Why we crash

[dReWpY]

completly and blantantly stolen by me from another board


Before heading out onto the roads it might be wise to remind ourselves why riders crash. The attached article was written by Nick Ienatsch in the 2001 edition of Sportbike. For those of you who can't download or can't be bothered to read the entire article, here is the Cliff Notes version:-

1. We crash on cold tires. Respect them by giving them a few miles to warm up, especially if they're brand new. After stopping to bench race remember you're not the only thing that has cooled down, warm those tires up again.

2. We crash on overloaded tires. If you're rusty after a winter layoff applying too much throttle or brake while leaned over is a recipe for disaster. Modern tires can provide amazing levels of traction but they're not immune to ham fisted control inputs. An early season Survival Reaction (SR) of grabbing a handful of front brake while leaned over will land you in the weeds. Our early season rides are often full of SR's as we try to pick up where we left off last season. Don't let and early season SR end your season early!

3. We crash trying to keep up. Ultimate speed on a backroad has little to do with the bike and everything to do with the rider. Once you realize this, twisting the throttle WFO to keep your friends in sight on the straights while losing them in the corners becomes a non-option. Ride your own pace.

4. We crash because we want to go fast. Sometimes, even the posted speed limit is inappropriate. Coming over a blind crest at 45mph might be too fast if you can't stop the bike before hitting the hazard you only see when it's too late. Speed reduces time (to react) and adds distance (to react) in emergency situations.

5. We crash because we bail out. How many posts have there been on SBN, Cycleforums and here about entering a corner too hot, standing the bike up and running out of road before getting the bike stopped. Too hot means your brain is probably freaked out but there is still plenty of tire traction available. LOOK through the corner, LEAN the bike until hard parts drag, BELIEVE in modern tire technology.

6. We crash because we lose our focus. The bike travels 88 feet per second at 60 mph. A moment's inattention puts you that much farther into a corner. Think about the next corner not the one you just blew. That one is over, focus on getting the next one right.

7. We crash because we rush corner entrances. Slow in, fast out works for racers season after season. It works for road riders too. Slow down a bit on your corner entrances and see how much smoother you become. Many single vehicle crashes on Deals Gap occur because a corner entrance gets rushed and the rider commits sins 5 and 6 in the ensuing panic.

8. We crash because we can't keep up with the motorcycle. Make sure your software is the equal of your bikes hardware. I've been riding nearly 30 years and bought a GSXR 1000 in 2001. It's hard work riding that bike, I'm glad I have 30 years of experience, track schools and track days to help me stay ahead of the front wheel.

I hope you'll read the whole article, Nick Ienatsch is a highly skilled and knowledgeable rider and deserves a read.

Ride safe, ride fast and enjoy the upcoming riding season. All of it.