This was all I found of my bike . . . at first:

http://idisk.mac.com/thorw/Public/IMG_0344.JPG

I'm confused. What happened?!

Are you ok? :o

Are you ok? :o

Yes. My helmet is destroyed, and the kevlar armor on my gloves is dented. I have a leather burn on one shoulder and a few bruises, and I'm a bit tweaked but I am ok overall. I could have ridden home if the bike had cooperated.

I did finally find the rest of my bike, thankfully. It was eight feet over the edge of the cliff, buried in a bush. :shock:

Oh my god :!: Sorry girl
:(
From that I gather you still have all your body parts then... that's good.
When you're feeling up to it, we'd love to know what happened.

Wow, I'm sorry! Let us know the rest of the story!

:shock: Sachi! I'm glad YOU're okay! What the hell happened?!

Ouch... glad you're OK. Sounds like it was pretty nasty...

I'd say that's more than an oops :shock: Glad you're ok, what the heck happened?

Glad to hear you are OK!

Mark

Trying the niner's motocross capabilities again eh? Kidding of course. I'm just glad to hear that you are okay. More proof to the gear saves lives. Keep us posted on your recovery lady girl.

Ok. I'll see what I can do.

I was at the Great Pacific Northwest Dryside Gather (http://www.gpndg.com/2007/schedule.html) with the rest of WetLeather this last weekend. On Friday a few of us went for a ride through some of the forest roads in the northern Sierras. Lovely roads! We were riding at a nice speed, fairly fast but comfortable and safe. I was riding very well. Until . . . we came out of the woods to a river valley. On one side was a cliff, and on the other was a sheer dropoff to the river. I instantly tensed up, badly. I recognized that I was tense, and said to myself "just look in the direction of the turn and push that bar down and you'll be fine."

Oh, that worked so perfectly. :P On the very next turn I freaked, hammered the front brake, skidded into the gravel on the side of the road, and fell. The bike flipped off the road, leaving me behind.

This was NOT a situation where I was riding too fast for the road. (In one sense at least.) If I had simply looked to the left and turned, I would have been able to make the turn with no drama at all. The leader of our group had just done so. This was also not a situation where I could simply say that I made a mistake by not "riding my own ride." That's too pat an answer for what happened.

No, this accident was caused because my fear prevented me from riding well, and I did not recognize it quickly enough to SLOW DOWN and work back into my groove. Hell, looking back on it I probably should have pulled over and gotten some sanity back before proceeding.

Some may think of me as a bit of an aggressive rider, but there's actually a reason for it. My "stable" riding mode is extremely conservative. I'm actually not very comfortable leaning the bike over very far. When I first came to San Diego, I often scared myself on the backroads because I had to lean over farther in the corners than I felt comfortable doing. However, I also knew that being able to turn aggressively and comfortably was a necessity for my own safety, so I could turn to avoid accidents rather than trying to stop. So, I am often pushing myself past my comfort zone on the roads here. It's been a good thing, and my own comfort zone is bigger than it was in 2003. But I'm not fearless by a long shot. And I learned this last weekend that if I EVER get into a situation where I get tense, I MUST back off to a point where I can ride easily again. MUST.

A little bit of vertigo? That really sucks. Good that you stopped, though... an 8-foot drop could have changed thing up quite a bit.

Sorry to hear about the off Sachi... :( Glad you are alright and since you are a thinking woman, you are already a better rider despite all. Best of luck shaking off the bumps and scrapes and getting your bike back together.

On the very next turn I freaked, hammered the front brake, skidded into the gravel on the side of the road, and fell. The bike flipped off the road, leaving me behind.
This, not so slightly, reminds me of my own tumble (http://www.honda599.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=217) 75 feet down the hill.

It's SO easy to lose it to fear and it happens SO fast. I'm glad you're relatively okay Sachi... sounds like it could have been much worse. A good lesson learned and a good lesson to pass on to the new riders on this forum - if you're getting nervous because you catch yourself riding over your head.. slow down! Give yourself a few to relax and get back into the groove.

Was this the first time you've gone down? How's the bike doing?

It is not the first time I've gone down, or the worst. Some years ago the front brake on my old Norton went "over cam" and locked solid at 45 mph. The next thing I new I was sliding down the road, and I thought "This isn't so bad. I'll stop soon!" :lol: I was wearing poor leathers then and didn't fare all that well, though. It's one reason that I never ride without FULL ARMORED LEATHERS!!!!!!!!!! OF GOOD QUALITY!!!!!!!! Rant rant.

