How long without an off?

Originally Posted by hongman

I'm not calling you naive I said one WOULD be naive IF they thought that, IMO.

I didn't think you were

Originally Posted by hongman

I can understand why you're doing this, your confidence must of taken a right bashing.

It has.. But the main reason of this thread is that I'm not the only on here who is/was in a similar situation. It's the same as with threads about the police on here: everyone is quick to shout out if they have been mistreated by police (which unfortunately happens) and at the same time very rarely you will see anyone eager to start a threat praising the force when they have been treated fairly. I know it's not the same, but on a similar principle I thought it would be heart-warming to see that crashing is not as common as we sometimes think it is seeing all the accident-threads on here

Originally Posted by hongman

If you dont mind me asking (or even, ask yourself) - what were the circumstances in which you crashed?

Maybe (I dont know) you'll realise that some (or even all) of them really were unavoidable. In that case, I would be inclined to say you have just had really bad luck, and to have faith that the last 2 years isnt going to repeat itself.

Maybe take an advanced riding course? Perhaps after you'll realise that some which you thought were unavoidable, actually had a good chance of being avoidable if you had the skills learnt from said riding course.

I dont know you or your circumstances, just rambling, none of this is meant to sound demeaning or patronizing (hell I dont even have my first bike yet). Just throwing some ideas about.

Regards

Hong

All my crashes have been analysed through and through and I've done my best to flag the stuff I could have done something about each time and try to work at improving my skills. I am also planning an advanced riding course of some sorts in the near future.

As you haven't got a bike yet I sincerely wish you an accident-free record for as long as you ride (it's too late for me )

Originally Posted by Daimo

Had too many in London. In fact, thinking about it, I haven't had an off (touches wooden desk) since about 8 months before I stopped working in the city.

I had about 6 accidents in 8-9 years going to/from the city though.

Bless country working. I think? In fact I miss the hustle and bustle and hot women in the summer It was worth it

Funnily enough, when I used to commute in central London, apart form a couple of very minor offs I was OK,. It was the out of London riding that has so far cost me the 2 major accidents.

I hear what you say about commuting in London though, especially in the summer: one word b**bs

Hehe.

Dont overthink it. (easier said and quantify than done I know)

Thank you. Knowing my personality I will probably have a few offs due to me being silly.

Saying that I have a family to think about now, maybe I wont be as rash as I think I might be

Good luck to you in the future.

Originally Posted by G

He is getting on... 10 years older than her mum... I also look younger than I am lol

He now riders a VFR too he is a biking legend though, advanced police biker, ROSPA gold, never missed a TT until recently.

Typical old farts bike as long as you didnt say he had a sprint lol

( i was tempted to test ride a VFR, does that mean im over the hill as well)


BTW back on topic, im not discussing offs, its a bad omen imo.
I understand where the op is going with this thread, lets face it, if we all knew we would have a serious injury due to an off, we probably wouldnt ride at all.
Not everyone does come off, i actually think my off albeit fairly minor was a good thing as imo was trying to do too much too soon and it rightly knocked me down a peg.
Dont wanna come off again, especially on a shiny expensive bike, wouldnt care so much on a cheap track bike, so i try and find the balance between enjoying the speed and being sensible.

19 months, 10k, nothing....yet.

Riding in and outside of london require 2 totally different riding styles. Many people don't change their styles and get caught out.

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by Daimo

Riding in and outside of london require 2 totally different riding styles. Many people don't change their styles and get caught out.

Indeed it seems. Although I've never ridden in London, I have certainly learnt a lot from the 'Rictus school of riding' last year. Did me no end of good, as he never turns off the London style

[wattyfred89]

4 years of riding 25,000 miles leisure & touring. No Crash

2nd ever 15 mins on track and killed one of Ron Haslams cbr's :P

[Red Herring]

I'm afraid I don't support the rather defeatist view that "riding is dangerous and you're bound to have an off eventually". I think it completely depends on your application and what you want out of your riding. I've help my bike licence for some 24 years, I went to my first IAM meeting when I was still on L plates (yes I know you can't take the IAM test until you have a full licence but that doesn't stop you learning) and I've never regretted it. I've also been riding competitively for some 23 years in various on and off road disciplines. The end result is I've never been off the bike whilst road riding, but crashed loads of times when racing. There is a time and place for everything.

Originally Posted by Red Herring

I'm afraid I don't support the rather defeatist view that "riding is dangerous and you're bound to have an off eventually". I think it completely depends on your application and what you want out of your riding. I've help my bike licence for some 24 years, I went to my first IAM meeting when I was still on L plates (yes I know you can't take the IAM test until you have a full licence but that doesn't stop you learning) and I've never regretted it. I've also been riding competitively for some 23 years in various on and off road disciplines. The end result is I've never been off the bike whilst road riding, but crashed loads of times when racing. There is a time and place for everything.

I agree, ride like a tool and you may increase your chances of an off but not certain too, calculated risks an all that.
Ride with good obs, not excessive speed, have ability (which i lack) then its possible you wont have one at all.