Had Some Asphalt for Breakfast Yesterday.

[Aerospike]

Well, I've almost made it through 3 years of riding without going down.  Yesterday at ~ 4:45 am (dang military) it happened.  Going maybe 40 mph in a straight line, a stupid cat jumps practically inches from the front wheel.  I get on the brakes, hit the cat, front wheel bounces up, locks in the air and come back with it locked.  Or at least that's what it seemed like to me.  It all happened in one of those eternal split seconds when things move so fast you can't react yet so slow you think about eighty things at the same time.  Motorcycle slid about 100 feet and hit a curb, I tumbled and slid for 60 feet behind the bike.  I spread my arms out to stop tumbling and it worked at the cost of breaking my right wrist. 

A few minutes later a marine came down that road helped me put the bike up.  I wanted to ride it home but it didn't start, so I pushed it for 2 miles back to my place then got in the car and drove to the ER. 

I was informed less than 15 minutes ago from my orthopedic doctor that they're not going to pin my wrist together.  Thank God, I really don't like being opened up and just rather deal with more pain than surgery. 

Damage report: every piece of gear did its job. Tecknic jacket held up well, first gear gloves have holes thru the first layer on the palms but my hands are fine.  J.R. boots have some scuffs and my KBC helmet has some scary gouges on it.  I don't dare imagine what my face would look like if I were wearing a brain bucket.  Of course my jeans did hold up well, I have some road rash on my left knee but it's not worst than any time I fell off my bike when I was a little kid.  In addition, my left ribs are bruised to hell.  They hurt more than the time I broke up.  There's also little pains here and there.   

Pictures of mishap exhibits including the bike to follow. 

P.S. I've already shaken it off and ordered a copy of Motorcycle Europe to plan my trip for next year. I'm really happy with the way the crash turned out and that it's out of the way.

[pandy]

Awright...someone wasn't listening. Didn't we all just recently agree that we'd have no more crashes!? 

Seriously, though, I'm glad the damage was minimal. Sucks that you had to crash test your gear, but I'm glad it all held up!!!!!! 

It sounds as though you're going to hurt a LOT for the next few days (or longer), so take it easy, and take good care of yourself.

[CirclesCenter]

Sorry to hear.

Dude, pushed it two miles with a broken wrist? Holy Crap, WTF do they do to you in military training? Taser your nads every three minutes to build your pain tolerance? Shove tacks into your forehead while you eat? Make you chew broken glass?

Damn man, THAT is tough.

On another note, you have to turn the petcock to prime and give it a second after laying it down, because all the fuel spills out. (Ask me how I know LOL) Wish i could have told you this earlier to save you that long push.

I can't believe no one helped you! I went down at 1am on a weeknight and before I knew anything there were like 12 people there, helping me up and bringing my bike to me! If I had seen you pushing down the road I would have helped!

Heal quick man.

[CirclesCenter]

Dang pandy, you are a P.W., you even beat me to the punch......

[RVertigo]

Awright...someone wasn't listening. Didn't we all just recently agree that we'd have no more crashes!? 

NO KIDDING!!!  Did you NOT see my sig?  NO CRASHING!


Damn cats!  They're a plague on society!

Sorry to hear about the wreck, but it could have been way worse...  So, consider yourself lucky.

I hope the military doesn't hassle you about the wreck...  I've heard of them being Jerks about things like that.

[natedawg120]

That really stinks man.  Glad to hear that everything did its job and that you are still in good spirits.  Little critters can really get ya...

[Aerospike]

It sounds as though you're going to hurt a LOT for the next few days (or longer), so take it easy, and take good care of yourself.

Yeah, every few hours something new starts to hurt.

WTF do they do to you in military training?

I don't know, I've never been in the military.  I'm just a geeky engineering who keeps their birds flying.

I can't believe no one helped you! I went down at 1am on a weeknight and before I knew anything there were like 12 people there, helping me up and bringing my bike to me! If I had seen you pushing down the road I would have helped!

Yeah a few cars passed me and didn't even slow down. 

I also thought it would start after everything had drained back.  Nope, you hit the switch and nothing, no clicks, no cranks, no nothing.

Yes cats are a plague.  There's a reason I'm a dog person 

Thank you so much guys,  I understand I was very lucky and as I said I'm happy with the way it turned out. 

I'm going to get the cast around my arm and I'll take pictures when I get back home. 

[12thmonkey]

Yeah man...what they said. You're hardcore. And i'm glad you're ok and in such good spirits. i'm sure the cat isn't doin quite so good...furry little speedbump.

Question: What should you do in a situation like that? If a small to medium-sized animal runs out in front of you and you know you're gonna hit it, should you refrain from braking? (i think i remember reading somewhere to actually give it some throttle to help get the front wheel over easier).

[LimaXray]

Question: What should you do in a situation like that? If a small to medium-sized animal runs out in front of you and you know you're gonna hit it, should you refrain from braking? (i think i remember reading somewhere to actually give it some throttle to help get the front wheel over easier).

