Learning to ride after a crash

[Just Krusen]

G-man , I'm 5',7", with 31 inseam. The height is now where I feel pretty good about, and can flat-foot it on both sides under most situations. Thanks for the advice, I think I need to really just ride by myself without any additional pressure of having to keep up and going at my own pace. I think the time I was away from a bike had more of an effect than I thought.

1700 miles in 3 1/2 years! G-man has some pretty good advise but I would take it a step further. Go take a basic riding course. Start at the very beginning and use their bike in the process. There is no way you can learn and master the fine motor skills needed to ride a motorcycle without a LOT of practice. You also need to get out and ride.

Back in '97 I bought a Gold Wing after not riding for about 12 years. I took some classes and also rode with some very skilled riders. The truth is that it took me almost all of 1998 and 20,000 miles before I became comfortable with the bike and myself. Up to that point I needed to think about every small move I made, clutch, shifting, throttle control and braking. Then one day I just noticed that I was no longer thinking about all the moves involved with riding. But I continued to read, train and practice to this day still. Now it's 17 years and close to 350,000 accident free miles later but I still learn things almost every ride.

By the way I am 5'8 w/31" inseam and 160 lbs. I ride with my seat in the high position and can not even get close to flat footing this bike. The low position is just to hard on my knees. One foot down is all I've been doing for years now, even when I had the Wings.

Good luck and best wishes for a safe future.

 

[Fontanaman]

I high sided a sport touring bike in 2001 on a forest service road. I was riding solo. I high sided because

• I was driving distracted
• I was not paying attention
• I was driving too fast for the conditions

The took responsibilities for my actions, used it as lesson and was back on the bike without fear very quickly.

I don't know why I was never freaked out about riding. This was my experience after a serious get off.

 

[Dennis in NH]

Hm... about 6 years ago, I crashed a 2007 CBR1000 and badly sprained my tailbone -- it took a year to fully heal (to where I could sit and not think about any pain). During that year, I got an FZ6 (for 8 months) and later an R6. I read the Keith Code books and learned a lot about riding -- not just physics and technique but some philosophy in there too like riding within 70% of your capability and understanding about SRs (survival reactions). Plus I learned about throttle control and good throttle/braking technique. The FZ6 being a less sporty bike than the CBR1000, help me regain confidence.

I will also go with a lot of folks here and highly recommend the Lee Parks Total Control class. I didn't do so great in that class but learned a ton. I practiced a lot and learned a lot more in the following several months of riding (armed with knowing what to focus on). I did a track day before and after that class and it was like night and day. I thought I was a "good" rider going into the class; I was wrong. It was in that class that I became keenly aware about the basics of 'looking into your turns'. I've heard it so much but never quite internalized it like I did in and after the class. The dragging knee part was scary to say the least as I didn't want to scratch my then few months old R6.

After the training and consistent parking lot practice (at least every other week and mostly every week), I got better and more confident and soon skills got better and taking the corners at the speeds that used to be 90% of my skill and somewhat scary/thrilling became more casual. I also learned about suspension in the Lee Parks class which helped in my understand of riding better and handling the bike vs. just riding it.

I still consider myself a conservative rider; I'm surely faster but I don't think there's that much of a thrill-seeking feel because with the new skills/confidence it just feels more stable and natural. Bottom line: take the training and learn, learn, learn and then keep it under 70% of your capabilities always (know that your capabilities will get better over time).

Dennis

 

[TXFJR]

It's funny, I am feeling better about this whole thing, just hearing all this great advice and encouragement! After giving it some thought, I do agree that I need to start "from scratch" sort of, by taking the basic course, and "rebuilding" my skills and confidence.

I still don't know WHAT happened to me though. If it had been a horrible accident as some of you have described, I could see it. I can relate to Bust-a-cap's dad, and his story, because like him, I am also a police officer. I would not call myself "fearless", because I have been scared enough times in the last 21 years, but it never paralyzed me or kept me from doing my job. I think we all reach a point when we are more aware of our mortality, and I am sure that tends to put a lot of "warning" signs in our brains.

