Why is everyone telling me it's not IF you wreck your bike it's WHEN you wreck your bike? Are the statistics that high that almost every person gets into a wreck on their bike? I mean, granted, I have had a few close calls but I haven't wrecked yet and I'm just wondering if my time is coming or if everyone is trying to put the fear of riding in me!

 

I understood it was more putting it down. Sometimes it's just laying it down on accident, due to wind, but in more scary circumstances, it was in an accident. Maybe I'm wrong?

 

Oh yes that makes me feel sssooooo much better!

Your bro wrecked his bike, who else?

 

When I was starting out, an old rider told me the same thing. He called it "The Law of Diminishing Returns". I still don't know what that means, but I have put a bike down.

 

Back in my younger days when I had my 900RR, I had a guy swing a Uey in front of me and I had to lay the bike down. Fortunately, I wasn't hurt but man did it do some damage to the bike! I'm hoping that was my one and only (knocking on wood)!

But on the flipside, I know guys who've been riding for years and never laid their bike down. Let's hope you're one of those guys who can hold out.

 

You cant let fear change your life, ride smart and defensive. I seen a Sig on here that said the majority of people die in there sleep but I still enjoy sleeping. point is we were all sentenced to death when we were born, make the most of it while ya can imo!

 

HA! I'm not a guy, I'm a but I do get what you mean! Men are a little more tough than women so I think they would hold up better in an accident....

I knew a guy that flipped *** over tea kettle because someone pulled out in front of him. It totalled his bike and put him in the hospital with broken bones everywhere! He was only going about 35 mph.

I'm cautious when I'm riding, I have a kid to live for, and I don't think many people get on their bikes and plan to wreck. The more I hear about wrecks the more freaked I become and more cautious I get. My hubby tells me I ride like a grandma at times!

 

"The Law of Diminishing Returns" dont really get it either. I could see if it were "The Law of Diminishing Concerns" few accident free years ya maybe stop riding as safe etc.

 

I ride horses, too and it's the same saying. I taught riding lessons for over 20 yrs and have never known any of my students not to come off at some point. Doesn't' mean you will get hurt. It's an ooppsy. But I wouldn't dwell on it. Be as safe as you can. Most likely you may drop the bike in a parking lot.
In fact in the horse world, they say for every year of riding, you will come off at least once. That didn't hold true. No way I have come off that many times.
Have come off my two wheel rides 4 times, but just minor aches and pains and all slow speed droppsies.

 

Probability is you will wreck sooner or later but thats not 100% obviously...the severity of the wreck is what is in question..it could be fatal, or it could be a broken bone, could be a skin to the knee or hands, could simply be falling over and scratching up the bike a little..there is just no way to say you will never wreck, there is no way to say how bad, there is no way to say for sure you will wreck. Some people ride their whole lives and never do any more than just dump the bike over on its side..some wind up dead or paralyzed.
Most wrecks are from doing stupid stuff, like standing on the bike while its rolling, pulling wheelies, and various other ignorant stunts that get you what you deserve, you cant ride like a maniac and expect to get away with it forever..but you can ride responsibly, stay aware at all times and be carefull and stay out of trouble..instead of drag racing through town, do the speed limit and watch for other drivers that might pull in front of you from a side street..watch your mirror for the person talking on the cell or day dreaming. slow down when taking corners to a speed that is "Safer" rather than diving into corners trying to drag your pegs..watch out for the little things like gravel, wet pavement, leaves, sticks, or anything that will pull a wheel out from under you...Really, if you control the bike, and control yourself you reduce posibility's of a wreck dramatically. It just boils down to common sense.

And I would like to add this...the Majority of bike accidents are minor, you walk away a little sore, ego bruised, but its minor stuff..i cant tell you how many times i have wrecked a Motorcycle, the count is way up there..been riding since i was 11..hospitalized once..but it was not life threatening...and out of all those wrecks all those years, I deserved what i got, i was riding beyond my ability and was riding stupidly.