Have you taken an MSF course? If not... do!

 

.....bought my first bike in march 1969[honda 350]......layed it down in the rain in Chicago that verynight............luckily I wasn't going fast.........

I have lived in two states [Colorado, New Hampshire] that have no helmet laws and rode alot w/o a lid, but I don't think I would do that now since I got lots of kids to leave fatherless...........

you all that like to brag about how crazy and reckless ya ride, BE CAREFUL, all yer doing really is increasing the odds........
......never been down since, and I've never been w/o a bike............I ride conservatively...........there were years my bikes were my only transportation, which made me more careful, riding in inclement conditions and such............

...........later............Binny........

 

Totally agree.The only people I've ever heard use that saying are the ones that have layed down.I always thought it was an irresponsible way to justify ones own wreck and scare the **** out of new riders.I've dumped a few dirt bikes in my early teens but never on the street.I know it could happen at any time and I try tokeep that in my head,but I don't go out on the scoot with the idea that since I haven't layed down that it's only a matter of time.Just not a good way to think

 

Sorry to hear that Patriot. Speedy recovery to you and your wife. I have had asome close calls, mostly stupidity of cages (a few timesmy own), but I do expect the unexpected from cages and it has paid off.

 

The only time I have been down is pulling into garage at end of ride and went to pull left foot off peg to access the kickstand and got shoe string caught on peg and fell over with bike. So embarrassed I cussed like a sailor for my stupidity. Bent the clutch lever a little with no other damage except to the ego. Learned to make sure shoe strings are neatly tucked away since then
Jim

 

38 years and no road acidents. Lost my footing and dropped an Ultra in the driveway once.

 

i lost my lights in a long right-handed turn one night. i thought i'd put boot down to feel my way till i got her stopped but it was too late. went kaplow in the ditch. was doing 30-35 when we hit. cracked my helmet and bent the bars. rode it the 1/2 mile home a little stunned but otherwise ok.

i also folded the front-end on gravel by hitting the front break too hard. was stopping so all i did was drop the bike on my leg. no real damage. just a scrape.

have not dropped the nightster yet.

 

Non moving - was getting off one time and hung my foot on the sissy bar. Went down withit.Felt stupid as hell.
Close call - Was riding home on a back road at night (very dark), right at ahair pin turn, hit the brights and the bulb went out. Oh S$#t, going about 45 and know I have to turn. Just started turning and stopped as quickly as I could. Somehow made the turn and got stopped. I was just waiting to fell myself going off the road.

 

I've had only been riding for 3-4 years when I unfortunately took a quick spill (aren’t they all in hindsight) and thankfully with no other vehicles involved (obviously my own stupidity at work on this one). I was headed to work when I was leavinga stop sign turning right froman uphill, off-camber grade and the bike did 180 degree spin with (thankfully) only primarily myego severely bruised and may right ankle sprained despite the boots, along with the broken sprocket coverwhere the mid-peg was attached. One of my excuses or reasoningis that in PA the state inspection should have caught this issue, but hey ultimately I'm responsibility!

Although it's completely my fault and mistake I also lay great blameon my ignorance ofthe condition of the tires that were as hard a 3-year olds airless trickle tires and should have been replaced long before. Although they (Metzlers) had plenty of tread and no dry-rod they can easily pass their life expectancy and extremely limit our own life expectancy! Luckily it was only a slow spin and not the imaginable other outcomes. My lesson was learnedthe hard way but safety from every aspect now crosses my mind; knock on wood (or my head) no repeats. Ride safe!

JJC

 

There are a LOT of great inputs here! FandA M hit the nail right on the head, those that say "you WILL crash" are making a feeble attempt to justify their own stupidity or inexperience that caused THEIR crash. There is nothing like situational awareness and practical experience to keep you out of harms way. Always anticipate the worst COULD happen and prepare for it... but whatever you do, don't let paranoia ruin the ride!