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Why do I keep going down?

10744 Views 124 Replies 48 Participants Last post by  Misti
Well I did it again tonight! I fell down for my 8th time now!!! I’ve only been riding for maybe 6 months or so and have fallen down 8 times now and I can’t figure out why I keep falling? I feel like I’m a good rider I really do but for some reason I keep falling down.! Tonight I was driving around a gas station store and a car came around the other side kinda fast so I guess I pulled the front break while making the turn and like always I was on the ground! I must have the best luck ever because I have never been seriously injured actually in all but one of my falls I’ve jumped back up and rode off with out a scratch on my body! I’m just confused on why I keep falling down? If anyone has any ideas on why I’d love to hear them. Thanks in advance!
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Too much motorcycle, not enough riding skills.

Get a small dirt bike and practice off road lots, you'll learn fast and get way better at crashing, guaranteed.
While being taught to drive tractor trailer, we learned the Smith System. One of the 5 keys is to "aim high in steering".

When entering any sort of parking lot, scan the entire area. Look for potential things that might make you suddenly stop. Keep watching for vehicle movement as the scene can change in an instant. If you're looking at the ground around you, you won't be able to keep scanning.

Plan where you want to go in the parking lot (or gas station), look for things that might get in your way and plan for it. And by all means try not to stop while your bars are turned.

One bad habit I recently got out of (I've been riding almost 50 years) is when I enter a parking area from the street, there's usually some sort of small concrete step, maybe an inch or two. I used to focus on that step to make sure I don't go up it too fast. My speed was slow and sometimes too slow so I had to speed up quickly once the front tire got over it. Very awkward.

Now I go over that "bump" at a normal speed while looking where I want to go. Much safer for me.
Whoa!!! Everybody had supplied what I consider good advice. But this, to me, is the best. Keep your head up and you'll see 90% of the problems before they actually become problems. Good stuff, all!
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After 6 months of riding, you shouldn't be falling so much. You were not born to ride.
OK, well, maybe not the best advice. Yeah? I don't know if any of us were actually "born to ride". Just not sure this was really helpful.
No, I take that back. I'm sure.
This was not helpful.
Front brake + turned handlebar = falling down
And, that, sir, was a true statement. And helpful!
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Wow ~ so much experience here yet some much negativity too .

FWIW, putting your foot down when the bike is moving often means : broken ankle so think really hard before using our feet as outriggers .

So says the guy who learned how to ride in the snow by doing just that :rolleyes: .


I know for a fact that some were born not to ride but those will be weeded out, no need to be rude .

In my youth I drained most og my high school buddies mom's to drive cars, I tried to teach some buddies to ride Motos but realized that's a very different thing, the teacher really needs to be trained as such .

Now I offer to pay for proper training and oddly enough no one ever takes me up on it although they'd cheerfully try learning if I showed them ~ I'm well aware of the bad riding habits I've gained over 50 plus years of riding and having seen too many deaths and crippling injuries I don't want that responsibility .
So very well said!! And, I think you'd agree, it's better that we have more bikes on the road instead of fewer.
More bikes=more bikers.
Encouragement=more bikes and bikers.
Encouragement=better.
Nose Cheek Lip Smile Eyelash

Just sayin'.
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