I've had four that I consider crashes in the last 30 years. Two before taking training, and two after. First one was in the early 80's. Unfamiliar bike, blind curve, hidden driveway, Old man in a pick-up backed out in front of me. Had I been on my bike I probably have avoided the crash. Lessons learned? Be much more cautious on unfamiliar bikes. (I have to ride them all the time because I'm a Motorcycle Mechanic) Don't outrun your line of sight.
Second one was on a Chopper. I was very familiar with this one. Group ride, Clear day, dry concrete interstate, no traffic, 70mph. One minute I'm cruising on two wheels, the next I'm cruising on two butt cheeks. Passed my uncle, and slid over 300ft. Only one pencil sized road rash on right knee. While not a mechanical failure, the cause was mechanical. Road debris got between the chain, and cog. We never found the debris, but after a complete teardown, it was the only explaination.
After training in the early 90's. First one was on straight one lane blacktop, 25mph, cold, dark, wet. Low spot, receeding water deposited even layer of mud about three inches deep where I hit it. Didn't see it, (I was looking) and the front wheel was sucked to the left. Did several 360's on my side. Never left the bike. No damage to me or the bike except mud everywhere, including inside my cloths. I do believe the only way I could have avoided this one would have been to ride elsewhere. The last one was two lane Blacktop, 1:30 AM or 0-dark:30, late October five years ago. Cleared a corner, 45mph, 20 yards later still doing 45, I see an Orange flash out of the corner of my eye. DEER!!! No time! Clinched bars, braced for impact! BIG BANG! Still on two wheels! Parked bike on roadside, went back to look. Deer crippled in ditch. No gun, no knife, had to leave the road-kill cause I had nothing to finish it off with. Lost a lot of meat that night. None of it mine. Rode home, went to bed. Next morning rode to Post Office, and noticed the front end was a little crooked. Fork tubes bent just a smidge. Had to replace them, and fiberglass fender that was cracked in a thousand places. The only thing I can credit my survival in this one was I was on a very heavy bike.
Sometimes, things happen. You can be ready for most of them. I don't ride much at night anymore, especially during the rutt. It's been five years since that last crash. I have learned to be aware of my surroundings, and avoid situations that could keep that from happening. I do miss night riding, but it ain't worth it anymore. But that's OK, I still ride 20,000 + every year still. It's all about risk management. I still ride hard, but I'm a lot more careful about where, and when.
"DUCK" WV