[FrodoZVA]

I had my first crash in a safe environment, very lucky, and smiled about it for days afterwords. I took the MSF course on a little rebel 250 which they gave me and just like the other young guys in the class started to get really excited towards the end of the first day and into the second. Getting over the initial “holy crap I’m not pedaling” phase was a great feeling. Most of the way through the second day doing a quick stopping drill I got a bit overzealous and cranked a little harder on the throttle, accelerating all the way to the stopping point. When I hit the breaks the front wheel locked up and in the middle of cursing dumped the bike and hit the ground. It all happened really quick, which stunned me a little, but after a little more swearing and a visit from the instructor I realized nothing was injured past a soar hip and hand and continued with the rest of the drill. 
I feel lucky that my first experience was in an environment like the MSF course. I say a number of very timid people there, and all I can say to other new riders is that while you’re taking the course be a little daring. It’s much better to screw up for the first time in a parking lot with helpful people around than on a city street or country road where the danger is real.               

[Gary856]

That lowside happened at 30-40 mph during a group ride. We were pushing the pace but the speed still felt manageable. What got me was after a while I started target fixating on the rider directly in front of me so I was just following him into corners, reacting to his turns, and quit reading the road myself. Finally, a longer than expected turn took me off guard and caused the lowside. 

To the OP (original poster), I wonder if you were riding your own pace (good), or if you were following a more experienced rider (your husband) into that corner at his pace (very bad). The usual advise is to let the less experienced rider lead and set the pace. 

I now have about 9 months and 6700 miles of riding experience. When I’m on twisty roads (a lot) fun rides, I keep saying in my head to myself, “look thru the turn, point your chin toward the turn, lean your body into it, push into the turn, etc.” I keep reminding myself mentally because I still don’t fully trust my muscle memory to do the right thing when the pace picks up.   

[Zig308]

Only 140 miles of “Sunday riding” on my FZ6R so far, but no drops or close calls. Just a couple stalls when I first got it and was getting used to it.

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