A cursory inspection shows a straight frame and forks. The tank is mildly dented, because the fork stop bent back and the clutch clamps clobbered the tank. The shift lever is bent. The front fender is shattered. The instrument binnacle is broken, but I suspect the instruments themselves are ok. My Hellas are ok, but the glass is scratched to hell. The Garmins work, although the Zumo ripped off. One mirror was torn off. The headlight and headlight brackets took the brunt of the damage -- but bashed as they are, they still work (apparently!) Here's the pic:

http://idisk.mac.com/thorw/Public/IMG_0345.JPG

Thank you for sharing that story Sachi, and scaring the sense back into us Alex. Reminds me to stay humble on the Hornet. Last weekend, I had to pull over and gather my wits from a nervous/fear feeling. Glad I did, I have a feeling that had I kept going, I'd be sharing another sliding across the pavement story.

It's been said, but i, too, am happy you're ok. Sorry about the bike, though. Let us know what happens to it.

I'll be riding out to the dealer tomorrow to have a chat with them about what to do.

I already bought a new Arai Quantum II Tattoo Red! :D I'll need new gloves too but that's ok because they were 8 years old and wearing out badly anyway. I'll check at the dealer - I definitely want Spidi again. Superb gloves. I'll probably spend well over $200 on them.

Wow glad to hear you are ok, and getting back on the proverbial horse!

I had a similar thing happen to one of my dad's friends while riding in a group ride. We were all clipping along at a safe but fairly quick and a couple of guys on ducati's came up on our group and the first one passed him in a turn. Which he was ok with but the second guy was on his tail and he was going into a corner and he saw him in his mirror and he thought for some reason he was gonna pass and he panicked and forgot what he was doing and didn't have the bike leaned over enough and went off the road. He was ok and the bike only had a bent front fender but same sort of scenario where when you panic for a second when you really shouldn't caused an accident that wouldn't have happened if you would have been relaxed and just rode it out.

Well best of luck on getting new gear and your bike all fixed up!

Keep us posted on how you and the bike are doing.

My bike, mashed as it was, started right up! :D

Tough little stinker. Now to get it to the dealer and fixed up.

Sounds like it's a good time for that Frankentank chop and weld extended range mod you were talking about doing :thumbsup

That is EXACTLY what I have in mind. :)

I'm glad you're not too worse for wear, Sachi. Keep us posted and remember the sticky side stays down. :)

Really glad your OK! Hope you feel up to riding again soon. You still have the CB-1 for the meanwhile, no?

Sounds like it's a good time for that Frankentank chop and weld extended range mod you were talking about doing :thumbsup

You had also mentioned in an earlier thread something about buying yellow ones and storing them for future use... any chance you've already got a spare in the garage? :D

Very glad you're okay, Sachi.

I'm fine! I really have no injuries worth talking about. There's a reason I wear armored leathers ALL THE TIME!

Both bikes run, although the 599 obviously is ugly while doing so. Ick. My plan now is to get the broken stuff replaced and to rebuild the gas tank, by expanding it to hold 6.5 or more gallons. Then I will repaint it and it will be good to go.

Holy Crap Sachi..How in the world I've missed this and rfoap's thread I dont know..But I did... Its great to hear your ok. And it looks like the Hornet did its Job and took the worst of the damage for you... Thanks for posting it up..As bad as I hate hearing that someone went down, Its a great learning experience..A Big reality check...

Sounds like it's a good time for that Frankentank chop and weld extended range mod you were talking about doing
That is EXACTLY what I have in mind. :)


Talking about turning lemons into lemonade :wink:

I'm glad you are ok!!! that sux....I had the same problem when I crashed, bike was flooded and would't start, or else I would have rode it home, peg less and swollen ankle and all.

Glad you are ok. Bummer about the bike though.

Nice reality check and a good argument for wearing more protection. I am going to order those overpants now.

I'm glad you are ok!!! that sux....I had the same problem when I crashed, bike was flooded and would't start, or else I would have rode it home, peg less and swollen ankle and all.
Surprisingly to me, it fired right up after I got home. I rode it over to the dealer, in fact! The forks are misaligned but they aren't binding, so I hope that it's just a matter of realigning everything in the triple trees.

I'll find out the extent of the damage next week.

