Why does every rider HAVE to go down?

[redgar]

I have heard over and over that I will go down at some point. Why is that people tell me this? I mean, what if I don't want to go down? I can't understand with this is something people have to tell newer riders. And when they say this, are they saying that the reason behind it is the bike or the rider? I ask that question because I never hear people who ride Harleys tell new riders that they WILL crash at some point. Most likely because they just cruise. That being the case, the reasoning behind "you WILL go down", is that the rider is the problem.
So what if some of are riding sportbikes for the freedom of it, rather that trying to tear up the streets and twisties at high speeds. Does that mean we will still "go down"? I'm asking because I hate hearing that negative BS!

[NattyDrez]

its just the nature of riding, we have a higher danger towards accidents as most people are blind, bad drivers, multi-tasking while driving etc. just tonight i got cut off and the person HAD to have seen headlights coming, it was a back road yet they still pulled out. i was fine but i kept my high beams on to be like 'WTF!?"

i dunno about the harley crowds but they still get into accidents just as much as sportbikers, i think sportbikers just have more balls (or stupidity!?) to go fast and end up wrecking. more or less its the rider because they are controlling the bike, yet as a noobie/new rider you dont know how to control the motorcycle your riding as you are new to riding.

long story short, a new rider has a much higher risk of dumping it or crashing since the skills they posses are anything but skills. it takes years of riding to develop them, and personally i think after attaining good riding skills its moreso being aware of your surroundings and stupid cagers. myself, ive been riding for 2 years and call me a noob but i feel that i can control my bike well enough to pay MORE attention to other drivers than myself riding.

p.s. - sorry for the rant, got home a bit ago and warmed up with some southern comfort!

[MoonChild]

i've been riding for 6 months. i've dropped my bike 3 times in the first week in slow speed in a u turn and stopping on a hill. but i've never been down or in a accident.

i ride almost everyday but still i'm constantly looking around for possilbe danger signs. cuz anything can happen. and if something happens i'm bound to get fucked.

anyhow i'm the beginning i was like u. saying i'll stay the speed limit and all. but it's near impossilbe to control the temptation on a open road. i can't help but open her up. trust me every rider including you will do a 100+ at some point.

anyhow ride smart and don't be afraid to use the horns.

[kevin_stevens]

"What if I don't want to go down?"

Oh, you mean as opposed to the rest of us who took our multi-thousand dollar machines out and DECIDED to crash?

The reason, simply put, is "unstable equilibrium". Cars are most stable sitting on their tires. Motorcycles are most stable lying on their sides. It is extremely difficult to gain all the experience necessary to thwart gravity and friction while never, ever making a mistake.

KeS

[Sier]

I consider myself a defensive rider.
I took the MSF, bought all gear (except pants), and got a small bike.. 500cc..
And still, after 5 weeks, I was involved in an accident.
It's life .. It could happen in 2 days, or 2 yrs..

[TejasRider]

Took me... (rusty gears adding up) 17 years before I had my first get off last year. I got caught in a down pour, was down to about 40 mph and thought it was slow enough, but apparently wasn't. On a bike you carry a higher risk since road conditions around you can have a much bigger impact.

[Whymista]

Originally Posted by kevin_stevens

"What if I don't want to go down?"

Oh, you mean as opposed to the rest of us who took our multi-thousand dollar machines out and DECIDED to crash?

The reason, simply put, is "unstable equilibrium". Cars are most stable sitting on their tires. Motorcycles are most stable lying on their sides. It is extremely difficult to gain all the experience necessary to thwart gravity and friction while never, ever making a mistake.

KeS

Shut up, uh you mean you don't look to crash

[smakawhat]

maybe it happens maybe it doesn't. Believe the myth, don't live the truth. Keep your mind set and focused and think about what makes riding enjoyable.

[Anthonyd5189]

Every rider doesn't have to go down...it's almost like saying every driver will have an accident. It's just that when riding a motorcycle there are MANY more opportunities for something to happen. Some riders are better at reducing their risk than others...also depends on the kind of riding you do. I would say someone on the track or canyons is more likely to go down than someone who just rides for commuting.

[636blurr]

Dont ride thinking you are going to go down, ride thinking you are going to have a nice fun and safe ride, be ware of your bike and your surroundings and its entirely possible to never wreck on the street.

Have fun.

[utahp8ntballer]

I hate the saying that there are only 2 kinds of riders. Those that have gone down and those that will go down. I don't believe it for a second. My buddy has said it to me for years and I just tell him that it's bullshit but there is a good possibility of going down but it's not guaranteed.
With that being said, I went down last Sunday.
Guess who told me he told me so? I said "Fuck You, I told you I knew there was a possibility and it's a risk I'm willing to take to ride."
So just ride not thinking you will go down but ride knowing there is a possibility and be prepared.

[jim_0068]

Did you ever not fall off your bicycle too?

[FZ6ish]

I do not believe that everyone will crash. It is simply not true. Yes, it can happen... hell, you could walk outside in a thunderstorm and get hit by lightning, but it doesn't happen to everyone right? Just be defensive, ride your ride if you ever ride with a group, and don't ride faster than road conditions permit. Remember that the city streets are not racetracks...

I can see why the myth is there though... tonight was a good example. While out on the local cruising "strip" near a Hooters that was having bike night, EVERY rider I saw was acting like a jackass... Wheelies, excessive speed (80-90mph in a 40 zone), hard cornering, weaving through traffic, etc... Also, every bike that pulled along side me tried to get me race (I was on my YZF600R and not the GSXR which makes that kinda strange). Since a large percentage of sportbikers seem to ride this way, I can see how the "you'll definitely crash at some point" argument holds water.

As a side note, a funny thing happened. I pulled up to a guy on a new FZ6 at a light. When the light turned he slowed down enough to let the car in front of him get a good distance ahead, then proceeded to try and get a power wheelie going. He couldn't get it up and then missed his shift into second, bumping the rev limiter in the process. He finally got it into gear and sped off. I just shook my head.

The lesson here? If you're a noob, DON"T try to wheelie when other people are around if you don't know how to...

[jerome_oneil]

It's because of gravity, and two wheels.

Ride long enough, and you'll tip it over, what with probabilities being what they are.

[RayOSV]

I think a lot of riders justify their mistakes that result in a get-off by saying that. Obviously, you can minimize the risk but not totally make it go away. Two wheels mean much less margin for keeping things on the right side of OK. Poor judgment or momentary inattentiveness on a bike can have much more dire consequences than in a car. Some people are more prone to these lapses than others. Many of those ride.