mykel_jm
07-27-2009, 01:37 PM
WARNING: some of the pics that follow might be a bit much for some.
It has been a long while since I've posted here. I was waiting until I had all my pics of the damage set up before I even bothered to post, but I figure while I'm thinking about it again, I'll go ahead and tell my story.
About three months ago I got run of the road by a motorist who had to be in the lane I was changing to before I got there. I was turning right about a half mile up and was going to do my usual change to the right lane. I was in the left lane with one car about two car lengths in front of me and another car about 4 car lengths behind me in the right lane. As I leaned into the right lane, I heard the engine of the car behind me rev. It really took me by surprise because I have never heard anyone trying to overtake me. I twisted the throttle to get ahead of the snarl, but we were all coming up on a left hand curve in the road.
In hindsight, I should have trusted my 599 and the Pilots, but I was still shocked I was being run up on. Instead of leaning hard into the turn, I tried to brake and ease off the road. Grass sucks as far as traction goes. The fall happened so fast, I didn't even have time to be scared. I still don't know how fast I was going. I do remember the first thing I was worried about was the condition of my 599. It was about 30 or 40 yards behind me. I looked ahead at the driver who was behind me and as soon as he saw I was walking, he drove away. I didn't even think to get a plate number. I just thought, "What a dick!".
Just a minute before the incident, I waved at another motorcyclist in the turnaround lane. He actually saw the whole thing go down and went up to the next turnaround to get back to me. His name is Sam. He parked his Triumph Daytona across the road and ran over to help me out. I knew I hurt my wrist, but I figured it was just sprained. I couldn't take the weight of my helmet when I tried to put it back on nor could I hold the throttle after we picked up my bike. She only suffered a bend on the right side of the handlebar, a small dent on the right side of the tank, and a crack in the right display housing. I called my wife to pick us up, and Sam followed us home on my bruised 599. We drove Sam back to his Triumph and a thousand thanks yous is not enough.
About and hour and a half later, we sauntered on down to the urgent care center and they almost didn't admit me since all motorcycle accidents are categorized under trauma. They asked a few questions to be sure I didn't sustain any head or spinal injuries and took an x-ray. The nurse practitioner on duty tells me, "Um...we can't fix that." When I looked at the x-ray, I saw why my right wrist looked a little deformed. The top of my scaphoid had broken off and all the floating bones in my wrist slid to the left. I was referred to a nearby ER where they set my wrist and referred me to a specialist. A few days later, I went to that specialist and he says to me, "Um... I can't fix that." So he refers me to another specialist. Almost a week later, Dr. Hildreth takes a look at my x-rays and is impressed and a little excited to be working on me. I know this post is screaming for some pics, and I promise to put some up when I get home this afternoon.
A few days later, I had reconstructive surgery and carpal tunnel surgery all in one go. Dr. Hildreth dropped 8 pins and two molly bolts to tie everything together. Long story short, I'm able to type this 3 months later.
I have been starting up my 599 so as not to let her rot. The other day, I even rolled it backwards down the driveway so I could ride it back into the garage. God I miss riding. I put her into neutral and let her run, and I could hear some stuff rattling. When I pull the clutch in, it sounds fine. Maybe it's something else. I may need some help troubleshooting from you guys. There are no signs of leaks of any kind on the garage floor below her. Also, the rear suspension seems really soft now. I don't remember it being that soft, but if I grab the tail from behind and just push it to the right like I'm trying to straighten if off the kickstand, it feels soft, like I'm compressing it before it picks up.
Anyways, it felt good to get that story out. Again, I promise to get some pics up for you guys. I just reordered a SM handlebar and barend mount assemblies to move my RhinoMotos over the the replacement bar. The CRG Hindsights folded away and survived. I can't wait to don my new "Ride Naked" stickers and get back on the road. They shipped very well. About another month of physical therapy, and I should be able to twist the throttle and pull the brakes. I may need to upgrade my brakes to something with an easier pull. I have an actual medical reason for those Pazzos now.
