Crash analysis
Many riders (perhaps the majority?) crash at some point. I’m talking “crashes” at speed, not simple “drops” at a stop or at walking speed. Even if you escaped with minor injuries, it can shake your confidence severely, which hampers your progress as a rider.
1. Clearly separate “accidents” from “mistakes” – They’re not the same thing. Acts of god (like meteorite falling on you) are “accidents”, which are beyond your control. Lack of experience and skills lead to “mistakes”, which lead to crashes. Take ownership of your riding mistakes, which are under your control.
2. Understand what caused the crash – Use every effort to understand the root cause of the crash; that’s the only way to prevent a repeat performance. It’s very hard for other riders to help in a crash analysis discussion unless all the facts are presented. For example, “gravel on the road” is not a root cause of a crash; plenty of people don’t crash when there’s gravel on the road. “Didn’t see gravel” (inattention), or “didn’t now how to ride over/around gravel” (lack of skills), are root causes.
3. Figure out what to do differently – If you say, “I couldn’t have done anything differently”, then it’s just a game of Russian roulette, and you shouldn’t be playing. If you don’t want the same type of crash to occur, figure out what you need to do differently.
Every crash should be a wake up call. It highlights an area of your riding that is lacking, and whatever is lacking must be addressed immediately.
I would add that every time
I would add that every time you have a close call you should hopefully learn something to try and prevent it happening again. Don't wait for a crash to start pondering where you went wrong! I would go further and say every time something takes you by surprise it's time to analyzing if you could have done better.
One thing I have learned over the past year is there are not many absolutes when it comes to right/wrong. Post a question online and you will gets lots of opinions. Hell, even the Police Advanced Riding Techniques dvd I've just finished watching seemed to contradict a lot of the 'standard' advice I've learned over the past year. In the end I think you have to do what feels right to you. But hopefully you keep learning :)
Close calls
Good point on close calls being cheap lessons from mistakes. Here's one:
I ride mostly in light traffic and in the hills (not much stopping), so my heavy traffic experience is relatively limited, not a daily exposure. About a month ago, on a Friday evening, I left work earlier than usual, so I got into heavy commute traffic even before getting onto the freeway (680). I was riding my YZF600R, and did the 1 mph crawl on the on ramp for a while. When I finally got onto the freeway, I wanted to merge to the number 1 lane quickly so I could lane split. Traffic was stop and go. As I cut across the number 2 lane diagonally toward the number 1 lane, the car in number 2 lane (in front of me) stopped a little short suddenly. No problem - I would just close the throttle, slow down a bit without braking, and steer around the stopped car. Except I had a cramp-buster on this bike’s throttle, and I didn’t lift my right wrist all the way. So all of a sudden I felt I wasn’t slowing down as expected, and was carrying more speed (by just a few mph) than I wanted. I froze at the control, and thought I was going to clip the left rear bumper of that car. All I could muster was a tiny wiggle of my body to the left (not a decent swerve of the bike, since I was kind of frozen), and only by luck I cleared the car’s rear bumper. The whole thing happened in 1-2 seconds. I was probably going no more than 10 mph, but my heart was pounding after that.
Lessons learned:
- Patience is a big part of dealing with stop-n-go traffic. I was in too big of a hurry to get into number 1 lane to split. The margin of error is very small when you’re that close to that many cars.
- Cramp buster is bad news in heavy traffic. I feel it makes you lazy with throttle control in general. I removed it from my bike, and really like the improved feel of the throttle without the cramp buster.
- Sport bikes aren’t ideal in heavy traffic. I was a little more pre-occupied with balancing the bike at the crawling speed, and I feel that contributed to my throttle control error. If I was on a standard bike, I would have used up less mental focus on balancing the bike, and had better situational awareness.
Interesting analysis
I agree that it's healthy to spend a little time dissecting mistakes we make when we ride (and have close calls in particular).
