Things to learn and remember.
For anyone who has ever had an accident on a motorcycle it is an event you will never forget. I remember my first accident. A car stopped quickly in front of me, I hit the front brakes and the frontend washed out. I wasn't going very fast and the car that was in front of me left the scene without even checking on me. I often wondered if they even knew because I didn't hit the car. My first reaction was how bad was my motorcycle. My next reaction was rage at the driver for leaving the scene without even checking to see if I was okay and my third reaction was am I hurt. I know it doesn't sound like the right order that it should be in but when you're a motorcyclist you always think of the motorcycle first for some reason.
At that time and for many years after, I continued to blame that motorist for that day. But after I became more knowledgeable in motorcycling, I was able to revisit what took place that day and then it became clear that I was solely to blame for what had happened that day.
First, speed wasn't a factor but I was following to close for the speed that I was traveling. I didn't give myself reaction time. It was a nice day so I was looking around a bit and didn't noticed the car had stopped quickly in front of me and I did not react in time.
Second, I grabbed a handful of front brakes. Being a new rider it's a common response but not a good choice. Usually when riders grab a handful of front brake they are usually turning the handlebars thus creating a washout.
Third, the tires. I can't remember for sure but the front tire probably wasn't the best and that didn't help with trying to come to a quick stop with the front brakes.
You see having an accident is bad, but if you can walk away from it that's great. Not learning from the accident is worse because you may be doomed to repeat it again someday. I didn't realize it at the time but for those years after that accident when I was riding in denial, I was really putting myself and others in danger. Hopefully you can learn from my mistake so you don't have to experience it. Have fun, be safe.
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