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| Reasons why we
crash |
We crash on cold tires. Respect them by giving them a few
miles to warm up, especially if they're brand new. After
stopping to eat or something, remember you're not the only thing
that has cooled down, allow your tires sufficient time to warm
up again.
We crash on overloaded tires. If you are new to riding or rusty
after a winter layoff, applying too much throttle or brake while
leaned over could be very costly. Our tires can provide amazing
levels of traction but they're not immune to "lead" hands. The
instinct of grabbing a handful of front brake while leaned over
will put you in the guardrail.
We crash trying to keep up. Ultimate speed on a back road has
little to do with the bike and everything to do with the rider.
Once you realize this, twisting the throttle WFO to keep your
friends in sight on the straights while losing them in the
corners becomes a non-option. Ride your own pace.
We crash because we want to go fast. Sometimes, even the posted
speed limit is inappropriate. Coming over a blind crest at 45mph
might be too fast if you can't stop the bike before hitting the
hazard you only see when it's too late. Speed reduces time to
react and adds distance to react in emergency situations.
We crash because we bail out. How many posts have there been
about entering a corner too hot, standing the bike up and
running out of road before getting the bike stopped? Too hot
means your brain is probably freaked out but there is still
plenty of tire traction available. LOOK through the corner, LEAN
the bike until hard parts drag, BELIEVE in modern tire
technology.
We crash because we lose our focus. The bike travels 88 feet per
second at 60 mph. A moment's inattention puts you that much
farther into a corner. Think about the next corner, not the one
you just blew. That one is over, focus on getting the next one
right.
We crash because we rush corner entrances. Slow in, fast out
works for racers season after season. It works for road riders
too. Slow down a bit on your corner entrances and see how much
smoother you become.
We crash because we can't keep up with the motorcycle. Make sure
your software is the equal of your bikes hardware. The bike has
the ability to go 160mph, that doesn’t mean YOU do.
We crash trying to look cool. If it takes wheelies, stoppies and
other stunts to impress your friends...you need new friends.
We crash because we don't practice enough. If you are going to
be riding at 100kph you should practice emergency braking at
100kph. Otherwise, how are you going to know how to do it when
the situation comes up?
We crash because of indecisiveness. If you're going to do
something, then do it. If your bud decides to go through a red
light and you decide to stop, then STOP!... and vice versa.. if
you decide to go, then GO!, don't stop.
Communication in group riding, make sure you understand what to
do and what the signals mean.
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