One thing I find interesting is that two of the root causes you list are actually gear related. But in your introduction, you mention that such things as gravel on the road are not root causes as plenty of folks ride through gravel without problems. Is it possible that the same could apply to your skills with the sport bike or cramp buster?
Agreed...
I'm not really sure why you (Gary) suggest that sportsbikes aren't ideal in heavy traffic. While it's definitely easier to do the crawl on a light standard, slow-speed control is a fundamental motorcycle skill on any bike. Am I misunderstanding you?
What's ideal?
You've got to read the entire post as a whole, and not pick up one particular point on its own. "Patience" was my primary point; "cramp buster" and "sportbike" were sort of additional notes, so I listed them in that order, and said that they were contributing factors in my case. For a given rider, the skill at a given moment is a constant, while the bike choice is a variable. For the same rider (me, as an example), a standard bike is easier to ride at walking speed than a sportbike. When I really should be paying attention to the cars and traffic conditions around me, I should be paying as little attention to the bike I'm riding, right?
By the way, a week after that close call, I got into the same kind of heavy traffic. With the lesson learned, I was a lot more patient, and the SV650 I rode that day was much easier to ride at walking speed, all together resulted in a much more controlled ride.
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deleted due to repost
Contradiction?
I wrote the Crash Analysis bit today, and cut-and-paste the Close Call bit from something I wrote earlier, without editing to make the content/style mesh fully...
Let me think... Did I contradict myself here?
Cramp buster - I could improved my skill on this piece of hardware by remember to lift the wrist, but by removing it altogether, I've permanently removed this piece of hardware as a potential cause of problem for me. This covered the "what I would do differently" part.
Balancing a sportbike at low speed - Fundamentally, If I choose to ride this type of bike, I need to be able to ride it well enough for all expected conditions. If I ride it in heavy traffic, I need to be able to handle it. If I can't handle it, then I should choose another type that I can handle better. This part in my "close call" post was meant to be a side note. Even though you cannot change the fundamental hardware in this case, just a mental note here to be more alert next time is "what I would do differently".
Makes sense to me
You're right, that for a given amount of skill, it is easier to do X with a bike that is easier to ride. It's a no brainer, really. The thing is, almost every bike -- other than the ones we all recommend to beginners like the broken records that we are -- is not the easiest bike to ride. It doesn't matter whether it's a Goldwing or an R1; it's not going to be easy to get it to balance at 2mph if you've never tried. You have to practice. But once you do, it's second nature, just as it would be with said beginner bike.
I probably sound dismissive when I say this stuff, but you've missed about 60% of my posts on this forum (at least based on when you became really active). You've missed my talking about how many hours and hours of failure it took before I could keep my GSX-R inside the box on the MSF figure-8 drill. This stuff is not easy, especially on a sportsbike, and I don't mean to make it sound like it is. I still feel uneasy if I haven't done it in a while. I just don't think that sportsbikes are really any harder to ride than big Harleys, powerful tourers, etc. Sure, it's a different set of skills and challenges in play, and some riders have a harder time dealing with sportsbike-specific issues than others, but the other bike types have their challenges as well.
Traffic is a big challenge
It can definately be challenging, especially if you don't do it often (which Gary mentioned). There's a lot going on and drivers can be unpredictable. But two things you can always expect is that the guy in front of you is going to slam on his brakes and the guy to the right of you isn't going to see you and is about to lane change on top of you.
Sport bikes may be more top heavy than similar sized cruisers. I know my Concours carries alot of weight up high, especially with a full tank (7.5 gals). But even riding a low slung cruiser won't help if you get frozen by a situation. A moped with a frozen rider in the same situation is going to hit that stopped car just as fast as a sport bike.
I've been there before and it happens really fast: I'm in the second lane, stop-and-go parking lot speeds, looking over my left shoulder for a gap to jump into the fast lane, glance forward and the guy if front of me has stopped. From experience, I'm already covering the front and back brake because I have to half expect this to happen. And when it does, it's the rear brake I hit first as it's less likely to cause me to drop the bike than smacking down the front with the front tire all cockeyed. I'm also covering the front, but use it only when the bike is settled and/or it's essential to avoid mounting the car in front of me.
