Why do you think so many accidents lately??

tomr6 · Post by **tomr6** » Apr 21st, '07, 19:59

Theres a copper website that breaks down all the reasons for bike accidents in to categories and percentages.

Unfortunately there are now more single vehicle accidents (Bikers with no other vehicles involved) than any other type. Most of them appear to be on left hand bends as well.

Accidents happens normally because a few minor things happen at once rather than one big fekk up. Sometimes a big fekk up occurs.

I was driving my car in my village tonight and a kid ran out from behind a car. Only about 6 year old and I never saw him til he ran out. I was doing 20mph and just missed him( about 9 - 10 inches i reckon). If I had been doing 30mph in a 30mph zone he would be dead or seriously injured now.

deej · Post by **deej** » Apr 21st, '07, 21:23

just down a lack of skills and too powerful a machinery 4 them, people have got too much spare cash and finance is easy to get so you can buy what ever bike you fancy now. how many people who have had a single bike accident have had any training once they've passed their test ??

the guy in plymouth was just unlucky,very very unlucky and my condolences go out to his family

Little Loris · Post by **Little Loris** » Apr 21st, '07, 23:51

This is my first summer being part of SWB and before this I'd not known of so many killed motorcyclists. I didn't think it was possible to lose so many. It does scare me, almost to the point of not wanting to ride so often as luckily (touch wood) I've not any serious near-misses. But should I be unlucky enough to have a near-miss and get away with it, I think that would be it.

There's been a lot of talk of track Vs street presently and even though, in my short time riding think that track outweighs street, there's no getting away from the fact that the one time you could get your bike out could be the last. It never crosses my mind. I guess if it did I wouldn't own a bike? Maybe that's part of the thrill for some? Thank God my missus doesn't read this forum

Funky · Post by **Funky** » Apr 21st, '07, 23:56

So far in this cracking I have seen two people wearing helmet, gloves, jacket SHORTS abd TRAINERS!

I don't ruddy understand this it says 'I want to be safe and be an idiot but I can't make my mind up'

My experience is that legs get the worst tarmac rash, so why! It annoys me more than people who wear t-shirts and scarves...poofs.

I think alot of people would put all the early accidents to the resting over the winter break and not easing yourself back into biking. It could be due simple statisitics that more bikes on the road= more accidents, depends how you look at the stats. Though year round bikers are supposed to be safer...apparently.

cbrchell · Post by **cbrchell** » Apr 22nd, '07, 21:14

There is also another reason, you grow more confident as the summer season goes on and then put your bike away at the end of the summer.

Once spring comes around you get you bike out and think that you can ride as well as you could in September!

You forget that you haven't been on it for several months and have a false confidence.

Not saying this applies to everyone, but there are a few Sunday fair weathered power rangers (myself included) out there that think they can ride as good as you could 5 months ago.

graham22 · Post by **graham22** » Apr 23rd, '07, 09:21

Another factor seems to be road conditions, I've had non-biking car driving customers comment how bad the local roads are (not boy racers with lowered suspension - normal motorists with normal cars). It almost seems the rain we had last winter has taken it's toll on the roads.

If you take a critical look at the roads you use daily, look at how many potholes/manhole covers you are sub-consciously avoiding, I know my daily commute is getting dodgy in places but I know to avoid certain lines & be careful in certain places.

Imagine someone coming out of hibernation & trying to road like they did at the end of last year on roads that have suffered from the winter?

Maver-Nick · Post by **Maver-Nick** » Apr 23rd, '07, 11:33

cbrchell wrote:There is also another reason, you grow more confident as the summer season goes on and then put your bike away at the end of the summer.
Once spring comes around you get you bike out and think that you can ride as well as you could in September!

As proven on Sunday's rideout... I was rusty as hell... So took it easy

clunk · Post by **clunk** » Apr 23rd, '07, 11:51

graham22 wrote:Another factor seems to be road conditions

Agreed, the roads are worse than ever, and if a section does get resurfaced they leave loose chippings on it which takes months to clear.

There's a section of road near me which keeps getting dug up and patched, it's like a ploughed field. A few hundred yards further on a big section has been resurfaced when there was nothing wrong with it

Jonny · Post by **Jonny** » Apr 23rd, '07, 12:02

Statistically the majoritory of motorcycle deaths occur in "perfect riding conditions"

Another point, there are well over triple the number of motorcyclists on the roads in the summer, so of course there will be more accidents.

graham22 · Post by **graham22** » Apr 23rd, '07, 14:54

Jonny wrote:................of motorcycle deaths occur in "perfect riding conditions"

Might be perfect conditions for a top spec volvo which won't even twitch over 6" wide spread of oil/diesel/coolant/wet overband. Problem is most things that affect a bike are over-looked.

Went to a friends inquest a few years back and the copper was more concerned with another riders' scuffed tyres - totally overlooked the fact he did a trackday a few days before and that my mates' tyres showed signs of just normal use, the copper stood up in front the judge and based his entire evidence on these tyres (no mention of mud etc on road - aquite a consideration as a tractor was involved).

r1dave · Post by **r1dave** » Apr 25th, '07, 17:02

Just another thought, The sports bikes now are so quick you don't realise what speed you are doing

, Then panick could set in while say approaching a bend anchoring up and getting it wrong

. Again only a suggestion. Cheers Dave

deej · Post by **deej** » Apr 25th, '07, 17:22

totally agree there dave, we all know how easy it is to do over a ton in first or second gear and instaed of thinking about it and looking through the bend at the exit most people will panic when look down and see the speedo showing three figures, a sure sign of a accident waiting to happen. at the ron haslam race school they gaffer tape over the speedo so its not on your mind and you can concentrate on where your going,works a treat

r1dave · Post by **r1dave** » Apr 25th, '07, 17:53

Thats a good idea deej gaffer tape way to go, P.S SP Also a good place to buy new

cheaper than bridge and good after sales service.

baz-R · Post by **baz-R** » Apr 25th, '07, 17:59

k5 dave wrote:Just another thought, The sports bikes now are so quick you don't realise what speed you are doing , Then panick could set in while say approaching a bend anchoring up and getting it wrong . Again only a suggestion. Cheers Dave

when i have riden sports bikes my own and others thay do seem to want to go faster
some bikes more than others

baz-R · Post by **baz-R** » Apr 25th, '07, 18:01

sorry "want you to go faster"