A fall rarely comes alone
As a long-time motorcyclist, I can no longer count how many times I have dropped my various 125cc bikes. But it's worth a try:
In total, I owned 3 125cc bikes. It all started with the legendary JC34 Honda CBR125R, which had to take me to school every day, rain or shine, with its thin tires - unfortunately, not very reliably. It felt like it was enough for a single pebble to give me a funny look - and bam - I went down... Plus, as a 16-18-year-old, you often drive quite arrogantly and recklessly. In summary, I estimate: 2x pebbles, 3x ice, and 2x rain, which makes 7 minor "falls" - but nothing ever happened to me. A few abrasions and menacing-looking scratches on my protective clothing make you more interesting.
After a few years' break, I was given a Yamaha YBR125, with not really wider tires... I used it more to move quickly through the narrow city streets. Accordingly, less happened, as I could simply leave it standing in bad weather. Nevertheless, new experiences were added: the keyword railway tracks and the odd fall in standing position due to poor road conditions or a nail in the tire add up to 3 more minor "falls" without consequences.
A few years later, I got myself a Benelli BN 125 as a fun bike for chasing curves... You probably guessed it - it didn't always go well either. Although the tires were a bit wider this time, the driving style was also much riskier. One fall due to rain and one due to pebbles, including bruised ribs, are added to the list, as well as 1 other fall due to stupidity, including the famous exhaust burn scar on my leg and a meeting with the rear of a car.
That adds up to a total of about 15 (plus/minus) falls - quite a lot! ? The only silver lining: over 15 years passed between the first and last fall, and no new one occurred in the last 3 years. That maybe makes it a bit better.
Avoiding falls
With such a high number of falls, I also had to question myself and think, "what did I do wrong?" (Although this is also recommended after individual falls).
Not everything can be blamed on youthful recklessness or thin tires. If I wanted to make it easy for myself, I could simply say, "leave the bike standing in bad weather!", but that doesn't always work and isn't suitable for everyone.
So, questioning my riding style remains. So far, my bikes have belonged to the rather sporty genres of "Naked" and "Sportbike." "Maybe that's not right for me?" would be the logical reaction.
However, the selection was not as extensive over 10 years ago as it has been in recent years. Now I could choose from almost as many 125cc bikes as big bikes. Great retro bikes (e.g., Brixton), cruisers (e.g., GV Aquila), and even electric motorcycles are now available. This means that everyone can discover the right bike and the best riding style for themselves. Tip: Try out different bikes before deciding. The most beautiful machine isn't necessarily the right one for your riding style.
Insight is the first step to improvement
Based on the points listed, I could somehow make the fall statistics look better:
15 in total
minus 25% thin tires minus 25% weather influence minus 25% youthful recklessness minus 25% riding style Which, by simple arithmetic, equals exactly zero ;)
Actually, I have never really fallen. Various factors have simply forced my bikes to tip over.
Joking aside, the topic of falling is sensitive. Many bikers get injured, or worse, every weekend. Take a moment to think about the points mentioned above and possibly avoid another or your first fall. Experienced motorcyclists in your circle of acquaintances can surely tell you similar stories.
To prevent a fall in the long run, a safety training course is also recommended. Professionals will show you the limits of your bike and your skills. You can also learn to ride more foresightfully. Especially as a motorcyclist, without a "crumple zone," it is often better to hold back, brake, or stop. The sooner you recognize such a situation, the more time you have to react. There are many idiots on the roads...