I also agree with Gary on the crampbusters. I thought about getting one a year ago when my wrist was bugging me. But I didn't like the added complexity. I also like to range my hands in and out on the grips and don't want to have to think about where the paddle is. Ultimately, I just introduced some hand and forearm exercises into my admittedly infrequent exercises and now my wrist is good for at least 90-120 minutes at a stretch. By then I'm usually ready for a pitstop and stretch anyway.
Wisdom is the result of
Wisdom is the result of foolish mistakes survived. The lack of wisdom is foolishness rationalized. (-;
I have had some very, very close calls. The kind that would have been 'expensive". Fatal perhaps. I really dont linger long on what went wrong. I however DO take the time to reflect on it and bank it in that old 'wisdom" account. I dont like my life to be "to" safe. (-; But I also dont beg to get hurt and further "limit" my life with even more injury's.
I WILL crash . . I never play 100% safe, and that offers a 99% chance of a cost to be payed, dues owed . . . . .(-; Maybe time will allow some luck, time for the "stupid" to pass and logic to take over . .and I'll learn to get safe 99.9% of the time . . . . not just "safer'. I never ride all or nothing, but I do push at times.
Considering our mistakes is good, and considering what the cost of that "close call" would have been in truth has a little value as long as you dont let it fester into fear . .just simple wisdom. Many times I dont slow down because I am afraid . .I do it because the environment demands it. Any idiot would. (-;
A fall . .on this machine . . .if not fatal, can be life altering. I see it everyday. We talk about it when we sell. The Sr sales guys dont like to "test ride". they see it as unnecessary risk with an unknown rider of unknown skill. . . . every time we hit the road, we risk everything. Riding a motorcycle is not rational or logical, its dangerous . .risky. Its an "emotional desire". Approaching the endeavor with foolish disregard has a fools outcome, quite predictable. (-; Learning how to manage this risk daily does lack a guarantee of a safe outcome, but it does have a high value in the changed odds of one, in the management of the risk.
Learn these lessons well, and a little gravel, water, rain . .stupid drivers . . even a little snow . . maybe if we "survive" long enough, we find wisdom and skill provide answers to the challenges of the day and provide us a safe ride home.
Ego is shit, experience is king. (-; And . . even kings fall. We ride an unforgiving bitch . . good to remember that I believe. I might love my "bitch", but I dont underestimate her.
Not a bad post . . good to keep your mind thinking and moving.
2006 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
Sales, Peterson's North Miami Store
Let me offer a few pieces of
Let me offer a few pieces of advice given to me and proven in well over 400,000 miles without an accident;
Riding is not dangerous, presuming you are properly trained, attired and in the right frame of mind. Riding is RISKY. YOU are in control of managing those risk...when you ride, where you ride and how you ride. Everything in life involves risk, and management of those risks. Saying motorcycling is "dangerous" gives we as riders an out by laying blame on other elements that may cause an accident; that guy pulled out in front of me, the road was slick or my bike was faulty.
Which leads me to the second piece of advice given to me;
You HAVE TO BE 100% responsible. You are responsible for everything that happens to you. Period. You are responsible for the car that stops, the car that turns left in front of you, and the quart of oil dropped in the apex of your turn. Once you accept this simple fact, you will begin to ride with more awareness, concentration...and fun because you are then 100% in control.
These two points are very important, and I don't offer them lightly. They have served me well and I know they will serve you well too.
Allen Dye
MSF Rider Coach
Track Day Instructor
Ironbutt Rally Finisher '03-'05
I am "almost" with you. (-;
I am "almost" with you. (-;
My rule in Miami . . . I am invisible . . . pretty much sums up your post. It is me and me alone that lives or dies.
You teach . . . that 12 second rule . . . got to have that down . .and then . . the short stoppers . .the inconsistency . . the unexpected . . . the drunk, the fool, the just plain retarded . . .
