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Post by gadgetarse on Dec 28, 2008 8:54:23 GMT 10
My new girlfriend absolutely loves being on the back of my 'storm, and now wants to move forward one position and ride a bike herself. Now, I mostly think this is the coolest thing ever, but she is an adrenalin junkie, and readily admits to having a bit of a god complex (ie. I'm indestructible, nothing can hurt me). Clearly a bad combo for a new rider. I would never tell her I don't want her getting a bike (how hot are chicks in leathers?!!) but I can't help but worry a little.
Anyway, it got me thinking; pretty well everyone I know who rides has had a decent off at some point, and been hurt. I'm a bit mangled myself. So the question is, has anyone out there who is an experienced rider who hasn't had a decent crash?
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Post by jackdad on Dec 28, 2008 11:29:52 GMT 10
Can you hear that pin drop and see the tumbleweeds roll past?
I don't know anyone who hasn't come off.
Cheers
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homer56
Senior Member
05 Suzuki GSX1400
Posts: 488
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Post by homer56 on Dec 28, 2008 13:32:12 GMT 10
dont think u will get to many post for this one....i hit a car when i was a young fella on the cb750..
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bigsnoopy
One Finger Living Legend
13 eyeabusa
Posts: 2,430
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Post by bigsnoopy on Dec 28, 2008 14:05:58 GMT 10
anybody with a dirt bike background knows that crashes are part of a normal days riding
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Saz
Living Legend/Mod
ex-stormer
Posts: 3,266
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Post by Saz on Dec 28, 2008 14:33:17 GMT 10
Once into the ground, and once into a car (just a little). Still worth it ;D Ambulance officers are cute, on that last note maybe you shouldn't let her ride She'll probably do it anyone if she's keen so you may as well support her.
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Post by Fozzy Bear on Dec 28, 2008 14:43:07 GMT 10
Haven't bingled the storm but I cleaned up 2 cars on my XS650 many years ago. When my son started riding, I told him "You WILL come off one day, so wear the right gear" . The pain of gravel rash and broken bones is something that you remember all your life.
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jonty
Living Legend
Fade to Black - 2004
Posts: 1,662
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Post by jonty on Dec 28, 2008 15:00:37 GMT 10
Well I haven't come off a road bike yet but I guess it will happen with time, that's what they all say..... Plenty of stacks on the old XR100 as a young buck. As Fozzy said, make sure you have the right gear on and save the road rash and skin grafts!!!
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shayne
Omnipresent
1998 Blueprint
Posts: 8,639
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Post by shayne on Dec 28, 2008 17:15:09 GMT 10
No claims here either.
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incy
Honourable Member
Tree Humper
2009 R1200 GSA
Posts: 778
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Post by incy on Dec 28, 2008 19:43:37 GMT 10
I never owned a Dirt bike that I didn't crash. That includes high speed offs on the road.
I have never binned a road bike.
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Post by gadgetarse on Dec 29, 2008 6:02:39 GMT 10
hehe, thanks for the post's guys, I thought as much. I am certainly not going to ask her to not get a bike (I won't try to stop her doing anything), but I want her going into this with her eyes wide open and understanding of the risks.
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Post by spectra on Dec 29, 2008 7:25:49 GMT 10
I haven't come off yet, but at 4 years I'd hardly call myself "experienced" I do have a couple of friends, however, who've ridden for 10+ years and never had a major off. I'd say they're more likely the exception than the rule though. Best thing you can do for your gf is make sure she's got the right gear and make sure she starts on a bike appropriate for a beginner. Then, in a year or two, try to get her on a couple of the advanced courses (go yourself, too, if you haven't already). I went through the same fears with my wife getting a bike - made me appreciate for the first time just how much she worried about me every time I headed out for a ride As you say, though - having a partner who rides is mostly the coolest thing ever
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Post by rocket60 on Dec 29, 2008 9:09:25 GMT 10
dont think u will get to many post for this one....i hit a car when i was a young fella on the cb750.. Hey Homer what sort of car,I hit a Valiant station wagon on my K3 and wrote them both off.Put the bike into the back door of the car and bent its chassis.Pretty solid old bike those CB750's.
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Post by paulbassett on Dec 29, 2008 11:05:34 GMT 10
I had heaps of offs when I was a young bloke, probably lucky to be alive, but since I have been riding the last 12 years I have been lucky, mainly due to the good tyres and brakes and handling which was non existent when I was younger.
