Well here's MY story (always a bad start). Back in June 05 I was on vacation and thinking about a bike (never figured the wife would go for it.). Figured something like a 250 to 400cc twin for a commuter would be nice, but the salesman said if you're going to be on the highway go for something around a 600, and talked me right into it (figured it didn't matter anyway - no way no how was my wife going to let me get a bike).

I was looking at the 1 cyl suzy and a 2 cyl yam, both cruisers, when I noticed this bright yellow Honda leftover marked waaay down (The local shop has a used one they're asking $200 more for than what I paid). Still more than the others, but looked like a good deal. Looked like a lot more bike for the money too. Nice and sporty looking, but not like a crotch rocket.

Stopped by with the wife to show her what I was looking at "just for grins"
and lo and behold she says "Well, go ahead and get it for your birthday tomorrow"!!!!!!????? I really do Love my wife by the way

So I rounded up a learners permit and put my money down and wheeled out my brand new leftover Honda 599 the next day on my birthday. Idled it around the parking lot in 1st & 2nd a while and headed out. Pulled out into the street and gave it just a little gas to get it moving and said "Holy "crap", what did I get myself into?" I know there's lot's faster bikes, but this is way too much for a novice. Like me.

Three weeks later I got my first speeding ticket in 5 years (Don't tell my wife). I avoid cars like they're the plague. 2 weeks after that I aced my MSF course and got my real licence. 4 weeks after that on my way to work I found some of that cool blacktop that gets all pushed up in the middle of the lane by the 18 wheelers and took the high side at 65mph.

You can say what you want, but I say ABATE is stoopid. I can remember sliding down the highway, feeling my helmet bouncing along and thinking "THANK GOD I"M WEARING A HELMET!!!" Broke my kneecap in half and had to have it screwed back together.

So now $21,000 in doctors bills, $4,500 in repairs to the bike and I can still walk. The cold makes my knee hurt like hell.

so your ok? 4500 in damages sounds bad do you have any pics? just wondering :shock:

Do you know what happened to make you go down? I mean, I know the pavement was chewed up, but did notice if the rear wheel locked up or anything funky like that?

Glad to hear that you are doing okay. Does the bionic knee let you ride? Or better still, is the wife okay with you riding now?

Yeah I'm OK. I still look pretty funny when I try to run though.
$4500 sounds like a lot, but the little stuff adds up in a hurry.
Sorry didn't get any pics of the bike pre resurection, but it really didn't look that bad.

My best guess as to what happened is...
Had given my cousin a ride a few days prior. My 180lbs + her 250 I cranked up the rear preload to 6 and never turned it back down. When I hit the bumpy pavement at 65mph the back end bounced back and forth kind of like a backwards kneeslapper. Then the front tire hit the last big ridge? (bump) before the concrete started again and hit it just right to snap the bars to the right stop. Full lock at 65 = Highside.

Kinda wish I had it on video. Kinda glad I dont. :D

Kinda wish I had it on video. Kinda glad I dont. :D
I wonder if this is common thing when you go down. Wanting to see what it looked like. I know I that ever my little incident last weekend, I keep thinking - man too bad no one got it on tape cause I'd really like to study it and see exactly what happened.

Aaahhhhhh the quest for perfection and the desire to make certain it wasn't all operator error.

Machine operator to Electrician - "I've tried everything and it just won't start up."

Electrician - Pushes start button.

Machine - "Whiiiiirrrrrrrr."

:oops:

I'd love to be able to disect what happened, frame by frame, but sometimes you just gotta accept the fact that "shit happens".

:shock: Holy sh*t bro! I'm sorry to hear about your incident and I'm glad you came out of it alive.

What gear were you wearing when you went down? Did you have any knee protection?

Do you still ride? How did you wife handle the incident?



... just a reminder guys, never be afraid to slow down. Be careful out there.

What gear were you wearing when you went down? Did you have any knee protection?
I was still a squid. So...helmet, light nylon jacket (It was August, but pretty cool in the AM.), Jeans, light leather work gloves (see jacket), Steel toed work sneakers. No knee protection.
Those paramedic guys in the ambulance are scissor happy too. The only thing they didn't cut off my body was the sock on my right foot.

Now I wear ATGATT...Helmet, Armored riding jacket, Armored riding overpants, leather riding gloves, and riding boots.

Do you still ride? How did you wife handle the incident?
Of course I still ride or I wouldn't be here on this great forum. MUCH better than my mom did. She handled it well enough that she didn't make me sell it. :D

never be afraid to slow down. Be careful out there.
This was on the Interstate that's known locally as the "Pennsylvania Dutch Autobahn".
One Friday coming home I was moving with traffic at 100mph even. :shock:

ATGATT :thumbsup

For those that may not what ATGATT stands for: all the gear all the time!

My knees hurt now... :?