I don't know curves, hills, up hill, down hill. . . . so many "basic skills" I just do not get to learn in Miami. But traffic . . brother . . i know reading an ass wipe making a killer lane change before he even knows he is going to do it . . .(-; I can read the retarded drivers in this city as well as anybody.
Hmmm . .might be a noob is just trying to find something in his "little world" that your 400,000 miles has long ago resolved. (-; I have no life, never travel, ralleys are a dream . .my miles are just hard core, everyday Miami back and forth miles.
But to say riding is "not dangerous" . . . hmmmm. Like when I was getting shot at in the suck . . "not dangerous". really?
Brother. . .risk management I can argue . . . but I have never found a good or safe way to fall off a motorcycle. And if ya ride one, only a fool dismisses the possibility YOU might be the one who never makes that fall.
Not negative to me . .just an adult acceptance of risk management. (-;
Do not get me wrong . . . 400K . . . .that is respect earned. EARNED . . . . . and gain . .EARNED. Trust me, I pay attention when you type. I wont go along however when ya say its a low risk activity. (-; Not in Miami at least. This is a down right dangerous activity . . .LoL But dangerous is not necessarily hard to control . . . . . . . . just impossible to control to the point of preventing unpredictable moments and possible outcomes. Being on two wheels is . . .well . .dangerous. It is our personal effort to mange the risk best we can . . on that i agree.
2006 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
Sales, Peterson's North Miami Store
Howdy Elwood! First off,
Howdy Elwood!
First off, thanks for your service. Getting shot at IS dangerous. You can't control who/where or what their shooting at you. That's tough stuff, and you're a stud for doing it.
Motorcycling isn't low risk, and if I suggested that, I mis-spoke. It is ABSOLUTE risk, but the degree is within your control. I can't really imagine a situation in motorcycling that's low risk, except for maybe when you're selling me a bike at the dealership and I'm just sitting on it! ;-).
Remember this though, about risk and danger; you as a rider can chose not to ride in a situation that you consider dangerous. That then makes it a "risk" that you are managing. I know it sounds like symantics, but seriously, try that mind set when you ride. It sounds like you've got and are learning good traffic management skills. Try telling yourself "jeez, I should have seen that road gator" or "man, how did I not see that guy trying to exit from the far left lane?" It will make you even more alert...
Allen Dye
MSF Rider Coach
Track Day Instructor
Ironbutt Rally Finisher '03-'05
LoL, ever road in Miami?
LoL, ever road in Miami? Aside of the ridicules traffic and the normal idiots and drunks . . we are a "international" destination . .be it tourist or immigrants. All kinds of confused, lost and conflicting driving habits happening in this place. That crazy exit from the left is the "least" of it. (-;
On my bike. lucky so far . .but with less than 20K, big deal. (-; In my car . . been rear ended when sitting at red lights, not coming to a stop, dead stopped . .just drunks and fools . .who rammed into me 11 times over the years. One hit the car behind me, those two cars totaled, my grand torino took the hit well, but I was sore as hell. LoL I saw him coming, playing with his radio . .on a bike on that "one", I would have got clear. Not sure I saw the rest coming. That excludes being hit in rush hour, the time I was almost killed by a read light runner . . hard to see it "all" in this town. I have gotten better with age however and a job for over 10 years that had me driving 60K plus a year. I can almost sleep and see an idiot coming these days. LoL My problem frankly is "in the book". I ride like I "drive". Frankly, when tires start smoking, I am better with a car. Nothing rattles me on 4 wheels, found my limits many years ago . .that experience and skill is sorely lacking on the bike, and I have no business riding at the same level I drive. Something I still have to work on.
Your right, semantics maybe. My nephew was killed by a left turner, more than a handful of friends who have been hurt, 2 lost legs to wild lane changers on the palmetto expressway . . . the worst I have seen was a crash I saw on 75 on the west coast of FL and stopped to assist . .dude lost his face, hell, half his head, fatal.
