An informal survey of crash histories

[caponerd]

My conversation with Slozuki in his thread "wrecked" needs a bit of explanation.
The reason why I came up with the defenition of "crash" that I mentioned in that thread.
I didn't exclude the circumstances that I excluded so that I could say I've "never crashed"; I have crashed before, but most of the items I excluded have never happened to me.
Anyway, the reason why I made up the defenition of "crash" that I did will be clear if you read on....



I've decided that I need to widen the scope of a small survey that I did 4 or 5 years ago.

Who's crashed their bike, and how many times, and how recently?

I once did an informal survey at a vintage motorcycle meet. I asked about 35 people how long they'd been riding, if they've ever crashed, how many times, and how recent was the last crash?
I had established some ground rules on what we'd consider to be a "crash":
Any fall or collision on a public road that can result in injury or death, and damage to the motorcycle beyond slight scratches on the plastic, or slightly bent levers. Road rash counts as injury, and let's pretend gear doesn't exist. I don't want the squids claiming that a 40 mph lowside doesn't fit the definition. We're talking about normal potential for damage or injury, not hypothetical possibilitiies either way.

What I told them NOT to consider to be a crash:
1. Falls in the dirt; anyone who rides in the dirt expects to fall down once in awhile.
2. Falls on a racetrack, see #1; racing or track sessions are high risk activities, and anyone who engages in them knows it.
3. parking lot drops; these include a sidestand folding up accidentally, having the motor stall while you were doing a U-turn in your driveway, other very low-speed events that would result in injury only in the rarest of freak occurrances.

The group of people I interviewed were all experienced motorcyclists, with an average of 20 years riding.
The results were somewhat as I expected. There was one surprise; I spoke with 4 or 5 people who all had more than 20 years experience who said that they'd never crashed according to my definitions. Among those, one said he'd crashed many times in the dirt, and one other who races Ducati's in vintage racing said that he'd fallen on the track. The others had never dropped a bike under any circumstances.
The other 30 or so motorcycle enthusiasts I spoke with almost all said that they hadn't crashed within the last 10-15 years. One or two had crashed within 2 years of when I spoke with them.

I'd like to find out if the results of my little study were anomalous, or if they're normal among all experienced motorcyclists.

So, with those ground rules, I'd like you to offer your own experiences.
Please keep it brief, and avoid discussing your opinions on other's experiences; I'm only trying to gather some information here.
One last thing, please avoid arguing with my ground rules, I think my reasoning is valid; none of the excluded items would be considered for purposes of highway crash statistics, or for purposes of insurance ratings. And only the dirt or racetrack crashes could result in possible injury or death, which is why racetrack owners have riders sign waivers of liability. If you don't like my standards, do your own survey, don't hijack this topic with irrelevancies.

1. How long have you been riding?
2. Do you ride often?
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
4. How many times have you crashed?
5. When was the last time?
It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US.

If you don't want to discuss your history publicly, please PM me instead.
I'll be posting this at several other places.

Thanks

[caponerd]

Oops, sorry Slowzuki, I misspelled your screen name. Not intentional.
:cool

[Z3n]

1. How long have you been riding?

3 years.


2. Do you ride often?

Daily.

3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?

Yes.

4. How many times have you crashed?

3.

5. When was the last time?

Right around a year ago, i lowsided my SV at about 5mph on some gravel. If that doesn't count, then my last crash was about a year and 2 months ago, when i dropped the bike because i swerved/overbraked, avoiding a car that made a left in front of me. Too much swearving and braking for the conditions.

No significant damage on teh SV drop, besides a bent clipon and some rash, and tank/plastics on the other accident.
It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US.

[Espumoso]

1. How long have you been riding?

---2 years

2. Do you ride often?

---Daily

3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?

---Yes

4. How many times have you crashed?

---Twice in a short period of time.

5. When was the last time?

---Jan 1, 2007.

[ericm]

1. How long have you been riding?

Since 1976 but there was about 5 years where I didn't ride as I was too busy with bicycling. So make it 25 years.


2. Do you ride often?

Now about twice a week. When I wasn't cycling I rode almost daily.

3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?

No.

4. How many times have you crashed?

n/a

5. When was the last time?

n/a

[125shifter]

1. How long have you been riding?
39 years. 19 years on the street.

2. Do you ride often?
yes. weekly

3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
yes

4. How many times have you crashed?
once.

5. When was the last time?
1988. Oil on an offramp.

From Folsom, CA.

[macadamizer]

1. How long have you been riding?

About 7 years.


