Another example would be putting down the kickstand while dismounting the bike only to find that the side stand wasn’t fully extended into its locked position, which leaves the bike unsupported as it falls over.

Or, as in the example in the photo above and in the video below, a friend (Lance) dropping his bike when the front tire got hung up in some soft sand, while riding slowly. We were on a 1600 mile, 5-day, Central and Northern California ride and were on our way to a National Forest campsite when the dirt road turned into soft sand.

He was not injured, nor was the bike damaged. And he demonstrated the attitude of a true professional: “Oh well, I’ll handle this better next time.” And when we headed back out of the forest the next morning, he had no problem with the same difficult spot in the dirt road.

I mentioned to Lance that it happens to many riders and it’s not a big deal (he considers himself a relatively new rider). It certainly has happened to me a number of times over the years and it usually just results in some momentary embarrassment, with no personal injury, although sometimes bike damage does occur.

But it left me wondering: How often does it really happen to other riders? And how many riders are willing to confess to momentary lapses of good control, in an otherwise non-threatening situation?

It doesn’t seem to take long for some beginning motorcyclists to consider themselves competent riders. I know I thought I was reasonable good within my first few thousand miles or so, back in the 70′s. But after several hundred thousand miles under my belt, and the recognition that I still consider I’m learning, I sometimes wonder how I survived those first years.

The point is that many riders consider themselves to be in good control of their bikes at all times. But the concept of letting it fall over while stopped, or nearly stopped, seems to belie such a notion – even if only for an instant.

Regardless, if you are willing to share such hapless moments on your own bike, please add your experiences below regarding how often you have found yourself picking up your motorbike after it tipped over when you were stopped, or almost stopped, or even just getting going….

Due to the severity of his road rash and mangled flesh, he is being treated as a burn victim.

The incident resulted from a hit-and-run driver. Witnesses say the offending vehicle violated this rider’s right-of-way and sped off after smashing into this motorcyclist and catapulting him through the air. The rider was brought to the Intensive Care Unit of the local hospital and placed in a temporarily induced coma while they cleaned and removed the dirt and gravel embedded into the abrasions and lacerated flesh that encompassed 25% of his body.

Because the contents of his pockets were strewn widely upon impact, and therefore no identification was with him when he arrived at the hospital, he was admitted as a John Doe (unknown person).

Accordingly, family could not be notified of his circumstances.

When he didn’t arrive home that night or to work the next day, it took over 24 hours for family to track him down via phone calls to police and area hospitals. (They were looking for a specific person, not a “John Doe.”)

To make matters more interesting, it turns out he does not have a motorcycle license or insurance (both required by law in California) and he had been drinking beer.

He was issued a citation for Driving under the Influence (DUI).

Based upon the severity of flesh damage, a reader might wonder what this young rider was wearing when he went down.

The answer: not much.

He was riding in shorts and a T-shirt. (Although he was wearing his helmet, which is also required by law in California).

The hospital care he is receiving costs $25,000 per day.

It should be noted that he owns a leather jacket with armor reinforcements and other riding gear and I usually observed him wearing such when riding. (Although I had also seen him riding in short pants).

One more interesting fact: He had just purchased his street motorcycle a few weeks earlier. (Although he did have prior dirt-bike riding experience).

When aroused from his morphine sleep, he said “I’ll never ride a motorcycle again.” The future will prove that true or not, but I would guess that if he does take to two wheels again, he will wear his gear.

Except in states that require helmets, any motorcyclist has the privilege to choose to wear whatever he or she deems appropriate. But I think the risk is high for any new riders, and especially young riders, who may not have gained the necessary respect that should be accorded to the potential dangers of street riding, and instead are solely intoxicated by its pleasures.

This rider made a number of mistakes.  Among them, one could speculate that had he not been drinking in the first place, he might have been able to avoid the accident, even though the official responsibility is imputed to the driver who left the scene of the accident.

Although the circumstances surrounding this incident may provoke varied perspectives, it should be emphasized that this rider did survive and in time, he is expected to recover and he will likely be wiser in the future.

This event reminds me of the numerous mistakes I made as a young rider.  At  times I have wondered how I survived those early years.  Regardless, I do have a more respectful attitude then back then and as much as I still enjoy riding, and could not imagine giving it up for anything, I have much more experience and better gear than when I was a kid.  (And I’ve survived a few accidents myself).

Wishing you safe riding!

(Click “Leave a Reply” below to contribute your comments, insights and experience.)

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Some bikers never were inspired by the notion of taming a two-wheeled missile. And others who have been charmed by that wayward path may evolve into somewhat of a reformed motorcycle maniac in their elder years. (I would count myself in the latter, with an emphasis on the “somewhat” part of “reformed.”)

Men Are From Mars…

I never read the book Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, but I understand it was an attempt to reconcile differences between men and women by likening them as creatures from different planets, further idealized by classical Roman Gods.

Now, I’m no expert on Roman mythology. But if the differences between men and women can be characterized as from separate planets, I would say it’s fair to state that motorcyclists are not from the same planet as non-riders.

I mean how can you even describe motorcycle riding to a non-rider? Earth languages do not allow an adequate conveyance of the concept.

Regardless of the difference between motorcyclists and non-riders, my education lacks in naming a Roman God that adequately looks over riders. (On the other hand, my familiarity with Roman mythological Gods does not extend much more beyond the ones mentioned in this article).

Mercury in Mythology

Let’s consider a definition: “Mercury was a messenger, and a god of trade, profit and commerce.” Furthermore, “The word mercurial is commonly used to refer to something or someone erratic, volatile or unstable, derived from Mercury’s swift flights from place to place.” (From Wikipedia).

Irrespective of the “swift” part, and ignoring that I’ve known a small percentage of riders who could be characterized as “erratic, volatile or unstable,” (I’ve probably been called that more than once when I used to collect motorbike speeding tickets as a hobby), the definition fails to portray a majority of motorcyclists.

Hence, if riders are from a different planet than our fellow earthlings, I do not believe we have identified the correct one.

I mean what kind of other planet would spawn creatures who find solace and relaxation in an endeavor that anyone else would consider abundantly dangerous?

On the other hand, if we consider that Mercury is also “A planet god known for his intelligence,” that might be an apt depiction of the collective wisdom contributed throughout this blog by its readers.

(Consider this post as testament to the occasional eccentricities that surface on this site….)