I guess to me, I don't fear things to much . .figure management "can" get you through a life time of riding without a scratch. I also know far better riders than me have run into that "random round" . . sometimes life just deals a bad card. And the truth is, any "serious" crash is dangerous. For me, I HAVE to think of the worst I have seen to feel comfort as illogical as that sounds. Understanding cost is how I decide risk . . I think in that way I am a little odd. LoL Its like saying sky diving is safe. To me its not. It stupid, who jumps from a perfectly good plane? LoL However done right, it can be survived every time if things are done well. (-; It is understanding cost that insures you properly "prepare". (-; You'll get used to me . .just an old . .well what ever I am. (-;
Its good to have ya on the board. We can use some experts to guide us "noobs" along. I am in that ever so fun stage of fighting over confidence. (-; If I make it past this year . .I might just get to be a pretty good rider. ((-; Just went to work at a Harley dealer . .added 40 miles to my commute in real traffic, and puts me on all kinds of bikes all over town . . love the job, but the "learning curve" just went into high gear. Loving it to be honest. ((((-;
2006 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
Sales, Peterson's North Miami Store
My throttle mistake with crampbuster
The crampbuster does what it does well – in extended cruising situation it lets you relax your grip and maintain the throttle position by just pressing down on it with the heel of your right hand. It’s comfortable and relaxing. I had it on my YZF-600R for a few months. The problem with it on my YZF-600R is that with the handlebar at full lock to the right, the crampbuster would hit the tank if I had it angled down properly for a natural, wrist-down riding position. I had to angle the crampbuster higher than it should to clear the tank at full lock. As a result, if I wanted to fully close the throttle, I had to either be more wrist-up than normal, or shift my grip slightly and cock my right hand to the left more, to clear the crampbuster. It can be managed, but it wasn’t ideal. Another factor is I ride 3 different bikes on a rotating basis, each one with somewhat different ergonomics, and only the YZF had the crampbuster on it. Throw in stop-n-go traffic, darkness, impatience, and they added up to a small throttle mistake at the worst time.
Managing risk
I get what IBA270 (Allen) is saying about risk management. I’ll give an example of how I look at this.
I enjoy riding in the rain (haven’t done it a lot ‘cause it doesn’t rain much here), in the dark, and on steep/twisty roads deep in the hills. Some times it can get stressful and fatiguing – steep and apparently slippery pavement in darkness does that to me - but I still enjoy it. On those dark and lonely roads, I often have the road all to myself, and I can ride at my own pace. The conditions may be bad and the risk may be high, but it’s up to me to stay in control.
Yesterday we had a pretty severe storm. Pouring rain, sustained wind at 40mph or so, gusting even higher. Looked like a gnarly, challenging day to ride, and I like that kind of stuff. However, I found the nearly white out condition (from the spray) on the freeway unacceptable to commute on a bike. I couldn’t be sure to see road hazards far and early enough. Drivers would have a hard time seeing me, especially if I went down for whatever reason. I’m talking down to 20-30 ft visibility at times, and at freeway speed that wasn’t much reaction time. I couldn’t control that, so I would choose not to ride on the freeway in that condition.
See, that is normal in Miami.
See, that is normal in Miami. Freeways are all we have. MOST of my rain time is our "tropical style" thunder storms on major expressways.
To be honest, the heavier the rain, the better, it cleans the visor . . misty sucks . . you get road grit and that is blinding . .like looking through mud.
And the wind . . those crazy gusting winds . . like needing to lean on a post, then when the wind stops, its like the post got kicked out from under you . .that can make my knuckles a tad white. (-;
I take a little pride every time I pass bikes waiting it out under bridges. (-; Smart? Its the Marine in me, operate your equipment in all conditions to be good. Cant help myself. (-; Not to sure I "recommend" the effort. Lol Some days I am darn glad when I get home safe and sound. (-;
2006 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
Sales, Peterson's North Miami Store