I’d very recently been told that when you feel even a little bit off before a ride, take it as an omen and don’t ride. Today, I learned why. I felt like it might be a good idea to skip the sojourn today but went out anyway. Long story short - on a road I wasn’t too familiar, I came into a turn a little hot and ran wide. Instead of adding more to the countersteer, getting my lean on and looking deeper into the curve, I ended up thinking. Over thinking, in fact. My concentration went to analyzing what went wrong coming into the curve instead of focusing on correcting the situation.

As I realized that there was no oncoming traffic and that the bike was actually moving back to my side of the road (all instincts & MSF training), I started thinking some more and thinking made my index finger tap, ever so gently, the brake. Yep, braking in a tight turn on the super slick double yellow paint strip equals bye bye. I’m fine; gear is a good thing to have. No, not drugs... well... nevermind. Shin and knee pads with jeans, a good jacket with armor, gloves and the Shoei. All, barely scratched. I was probably at like maybe 20mph when I went down, so not too fast.

I did need help retrieving my beloved Carolina (roll the "r") out of the trees/shrubs/bushes, luckily several people stopped to help. Her damage seems cosmetic. Trees stabbed/cracked the plastic/fiberglass/whatever in a couple places, ripped off that funky bumper looking thing and loosened my tail light; one CRG bar end mirror was snapped off the other bent up and loosened pretty bad; one rear signal is damaged; bellypan is trashed; brake pedal is all bent to hell and will need to be replaced. LSL frame sliders helped me out too (I think). Still, I was able to get her started, rode home and was even leaning hard into turns again by the time I got back. I’ll take her to a mechanic ASAP to make sure she's not too bad off.

All in all, it was a great learning experience. Although I’m not glad to have crashed, I’m grateful that it went the way it did. I’ve been down a couple of times before, but those were drops at super low speeds and stops. I remember thinking on the ride home, that it was actually pretty awesome. I learned a lot about a lot and have allotted (...uh oh) room in the front of my mind to store this experience so that I don’t repeat it.

Oh, scroll down for the pics...



http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o293/mwanaeusi/IMG_0515.jpg
You wouldnt' know if I didn't tell ya...


http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o293/mwanaeusi/IMG_0516.jpg
The three scratches on the engine block above the upper right side of belly pan were pre-crash - a gravel incident months ago.


http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o293/mwanaeusi/IMG_0517.jpg
Brake lever still works, just hard to get a grip on.


http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o293/mwanaeusi/IMG_0522.jpg
It's barely hanging on, but it took one for the team.


http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o293/mwanaeusi/IMG_0525.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o293/mwanaeusi/IMG_0526.jpg
Tire scuffs.


http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o293/mwanaeusi/IMG_0529.jpg
And the rest.

So tonight I'm opening the March issue of Sport Rider that I hadn't yet looked at and what do they talk about in it? That's right, exactly what happened to me today. Dammit. This is not the article, but a link that touches on some of the points made in the article:
www.sportrider.com/ride/RSS/146_0306_motorcycle_trail_braking/ (http://www.sportrider.com/ride/RSS/146_0306_motorcycle_trail_braking/)

I have the LSL sliders also, nice to see the do their job... had my doubts :wink:

Glad you are ok and relatively unhurt. And it sounds like you have a healthy attitude about dealing with the aftermath so :thumbsup Kudos to you!

If you can post up a link to some higher res photos that would be great too. Mostly interested in the frame slider/motor area and the tire shots.

Again glad to hear you jumped right back on... Whooot!

Sorry to hear about it, but you're ok and you learned something...and that's something to be grateful for.

Looks like the belly pan actually saved a part of your engine block being scuffed up. Sure it got destroyed, but that's still better than getting your block messed up (even cosmetically) as you can replace the pan, but not the block.

You ride long enough and it's bound to happen sooner or later. But like rnd said, it seems like you have the right attitude about it and will be an even better rider from now on. But kudos for wearing the gear and we're all glad you and your bike are relatively ok.

It looks like an easy fix for most of the stuff on your bike and I'm glad you came away ok.

Are you going to slow down now?

Well damn, man! I'm glad to hear that you came out of this unhurt and still riding. Bike will get fixed and hopefully you have insurance.

Do slow down though. :wink:

man that sucks if you havent bought the parts already get ready there $$$ becouse their made in italy my brake leaver at the honda dealer costs like 50$ just becouse its made in italy? wtf?

Do slow down though. :wink:
Just not mid corner :shock: :tomato :D

Levers, go down to your local shop and find some trick aftermarket ones or cheap replacements. Originals are nothing special. Same for the turn signals...

