Question for motorcycle riders

[RubyCamaro]

Okay, I need to know if I should be worried or not. Below is a pic of my hubby the day his new toy arrived. A little background: He was a morocross racer as a teen/young adult; a pretty good one. He still has trophies from races he won. He always had friends/relatives who worked at bike shops & rode street bikes & so has ridden street bikes occasionally but never owned one until now. He mentioned thinking about getting one & I said okay just saying it had to be one he could ride me on. He took a riding class, got his license & has been riding the bike for a few weeks getting used to it. He let me know he wanted to get really comfortable with his riding before taking me for a ride. I'm okay with that. Then Friday he went for a ride & wrecked it. Nothing horrible, just rounding a hairpin steep downhill turn on a country road, got into gravel then off the edge of pavement & into a ditch. He is okay just tweeked his knee & wrist a bit. The bike has a part of the rear fender broken off & lots of stuff scratched up including the windshield. He is generally a very safe driver, very cautious & careful. He had scrapped a foot peg going around that corner previously & I think he was probably being too careful. He is grieving messing up his bike but insurance will fix it. Do you guys/gals think he will be get past the learning curve on this thing okay or should I be worried??????????????? (BTW we are both 50+).

[Moriartii]

I ride a motorcycle, probably one of the fasted street legal production bikes made a ZX14. That little piece of info sets it up for I have a small clue regarding I know what I am doing. I only say small because on a motorcycle you can never be fully prepared or fully have your act together, you can only minimize your risks and have a plan if the sh*t hits the fan.

I learned how to ride back in 93 from a MSF course I took so I could learn to ride AND so I could get a bike on the Naval base I was stationed at. Since then I have taken several more MSF courses to get friends involved in motorcycling and to continuously refresh my skills. So I am VERY glad your husband took that course.

Now on to your question, one of the biggest things I remember or have seen in the classes I have take is dirt bike riders crossing over to street. While the concept is the same the application is not quite the same. Much bigger bikes with more power and more weight. Additionally, running in the superbike world a huge recommendation is to get a small bike and learn how to flog the crap out of it, this will make you a more proficient rider. So my suggestion is get a used, maybe smaller bike (a Suzuki GS500 or 1200 can be had cheap) that your husband can flog on. Get his proficiency up and get used to riding a street bike. Then take the new bike back out and enjoy it.

So yes I think the learning curve will be overcome and all will be well. I am glad he is ok and I can relate to him being bummed about wrecking it. Been there done that.
Cheers
K

[David79z28]

Yeah, he will get past the learning curve. It's not if a rider will go down, it's when. Seams easier to go down at slower speeds!!

It's the cars he needs to worry about. The best rider can't dodge a car that doesn't see them.

Good luck!!!

[JETG]

Nothing new, people buy new bikes and wreck them. Some live to tell about it and some don't. It is a personal choice, maybe he can and will learn to be a better rider. I have several years of experience on bikes mostly sport bikes. I have rode track and not drag racing but road racing. I can say it is dangerous for sure, I have had several friends get killed over the years, and one right in front of us. Nothing like seeing someone one minute then the next there no longer here with us. I am by no means trying to scare you, but the reality is that he is not the only one you have to worry about, have to worry about all the other idiots on the road. Always wear you gear, helmet,gloves, boots ect. Here is a local website to houston, texas motohouston.com, I have been around the bike stuff since 06, have seen a lot, but the reality of it is death is perminate and no going back and trying to do it over. I think just this month, there has been some 20 people killed, and looks to be a bad year or at least a start. A year or so ago we did a thread on accidents, and there was at minimum 1 for every day of the year. As sad as it is, I have just gotten use to people that ride that die. It is a lot of fun and have thought about getting another bike, but for me I dont think I could ride the street anymore, tried it after my friend died on 2 occasions and just didnt feel comfortable. So I kept it to the track with full leathers and dragging knee at 100+mph, it is fun but expensive, and maybe one day I will do it again.

J

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by David79z28

It's not if a rider will go down, it's when.

This. After I left the Army and before we started APEX I worked in the motorcycle business. I am glad to hear your husband is OK but no matter how proficient you become as a rider there are variables you just can not control. Just like with a car, you can do everything right and someone or something can still get you. The difference is with a bike you don't have a big cage to protect you. Like all things in life it is a calculated risk. I am constantly tempted to swing by the Ducati shop and pick one up but since we started having babies I have stuck to playing with cars.

[Shifty 6]

I had been riding less than a year, bought a newer bike, and wrecked with in the week. Haven't been down since, over 10 years riding. I do about 1 track day per year for last 4 years. I get nervous on the street and feel really safe at the track.

I learned a great deal of respect for it after my wreck. You can go down yes, however it is typically operator error.

WEAR THE GEAR!!!! I have a helmet, leather coat, boots, and gloves everytime I ride, even when it is 95 and humid. If it is too hot for the gear, then I don't need to ride it.

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by Shifty 6

I get nervous on the street and feel really safe at the track.

I know exactly what you mean. I am the same way.

[Mrvnmartian]

Originally Posted by RubyCamaro

Then Friday he went for a ride & wrecked it. Nothing horrible, just rounding a hairpin steep downhill turn on a country road, got into gravel then off the edge of pavement & into a ditch. I think he was probably being too careful. Do you guys/gals think he will be get past the learning curve on this thing okay or should I be worried??????????????? (BTW we are both 50+).

No need to worry he will be able to get past this, since he has some experience on motorcycles. It doesn't sound like he did anything wrong. Going around a hairpin turn with gravel on the pavement.

Had that happen to me, I was going about 20 around a tight turn. There was some sand in the road and since I was leaning into the turn the back wheel just slid out. Had some minor damage to the bike and I got scraped up a little. I did have long sleeves and gloves on so that helped lesson the road rash.

When you start to ride with him, do not lean the opposite way from where he is turning. you don't have to lean with him either, just look over the shoulder of the way he is turning and you will be fine. There is nothing worse than a passenger that either leans the other way which makes the driver have to fight harder to get into the turn or one that leans with the bike and has to fight it back the other way.

Just relax, enjoy the ride... and being close to you husband.

[Sterling]

It sounds to me like his problem was more road conditions, than riding ability. I'm sure he will try to keep it off the gravel in the future, lesson learned.

[hypurone]

Let me preface this by saying I have 30+ years of MC experience on everything from a YSR50 to sportbikes to cruisers. My current rides are my 140rwhp/360lb Monster S4RS and a Triumph Thruxton. Both of which can get me into trouble easily....

I would suggest an instructed rider course (or 2) and tons of practice in more controlled environments (parking lots, DMV test courses etc). Even with all of this, sh1t happens! You both need to mentally prepare yourselves for the probability of this happening again. The more you ride the more the chance(s).

The primary cause I see for new riders (and even more experienced ones for that matter) is the lack of focus on their riding. For example, site seeing. A motorcycle is not really the best way to go out and see the sites as you should be constantly scanning the road for debris, idiots, animals etc., letting your mind wander is very dangerous. Gotta get/keep your head in the game.

ALWAYS wear the MAXIMUM amount of protection. Even when "just hopping down to the store" and ride like everyone out there is out to get you....

Sorry, just don't wanna sugar coat it...

[RubyCamaro]

Thanks guys. I'm hearing pretty much what I thought, but I'm no expert. Other thoughts/input are welcome.