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bluestorm04
The Hedge
2012 GSX1300R + 2007 GSX-R1000
Posts: 3,334
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Post by bluestorm04 on Dec 29, 2008 11:40:52 GMT 10
Not counting dirt bikes..Ive never dropped a bike on the road, i did however deck my race bike a few times, the last one killed the poor old thing, according to eye witnesses 6 times end over end with the throttle jammed on. Messy.
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Post by FirestorminBill on Dec 29, 2008 11:54:09 GMT 10
My worst was a bit over 30 years ago when a woman chucked a U-ey in front of me and I went over the bonnet. Apart from that, a couple of slides on English ice and snow, and amazingly no offs in Oz. Then again, I don't seem to be riding too much lately
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Post by ausdier on Dec 29, 2008 13:27:02 GMT 10
My last off was from a woman driver who turned blindly from behind a truck. A broken foot, two broken ribs, a punctured lung, two bruised lungs, concussion and ripping ALL the ligaments and tendons off my knee (without mentioning the minor stuff). All this and then getting massive blood clots as a result as well. Boy am I glad I was wearing the right gear or who knows where I might be.
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Post by Von Nudenut on Dec 29, 2008 17:00:26 GMT 10
I can't remember ever having fallen off a road bike! ;D Apparently other people can though
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homer56
Senior Member
05 Suzuki GSX1400
Posts: 488
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Post by homer56 on Dec 29, 2008 17:11:54 GMT 10
dont think u will get to many post for this one....i hit a car when i was a young fella on the cb750.. Hey Homer what sort of car,I hit a Valiant station wagon on my K3 and wrote them both off.Put the bike into the back door of the car and bent its chassis.Pretty solid old bike those CB750's. i hit a 180b datsun started at the front guard front door tore the back door off. back guard and bent the roof.if u are going to do a job do it good lol....
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Post by jackdad on Dec 29, 2008 17:21:39 GMT 10
My worst was a bit over 30 years ago when a woman chucked a U-ey in front of me and I went over the bonnet. Apart from that, a couple of slides on English ice and snow, and amazingly no offs in Oz. Then again, I don't seem to be riding too much lately That's exactly what happened to me in Peakhurst! The old XS just didn't stop........I went over the boot. Funny how nicely that front wheel can fold under a bike........
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Post by phillstorm on Dec 29, 2008 19:44:55 GMT 10
Had some crashes as a youngster but never got hurt, just gravel rash. Hope my luck holds though as my new track weapon is not as forgiving as the VTR and it's so fast it scared me just giving it a poke around the block
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Post by rods on Dec 30, 2008 14:32:31 GMT 10
I got my bike license when I was 17 and now I'm 34. Had plenty of offs on my dirt bikes but touch wood nothing on the road.
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Sammy
Honourable Member
Black S3
Posts: 739
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Post by Sammy on Jan 1, 2009 15:19:57 GMT 10
I have never crashed a road bike. Not about to nor want to. I have been riding for 20+ years. Dirt bikes yes. That is just going to happen lol.
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Post by cody on Jan 3, 2009 19:00:20 GMT 10
here's hoping there was a lot of touching wood as those posts were entered!!
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Post by stormhill on Jan 5, 2009 9:52:01 GMT 10
Nah can't say I've crashed but haven't spent enough hours on a bike either, so I guess time will tell Different story on the dirt bikes though, but the worst injury wasn't from crashing it was from the first time I kicked over the kx 500 and it fired back at me taking all the skin off my shin and causing severe bruising
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alpal
True Stormer
2006
Posts: 1,251
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Post by alpal on Jan 5, 2009 10:57:06 GMT 10
plenty of accidents in the sixties and seventies but that was quite normal, if you weren't working on bikes mechanical problems on weekends you were fixing last weeks accident. since I have started riding agin have not even looked like having an accident, then again bikes are so much better now compared to the lumps of shit we used to ride, just have to keep hero factor in check
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Post by bigmicky on Jan 5, 2009 22:01:23 GMT 10
Again, plenty of offs on dirt bikes, (including a couple of concussions and ambo rides) but only one very minor slide on the road. alot of mates growing up never made the jump from dirt to road, maybe because of all the falls and figured they would only be bigger and more painfull on the road. Point being, get your girlfriend out on a XR250 in the bush or on a farm for a bit, after a couple of minor close calls, she may be happy to stay on the back with you! But get her the right gear, scars don't look as cool on chicks!
