Riding Mishaps: A Teaching Tool by PJ's Parts
 

Riding Mishaps: A Teaching Tool

Riding Mishaps: A Teaching Tool Over the past decade, we’ve identified a trend we don’t like. In the fall, just before riding season ends, we see a rash of motorcycle accidents. We’re not sure if it’s because people think their skills have improved exponentially over the summer, or if they’re trying to cram in some riding before winter comes and they get careless. Either way, most of the end-of-year wrecks we learn about, while unfortunate, are great opportunities for learning and teaching.
Learning from your mistakes is good. Learning from other people’s mistakes is better. You can make excuses for why it wasn’t your fault, but then you miss the opportunity to become a better rider. If you have a mishap and don’t take the time to evaluate what happened, it’s a wasted experience. And once you’ve learned a lesson, you should share it, even at the risk of having people ridicule you for your mistake. You never know who you might help.

Here are some ideas on how to evaluate an incident (after the fact):

Don’t try to figure it all out at the scene. Your immediate safety/health is paramount.
Ask witnesses, if there are any, what they saw and heard.
Think about the entire day, not just the moment it happened.
Inspect the motorcycle top to bottom.
Don’t automatically blame the other guy if there was someone else involved.
Admit your mistakes. We’re all human.
Here are some specific things to consider as you think through the event:
Lack of experience/riding above your limits.
Attempting new skills in the wrong environment.
Poor bike maintenance (there are dozens of mechanical possibilities).
Environmental conditions (cold/hot/rain/dark).
Physical preparedness (tired/dehydrated/angry/nervous).
The combination of any or all of the above and more . . .
Every factor is important, so don’t jump to conclusions assuming that your mishap was exactly like your buddy’s, or that it totally wasn’t your fault, or that you just need to get back on the horse and move on. Somewhere on that ride, a limit was exceeded. What that limit was is yours to determine, and yours to share with others so they don’t experience the same problem.
The last mishap PJ had was due to fatigue and dehydration. Riding all afternoon in 90 degree weather after six hours of sleep, a cup of coffee, and a Red Bull will mess with your mind. Hello, cracked ribs and a wrecked motorcycle. PJ always reminds our friends to hydrate in advance and throughout a day of riding. Now you know why.

Winter is almost upon us, and spring will be right on its heels with another rash of accidents as people get back in the saddle. We hope you don’t, but if you do have a mishap, be pro-active about learning from it so you’re not as likely to have it happen again. Share your newfound knowledge on motorcycle forums, at lunch on a ride, or on social media so you can help others. It’s good motorcycle karma!

Really great points here!! I think it is important to figure out what went wrong whenever you have a mishap and you have made a few really great points that may help someone look at the whole picture.

People are too quick to blame others, their bike or the riding conditions when most of the time it comes down to a simple mistake they made that may have been avoided.

Safe riding!!!