The rest...Duct Tape it and ride it for now. Replace as desired/needed or just watch eBay for moments of opportunity to reduce the cost. I had a hard time riding a scratched up bike when I dumped my old one but after a month or so I got over the mental hurdle and just rode it. When people would point at the scratches I'd give the thumbs up and speed away! Wouldn't ya know it, never did put another scratch on it...

Glad to hear you are okay! I had a similar experience 7 or 8 years ago, went wide in a corner and crossed lanes, ended up going across someones lawn @ about 40 mph, somehow I didn't drop, but it scared the sh!t out of me! :shock:
BTW- I like your radiator side protectors, looks good with the triangular openings. Just like the ones on an SV650. Where did you get them?

yea they are cool
8)

Just not mid corner :shock: :tomato :D

Word up!

PS. About your brake lever. I dropped my bike once and bent up the rear brake lever pretty good. I had my friend just bend it back for me. You may want to try that. :wink:

Thank you all for the comments and wellwishes. It is a bizzare surreal and somehow rewarding feeling to walk away from this without a scratch and a burning desire to get back to that same curve, walk around it and really investigate how to not let that happen again.

Sorry about the size of those pics. I did't realize they would be that big. When I did the preview thing they didn't seem so large. I'll shrink them in photshop next time.

I have the LSL sliders also, nice to see the do their job... had my doubts :wink: ... If you can post up a link to some higher res photos that would be great too. Mostly interested in the frame slider/motor area and the tire shots.
Yeah I was kind of worried about them too after reading a few posts (long after I had already installed them). I'll take some more pics later this week and post them.

Are you going to slow down now?
That's the funny thing (sort of). I did't even think I was going fast. After analyizing it a few hundred times, I realized that the road was crazy steep, so even coasting in low gears I was going too fast. Lesson learned, I will not go faster into a curve than I planned on going. In this case, I didn't realize I was going as fast as I was since it was downhill into a decreasing radius curve that I was not very familiar with.

man that sucks if you havent bought the parts already get ready there $$$ becouse their made in italy my brake leaver at the honda dealer costs like 50$ just becouse its made in italy? wtf?
I'm staring at an Artfibras undertail and license plate mounted turn signals on my living room floor that I've been putting off installing for a couple of weeks. I'll order another belly pan in time and just pull the remains of the current one off this weekend. I'll put the factory mirrors back on (ewwww) until I can order some more. I love the CRG bar ends (very handy to fold them up to get between narrow spaces) so I'll probably re-order some later on next month. I have some other financial things to take care of first.

BTW- I like your radiator side protectors, looks good with the triangular openings. Just like the ones on an SV650. Where did you get them?
Actually it's a stainless steel radiator cover that covers the whole radiator. I forgot where I ordered it from, but I know it from the Deustchland. Some husband and wife German couple on ebay. I'll take some pics of it to show it off a little better.

PS. About your brake lever. I dropped my bike once and bent up the rear brake lever pretty good. I had my friend just bend it back for me. You may want to try that. :wink:
I thought about that, but I'm a little worried about snapping it. We'll see how much it costs and go from there.

Now my question - regarding insurance, should I even bother reporting this? It never even occured to me to do that since there is relatively no damage to me or to the bike and the money will be freed up for repairs soon enough.

I would say no on reporting it. If it's a relatively minor deal than it's usually better to pay for it once here and there than it is to pay for it for as long as you have your bike (perhaps even longer).

I'm no insurance expert, but that's my .02. As long as you can afford it and the damage is primarily cosmetic, i say just do it yourself and don't hassle yourself with the ins. company and maybe mess with your premiums.

(Oh, and all this is assuming you have comprehensive. I don't think basic covers these kinds of incidents anyways.)

Glad your okay and coming out witrh a positive view on the whole thing. The last time I nearly bailed I lost my bottle big time...took a while to get back into riding. Just goes to show that a big part of riding is mental :D

As for the bike...I think it looks cool slightly bashed up, but thats just me!

Take care and hope you are back on the road soon :wink:

Aww man bro!! Sorry to hear about your fall.
Glad you're able to write about it tho. Bikes are just
expendable machines in the big scheme, but body parts
are irreplaceable(for the most part but i digress).
Be safe and get back on the horse soon.

i bent my brake pedal the same way when i spilled
and i just bent it back with a big pair of channel locks.

Now my question - regarding insurance...
IMHO, no.

Now my question - regarding insurance...
IMHO, no.

Agreed. You will end up paying for it in premiums if you make a claim. If you can afford to pay out of pocket, do it.

Thanks for the help. I wasn't planning on letting the ins co know about it and just getting the repairs done in a couple of weeks out of my own pocket. I might try the bending the brake pedal back thing too. We'll see.

As for the bike...I think it looks cool slightly bashed up, but thats just me!
Those aren't scratches, they're character. :lol:

I agree with the boys - if you can afford to fix it yourself, skip the insurance.