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Post by FrillyBoBkinS on Jan 6, 2009 12:58:22 GMT 10
I have a similar issue my wife is doing her riding test in a couple of weeks and has me looking around for a bike for her (im not really looking), and Im absolutely terrified of her passing it I have never said anything like "dont do it" I cant really cause I do it....but I so dont want her out in the traffic, I know this sounds completely selfish, but its just to dangerous, and I dont want anything to happen to her. She has a bad driving record in terms of minor fender benders, in fact I only just got the new subaru back from a replacement front guard as she hit a concrete pole with it, cars got like 6k on the clock and already banged up (well fixed now). She does a bit of riding on the back of me and loves it, she is also a triathlete come road cycle specialist so she spends a lot of time on the road thus she believes she will adapt easy.....fook me Anyhoooo, im sure your all rolling your eyes thinking who gives a shite, and to you I say, dip me in honey and feed me to the lesbians. Shane .
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silentassassin
Honourable Member
Ex 2003 - "gone to god" Blue
Posts: 769
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Post by silentassassin on Jan 6, 2009 15:25:21 GMT 10
i'm not touhing the crash issue with a barge pole. do not want to jinx myself. what i will say is this.... i can't wait to get my son on a bike. i know he's not my girlfriend but i'm sure i've got the same concern as you guys. all you can do is educate. give em as many tips as you can re. traffic, protective gear etc. and the rest will come down to experience which they can only get by riding. i agree with the dirt bike theory though. all the riders i've met who learnt on the dirt are far better riders on the road than those who learnt on the road first. my 2 cents.
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shayne
Omnipresent
1998 Blueprint
Posts: 8,639
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Post by shayne on Jan 7, 2009 8:34:15 GMT 10
I have a similar issue my wife is doing her riding test in a couple of weeks and has me looking around for a bike for her (im not really looking), and Im absolutely terrified of her passing it I have never said anything like "dont do it" I cant really cause I do it....but I so dont want her out in the traffic, I know this sounds completely selfish, but its just to dangerous, and I dont want anything to happen to her. She has a bad driving record in terms of minor fender benders, in fact I only just got the new subaru back from a replacement front guard as she hit a concrete pole with it, cars got like 6k on the clock and already banged up (well fixed now). She does a bit of riding on the back of me and loves it, she is also a triathlete come road cycle specialist so she spends a lot of time on the road thus she believes she will adapt easy.....fook me Anyhoooo, im sure your all rolling your eyes thinking who gives a shite, and to you I say, dip me in honey and feed me to the lesbians. Shane . The best you can do is to use your knowledge to your advantage. You know what can go wrong, that the traffic is not the place for a novice, and that being good on a pushy is about as relevent as being a good skateboarder. So make sure she does some rider training courses. Just getting your licence doesn't teach you many skills. Keep her out of the traffic whilst she is learning the bike. And do your best to get her a bike that is good for a learner. Many of us had to learn as we went along, sometimes making mistakes that had us sliding down the road. She has the advantage of having you to guide her. Best of luck, and happy riding.
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Post by FrillyBoBkinS on Jan 7, 2009 9:23:04 GMT 10
I have a similar issue my wife is doing her riding test in a couple of weeks and has me looking around for a bike for her (im not really looking), and Im absolutely terrified of her passing it I have never said anything like "dont do it" I cant really cause I do it....but I so dont want her out in the traffic, I know this sounds completely selfish, but its just to dangerous, and I dont want anything to happen to her. She has a bad driving record in terms of minor fender benders, in fact I only just got the new subaru back from a replacement front guard as she hit a concrete pole with it, cars got like 6k on the clock and already banged up (well fixed now). She does a bit of riding on the back of me and loves it, she is also a triathlete come road cycle specialist so she spends a lot of time on the road thus she believes she will adapt easy.....fook me Anyhoooo, im sure your all rolling your eyes thinking who gives a shite, and to you I say, dip me in honey and feed me to the lesbians. Shane . The best you can do is to use your knowledge to your advantage. You know what can go wrong, that the traffic is not the place for a novice, and that being good on a pushy is about as relevent as being a good skateboarder. So make sure she does some rider training courses. Just getting your licence doesn't teach you many skills. Keep her out of the traffic whilst she is learning the bike. And do your best to get her a bike that is good for a learner. Many of us had to learn as we went along, sometimes making mistakes that had us sliding down the road. She has the advantage of having you to guide her. Best of luck, and happy riding. Yeah, what you say is true Nothing I can do about it, just make it as safe as I can without ruining the ride for her. I would probably feel the same about my kids riding (we r DINK's) as well, I guess im not as worried about my life, as I am those close to me, maybe we are all like that to a point? As the original poster points out, its impossible not to worry about it. .
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