Has anyone NEVER been down?

doct0rxnick · 08-01-2006, 5:50 PM

I've completed about 6000 miles I think on two wheels and I still haven't been down yet. I started riding when I was 18 on an SV650S and bought the 954 when I was 19.

Everyone in the world told me that I WILL go down sometime in the first couple thousand miles, but it hasn't happened yet. I've probably had about 20 close calls with other vehicles, ridden in the rain, ridden over sand, and it just hasn't happened yet.

In fact, the closest I've ever been to whiping out was on my brother's R6 when I went to accelerate hard out of a turn and noticed that the back wheel had lost traction and was trying to meet me at the front of the bike. Nevertheless, I corrected and was even able to recreate the situation with less surprise and more control.

I'll let you guys know if this post ends up jinxing me.

ConqSoft · 08-01-2006, 5:53 PM

I've got well over 50k street miles with no crashes yet. Dirt bikes are another subject....

luvtolean · 08-01-2006, 5:55 PM

It's a mix of skill and luck.

My incidents have been self induced (both were having too much confidence in traction at the front wheel while panic braking on less than optimal surfaces), but came after 6k miles without trouble (other than the bike falling over in the driveway a couple of times).

It's just like driving a car...eventually statistics say we'll all be in some kind of minor incident at the least.

ccwilli3 · 08-01-2006, 5:55 PM

20 some odd trackdays, 30K miles and I've never been down. Guess I'm not trying hard enough.

sheepofblue · 08-01-2006, 5:55 PM

Been flung like poo on many different motorcycling venues including dirt (all varations) ,ice, pavement.

CBR929RE · 08-01-2006, 5:59 PM

just look at Pdoyle, took him 150k miles to finally lay it down.

just remember to dust yourself off (figuratively) and get back in the saddle if you do go down. more often than not everyone goes down at some point.

where's Smitty, he's been riding for what like 50 years or so.

Getsome · 08-01-2006, 6:00 PM

Been there like most and hoping not to do it again. As years go by most are not able to say they haven't gone down in one way or another be it dirtbikes or streetbikes.

luvtolean · 08-01-2006, 6:02 PM

This might sound weird, but the first wreck, provided you aren't hurt, is in a way therapeutic.

CBR929RE · 08-01-2006, 6:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

This might sound weird, but the first wreck, provided you aren't hurt, is in a way therapeutic.

its like you finally got it out of the way. I'll add though, once you get back on and breakthrough the wall that went up in the crash, its pretty much smooth sailing.

seamus · 08-01-2006, 6:11 PM

about 50k street miles (ne'er been down) and about 1500 track miles (down once).

All in all, not too bad a ratio but I still wish I could have that one lowside back.

LUCIDDREAM57 · 08-01-2006, 6:41 PM

Haha................I've been down more times then a toothless man bobbing for apples in all conditions. I don't even count the times that didn't severly injury me. My last one was the cats pajamas though, real bad stuff happened.

sheepofblue · 08-01-2006, 6:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

This might sound weird, but the first wreck, provided you aren't hurt, is in a way therapeutic.

first crash on ice was on purpose in practice (wanted to see the edge of what it could do) and the first scratching of the RC

was kind of therapeutic in a tortured way.

JBODIE · 08-01-2006, 8:01 PM

Not on street, several times on dirt.

Cam954 · 08-01-2006, 8:31 PM

C'mon, Dirt doesn't count.

I have a lot of miles and only been down once. Stoppied over trying to stop for a car.
Basically, just keep trying not to go down. Don't focus on it either. If you worried about going down and think about going down, you will go down. Be safe and believe that you can keep the rubber down.

DEPO · 08-01-2006, 8:40 PM

Never been down on the street, but street riding has become less of a priority in my life.

Going down on the track has proven that to me.

Having the lowside has made me feel more comfortable with the inevitable on the track.... not on the street.

I do not like the money part of it, but if you love a hobby, you have to be willing to shell out the money.

Baketech · 08-01-2006, 8:55 PM

I've been down a few times....but I only crashed by a "little bit" each time, so I feel pretty crash free....

TraumaOne · 08-01-2006, 9:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

This might sound weird, but the first wreck, provided you aren't hurt, is in a way therapeutic.

yep... good to get it out of the way. I crashed at my first track day (or was it on the second day?) The Fireblades days at Jennings... one scratch on the bottom of the fairing, the slider was scuffed and the engine case was "polished" and I was back up riding the next session. (Damn michelins...)

Red Rider · 08-01-2006, 9:46 PM

Couple times when I was young and dumb. Couple times on the track.
It happens if you ride long enough...it's the law of averages.

doct0rxnick · 08-01-2006, 9:46 PM

Well, I tagged a good 53 mile ride tonight and no damage. The closest I got was leaving the dirty @ss parking lot of my complex. It's composed of a rock and concrete cookie dough that was spread out over some grass probably 60 years ago. Also took a nasty rock on this amazing country road.

THis was an awesome ride, 15 miles out, 15 miles back. I had never ridden it and I caught it right at dusk. Crazy thing is, it's the main road by my school! It goes way out into the country and I just rode it out and came across smooth and clean asphault all the way (cept two small spots, one of which is where I took the rock in the chest). Lots of time over 100! Not too winding, but there are some good long bends and a few deep S-turns, and it's about the best I've found around here if you don't want to stop every mile or so. The land is flat farm land, so the sun was out creating an awesome sunset all the way until it dumped out of existence. Then I made it back home and off the bike before it became rediculous wearing a tinted visor. I can't believe I was going to sell this thing!

Red Rider · 08-01-2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doct0rxnick

Lots of time over 100!

That's KPH, right?

Hammer · 08-01-2006, 10:45 PM

I've had my fair share.

What goes up, must come down

Mojave954 · 08-01-2006, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cam954

C'mon, Dirt doesn't count.

PHUCK YOU it doesn't. That chit hurts. Got three pins that came out of my wirst that prove it sitting on my desk.

Got about 6k on the first 954 wadded it. Broke fibula and ulna. Got about 6k on the second 954, some jackass banged a U'eeey in front of me, wadded that one. Axle nut fell off the WR, pinch bolts were loose (just got it that day from the dealer, less than 20 miles on it), right hand turn, disk binded in the caliper, pitched me down, broke wrist, 3 pins. (think it was just trying to show me who is boss right off that bat) Knock on wood... about 10k on the R-1 without a hiccup.

smkeatr · 08-01-2006, 11:07 PM

Crashed on my first track day.

Only about 30k street miles, so far so good, and I still dress for the crash.

On the dirt....my thumb is still sprained from my last track outing 2 weeks ago. If I don't fall off the dirt bike everytime I ride, I'm not trying hard enough.