10 Common Crashes and How to Avoid Them

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:27 am

There's been an uptick in crashes lately, both in our Crash Reports thread and, sadly, among my offline and MB friends and acquaintances. A few have had some serious injuries requiring surgery but thankfully nothing life-threatening.

This is a great post on preparing yourself for some of the most common causes of crashes. It's motorcycle-focused but 100% applies to scooterists as well. I know that some of us have been in these circumstances, too, with varying results.

Some crashes can't be avoided of course, but a good number can.

http://rideapart.com/2013/08/10-common- ... void-them/

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:29 am

Nice find, Eric!

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Tue Oct 01, 2013 10:57 am

Excellent article.

RexM · Post by **RexM** » Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:35 pm

Such a great article. I was particularly glad to see the author state:

Under no circumstances should you “lay the bike down.” Your best chance of survival comes from shedding as much speed as possible pre-collision, and you’re going to be able to do that best with the bike completely upright, using both brakes. Even if you only have time to lose 10 or 20mph, that could be the difference between going home with bruises and going home at all.

I hear/read people say "I laid it down to prevent..." and it makes me cringe. Not because I'm judging their skill or experience (I consider myself an inexperienced rider with only basic skills), but because the case against it has been made so thoroughly by MSF, Hough (Proficient Motorcycling) and others like the author above. To be fair, I'm sure many of the folks who say they laid it down mean laying it down was a side-effect of losing control while trying to prevent a collision and (correctly) it resulted in a better outcome than no preventative action at all would have. Moreover, I'm sure there are edge cases where the opposite is the case, just like there are cases where seatbelts kill people, but when choosing a standard tactic for a situation it makes no sense to side with the edge cases.

As I said, I'm not judging. I could be faced with a panic stop today and grab the brakes too hard and lose the bike. I've just been wanting to say this for awhile to do my part to dispel the myth of laying it down. Keep the rubber side down everyone!

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:55 pm

^^^ Nice article, and YES to the " lay it down" comments.

I keep it somewhat quiet here, being a motorcyclist ,too, BUT I taught MSF for 9 years, then roadraced for about a dozen. I have heard EVERY crash story about your Uncle Earl there is, and I always ask the same question " which bar was he leaving, and how fast was he going when he had to lay it down?"...If this article helps just ONE person move beyond that myth of laying it down I'll be happy.

And that first Vid? oopsie, too much front brake there junior. I always fear being the guy coming the other way, THAT was close! at least he had on gloves, at first I thought he didn't

Those 2 pile-up video are scary, but that last one? Hope he was okay, but talk about lack of experience biting you in the butt?

iMoses · Post by **iMoses** » Tue Oct 01, 2013 6:34 pm

I copied the link and added it to my Facebook group KC Scooter Riders.

Thanks for posting the link!

CapnK · Post by **CapnK** » Tue Oct 01, 2013 6:35 pm

Thanks for the link, eric.

slotrod65 · Post by **slotrod65** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 1:01 am

Thanks. I find it interesting that most of these boil down to: Don't do this stuff.

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 1:22 am

Exactly, slotrod65. And dress as tho you expected it to happen. Helmet, gloves.padded jacket, heavy jeans at the least, and good boots.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 1:34 am

I'll pass along my appreciation for posting this as well. I think using this forum to remind/reinforce/provide new learnings on riding safety principles is an invaluable service to all.

Rob

BootScootin'FireFighter · Fri Oct 04, 2013 3:25 pm

locking the front brake and eating pavement, that's what my error was. Unfortunately, it doesn't take much on the Buddy to do this. Stay well armored when possible, and wear a boot that won't come off when you're sliding on the rough stuff.

JettaKnight · Post by **JettaKnight** » Mon Oct 07, 2013 10:10 pm

BootScootin'FireFighter wrote:locking the front brake and eating pavement, that's what my error was. Unfortunately, it doesn't take much on the Buddy to do this. Stay well armored when possible, and wear a boot that won't come off when you're sliding on the rough stuff.

That's why it's so important to practice breaking. The Buddy will stop very fast if you learn how to squeeeeeeze the front break lever.

JettaKnight · Post by **JettaKnight** » Mon Oct 07, 2013 10:30 pm

Some of those videos are embarrassing.

The one biker is upset the cager cut him off when he was the one passing on the right.

What it should have said:

A Car Changes Lane Into You

How To Avoid It:
Don't be caught in positions were drivers are unlikely to suspect you - like passing on the right at speeds.

