| Author | Message | ||
     Crmike |
I've always heard about guys laying their bikes down in nasty crashes and stuff, and felt I would never ever do that. I didn't even think I would actually ever dump any bike I would ever own. I've certainly come into many close calls and always managed to right things and escape doom. However, today was different. As I was exiting my driveway (I live in a more rural area with no sidewalks, houses spaced far apart, roads are kind of large right off the driveways) there were two cars coming from either direction. Excited to be back on my bike and such a nice day, I was going to give her some nice throttle to speed out of the first car's way and head down the road, well ahead of the other oncoming car (so as not to cut him off). Well, when I laid on the throttle, I hadn't noticed all the GRAVEL in the road. Yes, my 1125CR's lower gearing, coupled with the amazing torque of the Rotax engine, completely broke the rear wheel loose and I fishtailed like a demon out into the road and straight into the "death wobble" otherwise known as tank slap. It took me by such surprise that I couldn't get it back in control and and I was thrown off the side of the bike as it rode itself sideways into the ground and slammed into a furrow on the side of the road, scratching the clutch cover, the heat shield, grinding down my swingarm spool and scratching the radiator pod and the front cowl over the headlight. Also it snapped my turn signal right off. Good thing that's all the damage, as it started right up again and I rode it back UP my driveway with the mirror hanging by the cord ( turn signal still blinking) It all happened in seconds. Now I feel like an ass. I'm not even that hurt, thank goodness, but my knee and my back are banged up, and somehow or other I managed to bust the face shield on my helmet right off (most likely because it's a cheap HJC helmet). Moral of the story: get as excited as you want when on your Buell, but be aware of your surroundings, even when you're going out of your drive way which you have done hundreds and hundreds of times. And does anyone know where I can get some cool shorter bar-end type mirrors and some 2 finger brake and clutch levers? I need a silver lining for this stupid slip, and it will be in the form of new mirrors and levers  Mike | ||
| Buellrider66 |
Glad to hear your ok. I'd like to say I never crashed, but I'd be lying. Best thing is it sounds like you learned from it and probably won't do it again. | ||
| Ezblast |
I love upgrading for practical reasons! Good to know your all right! Torque can catch you like that, that's why I try to stay aware of the road conditions under me, and act accordingly - lol - remember - rubber side down - lol - I mutter that at least once a week to myself! EZ | ||
| Dannybuell |
Are you OK? The human spirit is more willing than reality, a good lesson for all. With all due respect paranoia is survival on motorcycles. How did you break the face shield? Sounds like the helmet did it's job. I have an HJC face shield with some grinding on it. Imagine if you were using a 3/4 or beanie? | ||
| Oldmanriver |
Your not alone Mike, the only time I've been down was very similar. Leaving the driveway with a cold wet tire, realizing I needed gas before heading off to work, I took off a little quicker than usual. I spun the rear out from under myself and watched the bike slide down the road wondering how that happened so quick! Glad the oncoming cars were not a factor! | ||
| Buellrain |
Good to hear your ok, the bike can be fixed easy enough. I also had an unexpected sideways moment today but managed to hang on, was wondering if the GPR stabilizer would of stopped your tank slapper?? I have'nt got one but have read good things about them. | ||
| Zacks |
Just a thought, but if you're face shield was busted off, did the helmet at any point hit the ground? Take a good look at it and if it's been down - it's already done it's job, get a replacement. Better safe than have it fail when you really need it. | ||
| 07xb12ss |
Crmike: I just pulled of a CRG mirror (with hinge and adaptor) along with a set of black pazzo shorty levers (one lever end is scratched) if you're interested. | ||
| Crmike |
Thanks guys. I threw my helmet in the trash. It definitely did it's job, I have the headache to prove it. I have no clue how the face shield came off. I've been trying to replay the incident in my head throughout the day but haven't been able to recall all of it for some strange reason. It was like "back wheel going nuts!" then "Wham! I'm on the ground". What are CRG mirrors and pazzo shorty levers? Anyone know an online store for this stuff, like americansportbike.com? Thanks again Mike | ||
| Ratsmc |
It's a good thing you didn't land in the road or worse, head into the oncoming cars. | ||
| Ezblast |
crm - yes! | ||
| No_rice |
that really does suck. guess its a good thing that service manual is on the way, you'll be getting even more use out of it! glad to hear you faired well atleast. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
first problem "I've always heard about guys laying their bikes down in nasty crashes and stuff, and felt I would never ever do that. I didn't even think I would actually ever dump any bike I would ever own." Its not IF but WHEN. It happens. Second problem "As I was exiting my driveway (I live in a more rural area with no sidewalks, houses spaced far apart, roads are kind of large right off the driveways) there were two cars coming from either direction. Excited to be back on my bike and such a nice day, I was going to give her some nice throttle to speed out of the first car's way " Cold tires + torque dont go well together. Good to hear youre Ok Just know that accidents can happen to anyone at anytime. And dont get happy with the throttle on cold tires. | ||
| Zac4mac |
My first Winter with Loretta, I saw my back tire try to pass me on the left 3 times. First 2 straightened right out as I let off the gas. The 3rd, the tire went full left sideways, then headed back around me until I saw it on the right. Finally got the throttle shut off and she straightened out. I went straight home and did a shot and changed my shorts.... Heal fast Zack | ||
| S21125r |
"Its not IF but WHEN. It happens." Amen to that. I used to the think the "WHEN" could be mitigated to an "IF" if I drove smart (and paranoid!) and wasn't hot dogging it. But an unfortunate encounter with a 6' Michigan gator (semi tire)on a crowed freeway during rush hour changed my mind on that. Glad to hear you are OK. The one positive is that you get some new riding gear out this deal! | ||
| Xodot |
I did the same thing at the same place (end of my driveway) for the same reason (early in the season) but there were no witnesses to my stupidity! Welcome to reality! Glad you are OK. | ||
| Duphuckincati |
Gravity is very dependable. And often surprisingly quick and strong! | ||
| Brumbear |
At least you didn't say HEY WATCH THIS Glad you are ok. | ||
| Crmike |
Thanks fellas! So I replaced my mirrors by ordering the mega cheap "ebay special" Moto-Delux bar end mirrors (hopefully they don't fall off within 5 miles of home) and I'm probably gonna do the same with some shorty levers. I figure it's so cheap that if they fall off or foul up somehow then it wasn't a big loss and then I can get some real stuff. Now I want to keep some front turn signals on the bike. I remember seeing someone a while back with a CR and they installed some Rizoma Track 77 LEDs on either side of their flyscreen. I think that seems kinda cool. Has anyone done anything like that and if so, how did it work out for them? | ||
| Daniii |
Try sand (laid down during our recent ice event) on concrete in Dallas. Managed to stop the bike, but it was crossed up and went down while essentially stopped. I did a shoulder roll to the concrete. It happened real fast. Broke my collar bone in 4 places (7 screws and a plate) as well as my shoulder blade. Only real damage was to the tupperware over the radiator. Replacements came in yesterday. Shoulder will be ok in a few weeks. | ||
| Dannybuell |
good news Daniii. | ||
| Rodrob |
Wow Danii, sorry to hear about that! Mike, I did the exact same thing on my V-rod a few years ago, pulling onto PCH from the beach. I had some intense emotions going on and I put them into the throttle. Lesson learned. BTW, if your face shield is broken and you can't remember the details of the impact, then you have suffered a concussive injury. Take it easy for the next couple of weeks. Sleep more than usual. Avoid stress. You might develop minor symptoms as much as a week after the accident. Don't worry if you do. They will clear up. I speak from experience. |
