| Author | Message | ||
     Rick_a |
So I was headed to work feelin' a bit frisky. I've been riding my bike for a couple months after having been broke down for over a year (had no cash to fix her). I had gotten decent at stand up wheelies when I tore my motor down but don't feel comfortable trying 'em anymore...so, I've been practicing sit-downs until I feel comfortable again. I did a few things I shouldn't have this morning. I broke my biggest rule and a pet-peeve which is messing around in traffic. Secondly I didn't take into account the cold tires (I was only a few blocks from home). Third there was a heavy dew and a fog so thick it condensed into water. Traffic slowed to about 30-35mph in a 45mph zone. I let a sizable gap form in front of me and decided to hoist one up. Well, I set it down at around 55 mph and the cars had stopped in front of me. I got her slowed to about 20-25mph...feelin' a bit of relief...and the front end went out on me before I knew what happened. Despite the low speed I got slammed so hard it felt like getting thrown off the top of a ladder. The gear and bike held up really well. My Teknic race jacket lost some lettering and got some small scuffs, my favorite Icon riding jeans got a couple tears (the big one is where the frame slider caught it), and the Teknic gloves look perfect except for loosing only a few stitches (literally) each. The bike had the clutch lever get ground a little on the end where the Buell handguard didn't cover it. I was surprised the guard worked so well. Despite popping off the end of the bar and breaking the top standoff it still prevented the lever from braking or bending. My cheesy little dual sport mirror shattered. It's usable but now has the fly-vision effect. Both my sliders got roasted but that's what they're there for. The front axle ground into the asphalt so hard that fine asphalt dust got sprayed all over the front wheel, front fender, brake caliper, and primary cover. The shift peg got ruined but the home-made hybrid Buell Blast/Tuber shift lever survived with some minor scuffs. I had doubted whether these gloves that have no secure retention would stay on my hands in a crash or if these Buell Handguards actually worked and I certainly got my answer on both. I have a sore shoulder and huge contusion on my hip behind a small raspberry. It'll likely be an impressive bruise tomorrow. I can't lift but a few pounds over my head with my left arm. Other than that I was completely unscathed. A bunch of people stopped to check up on me, asking if I needed help getting home, and if I was o.k. I told them that as soon as I could get her into neutral, start her up and get to work I'd be fine. They all looked at me perplexed after I started her up, shook the nearest guy's hand, smiled and said, "thanks for stopping brothas!" Moral...act like a squid, eat it like a squid...and gear is good.      (Message edited by Rick_A on October 16, 2008) | ||
| Rick_a |
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| Bombardier |
Lesson learnt? | ||
| Adamd |
Prob not.. I never learn either... | ||
| Rick_a |
Not in traffic, anyway. It wasn't fun falling down and seeing wheels all around me. | ||
| Bombardier |
Glad you came out of okay Rick. | ||
| Rick_a |
Thanks, man. I do believe I deserve what I had coming for tempting fate...and I should be careful as I have no health insurance right now. |