2. Do you ride often?

Varies, but at least a few days a week commuting, and most every weekend it's not raining at least one day.

3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?

No.

4. How many times have you crashed?

n/a

5. When was the last time?

n/a

[Christieland]

Originally posted by caponerd
1. How long have you been riding?
2. Do you ride often?
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
4. How many times have you crashed?
5. When was the last time?
It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US.

1. One year.
2. Sure, 10,000 miles in that year, 90% sport riding (as opposed to commuting or posing).
3. No.
4. NA
5. NA
6. San Ho.

[Ratters]

Shit Christie, you've only been riding a year? Oh the shame I feel now. :cry :teeth

1. 21 years.
2. Was bike only for the first eight. Took about three years from 2000 to 2003. About 10k miles a year since then.
3. Yep.
4. 3.
5. 1991
Aren't we all in the SF Bay Area???

[SuperSixFour]

1. How long have you been riding?

Six years.

2. Do you ride often?

About 6 days a week average.

3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?

Yes. Totaled my beloved YZF600R :( Totaled my clavicle too.

4. How many times have you crashed?

Once.

5. When was the last time?

August, 2002.

It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US.

Santa Cruz, CA

[aszreal1266]

1. How long have you been riding?
just under a year

2. Do you ride often?
a couple days a week.

3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
Yes

4. How many times have you crashed?
One

5. When was the last time?
Mid Nov of 06

It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US.
CA east bay.

[Sidewalk]

1. How long have you been riding?
-5 years

2. Do you ride often?
-Daily commute

3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
-Yes

4. How many times have you crashed?
-3 times (track doesn't count :D)

5. When was the last time?
Couple years ago, low sides my KTM in the rain playing around.

Originally posted by Ratters
Aren't we all in the SF Bay Area??? Some people just can't let go.

[pepperell]

I started a similar thread awhile back and it got some interesting responses:

http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=113533&highlight=statistics

And here's my personal contribution:

http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=189686&highlight=crash


EDIT: to answer your questions.

1. How long have you been riding? 6 years
2. Do you ride often? daily
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle? yes
4. How many times have you crashed? 5
5. When was the last time? January 2007
It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US. California - palo alto

[trekuk]

1. How long have you been riding? 4 years + 3 when a teen, less than 25k total
2. Do you ride often? every 2-3 days at least
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle? no
4. How many times have you crashed? 0
5. When was the last time? n/a
6. Close calls: 6
7. Close calls with potentially serious outcome: 0

I would also be interested in knowing how many close calls people have had, to possibly explore the ratio leading to a crash. For example this as a criteria:
Momentarily lost control of the bike or had a another object unexpectedly come into my path of travel but just barely avoid contact (skip lanesplitting perhaps).

I've had 6 of these the last 4 years, 3 times sand and water causing the rear to slip, low speed prevented high-side, and 3 times when I scraped my boot in a turn and freaked out. Stayed upright all times, mainly because of luck. Neither one would have resulted in serious injury, but I figure I'm due for a spill soon. I disregared blown turns as well, where you run it wide or are forced to lean beyond your comfort level due to high speed or misreading the curve.

Another interesting aspect could be if rider has ever crashed in a car, and I think miles ridden is tells more than years and frequency.

[skafian]

1. How long have you been riding?
A little over a year.

2. Do you ride often?
Every day to work and back.

3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
Nope

4. How many times have you crashed?
0, came close a few times.

5. When was the last time?
Never.

[squid vicious]

5 or so years experience off and on, only the last three have been consistant

currently averaging only about 10k miles a year

1 crash that meets the criteria about 2 years ago (3 track crashes last year)

[CeruleanSkye]

Originally posted by caponerd

1. How long have you been riding?
2. Do you ride often?
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
4. How many times have you crashed?
5. When was the last time?
It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US.

1. How long have you been riding? One Year
2. Do you ride often? Yes, as often as I can (weekends and to the gym at night)
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle? Not yet (knock on wood)
4. How many times have you crashed? N/A
5. When was the last time? N/A

Location: San Jose, CA

[snowface]

Originally posted by caponerd

1. How long have you been riding?
2. Do you ride often?
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
4. How many times have you crashed?
5. When was the last time?
It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US.


1) coming on 2 years
2) at least once a week
3) nope
4) 0
5) n/a

california.

:thumbup (great thread capo!)

