so I felt pretty confident. Took a switchback turn a bit too fast and highsided. I was wearing full leathers, boots, jacket, gloves, helmet, back protector. I shattered the right side of my pelvis when I landed on it after doing my best superman impression. I also had some minor knee damage, but nothing broken there. If I hadn't of had the leathers on, it would of sucked a lot more than it did. As it was I had no rash and you couldn't even tell anything was wrong except that my right leg was...pushed inward a bit.

 

[djnsmith7]

I'll tell the story later...it's full of irony though.

 

[DietDrThunder]

Riding my Honda 650 XLR (dirt/street bike and not necessarilly a good combination, too big for the dirt, not good for riding on the street).

I misjudged and hit the whoop-d-doo's (don't know what they call them now, but that's what we called them in the early 1980's) wrong. The back tire hit the top of one, bounced my backside so far off the seat I was doing a handstand while gripping the handlebar and throttle. It was such a strange sensation, legs straight up in the air, head above the handlebars looking down at the bike while being upside down. Then I panached and squeezed the brake. I went the rest of the way over and the bike ran over the top of me, and my shirt got hooked on the brake pedal and the bike drug me before falling over ontop of me and the exhaust pipe burned the crap out of me. I'm glad I had a helmet on, but I wasn't wearing any other gear. 3 broken ribs, broken colar bone, 2 degree burn on my leg. All I can say was that I was stupid for not wearing more gear and I got lucky. I'll post my second crash later.

 

[Zap]

It was such a strange sensation, legs straight up in the air, head above the handlebars looking down at the bike while being upside down.

Practicing for the X-Games? :awe:

 

[AMCRambler]

You know, I always hear it's the damn "cagers" fault but nearly all of these accidents were due to the motorcyclist driving too fast for conditions. With the exception of the dog running out or cars pulling out, the rest were pretty avoidable. I haven't seen anyone post where a car has run into them and every point at which a car pulled out in front could have been alleviated by slowing down as you come to an intersection and being prepared to stop if needed.

 

[WackyDan]

You know, I always hear it's the damn "cagers" fault but nearly all of these accidents were due to the motorcyclist driving too fast for conditions. With the exception of the dog running out or cars pulling out, the rest were pretty avoidable. I haven't seen anyone post where a car has run into them and every point at which a car pulled out in front could have been alleviated by slowing down as you come to an intersection and being prepared to stop if needed.

Motor blowing in some cases isn't avoidable, and debris is road is often a culprit. You can be doing the limit or under and loose debrsi can ruin your day.

 

[AMCRambler]

Motor blowing in some cases isn't avoidable, and debris is road is often a culprit. You can be doing the limit or under and loose debrsi can ruin your day.

I agree about the motor blowing up and debris being out of the riders control.

Gravel or sand on the road is a pretty common occurrence, at least around here. Having only two wheels to grip the road instead of four is just one of the things that makes riding a motorcycle inherently more dangerous. Also iIf you throw a rod in a car you're probably not going to crash either.

Some bikers don't want to believe that motorcycles are inherently more dangerous and would rather blame people that drive cars (cagers). I think if you ride a motorcycle, you should expect that you're more likely to crash and when you do the consequences are going to be pretty painful. So far everyone here has sounded pretty lucky, most walking away with scrapes, bumps and bruises and I'm glad to hear that.

 

[Zargon]

perhaps that squid is not a squid, but just a guy who knows that his supersport tires aren't very friendly with the rain and would rather not take his chances.

you havent lived till you've ridden a supersport on SS tires in 20 weather on a brick road.

stopping becomes *really* fun to try

 

[Mursilis]

I think if you ride a motorcycle, you should expect that you're more likely to crash and when you do the consequences are going to be pretty painful.

Which is why I don't ride, and wonder about the judgment of those that do.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

You know, I always hear it's the damn "cagers" fault but nearly all of these accidents were due to the motorcyclist driving too fast for conditions. With the exception of the dog running out or cars pulling out, the rest were pretty avoidable. I haven't seen anyone post where a car has run into them and every point at which a car pulled out in front could have been alleviated by slowing down as you come to an intersection and being prepared to stop if needed.

I think I was going an appropriate speed. The truth is motorcycles are just a lot more unforgiving than cars. A lot of events that are a near miss in a car result in crashes on a bike. Other things like gravel are complete non-issues in cars unless you are driving at 10/10ths.

 

[halik]

Flopped over twice on gravel (front wheel losing traction), one when the kickstand didn't lock in place.

I don't ride under 45 degrees, tires won't get/stay warm.

 

[joesmoke]

august of 07 @ sugarpine OHV area

it was (is) my first motorcycle (07 yz450f) and i "thought" i was getting the hang of it. coming down a fairly steep downhill trail with decently spaced jumps, decided 2nd wasnt enough and went into 3rd right before a jump that was bigger than the previous ones. well apparently i lost my nerve at the last second, chopped the throttle and got bucked completely off the bike except for my hands on the bars. came down almost laying down along the seat and accidentally grabbed the entirety of the throttle. the bike immedietly tore off the trail and straight into a full sized tree. when the bike bounced off the the tree the front wheel was bent and a few spokes broke... when my head bounced off the tree the helmet shot off my head and the strap scraped up the skin on my neck/chin. also, im not clear when, my right foot slammed into something.

i was in full riding gear so i was able to (slowly and wobbling in the front) ride it back to camp after tucking the broken spokes. had a terrible headache for the rest of the day and i was sore all over for the next couple days. also, had to walk with a limp for a few weeks due to a jacked right big toe.

the bike needed a new wheel and i think levers. the hub and brake rotor were ok so all i had to get was the rim itself and spokes

 

[theApp]

Some bikers don't want to believe that motorcycles are inherently more dangerous and would rather blame people that drive cars (cagers). I think if you ride a motorcycle, you should expect that you're more likely to crash and when you do the consequences are going to be pretty painful. So far everyone here has sounded pretty lucky, most walking away with scrapes, bumps and bruises and I'm glad to hear that.

