Well, I crashed it
Discussion
Lost the front end suddenly this afternoon at about 2pm. On a corner I've been on loads of times because its only about 30 metres from the top of my street. As I approached the mini roundabout, I leaned to go left and half way round the bike just disappeared from underneath me. In the movies everything slows down, but all I know is everything went black and the sound of metal scraping along the road. I just jumped up, switched off the engine (not wanting to see a small fireball). Ripped my gloves and helmet off, then a kind lady driver helped me pick my bike up.
It was such a huge shock, I really wansn't expecting it and I was only doing about 20mph. Anyway, my bike landed on its front forks and spun across the road, luckily with no cars coming the other way. Ripped off wing mirror, indicator, damaged handle bars and rear brake lever, a little damage to the front body work and a scratched centre stand. I really hope the front forks aren't bent, because then its bye bye bike. If I ever get the confidance up to ride it again
Anyway, I'm reasonably ok. My right knee, left elbow, left wrist and shoulder blade are all pretty sore, and I somehow managed to cut my elbow through my jacket. Havn't been to a doctors or anything yet, might go tomorrow if I'm in any more pain.
Is it safe to try and start the bike up or should I just call my dealer and ask them to collect it from my house to check it over? I'm really not looking forward to the bill, as it could totally screw up my chances of getting a car this summer, and I'm definatly not getting a bike next year.
At least I was wearing all my armoured gear and my helmet didnt hit the ground, just a little light scratch on the front.
I feel crap
It was such a huge shock, I really wansn't expecting it and I was only doing about 20mph. Anyway, my bike landed on its front forks and spun across the road, luckily with no cars coming the other way. Ripped off wing mirror, indicator, damaged handle bars and rear brake lever, a little damage to the front body work and a scratched centre stand. I really hope the front forks aren't bent, because then its bye bye bike. If I ever get the confidance up to ride it again
Anyway, I'm reasonably ok. My right knee, left elbow, left wrist and shoulder blade are all pretty sore, and I somehow managed to cut my elbow through my jacket. Havn't been to a doctors or anything yet, might go tomorrow if I'm in any more pain.
Is it safe to try and start the bike up or should I just call my dealer and ask them to collect it from my house to check it over? I'm really not looking forward to the bill, as it could totally screw up my chances of getting a car this summer, and I'm definatly not getting a bike next year.
At least I was wearing all my armoured gear and my helmet didnt hit the ground, just a little light scratch on the front.
I feel crap
Rawwr said:
Don't feel too bad about it. Whether you're in a car or on a bike: everyone has an accident sooner or later. Hell, even Rossi has had his moments.
everyone has an off sometime mate, its more or less inevitable and thankfully your ok which is the main thing, the bike can be fixed and it doesnt sound too serious mostly cosmetic, if the forks are bent there are companies that will straighten them for £200or £300 ish, i wouldnt let 1 of put you off getting another bike though if you enjoy it and want a big bike i owuld do it whenever you get the chance, ive stuffed a Fireblade and now have a plate in my shoulder and written off an R1 but will i get another bike, yes!!!!! of course i will i cant wait in fact, i know after an accident everyone always feels down(including Rossi im sure)i would recomend getting it fixed and getting straight back on it personally.
>> Edited by YamR1,V64motion on Sunday 5th February 00:50
Sorry to hear about your off, but there is only one important thing. You walked away from it! The bike can easily be repaired or replaced - you can't!
You'll be OK to start the bike but do a good check over first. Also, check any fluid levels and ensure cables and hoses are still OK.
It is worth getting back out on a bike again. We've all had an off or two in our time and we're all glad we got back on. When you do get back on you'll be very tense. Concentrate on relaxing and enjoying yourself. Don't worry about how fast you are going, that will come with time.
It’s worth looking at your accident and working out what went wrong and if it could have been avoided. Was there diesel on the road? Was there ice? Could you have seen any problems if you had looked ahead? Were you on the front brake while in the corner? If you can learn why it went wrong, then adjust your riding style to take account of this; you will be a better rider for it.
You'll be OK to start the bike but do a good check over first. Also, check any fluid levels and ensure cables and hoses are still OK.
It is worth getting back out on a bike again. We've all had an off or two in our time and we're all glad we got back on. When you do get back on you'll be very tense. Concentrate on relaxing and enjoying yourself. Don't worry about how fast you are going, that will come with time.
It’s worth looking at your accident and working out what went wrong and if it could have been avoided. Was there diesel on the road? Was there ice? Could you have seen any problems if you had looked ahead? Were you on the front brake while in the corner? If you can learn why it went wrong, then adjust your riding style to take account of this; you will be a better rider for it.
Glad you're ok! As has been mentioned, it might be worth going back to see why you had the off so you can try and avoid similar spills in the future. Sounds like you met diesel or gravel to me.
One thing about riding a bike though, it makes you a better car driver in the end as you learn all about surface grip the hard way.
One thing about riding a bike though, it makes you a better car driver in the end as you learn all about surface grip the hard way.
los angeles said:
Glad you are telling the tale. Any thoughts on why your bike went awol - black ice, grease, camber ...?