[partymode]

1. How long have you been riding?
1yr
2. Do you ride often?
Every weekend when not raining and holidays
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
No
4. How many times have you crashed?
n/a
5. When was the last time?
n/a
6. Location
North ca

[LazyA$$]

1. 2 yrs.
2. daily commuter first 1.5 yrs Right now about 2-3 times a week
3. No
4. NA
5. NA
6. East Bay, CA

[racercutie]

1. How long have you been riding?
6 years
2. Do you ride often?
yes, ~4-5x week
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
no (except on the track, but that doesn't count)
4. How many times have you crashed?
none
5. When was the last time? n/a
It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US. Ca

[vaara]

1. How long have you been riding?
10 years

2. Do you ride often?
Most weekdays and at least 1 day per weekend

3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
no

4. How many times have you crashed?
n/a

5. When was the last time?
n/a

Location: Alameda, CA; but most of my riding experience has been in southern California and the Pacific Northwest.

[TTTom]

1. How long have you been riding?

39 years

2. Do you ride often?

10K miles per year

3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?

Yes, rear-ended once when stopped in traffic. Other than that incident I've never dropped a street bike.

4. How many times have you crashed?

1

5. When was the last time?

4 years ago

It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US.

CA

[snowface]

Originally posted by TTTom
1. How long have you been riding?

39 years

2. Do you ride often?

10K miles per year

3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?

Yes, rear-ended once when stopped in traffic. Other than that incident I've never dropped a street bike.

4. How many times have you crashed?

1

5. When was the last time?

4 years ago

It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US.

CA

this is what i aspire to be. congratulations to four score years of successful street riding TTTom. :applause

[plambert]

I hope you get lots of good data from this. Let me know if you need help with the analysis (I'm a statistician :nerd )

1. 8 months
2. 2-3 times/week
3. yes
4. once
5. Jan. 07

Location: CA

[caponerd]

Originally posted by plambert
I hope you get lots of good data from this. Let me know if you need help with the analysis (I'm a statistician :nerd )


I may need a bit of help. I'm compiling this into an excel spreadsheet which should give me some useful tools for looking at the data.
I'll let you know if I need any assistance.
If I decide I can't do it justice at all, I'll need someone who has the skills to collaborate on this.

[Mad Gnome]

You would'nt be an employee of an insurance company, would you?:confused

[caponerd]

Originally posted by Mad Gnome
You would'nt be an employee of an insurance company, would you?:confused

Nope, I'm a network admin for a 2 year college.

One that hosts a beginning rider's safety course. (which has absolutely nothing to do with my job)

I just happen to be someone who's been obsessed with motorcycle safety and risk management.
Ever since my wife quit riding with me and predicted that I'd not live to see our kids grow up 26 years ago. :laughing
I think I've finally got her convinced. She's ok with our son having a motorcycle as long as he only rides with me!

[VTRZA]

1. How long have you been riding?little over 10 yrs
2. Do you ride often? everyday
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle? yup
4. How many times have you crashed?
4
5. When was the last time? 2 weeks ago coming across skyline in a friggin rainstorm and hit a river of mud coming across the road at 7 oclock at night knee a little busted up but otherwise fine. Going slow 35mph. right in the middle of a corner the front just disappeared :laughing The worst part was that I was still about 40minutes from home and my bike was stuck in a ditch. Fortunately some dude in a truck came by and helped me push it out. I had no raingear on either.

[Mad Gnome]

1. How long have you been riding?
21 years
2. Do you ride often?
daily
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
yeah
4. How many times have you crashed?
6
5. When was the last time?
3 months ago
It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US.
Ca.
Hope that helps number guy.:mm4l

[Chato]

1. How long have you been riding?
one and 1/2 years

2. Do you ride often?
atleast 4 times a week. everyday late 2006 early 2007..when my bike wasnt totalled

3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
yes

4. How many times have you crashed?
ONE

5. When was the last time?
two weekends ago up in hwy 32..was going about 50 got distracted, went out of the line about a foot but there was gravel so I low sided

From San Joche at school in Chico

[FZsixxer]

1. How long have you been riding?
1 Year
2. Do you ride often?
Every day that is is not raining
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
No
4. How many times have you crashed?
0
5. When was the last time?
N/A
It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US.
CA

[Variable]

1. How long have you been riding?
- Since 1986, so 21 yrs or so... off and on, more "on" in the last 5 years
2. Do you ride often?
- Commute on the sunny days, one weekend day if I have time, and some trackdays
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
- Yes
4. How many times have you crashed?
- 2
5. When was the last time?
- About 3 years ago, lowsided.
It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US.
- CA.

[edwinhome9]

1. How long have you been riding?
2. Do you ride often?
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
4. How many times have you crashed?
5. When was the last time?
It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US

1. 10 years... 5 on harley, 3 on ducati, 1 on cbr900, 1 on zx6, took 3 years off, just started again for 3 months now.