This is true. Everyone has their own choices; I wouldn't be able to stop riding unless I physically couldn't. It's just enjoyable to me and I understand that every time I swing a leg over the bike it could be the last time I ever do. For some of us crazies, it is worth it

 

[Greenman]

Why would blowing an engine make you crash? Worst case is the rear wheel locks up, so either the slipper clutch disengages or you pull in the lever. Am I missing something?

 

[eBauer]

Do crashes on the track count or is this thread only for street crashes?

 

[Zap]

it was (is) my first motorcycle (07 yz450f) and i "thought" i was getting the hang of it.

That's a monster of a "starter" bike.

when my head bounced off the tree the helmet shot off my head and the strap scraped up the skin on my neck/chin.

That makes me suspect the helmet wasn't being worn properly.

Glad that it was minor.

 

[joesmoke]

That's a monster of a "starter" bike.



That makes me suspect the helmet wasn't being worn properly.

Glad that it was minor.

- yes, wish id gotten a 250. i figured i was big so i needed it, turned out it didnt matter.

- its possible. i usually tighten so its snug under my chin but without a "cutting in" feeling. should i be really cinching it tight?

 

[Zargon]

Why would blowing an engine make you crash? Worst case is the rear wheel locks up, so either the slipper clutch disengages or you pull in the lever. Am I missing something?

most bikes dont have slipper clutches, although I would think he could have shifted to N. but.

the motor just blewup all over his leg, so one can assume his brain was busy....

 

[JulesMaximus]

Do crashes on the track count or is this thread only for street crashes?

I'd be curious to hear what caused your crash(s) too.

The entire point of this thread was to get an idea what causes most crashes and if ABS might have prevented some of these. Which it is clear to me now that ABS probably would have prevented some of these crashes...which is as I suspected.

I'm really leaning toward getting ABS on my next bike. I think it would be a great feature for all street ridden motorcycles personally.

 

[Zap]

- its possible. i usually tighten so its snug under my chin but without a "cutting in" feeling. should i be really cinching it tight?

It should be tight enough so that the helmet doesn't come off without you wanting it to come off. It shouldn't cause undue discomfort (though it may take time to get accustomed to it).

There is the possibility that the helmet doesn't fit properly. Sometimes it is a matter of actual wrong hat size, while other times it is a matter of fitting your head shape. I'm sure someone well rehearsed with motorcycle helmets can help you better, but to give an example with bicycles, in the past Giro brand helmets fit rounder heads while Bell brand helmets fit longer (front-back) heads.

 

[JulesMaximus]

It should be tight enough so that the helmet doesn't come off without you wanting it to come off. It shouldn't cause undue discomfort (though it may take time to get accustomed to it).

There is the possibility that the helmet doesn't fit properly. Sometimes it is a matter of actual wrong hat size, while other times it is a matter of fitting your head shape. I'm sure someone well rehearsed with motorcycle helmets can help you better, but to give an example with bicycles, in the past Giro brand helmets fit rounder heads while Bell brand helmets fit longer (front-back) heads.

You want a helmet to fit snugly...quite snug in fact. You don't want it to hurt you or create hot spots (areas where it is too tight and focuses too much pressure which can cause pain after wearing it for 30-60 minutes). Put the helmet on your head and tighten the strap, again, make it snug, not uncomfortably tight. Now grab the helmet and try to twist it around on your head, you should not be able to move the helmet around on your head. If you can, it is too loose. Now grab the back of the helmet and try to pull it off your head, again, it should not come off.

I wear a medium Shoei RF1100 myself.

 

[joesmoke]

It should be tight enough so that the helmet doesn't come off without you wanting it to come off. It shouldn't cause undue discomfort (though it may take time to get accustomed to it).

There is the possibility that the helmet doesn't fit properly. Sometimes it is a matter of actual wrong hat size, while other times it is a matter of fitting your head shape. I'm sure someone well rehearsed with motorcycle helmets can help you better, but to give an example with bicycles, in the past Giro brand helmets fit rounder heads while Bell brand helmets fit longer (front-back) heads.

well, im fairly certain the hat fits right. i have to pull the straps "out" to get it on without ripping my ears and face off and once its on i can shake my head back and forth with no play. i remember when i bought it the salesman had me find the smallest one i thought i could tolerate, then had me go one size smaller. i just wish id followed his similar advice regarding engine size...

i guess even if it scrapes and bruises your neck to come off, the point is the strap came off and thusly so did the helmet. ill have to make sure i tighten it better in the future.

 

[roguerower]

I'd be curious to hear what caused your crash(s) too.

The entire point of this thread was to get an idea what causes most crashes and if ABS might have prevented some of these. Which it is clear to me now that ABS probably would have prevented some of these crashes...which is as I suspected.

I'm really leaning toward getting ABS on my next bike. I think it would be a great feature for all street ridden motorcycles personally.

Hmm, me thinks Jules is going to sleep and visions of 1100 Evos and 2011 Speed Triples are dancing through his head.

DO IT!!!!