I'm an Idiot :(

[Ben M]

Well I went down today. I was in town going around a corner probably only 25-30 mph. I was actually practicing looking through the turn. It seems I need more practice It was a wide open turn with no traffic anywhere around. As I was coming through the beginning of the turn I was not going wide enough for my liking, so I looked to the left and forward and more left and more left and eventually I was staring directly at the opposite curb but the bike was not following my eyes. But then all of a sudden the bike felt like it caught up to my eyes and went directly left toward the curb. I thought about leaning right but abandoned that idea and decided to brake. I either locked up the front brake or just hit the curb. Most likely a combination of the two, and I flew off the bike and bounced/rolled. I don't know if you understand that but it all happened in like 2 seconds in real life lol.
I'm pretty sure I'm fine, my wrist hurts but doesn't seem to be serious. I was wearing jeans, jacket, gloves, and helmet and I am certainly glad for the gloves! I don't think I hit my head at all. Anyways my right fairing and turn signal are completely cracked and scratched and there are scratches on the brake lever and muffler. I'm not sure if I should contact my insurance or not. Most likely not though.
I was pretty shook up afterwards and on the way home I was taking corners like it was my first time riding. I can't imagine crashing at higher speeds.

[ryan.chin]

What did you learn from your crash?

[Ben M]

Well I was probably going to fast for my ability. But other than that, if I could go back and do it again I would not look that far to the left. That was just stupid. I didn't need to, I was just trying to practice getting the bike to do what I wanted. And of course don't lock the front brake

[csmith12]

Glad your good and nothing "really" hurt aside of a bit of pride. Is this your first down?

[Ben M]

On another note, now I can get a R6




Kiddinggg

[Ben M]

And yes that was my first down. On an perfect bike, barely even a nick on it. And now this

[csmith12]

lol @ getting an R6. I did it wrong, I didn't crash my 250 before getting my R6.

Well your first crash milestone is out of the way then and you can walk away.

OH! Hey!!! Read this thread if you haven't already. I hope it helps you.

EDIT: Pay attention to Misti's comments about being "lost" in corners.

[CZroe]

Glad you are OK. Make sure you chek out the forks before it's too late to contact insurance.

[Ben M]

Yes I am very glad I can walk away. And wow that is a great thread! A little in depth for me, but still, thanks!

[Z300]

don't use the front brake on turns and look where you want to go

[Motofool]

You are not an idiot, Ben; you are just an inexperienced and misinformed rider.

It is great that you didn't get seriously hurt.

I really hope that whoever taught you to steer your bike with your eyes didn't charge you for such useless advice.

You started riding 2-1/2 months ago and already had your first crash, which was neither good nor unavoidable.

Did you finally take the MSF course?

[Ben M]

No i have not taken the MSF course yet, I guess I have been procrastinating about that. I will probably sign up for the first one in January. And haha I know my eyes don't steer my bike but I think you know what I mean. And is there a good thread here on how to check the forks? Other than this? http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/I_need_...nd_front_wheel

[tuan3742]

I agree with @Motofool

you want to figure out what you need to do prior to taking the turn. try to avoid making too many adjustments when you're actually executing. you want to commit and follow through with what you are doing.

once you started letting your eyes wander, your bike went exactly where you looked, towards the curb.

[alex.s]

congratulations and welcome to the club! maybe be more conscious about your counter-steering

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by Ben M

........And haha I know my eyes don't steer my bike but I think you know what I mean......

Not trying to make you feel bad or to criticize your riding, but I don't really know what you mean.

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/fe...lem_of_vision/

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/fe...a_trained_eye/

Learning solid elementary concepts is so important that it could save your life one day.

Visual skills are tremendously important in safe riding: learn only the proper ones.

Start by studying this:

http://msf-usa.org/index_new.cfm?spl...gename=Library

http://www.msgroup.org/articles.aspx

I highly recommend this book:

"Proficient Motorcycling" by David L. Hough

http://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Mot.../dp/1889540536

Be extra alert and careful in traffic ridding.

Best !

[Ben M]

Thanks for the help everyone! I appreciate all constructive criticism! And thanks very much for the links, just read the first one and will read the others tomorrow. And about the whole eyes thing I just meant that I should be looking where I want to go. I still have much to learn!

[Lychee]

Never ever, ever, ever give up on a turn.

straighten forks video- start at 3:00

Link to original page on YouTube.

[the big mike]

Originally Posted by Ben M

On another note, now I can get a R6




Kiddinggg

This stays funny
is he still around? it was Roberth wasn't it?

[Ben M]

Haha I'm not sure who it was. In regards to that video. I loosened the two allen bolts on the lower triple clamp and two regular bolts on the upper triple and nothing happened. It was like there was no difference between them being tight or loose. Am I missing something?

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by Ben M

......Am I missing something?

Recheck the link of post #12.

Sometimes you have to twist the forks back to the original position by hand (use some long pieces of wood for leverage) while a helper holds the rest of the bike.