Just read this at work today - damn. Damn damn damn. I'm glad you're alright. I almost went down this past week and thought THAT was bad.

Sachi, sorry to hear about your crash and gald you're okay. Good luck with the bike... sounds like you have its recovery all planned!

Thanks for the good wishes, everyone.

All is reasonably well. The dealer's service guy didn't laugh an' point at me. :P I have a new Tattoo Red helmet and a new pair of Spidi Carbo Six gloves on the way (a horrid name, but a great glove). Now I wait to hear what needs to be done, and decide what to do or not do.

I just rode my still-smashed-up 599 back home, so I can remove all the
farkles before the insurance company takes it away. I have to admit
that as I rode to the shop on my CB-1 (which I left there for new
Pilot Powers) I was thinking of swinging by the BMW dealer and seeing
what sort of naked R1200s it had on hand. But the minute I wheeled
that Hornet out of the garage, forks cocked and light pointing to the
sky, it felt so damned right I realized I'd have a really hard time
giving up on finding another 599. So . . . I'll just strip it, get my
insurance cash, and wait until I find another nice one.

This was also my first ride with my new Spidis. (Remember, I dented the armor on the back of my old pair.) I wanted a glove that
was as protective as possible without getting into asinine money.
(Silly money was a given -- they're Spidis, sigh.) I bought a pair of
Carbo Six gloves, with a decent amount of kevlar armor spotted about
and a nice red-black-grey-white color.

What shocked me when I picked them up this morning was how stiff they
were! My other Spidis are like melted butter. The other ones I'd
tried in the store were quite soft too. But these - well, they were
so stiff I had a hard time getting in and out of the gloves at first.
And they were very difficult to bend in the fingers too. So while I
was at a doc's appointment I worked on the gloves, twisting and
wringing them, and wearing them so I could flex the fingers. After a
half hour of this they began to settle in.

They fit well (like a glove, ha!) and strap snugly around the wrist
and at the gauntlet. The gauntlet is wide enough to go over my jacket
(natch) and seems to be able to expand further if need be. I had very
nice feel for my controls once I was able to bend the fingers! I am
sure they'll give me another 8 or 9 years of good service, just like
the old ones.

So . . . I'll just strip it, get my insurance cash, and wait until I find another nice one.

I've got no idea what shipping might cost, but I just found a new '06 in Charlotte for $5599. (www.motomadness.com, 23Oct2007 9:30pm EDT)

Wow. :shock:

Southern Honda (Chattanooga TN) has some good deals, too, though not as good on the 599.

Thanks, honey - I'll look a bit closer first though!

(BTW - I won't have shipping costs. I'll just ride the sucker home!) :D

Whisky Tango Foxtrot!!!!!!
I've had so much going on the past month and a half, but i cannot
believe i missed this thread!!!! Sorry Sachi. Glad you're OK! And i hope
you find another good 599! You seem to be quite intelligent and
resourceful so i'm sure you'll have no trouble. Take it easy out there
dollface!!

...They fit well (like a glove, ha!)...
Nice... 8)

So . . . I'll just strip it, get my insurance cash, and wait until I find another nice one.

I've got no idea what shipping might cost, but I just found a new '06 in Charlotte for $5599. (www.motomadness.com, 23Oct2007 9:30pm EDT)

Wow. :shock:

Southern Honda (Chattanooga TN) has some good deals, too, though not as good on the 599.
I've had my bike shipped from South FL to TX in about two weeks and just under $500,all included.

On a more important note, Sachi,glad you're OK.
it sounds like this whole experience will make you an even better rider.

Good luck finding a new hornet :)

Thanks, honey - I'll look a bit closer first though!

(BTW - I won't have shipping costs. I'll just ride the sucker home!) :D

:naughty Tee, hee! She called me "honey!"

( I knew she liked me, even though my 599 is black! :D )

Good luck with the search, Sachi. NC to CA isn't too bad a commute, right?

I visited the Raleigh/Durham area for a couple weeks one year in late summer. Gorgeous! I loved the green countryside and the backroads. At one point we were driving along and came upon a snapping turtle huffily taking his place in the middle of the road. He stared us down and eventually flopped off the edge back into his pond.

I like it over here on this side of the country. Mountains and streams are good for me.

How are things for you, Sachi, given the fire situation? Are you safe over there?

We are still safe. The fires never got too close to us; others of course were not so lucky.

NC rocks...especially the mountains.