VaderSS
Skill Seeker
Ok, I'll admit that luck is something that plays a part in our lives. The problem is that most people give far too much control over to "luck."
In the arena of motorcycling, when we crash, we often say we were unlucky, but more often than not, if we look at it closely, we were at least partially at fault. I'd much rather be able to say that something was 100% at fault in a non-accident than to be able to console myself with the fact that I was only 5% at fault in an accident.
I've probably crashed a street-bike more than 90% of the riders here. I could have avoided every single one of those crashes with minimal effort.
Luck should only play a role, in our riding, when it comes to things like weather, road conditions, and the actions of others. Luck should not play more than a very small role in how we deal with the challenges that the road throws at us.
If a deer leaps out of the woods right on top of us, that is bad luck. Few other things in motorcycling occur with that little warning, and we should be prepared to deal with those things.
The most common cause for single vehicle motorcycle accidents is rider error. Read that again. Let it sink in. The most common rider error, in my opinion, is giving up on a situation before it is over and done. If you think you can make it, you'll have a heck of a lot better chance of actually making it than if you decide you can't make it. Once you make the decision that you've exhausted your options, you have. If you leave yourself open for another solution to pop up, then it probably will.
Personally, I'd rather be looking for another solution to the problem at hand, as I crash the bike. In most accidents though, we don't do that. We think, on a very deep level, "I'm screwed!" and a moment later we are. That realization that we are screwed causes panic, and panic causes the very thing we feared.
The panic mode, or "fight or flight" mode is an overpowering emotional blast that can save your life in certain circumstances where you have no previous experience to draw on. "Fight or flight" will kill you as quickly as a bullet to the heart, on a motorcycle.
The quickest way to engage "fight or flight" mode on a motorcycle, is to encounter a situation you had not planned for and have no escape already programmed in. In that situation, it is very common for the rider to; not lean as far as possible; target fixate, thus ensuring a collision with the very object of fear; over-brake and drop the bike, or some combination of the three.
The best way to avoid "fight or flight" is to have planned for as many possible situations as possible, and to have practiced the techniques required to avoid them.
A skilled motorcyclist is prepared for almost any eventuality. "Prepared" does not mean anticipating though. It is impossible to anticipate every eventuality, and trying will only cause you to miss what actually happens. "Prepared" means that you have considered the possibilities, came up with solutions for the problems, and practiced the solutions.
You might think of something that you "think" is impossible to prepare for, but that is when you should seek outside help. You may currently not have a tool to allow you to deal with something you think of, but the tool may exist and others can share it with you. Accept that, sometimes, it may require training to get the new tool and the skill to use it. Read some books. Discuss.
I am a firm believer in ATGATT for several reasons. The obvious one is that it protects us if we fall. Another benefit is that it allows us to practice another rule of life that will take you far;
Care, but not too much This is my number one rule for everything I do in life. I can't say that I manage it all the time, but I try.
In motorcycling, "Care, but not too much" means this; recognize the risks and prepare for them, but don't give them so much weight that they paralyze you. ATGATT goes a long way toward making this possible. Being prepared will help keep you from using the gear.
In the arena of motorcycling, when we crash, we often say we were unlucky, but more often than not, if we look at it closely, we were at least partially at fault. I'd much rather be able to say that something was 100% at fault in a non-accident than to be able to console myself with the fact that I was only 5% at fault in an accident.
I've probably crashed a street-bike more than 90% of the riders here. I could have avoided every single one of those crashes with minimal effort.
Luck should only play a role, in our riding, when it comes to things like weather, road conditions, and the actions of others. Luck should not play more than a very small role in how we deal with the challenges that the road throws at us.
If a deer leaps out of the woods right on top of us, that is bad luck. Few other things in motorcycling occur with that little warning, and we should be prepared to deal with those things.
The most common cause for single vehicle motorcycle accidents is rider error. Read that again. Let it sink in. The most common rider error, in my opinion, is giving up on a situation before it is over and done. If you think you can make it, you'll have a heck of a lot better chance of actually making it than if you decide you can't make it. Once you make the decision that you've exhausted your options, you have. If you leave yourself open for another solution to pop up, then it probably will.
Personally, I'd rather be looking for another solution to the problem at hand, as I crash the bike. In most accidents though, we don't do that. We think, on a very deep level, "I'm screwed!" and a moment later we are. That realization that we are screwed causes panic, and panic causes the very thing we feared.
The panic mode, or "fight or flight" mode is an overpowering emotional blast that can save your life in certain circumstances where you have no previous experience to draw on. "Fight or flight" will kill you as quickly as a bullet to the heart, on a motorcycle.
The quickest way to engage "fight or flight" mode on a motorcycle, is to encounter a situation you had not planned for and have no escape already programmed in. In that situation, it is very common for the rider to; not lean as far as possible; target fixate, thus ensuring a collision with the very object of fear; over-brake and drop the bike, or some combination of the three.
The best way to avoid "fight or flight" is to have planned for as many possible situations as possible, and to have practiced the techniques required to avoid them.
A skilled motorcyclist is prepared for almost any eventuality. "Prepared" does not mean anticipating though. It is impossible to anticipate every eventuality, and trying will only cause you to miss what actually happens. "Prepared" means that you have considered the possibilities, came up with solutions for the problems, and practiced the solutions.
You might think of something that you "think" is impossible to prepare for, but that is when you should seek outside help. You may currently not have a tool to allow you to deal with something you think of, but the tool may exist and others can share it with you. Accept that, sometimes, it may require training to get the new tool and the skill to use it. Read some books. Discuss.
I am a firm believer in ATGATT for several reasons. The obvious one is that it protects us if we fall. Another benefit is that it allows us to practice another rule of life that will take you far;
Care, but not too much This is my number one rule for everything I do in life. I can't say that I manage it all the time, but I try.
In motorcycling, "Care, but not too much" means this; recognize the risks and prepare for them, but don't give them so much weight that they paralyze you. ATGATT goes a long way toward making this possible. Being prepared will help keep you from using the gear.