It has been a long while since I've posted here. I was waiting until I had all my pics of the damage set up before I even bothered to post, but I figure while I'm thinking about it again, I'll go ahead and tell my story.
About three months ago I got run of the road by a motorist who had to be in the lane I was changing to before I got there. I was turning right about a half mile up and was going to do my usual change to the right lane. I was in the left lane with one car about two car lengths in front of me and another car about 4 car lengths behind me in the right lane. As I leaned into the right lane, I heard the engine of the car behind me rev. It really took me by surprise because I have never heard anyone trying to overtake me. I twisted the throttle to get ahead of the snarl, but we were all coming up on a left hand curve in the road.
In hindsight, I should have trusted my 599 and the Pilots, but I was still shocked I was being run up on. Instead of leaning hard into the turn, I tried to brake and ease off the road. Grass sucks as far as traction goes. The fall happened so fast, I didn't even have time to be scared. I still don't know how fast I was going. I do remember the first thing I was worried about was the condition of my 599. It was about 30 or 40 yards behind me. I looked ahead at the driver who was behind me and as soon as he saw I was walking, he drove away. I didn't even think to get a plate number. I just thought, "What a dick!".
Just a minute before the incident, I waved at another motorcyclist in the turnaround lane. He actually saw the whole thing go down and went up to the next turnaround to get back to me. His name is Sam. He parked his Triumph Daytona across the road and ran over to help me out. I knew I hurt my wrist, but I figured it was just sprained. I couldn't take the weight of my helmet when I tried to put it back on nor could I hold the throttle after we picked up my bike. She only suffered a bend on the right side of the handlebar, a small dent on the right side of the tank, and a crack in the right display housing. I called my wife to pick us up, and Sam followed us home on my bruised 599. We drove Sam back to his Triumph and a thousand thanks yous is not enough.
About and hour and a half later, we sauntered on down to the urgent care center and they almost didn't admit me since all motorcycle accidents are categorized under trauma. They asked a few questions to be sure I didn't sustain any head or spinal injuries and took an x-ray. The nurse practitioner on duty tells me, "Um...we can't fix that." When I looked at the x-ray, I saw why my right wrist looked a little deformed. The top of my scaphoid had broken off and all the floating bones in my wrist slid to the left. I was referred to a nearby ER where they set my wrist and referred me to a specialist. A few days later, I went to that specialist and he says to me, "Um... I can't fix that." So he refers me to another specialist. Almost a week later, Dr. Hildreth takes a look at my x-rays and is impressed and a little excited to be working on me. I know this post is screaming for some pics, and I promise to put some up when I get home this afternoon.
A few days later, I had reconstructive surgery and carpal tunnel surgery all in one go. Dr. Hildreth dropped 8 pins and two molly bolts to tie everything together. Long story short, I'm able to type this 3 months later.
I have been starting up my 599 so as not to let her rot. The other day, I even rolled it backwards down the driveway so I could ride it back into the garage. God I miss riding. I put her into neutral and let her run, and I could hear some stuff rattling. When I pull the clutch in, it sounds fine. Maybe it's something else. I may need some help troubleshooting from you guys. There are no signs of leaks of any kind on the garage floor below her. Also, the rear suspension seems really soft now. I don't remember it being that soft, but if I grab the tail from behind and just push it to the right like I'm trying to straighten if off the kickstand, it feels soft, like I'm compressing it before it picks up.
Anyways, it felt good to get that story out. Again, I promise to get some pics up for you guys. I just reordered a SM handlebar and barend mount assemblies to move my RhinoMotos over the the replacement bar. The CRG Hindsights folded away and survived. I can't wait to don my new "Ride Naked" stickers and get back on the road. They shipped very well. About another month of physical therapy, and I should be able to twist the throttle and pull the brakes. I may need to upgrade my brakes to something with an easier pull. I have an actual medical reason for those Pazzos now.