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Every rider will face close calls—but will you learn from them or repeat the same mistakes? In this video, we break down real motorcycle crashes caught on camera, analyze the most common causes (like left-turn accidents and speed-related crashes), and dive into the stats that every rider needs to know. Don’t wait until it’s too late—understanding these mistakes can save your life. Watch now to learn how to ride smarter and safer this season!
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Learning from the Mistakes of Others: Motorcycle Crashes and Their Lessons
“You must learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t possibly live long enough to make them all yourself.”
— Sam Levenson
If you ride a motorcycle for any length of time, you will have some close calls—sometimes more than just close calls—you might even be involved in a crash.
The key is to learn from our own experiences, but even better is to learn from the mistakes of others.
Analyzing Real-World Motorcycle Crashes
There are many ways to learn from other riders' experiences. This week, we’ll examine a few newscasts covering motorcycle crashes from across the country. We’ll break down what happened, analyze their causes, and take away key lessons to improve our own riding skills.
“Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward.”
Seeing the Direct Consequences of Mistakes
Sometimes, we can see firsthand the results of poor decisions or lack of awareness.
Other times, we rely on statistics—less emotional but often more informative. While watching a crash unfold can be a powerful lesson, statistics aggregate data from multiple incidents, helping us better understand common risk factors.
What Do the Numbers Say?
Here are some eye-opening statistics:
- Approximately 74% of motorcycle accidents involve collisions with another vehicle, most often passenger cars.
- Intersections are the most common crash sites, usually due to a vehicle making a left turn in front of the motorcycle.
The Role of Rider Responsibility
While many crashes involve other vehicles, some are solely due to rider error—excessive speed, lack of skill, or insufficient training.
“We do not learn from experience… we learn from reflecting on experience.”
— John Dewey
The Importance of Learning and Practicing
If we fail to learn from our own mistakes—or those of others—nothing changes. We’re doomed to repeat the same errors.
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KLIM Jacket – https://www.MCrider.com/KLIM
Shoei Motorcycle Helmets – https://www.MCrider.com/Shoei
Windshirt/Jacket Liner – https://www.MCrider.com/Liner
Lee Park Sumo Gloves – https://www.MCrider.com/LeeParks
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