My first 500 miles and some lies I told myself.

So I want to start by saying I bought a new ninja 400 this year. I did all the research into which bike I should get and watched all the youtube videos.I was told:You will most likely drop your first bikeDon’t buy a new one (see above)Take the classRespect the bikeRide within your limitsStay 600cc or preferably below500 miles in I had a low-speed (fortunately) low-side crash that broke the fantasy I was living in. Fortunately, I had basic gear (gloves, boots, helmet) or my left hand would be quite a bit thinner.These were the lies I told myself:I’m a responsible driver therefore I will be a responsible riderI won’t drop my bike so I can buy a new oneI’m smarter than these other guys so I can ride hard without road experienceSo the message I would like new or prospective riders to take from this is, first of all, assume the advice here and everywhere else online applies to EVERYBODY.I drive my truck like an old woman on her way home from lunch on Sunday. But when I get on the bike I feel an irresistible urge that creeps in to go a little bit faster. The acceleration is a thrill more than the speed. If I can fall prey to it then so can you.And the biggest fallacy was that when I go fast it’s not the same as when other people go fast because IM not an idiot. Well going 70 on narrow residential streets makes me an idiot. Like I said I wouldn’t classify myself as a reckless person but you get stuck in traffic for a while and when you finally get out you will want to open it up.You are the biggest threat to your own safety. And the best antidote to over-confidence is constant honest self-assessment.Good luck. Wear your gear. via /r/motorcycles https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/comments/9c83al/my_first_500_miles_and_some_lies_i_told_myself/?utm_source=ifttt