| Author | Message | ||
     Rpmchris |
OK, I'll admit it - I'm a new rider. As of Saturday, December 18, I'd put exactly 950 miles on my new '04 XB12S (I bought it on Nov. 1, after 40 years of wanting to own a bike). The next 360 miles would take me to the brink of ecstacy AND serve as a reminder of my mortality. It would also reawaken my awareness that I'm just not all that smart sometimes - something my wife has been telling me for 25 years. I'd been looking for another DFW Buellie to ride with and found Dago. He and I have similar interests - we both love sports cars (Porsches in particular), we've raced a few, etc. So, here I was, following him southwest of Dallas into unknown territory - he knew where we were going, and I was looking for adventure! He's a much more competent rider than I, but I relied on my previous road racing experience (in a car, of course) to help me through the fast sweepers and occasional triple-digit speeds - sometimes combining the two! I hadn't felt this nervous and this good for a long time - not since I snuck my dad's '76 Porsche Turbo out of the garage for a quick blast up the road! I had learned to race cars from an experienced driver, and now, here was Dago, teaching me the fine art of carving corners on 10 square inches of rubber. He is a very good mentor. After a particularly long string of corners connected by several short straights - during which time our speed never went below 90 - Dago signaled to turn right at the next road. I slowed and signaled too, and that's when I felt the wobble - as I went from 50 to 40, the back end got very loose, and I knew I had a flat. I pulled over and heard the hiss of hot air escaping my OEM Dunlop 207. I also noticed that the rubber on the sides was melted and peeling off in hot, sticky chunks. So, basically, my rear tire had been nearly flat as I was ripping through the Texas countryside. Great. Dago realized I wasn't with him and returned in just a few minutes. He rode ahead, bought a can of "fix-a-flat," and we attempted to plug the hole. It was too big, and left a stream of white ooze spraying from the punture. I mounted up and rode quickly on the now-more-full tire to the gas station 4 miles ahead. They couldn't repair it, but called a guy about 10 miles further who said he'd be glad to - if we could come to him. I put 42lbs of air in the back tire and started riding - fast!. Dago followed me and had me slow down as the tire got low again. I made it to within 1/4 mile of the guy, and he agreed to drive to us. He plugged it within minutes, and Dago and I rode back to Dallas. In all, we rode about 300 miles on that beautiful late fall day. But that's not the end of the story. Today, I picked it up after the 1000 (1310!) mile service, where they also put on a new back tire (replaced under my extended service contract for $0). As I was leaving the dealership, I failed to allow for the slick new tire and - still in first gear, not going even 10 mph - I slide it right, landing on the left side right there in the parking lot. I'm OK (other than a bruised left hip and ego), but the shift lever mounting bolt sheared off at the case. The fall also scraped up the left handlebar slider and the very bottom of the left swingarm. Not a dent on the frame, fortunately - I think I held it up with my foot and leg! It's not gonna be too expensive to fix, but it could've been a lot worse if I'd reached the highway at speed instead of dropping it in the parking lot. Or, if it had happened east of Dallas at over 120 mph... During both incidents I was wearing my armored jacket, helmet, boots, and gloves (and my armored pants on the long ride) - I only got a small scrap in the elbow of my jacket when I dropped it. After my brush with certain injury to me and my bike in the boondocks of Texas, I ordered front and rear axle sliders and frame pucks last week - they should be in this week! I won't ride another mile without them on the bike! | ||
| Court |
You are smart. You are lucky. You have a smart wife. Go. Ride. Rejoice. Court | ||
| Captainkirk  |
The "slippery tire virus" is well-documented in the KV, as are several "fixes" for it. I know EXACTLY what you mean. My bike didn't go down, but COULD'VE just as easy. Now, if you don't mind a little FREE advice...  Being in somewhat the same situation as you are (coming back to riding in your 40's) I forsee several problems you may wish to avoid. Of course, you can tell me to go pound sand, but here's my 2 cents anyway... 1) you have an extremely powerful bike for an inexperienced rider. Get to know it WELL before entering the triple-digit zone. You are hanging it way out, brother. Ride with other newbies or alone until you really get to know what the machine is capable of, and what YOU are capable of. 2) Learn about the twisties slowly; digest what you've learned before moving on. The machine is probably much more capable than you are at this point; unfortunately, it will let you hang yourself if you push the issue. Ride...A LOT! Ride every day you can, even if only for a few miles. Ride in rain, wind, whatever to learn how the bike reacts 3) If you ignore all this and do nothing else, read "The Proficient Motorcyclist" by David Hough. Read the chapter "How Far Are You Hanging It Out?" (or something to that effect) and if you are like me...a gradual realization will come over you that you are quite lucky to have missed your funeral. SLOW DOWN! Don't be shy about testing your limits, but choose your battles carefully and wisely...not when you're struggling to keep up with a more experienced rider. YOU should be out in front leading. More accidents are caused by a lesser experienced rider trying to "keep up" than anything else (except alcohol). This in no way, shape or form is a cut down to your abilities. You may be a better rider than me for all I know. It's just that I've seen too many members on this forum hurt or screwed up for life in the short time I've been on. Ride, have fun, and take it easy!!!!!!!!  | ||
| Rpmchris |
Thanks, Cap'n. You're right - I was WAY over my head. Guess I'm lucky AND stupid! I've re-learned several valuable lessons from these incidents: #1 ALWAYS check your equipment. If I'd checked the air pressure, I might have noticed a problem before it got bigger. If I'd checked my new tire, I would've realized it would be dangerous. #2 ALWAYS check your head. Ride within your limits. Past auto racing experience is no substitute for time in the saddle. Yes, I put on almost 1000 miles in the previous 6 weeks, but most all of it was in traffic while commuting 50+ miles/day. #3 BUELL riders are the most supportive and caring people. Yes, I aced the written and riding tests in my MSF class, but that just took me from confident to cocky. Yes, I have great balance and a natural athleticism, but that must be combined with common sense and good judgement. Did I have a blast and test my limits? Yes. Did I risk harm to me and my machine? Yes. Will I do it again? Probably, but not until I've gained much more experience through advance rider courses, track days, and just puttin' on the miles. Even then, I think I'll limit my "8/10s and up" riding to the track. Thanks for the advice and "slap up side my head" - it's worth WAY more than .02! And, it was much easier to take from you than from my wife! | ||
| Captainkirk |
RPM; Been there, done that! I'm glad you didn't take it wrong...I'd like to continue to hear how much you like your Buell for a long time to come. PS-Get the book. Read it. You'll learn a lot. I did! |
