Went down after putting in Progressive springs

[spotswood_suzuki]

Don't think they were related....sure hope not.  I put in the Progressive Springs this morning...used Pablo's directions and it was a breeze.  Took it out for a ride to see the difference and they felt great..went my normal route.  I came up to make a right turn, slowed, leaned and gave it some throttle like everytime before and the next thing I know I am sliding on the ground with the bike slidiing in front of me.  Was only doing maybe 20 to 25.  When we both came to a stop I got up, hit the kill switch and picked up the bike.  I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT  :x  :x !!  I had on all my gear including JR Leather pants, JR perf leather and textile jacket, gloves, boots and of course my Arai Helmet.  I am okay...slight sprain to my left thumb.  Bike's can got scratched, the suzuki cover on the engine case came off(able to pick it up and save it) slight wear down on the brake lever.  I am trying to figure out what the heck happened...checked the road looking for oil, etc...we have had a lot of rain recently but the road wasn't wet.  Couldn't see anything...maybe I just grabbed to much throttle...I wish I knew.  I would feel better if I can figure out what I did wrong so I don't do it again.  My gear saved me totally. Slight scraping on the pants and jacket....took a little chunk out of the chin area of the helmet but I think the helmet is fine..didn't hit the foam area.  I will need to replace the visor as that has some good scrapes.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Wayne

[KevinC]

Do you remember if you lost the front or the rear?

Oil on the tire? Did that once myself, it can stay on the side until you finally lean it over far enough...

[mrslush50]

replace your helmet!!!

[TheGoodGuy]

wayne,

I just put in the progressive shocks today and this is what I noticed.. the bike actually sits higher up on the front.. so it corners funny, not like the old suspension springs.. The thing leans in a bit too fast. But then i could be feeling funny cause i once again readjusted my handlebars (earlier the ends were pointing a bit up, now i levelled them out).

You need to get used to it I guess.

I am going to take it for a ride now (full gear this time - i didnt feel comfy riding in a tee shirt by the way it handled on the short ride)..

It feels funny that I got to say.. but there is a marked improvement over the old springs.

[96gs]

how much do a pair of front proggressive springs cost??

[TheGoodGuy]

how much do a pair of front proggressive springs cost??

$47 or so at chapparal.. if you can get it there.. otherwise its back to 67 if they dont have it.

[Blueknyt]

try tightening up just a tad on the rear preload, or raise the fork tubes in the clamps alittle. oh wait, you dont have clipons do you? i have 89 stock clipons but dont like em, fact i put aftermarket clipons under the top clamps and raised the fork tubes, it helps

[spotswood_suzuki]

I wish I knew which wheel went out....happened very fast.  One minute I was up and the next I was sliding on my face and side looking at the bike in front of me.  I don't think I got fork oil on the tire....but I guess anything is possible.  If that was the case I would have thought I would have gone down earlier.  I keep playing it over and over in my mind trying to think of something.  I am alittle sore today on my right side and my left thumb is fairly useless, but I guess I am happy that I didn't really get hurt.

Wayne

[glenn9171]

Glad you weren't hurt any more than you were.  Imagine how you would have ended up if you had been helmetless and in a T-shirt and shorts like a lot of riders.     It just proves that gear is worth it's weight in gold and it really works.

[bbanjo]

Damn Wayne, happy you are OK. I've noticed (due to the El Pisso of a Summer that we're having) that some oilly spots have surfaced in my neck of the woods. Not blatantly oilly looking, but super slick none-the-less. The rain pushes the stuff up to the top of the roadway, and if it's light rain it just sits there.

I'm not running up the middle at stop lights at all because I nearly ate it by locking the front wheel up a week ago. Talk about the pucker factor, I was Not ready for that.

If you need a hand with the fix-up let me know.

Gear is Good

[pantablo]

Wayne,
Good to hear you're okay. can't comment on the springs but I doubt it was the cause of your spill, if only because it wasn't the first turn you took (was it?).

I suspect it was something on the road you didn't/couldn't see.

And as for the bike sitting higher...it'll probably feel like that given how much less it sags with the progressives on-not so much higher, just less sag.

[Cris]

Glad you are okay. Glad you were suited up too.
It's never ceases to amaze me how many people are still out there riding sans gear!!!!  

[TheGoodGuy]

its true the bike sags less and now I am actually more confident of hitting the front brakes like it has to and i am actually stopping faster. Which is much nicer cause i hate to lock up the rear.

But it still feels funny, i guess i will get used to it once i take it up the crest later on today.

[spotswood_suzuki]

Thanks for all the good words.  I went back to the scene of the crime tonight because I thought of something during the day(seems like all I was thinking about today).  I confirmed what I remembered...this is a right hand turn onto another road and in the corner of the turn is a storm grate...metal of course. I think I turned in to the corner to quick and when I gave it gas I was over the grate and WALA....on my ass I went.  I actually feel much better knowing that I made a mistake and it wasn't just a random occurance.  And I really shake my head when I see people riding with helmet, t-shirt and shorts...without my full face helmet and all the gear I would be in the hospital.  Of course I may still be when I tell the wife what happened.....

Wayne

[jangofett]

Glad your ok. Great thing you had your gear on!

[bbanjo]

Don't tell her Wayne!!!!!!!!!

It'll surely ruin it for the rest of us.  

[spotswood_suzuki]

Just one more question....do I need a new helmet??  From what I can tell, the only place I hit was on the chin section next to the vent and the face shield.  Hate to spend another $400...I really do like my Arai...but by the same token would want to be sure to get the same protection if something happens(I sure hope not :guns: ).  Opinions???

Wayne

[mrslush50]

send it back to the company.  they should be able to tell you weather you need a new one or not, but general rule is, if you've worn it in a crash you should replace it.

[The Buddha]

Just one more question....do I need a new helmet??  From what I can tell, the only place I hit was on the chin section next to the vent and the face shield.  Hate to spend another $400...I really do like my Arai...but by the same token would want to be sure to get the same protection if something happens(I sure hope not :guns: ).  Opinions???

Wayne

Crush it between your chest and arm. If it creaks or makes noises or flexes more than it used to (check with a new one in the store) then its done. Else keep it. MIne survived 2-3 incidents...not accidents, I dropped it from considerable height once (2nd floor patio), etc etc and it got totalled only when the face shield retaining plate broke and replacements werent available. I also use bieffe...known for its rigidity more than Arai or Shoei...cos its kevlar instead of fiberglass...Yea fiberglass is supposedly better (that bostrom helmet with rash the size of an A4 sheet of paper) for flexing and taking impact...
Cool.
Srinath.