I'm going back up to the corner to have a look around. Its probably a bit of diesel on the road with the number of crap cars that drive aroud here, including one of my neighbours who's diesel tank fell out of thei car the other day!
I've woken up with a fair bit of brusing, but I'm actually feeling ok. Still might have tomorrow off school though
Bad luck matey! I binned my bike 1.5 yrs ago so know how you feel...
Mend quick and use the time off to get searching on Fleabay / salvage websites for the parts.
I've known friends who have died in car accidents so don't give up on two wheels
It's normal to feel down after binning it (esp when you don't know why it went) but use your time to get her looking good again and keep smiling!
All the best,
Paul
Mend quick and use the time off to get searching on Fleabay / salvage websites for the parts.
I've known friends who have died in car accidents so don't give up on two wheels
It's normal to feel down after binning it (esp when you don't know why it went) but use your time to get her looking good again and keep smiling!
All the best,
Paul
Just checked it over. Some good news and some bad.
Most of the damage I can repair myself if I get the parts off ebay - new fron panel and light/indicator cover etc. A couple of things need to be done by someone who knows what they are doing (i.e. not me, my dealer!) like a new brake handle. No leaking fluids after being in my garage over night.
And the bad news. I tried to start the engine, but it isnt sounding nice. More like thingsd just hitting together than an engine starting to turn over
I've also been back to the corner where I came off, and theres no sign of any diesel on the road etc, so it must just have been a combination of cold tyres and a wet road
Most of the damage I can repair myself if I get the parts off ebay - new fron panel and light/indicator cover etc. A couple of things need to be done by someone who knows what they are doing (i.e. not me, my dealer!) like a new brake handle. No leaking fluids after being in my garage over night.
And the bad news. I tried to start the engine, but it isnt sounding nice. More like thingsd just hitting together than an engine starting to turn over
I've also been back to the corner where I came off, and theres no sign of any diesel on the road etc, so it must just have been a combination of cold tyres and a wet road
Unfortunately, crashing sometimes happens and wet roads and a bit of salt make for incredibly slippery conditions. Still, glad to hear you're only bruised and nothing any worse.
Not sure what's going on with your engine, but if you find that the forks are bent, Motoliner in Maidstone can roll them straight for about £40 a pair.
www.motoliner.com
Don't let this incident put you off of bikes. Think of the amount of good times you've had on your bike as opposed to this one bad time. Plus, you've got the world of the sportsbike to look forward to yet and that's definitely worth waiting for!
Not sure what's going on with your engine, but if you find that the forks are bent, Motoliner in Maidstone can roll them straight for about £40 a pair.
www.motoliner.com
Don't let this incident put you off of bikes. Think of the amount of good times you've had on your bike as opposed to this one bad time. Plus, you've got the world of the sportsbike to look forward to yet and that's definitely worth waiting for!
Check the engine cover isn`t cracked or holed on the side of the engine in case it has lost oil or took in grit in which case an oil change is needed. I treat spills like this as an oppertunity to practice your wheelies...since the bodywork is `damaged`. The best thing to do is ride again as soon as......Best wishes.
Every crash teaches a lesson ..........
Every crash teaches a lesson ..........
F.M said:
Check the engine cover isn`t cracked or holed on the side of the engine in case it has lost oil or took in grit in which case an oil change is needed. I treat spills like this as an oppertunity to practice your wheelies...since the bodywork is `damaged`. The best thing to do is ride again as soon as......Best wishes.
Every crash teaches a lesson ..........
Amazingly the engine wasnt touched - the centre stand pokes out the side and managed to take the main hit, so thats scratched to bugger now but my engine is ok.
Tried the engine again and its sounding a bit better, maybe its just getting some crap out of it or something. I keep finding new bruises as well! Sent off a few emails to get parts for it which I can repair, but some will still have to be done at the dealer. I'll book that in for next weekend I think. It just seems like a very scary prospect riding it again.
The funniest thing is that I got Bike magazine last weekend to read the article about crashes. I scored in the highest risk zone for accidents, and this was my first ride since reading it. Do you think I can sue them for cursing me?
UncleDave said:
Only just found this thread. Sorry to hear about this, glad you are still in one piece though.. hopefully should be sorted in no time. Plus only a few months 'til you'll be driving
Good Luck
Dave.
If I can afford a car that is. My dad told me yesterday that hes pissed off that I'm selling my bike this summer. What the f
does he expect when he told me he'd give me £5k towards a car and now says he can;t afford it? And now I have to pay for the repairs to this bike? Stupid f
arsehole... can you tell I'm just a little bit pissed off with him?
m1spw said:
Good Luck
Dave.
If I can afford a car that is. My dad told me yesterday that hes pissed off that I'm selling my bike this summer. What the f
Stupid f
can you tell I'm just a little bit pissed off with him?
Good to see how much you respect your Dad. Real shame he can't afford to give you 5k mate. I lost my Dad 18 months ago and I would give anything for 30 seconds to tell him how much I loved him and to say sorry for all the crap I put him through as a teenager.
Remember that the next time your giving him grief. One day he will not be around for you to say sorry ....
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