2. at least twice a week

3. yes, (too many times)

4. 5 (totaled the zx6 & cbr900)

5. just back to riding again (cbr 600 rr) and about a month after i had it.... dropped on a right hand turn filled with sand.

6. santa cruz, ca

[Z3n]

Originally posted by snowface
this is what i aspire to be. congratulations to four score years of successful street riding TTTom. :applause

Not to rain on the parade, or derail too much, but 4 score is 80 years, not 40.

[panaltrator]

1. How long have you been riding? - 4 years
2. Do you ride often? - whenever I wish to leave my castle
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle? - nope
4. How many times have you crashed? - n/a
5. When was the last time? - n/a
It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US. - CA

[TIMEATELL]

1. How long have you been riding? 10 Months
2. Do you ride often? 2-3x per week
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle? No
4. How many times have you crashed? N/A
5. When was the last time? N/A

Concord, CA

[GetaGripGreg]

Originally posted by caponerd

1. How long have you been riding?
2. Do you ride often?
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
4. How many times have you crashed?
5. When was the last time?

7.5 years

5-6 days a week

Yes

4 times

Dec. '06, Tecate Mexico

Most all my riding is SF area commute. 3 crashes due to inattention to road surface, one to mechanical defect combined with brain fade. No cages involved.

[TrplGrl]

1. How long have you been riding? - 24 years

2. Do you ride often? - 2-4 times/wk

3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle? Yes

4. How many times have you crashed? - Once

5. When was the last time? - 10/89

[motorcyclegrin]

Originally posted by caponerd

1. How long have you been riding?
2. Do you ride often?
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
4. How many times have you crashed?
5. When was the last time?
It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US.


1. About 10 years
2. Every Day!
3. Yup, unfortunately
4. 4 times:
:loser 1.) Wet slick road with a balding back tire
:wtf 2.) Car turns right from the far left lane across 2 lanes of traffic
:wtf 3.) Car slams on brakes while passing a bus (no reason)
:dunno 4.) Froze up on a curve, didn't lean far enough
5. About 5 months ago
6. Mazatlan, Sinaloa Mexico

The last three happened down here in Mazatlan, Mexico.. The last one was the first time that I have ever crashed for my own stupidity (cept the tire) Cars here follow few rules and it is like running the gauntlet every time I ride. Seriously. There are open man-holes with no cones or warnings, cars stop in lanes to chat, no use of signals, huge potholes, and of course horses and cows. Not to mention all of the taxi and Pulmonia drivers that will run you off the road to be ahead of you.

The cool thing is that lane splitting is encouraged, cops ride past me screaming "carreras!" (Races) and want to race, cops try to get me to wheelie for them, etc. It is like the wild west. ;)

[Boba]

Originally posted by caponerd
1. How long have you been riding?
2. Do you ride often?
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
4. How many times have you crashed?
5. When was the last time?
It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US.


1. 32 years (all inclusive - dirt, street, etc...)
2. Weekly (sport, S/T, commute)
3. Yes
4. Once
5. 16 years ago.

T-boned a truck and did a "Superman" over the hood. The driver "thought he could make it" across the intersection. Luckily(?) he was the shift supervisor for an ambulance company. (WTF?!)

6. CA

[uraniaclio]

1. How long have you been riding?

1.5 years

2. Do you ride often?

Not anymore. Used to put on about 1k miles a month (mostly hill riding) but now I mainly do track days about every other week.

3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?

Yes

4. How many times have you crashed?

Excluding track, 3 times.

5. When was the last time?

November 10th last year. Hit a deer and then ate a curb in my attempt to ride a damaged bike home without lights that night. So I guess that counts as twice in 1 day.

[garrobito]

1. How long have you been riding?
2. Do you ride often?
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle?
4. How many times have you crashed?
5. When was the last time?
It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US.


1) More than 20 years
2) Daily
3) Yes
4) Just one time
5) Past december in berrysea lake; under rain I lost track in my front wheel; bike disappear under me and I felt...
Nothing wrong, excess of confidence and lack knowledge about my bike.
Today I have more than 5000 miles in my bike and I feel more confident.
Solano, CA

[manalagi001]

1. How long have you been riding? 26 years.
2. Do you ride often? Daily commute.
3. Have you ever crashed a motorcycle? Yes.
4. How many times have you crashed? 3
5. When was the last time? 12/2005
It would also help if you said what state you're in, or what country, if not in the US. (California)