I believe this would be considered a 'bump' and according to the MSF you stand up on the pegs and give it a little throttle to, as you said, help the front wheel over.

So next time you see those cute little kittens playing in the street, just crank open that throttle and hang on 

[Mitch]

Good to hear your gear did it's job.  Heal well.

I would probly gas it and treat it like any other obsticle in the road.  I don't have the video but if you've seen the motorcycle hits a deer vid, it's pretty obvious that a motorcycle would hit a decent size animal and still come out rubber down.

[Chuck]

I believe this would be considered a 'bump' and according to the MSF you stand up on the pegs and give it a little throttle to, as you said, help the front wheel over.

So next time you see those cute little kittens playing in the street, just crank open that throttle and hang on 

It sounds like you're half joking, maybe.  I'm not sure.  But I have already decided what to do if the animal is lower than my front axle I will:

   * brake as much as I can
   * Lay on the horn (not like it would matter too much)
   * Continue travelling in a straight line (ie. head right for it)
   * Release the brake and allow the suspension to stabilize before impact

As for the heading right for it, I figure it can do one of three things.  1) go left, 2) go right, or 3) stay there.  So by keeping it steady, you might have a 66% chance of missing it, and you keep upright for maximum braking.

I was all ready to do this on a kitty last week, and I managed to come to a stop before hitting it.  Regarding the horn, dear god that was depressing.  Since there was no traffic I just stoped and pulled up to kitty and sat on the horn.  It didn't even look up at me.  It ran away when I made some menacing revs of the engine, though.

But by all means, if you are choosing between risking your life, and risking a cat's life, go for the cat.  That cat should run, if not you are an agent of Darwin and you have to explain to someone that their stupid cat stood like a dumbass in the middle of the road.  It's better than what happened to Aerospike.  May we learn from his incident.

[Mk1inCali]

I hit a dog that was shoulder-high to my axle on my GS a while back, he came out too fast for me to really react that much, but I definitely DO NOT recommend laying on the brakes if it is something shorter than your front wheel.  Get comfortable standing up while you aren't dodging furry critters, and you'll be ready to stand, whack open the throttle and lighten the front end.


Pretend you are one of those motocrossers trying to clear a log.  Same concept, same skills involved.  Just be prepared.


FWIW, my parents were 2-up on their Duc 900SS SP, saddlebags and tankbag also along for the ride, about 20 miles out from their destination for the night (my grandma's house), and smacked a deer in the front shoulder.  Spun the deer around, thought my mom's leg was broken from the tail end of the deer swinging around, but it was OK.  Didn't crash, the left side fairing tore off and was dragging on the pavement, and the frame ended up being bent.

You aren't as weak as you might think, if you are mentally prepared.

[aaronstj]

I agree with others on the cat issue.  It's sad, but your life is worth a lot more than the cats.  It's a bump, ride over it.  With any luck, it will get out of the way.

As for the bike, check the clutch switch.  They tend to break during crashes, and will cause the same symptoms your seeing (hit the switch, nothing happens).

[zukiGS500]

is this the cat?

[l3uddha]

CAT KILLER!!!!!!!!






















  j/k

glad you're ok. Definitly take it REAL easy for the next few days. It's all those little pains all-over & really tight muscles that will get to you more than the wrist.


all I'll say to those debating the proper way to avoid this is: SCRAPE OFF AS MUCH SPEED AS YOU CAN BEFORE DOING ANYTHING! animals are unpredictable-swerving may produce very poor results as well,
...and pick up Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough.

[flyingbeagle71]

Glad to hear you're okay...the owner of the cat should pay for your repairs (if there is an owner).  I hate it when people let their animals run loose...

I don't know, I've never been in the military.  I'm just a geeky engineering who keeps their birds flying.

What do you work on?  Harriers?  Copters?

[jake42]

i'm working on mounting a .50 cal to the front of the gs for just such instances.

[Smokebombb]

Once an animal is spotted, the MSF booklet says:

1) Slow
2) Downshift
3) Accelerate past the point of interception
4) Don't kick at the animal because it will make controlling the motorcycle difficult

For larger animals like deer/elk:

1) Stop before reaching the animal
2) Wait until the animal leaves, or move past the animal at walking speed

[stangbaby67]

Scary!! Glad to hear you're ok.  I can't push the bike two car lengths.  Two miles with a broken wrist--adrenaline rush?   
  Who else is in our club of cat killers?  Didja get any fur stuck in your wheels?

[calamari]

My MSF instructor (girl btw) told me that whenever a small to medium size furry animal stands/runs in front on my way while im riding... hold the handlebars really tight, open throttle and lean forward a bit to avoid any flying guts and debris to hit you in the helmet and whatnot. And everytime I see an adorable furry creature near the road, I prepare myself and hold the handlebars really tight...