Dennis' advice about keeping it 70% of my capabilities makes SO MUCH sense! It's so basic, yet it escaped me. Rather than worry where I SHOULD BE, I need to pick up from wherever I am and enjoy THAT level of riding, and build up skills that have become rusty over the years!

 

[hppants]

This is also a normal experience. You have to go back to the scene of the crash. Park away from it - then walk to the site and walk all around it - look at it from many different angles and really study it. Think about the day of the crash and go through the motions in your head. Then re-visualize how it could have been done safely - with no "issues" or contributing factors - picture it as just a normal riding experience. Finally, and this is the most important part to me - visualize the exact scenario that led right up to the crash - the tangible and intangible contributing factors that played a part (however large or small) in the fall - and then visualize what you could have done or not done to avoid the crash, even if these contributing factors still existed.

A long time friend and full timer suggested this to me after my crash. I did it and she was spot on right. This will bring some closure to the scene for you and it is a great part of the healing process. If you can muster up the courage to RIDE to the scene, and then after your personal analysis, ride through the scene a few times practicing what you learned, then that too will help a lot. I know it may sound stupid, but trust me, it does work.

One other suggestion. Write about it. Put your thoughts down on paper - even if you don't intend for anyone else to read it. Write down everything - why you ride, why you don't think you should continue, Pros, cons - everything. Put it away and do something else. Few days later, come back to it and re-read it. Add to it, delete the BS, etc. That same friend suggested this too and it absolutely works.

I truly hope this helps to bring you to a decision.

 

[Bust-A-Cap]

Hey TX, it's nice to know that you are a cop like my dad was; he was also a Texan like you...Galveston Texas! I shared his story because in life we will all eventually come to the end of the road with certain things we really enjoy. I didn't mean to bring anyone down or discredit the great advice offered by others here on the forum; just share a very real experience with our friend Leclairk. I truly understand how you feel and I hope you will be honest with yourself and either re-learn how to enjoy riding or let it go if the feeling isn't there anymore. Life may have a different meaning for you at this stage in your life and risky activities such as motorcycling perhaps threaten something that means a hell of a lot more to you right now. Only you know what that is; for me it's my family and being there to see my girls grow up. Lots of bikers are losing their lives in my neck of the woods from reckless riding to cagers making that left turn just as we approach the intersection. When it comes to motorcycling I'm a big fan of prayer and listening to that inner voice of mine that has served me well over the years. I will be 51 in two weeks and thankfully I still enjoy riding, but it isn't the same as when I rode with my dad or when I was younger because some of my skills have diminished over time; I have to ride smarter now. Nevertheless, I'm sure you will find the inner peace within yourself and your bike. If you decide to hang in there with the bike I pray that the roads will always be kind to you and that you and everyone here will keep the rubber side down.

 

[TXFJR]

bust-a-cap, Thank you for sharing such a great memory, I don't see how it could bring anyone down, it's life. I liked reading about it because I could relate A LOT with your Dad. It's funny, because I am hoping to "get back in the saddle" to have the same kind of memories with my son, who is starting to ride now. I'm 49, and think WAY different than when I was 16, thank God! LOL! Some of the stuff I did back then, I should be dead! But for the grace of God that kept me safe despite my stupidity. I completely agree, our priorities change (or they should, anyway)with age and life experience. My kids, my grandkids are my life now. Thank you for all the kind words, and I will go the basic course, and then advanced, and see where that takes me!

 

[RavFJR]

Crashed twice (one requiring medical attention) during my 38 years of riding, but I guess I was just too young and stupid (when it happened) to have it effect me... Your biggest hurdle will be getting your confidence back. Some do it with training and others just climb back on and move back into their comfort zone as time goes on. I wish you the best, and hope you keep riding!