The way I figure it the money I save from getting no-fault is more than enough to fix any damage I might create in the case of a minor crash or tip over.

I just have to becareful where I park it so it's not stolen.

Glad you made it through OK
My experience with the Insurance Co. was actually very good.
My first years insurance. No experience on a bike was $240 for full coverage with a $250 deductible.
Wrecked the bike to the tune of $4500 damage. They fixed the bike and bought me a new helmet.
I was NOT looking forward to the next years insurance bill, but when I opened it up the premium DROPPED to $233 and change.
I would still bite the bullet and pay it out of pocket if it wasn't too bad rather than involve the Ins. Co.

...the next years insurance bill, but when I opened it up the premium DROPPED to $233 ...
Who be that if you don't mind me asking? and is that per year or per 6 mo? Cause USAA is really is trying to get out of the insuring Bikes biz... I mean REALLY trying... :evil:

...the next years insurance bill, but when I opened it up the premium DROPPED to $233 ...
Who be that if you don't mind me asking? and is that per year or per 6 mo? Cause USAA is really is trying to get out of the insuring Bikes biz... I mean REALLY trying... :evil:

That would be at the Farm....State Farm....and that's annually.

I'm also Married with Children and getting close to 40. :D :(

Never talked to Geico, but the gecko rides. Might give a call just for shits and giggles. :lol:

Thanks, will do!

Okay, here's the update. The bike got the okay from the mechanic. Since I was having him look at it, I went ahead and had him install the undertail, new turn signals, change the oil and bend the brake lever back into place. I have a new CRG style mirror coming this week to replace the one that snapped - if it's not raining this weekend I'll head back to the scene and see if I can find the one that snapped off so I can salvage that folding elbow mechanism. I'm also ordering a new LSL frame slider pad. Since the fall was a low sider while already very leaned over, the brackets are in good shape, just need to replace the pads.

For comparison, you can go to the first section of this post to see the "right after my fall" pics, and compare them to the "after repairs" pics you see below. Sorry, haven't washer her yet, although I did clean and relube the chain.

Here's what she looks lke now.
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o293/mwanaeusi/IMG_0549.jpg

If you can post up a link to some higher res photos that would be great too. Mostly interested in the frame slider/motor area and the tire shots.
Sure thing...
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o293/mwanaeusi/IMG_0547.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o293/mwanaeusi/IMG_0538.jpg

...Duct Tape it and ride it for now. Replace as desired/needed...
Used the shiny black duct tape and expoxy, and hit it up with some gloss black spray paint, still waiting to find the spray clearcoat paint to give it some more shine...
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o293/mwanaeusi/IMG_0550.jpg

BTW- I like your radiator side protectors, looks good with the triangular openings
Here's the pic of the radiator gaurd I promised...
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o293/mwanaeusi/IMG_0555.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o293/mwanaeusi/IMG_0552.jpg

About your brake lever. I dropped my bike once and bent up the rear brake lever pretty good. I had my friend just bend it back for me. You may want to try that.
i bent my brake pedal the same way when i spilled
and i just bent it back with a big pair of channel locks.
My mechanic did most of the bending, I had to some adjusting myself when I got it back home to get the petal pointed lower so I could use it comfortably. Thanx for the tip.

These bikes look soooo nice without any side view mirrors...

These bikes look soooo nice without any side view mirrors...
I agree. Look over my shoulder 90% of the time but would still feel very vulnerable riding w/o (such as they are)...

These bikes look soooo nice without any side view mirrors...
I agree. Look over my shoulder 90% of the time but would still feel very vulnerable riding w/o (such as they are)...
+1 on both accounts.

I have been following your unfortunate accident. I too was a victim of the same type of accident with my previous bike. Bruised pride and the replacement of bent rim and all is well.

In a previous post you mentioned a Artfibras under tail and license plate mounted turn signals. I also have a 06 599 and pretty much decided on a Artfibras / license plate turn signal combo. (My license plate signal combo frame is below)

http://www.bikerhiway.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12&products_id=81&zenid=95a6262dd361bfc7134eee2ad715d002

You have published pictures of the bike repairs, except for that part. I would love to see and hear about the installation of that part of the repair. Making it easier for me on my install. Thanks so much. Will

From the looks of it, your license plate frame with integrated signals is going to work nicely. As for the undertail - I didn't install it myself. Since I had the bike at the mechanic after the crash, I had him install it for me. He said it was a pain in the ass. LOL. My turn signals are Lockheart Philips, you can grab them at just about any bike shop. I don't have any pics of that stuff in particular, but if you look at the rim strips post in the photos section of the post, you'll see a little of what it looks like.