There are those who haven't gone down yet.... and then there's MistahT (Vid up, pg3)
I pride myself on being knowledgeable and always improving my riding when I go out. I watch "Twist of the Wrist II" probably once a month. And I was just telling my wife (who just got here license!) and some friends (who also have their licenses) last night that I'm the only rider I know personally who has not gone down....
A few years of riding, 2 scooters, 1 engine swap (kinda like a third scooter), 2 motorcycles, and I finally get bit. It's cold this morning, about 7am, but I ride anyway. I love riding more than I hate the cold. Pull the bike out of my garage like most days, ATGATT, pull out of my driveway and hit the first corner in my neighborhood. Last year it didn't get below 30 degrees, so I rode through December, January, February. Understood about cold tires, but never had any problems or close calls.
This corner near everyone's mailboxes (cause we live in townhouses) is banked, so I'm use to getting farther over than you normally would at a 90 degree turn on a small street in a neighborhood. But again, never an issue. I get most of the way through the turn keeping the throttle steady. Then the bike just drops out from under me. Maybe I was a touch too fast, maybe I was over too far, maybe the tires were too cold. Maybe a bit of all three. It happened so fast, I really can't remember.
The bike hits the ground, I fall off, and it slides about 10 feet in front of me making an awful grinding sound. I run over as the bike turns itself off. First thing I try to do is lift the bike before the neighbors see. First two attempts, can't do it. Take off my helmet and backpack, lift it up, reach over for the kickstand, and prop it up. I assessed the damage, got back on, and rode to work.
I took these pictures once I got to work. I was anxious to get out of my neighborhood before anyone saw. Looks like the frame slider did it's job, and the Viper muffler took some too, making that grinding sound. My right mirror took a scuff as it decided to center itself over the gauge cluster, but that's about it. The fairings are PERFECT, there's a small red line on my tank from my gloves or packpack straps, but I'm sure that will easily compound out. Even my brake lever and peg seem to be untouched.
I think my front wheel is fine. I *thought* I noticed it being twitchy on the way to work, but that could just be the adrenalin. I felt fine until about 10 minutes ago when I sat down in my classroom. Now my shoulder, thigh, knee, and neck are starting to feel pretty sore. Btw, MY GEAR AlSO DID IT'S JOB. Dress pants, shirt and tie, all untouched.
This is kind of the best way to go down. Bike really only has cosmetic problems (I hope) that I don't NEED to fix and I am basically unhurt. And now maybe I'll hurry up and replace that broke GoPro mount so I can ride with my camera again.........
Thanks for listening to me rant. I'm more embarassed than anything else. Can't believe that after 4 years on two wheels I go down because of something so stupid. Anyway, thanks for listening, enjoy the pics. I'm busy tonight until 10 or 11pm, but I'll try to take and post a walk around tomorrow.
-- T
Barely a scratch on the tank and nothing on the front end?????
I pride myself on being knowledgeable and always improving my riding when I go out. I watch "Twist of the Wrist II" probably once a month. And I was just telling my wife (who just got here license!) and some friends (who also have their licenses) last night that I'm the only rider I know personally who has not gone down....
A few years of riding, 2 scooters, 1 engine swap (kinda like a third scooter), 2 motorcycles, and I finally get bit. It's cold this morning, about 7am, but I ride anyway. I love riding more than I hate the cold. Pull the bike out of my garage like most days, ATGATT, pull out of my driveway and hit the first corner in my neighborhood. Last year it didn't get below 30 degrees, so I rode through December, January, February. Understood about cold tires, but never had any problems or close calls.
This corner near everyone's mailboxes (cause we live in townhouses) is banked, so I'm use to getting farther over than you normally would at a 90 degree turn on a small street in a neighborhood. But again, never an issue. I get most of the way through the turn keeping the throttle steady. Then the bike just drops out from under me. Maybe I was a touch too fast, maybe I was over too far, maybe the tires were too cold. Maybe a bit of all three. It happened so fast, I really can't remember.
The bike hits the ground, I fall off, and it slides about 10 feet in front of me making an awful grinding sound. I run over as the bike turns itself off. First thing I try to do is lift the bike before the neighbors see. First two attempts, can't do it. Take off my helmet and backpack, lift it up, reach over for the kickstand, and prop it up. I assessed the damage, got back on, and rode to work.
I took these pictures once I got to work. I was anxious to get out of my neighborhood before anyone saw. Looks like the frame slider did it's job, and the Viper muffler took some too, making that grinding sound. My right mirror took a scuff as it decided to center itself over the gauge cluster, but that's about it. The fairings are PERFECT, there's a small red line on my tank from my gloves or packpack straps, but I'm sure that will easily compound out. Even my brake lever and peg seem to be untouched.
I think my front wheel is fine. I *thought* I noticed it being twitchy on the way to work, but that could just be the adrenalin. I felt fine until about 10 minutes ago when I sat down in my classroom. Now my shoulder, thigh, knee, and neck are starting to feel pretty sore. Btw, MY GEAR AlSO DID IT'S JOB. Dress pants, shirt and tie, all untouched.
This is kind of the best way to go down. Bike really only has cosmetic problems (I hope) that I don't NEED to fix and I am basically unhurt. And now maybe I'll hurry up and replace that broke GoPro mount so I can ride with my camera again.........
Thanks for listening to me rant. I'm more embarassed than anything else. Can't believe that after 4 years on two wheels I go down because of something so stupid. Anyway, thanks for listening, enjoy the pics. I'm busy tonight until 10 or 11pm, but I'll try to take and post a walk around tomorrow.
-- T
Barely a scratch on the tank and nothing on the front end?????
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