And that last video of impatient Harleys flying off the road was priceless.

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Mon Oct 07, 2013 11:09 pm

Thanks Eric...good stuff!

I don't think any one of those tips is more important than the others but for me I stay very aware of others blind spots and stay out of them.

The other is those slippery surfaces in the rain. Painted road markings can be very slippery when wet. I have made it a habit to not stop on them wet or dry. I just don't stop with a tire or foot on them...that way when it IS raining I don't have to think about it.

Also remember that toll booths are slippery rain or shine. Oil dripping and water from the AC...nasty!

jijifer · Post by **jijifer** » Tue Oct 08, 2013 5:11 pm

yep. having my first user error accident and getting hurt, I'm way more aware how quickly it goes down.

I'd add: look where you want to go. I turned my head while on soft dirt and BOOM. it was over in a flash.

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Oct 09, 2013 12:45 am

Based on nothing but anecdotal experience, the two main reasons experienced riders seem to go down in crashes (with no other vehicle involved) are target fixation and going too fast in a curve. When we get too comfortable and overconfident, these seem to be the two big fundamentals that we get sloppy with.

Target fixation is a tough one for me sometimes. After a crash a couple years ago, something in my brain desperately want to look straight ahead when I'm in the twisties. Once I start doing it, I have to force my head around and be very conscious of my riding form. Weird.

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Wed Oct 09, 2013 1:18 am

When I am running in the twisties I try to enter the curve in such a way as to see around it. And I try to keep my eyes moving in anticipation of seeing happenings before they happen.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Thu Oct 10, 2013 2:27 am

ericalm wrote:Based on nothing but anecdotal experience, the two main reasons experienced riders seem to go down in crashes (with no other vehicle involved) are target fixation and going too fast in a curve. When we get too comfortable and overconfident, these seem to be the two big fundamentals that we get sloppy with.

Target fixation is a tough one for me sometimes. After a crash a couple years ago, something in my brain desperately want to look straight ahead when I'm in the twisties. Once I start doing it, I have to force my head around and be very conscious of my riding form. Weird.

Agreed. The target fixation is one of the things I have to continually remind myself of as well.

Rob

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Thu Oct 10, 2013 5:23 am

ericalm wrote:Based on nothing but anecdotal experience, the two main reasons experienced riders seem to go down in crashes (with no other vehicle involved) are target fixation and going too fast in a curve. When we get too comfortable and overconfident, these seem to be the two big fundamentals that we get sloppy with.

Good observation. And somewhat frustrating as target fixation is a common error of new riders. You'd think experience would get you beyond that - but often not so. I suppose you might say the same about coming into a curve too hot, but you can never under estimate the problem of overconfidence among riders who should know better

. What I notice is the effect of fatigue on a longer ride. As you get tired (or are otherwise distracted) you begin to lose concentration. When you lose concentration you begin to make mistakes - often the same mistakes an inexperienced rider would make. I try to sense when my concentration begins to waiver. That's when it is time to stop.

neotrotsky · Post by **neotrotsky** » Thu Oct 10, 2013 8:25 am

BuddyRaton wrote:Thanks Eric...good stuff!

I don't think any one of those tips is more important than the others but for me I stay very aware of others blind spots and stay out of them.

The other is those slippery surfaces in the rain. Painted road markings can be very slippery when wet. I have made it a habit to not stop on them wet or dry. I just don't stop with a tire or foot on them...that way when it IS raining I don't have to think about it.

Also remember that toll booths are slippery rain or shine. Oil dripping and water from the AC...nasty!

Long ago (about 9 years ago) I found out how hitting the brakes on a wet surface pans out... which means, it doesn't end well.

I had a Honda CB200T (Sweet if not a bit beat up of a bike) and I was rushing to work late during grad school, so I was tired, not terribly aware and not using the best judgment. Had a car pull out from a fuel station and for some reason stop in the middle of the street. I of course clamp on the brakes and start to slide NO problem! In fact, the mantra of "lay it down" to avoid the accident was even in my head.

But, I just couldn't do it. It didn't seem right now that I was in the thick of an accident that I could potentially avoid.

I somehow let off the brakes completely, dropped down to 2nd and let some power out on it. The lower gear plus the addition of a little power was enough to get bite back on the pavement, and I was able to actually maneuver out of the way... barely.

It was a strong lesson in riding in the wet, staying off the brakes and not listening to every urban riding legend without understanding what is actually going on under your tires.