crashed my gs500f today

[uvukidaviation]

so today i was riding to a buddys and accelerated to make a light.  traffic was backed up on the other side and the car infront of me hit there brakes hard and high sided it doing about 20.  the bike was still running i was able to get it up give everyone the thumbs up and ride off. the mirror is gone and farrings are messed up but it seems alright otherwise i was just wondering what i should be checking that i could have missed i would hate to be ridding and have something go break on me.  also as far as helmets go is there anyway to see if there still good ik i hit my head but dont think it was hard should i just get another anyways or can i check it somehow
Thanks Joe

[greaseman]

Definitely replace the helmet, you're technically supposed to replace one if you drop it from more than 3 feet, so I'm pretty sure high siding and slamming your head on pavement qualifies for a new one.

[Shepa]

Definitely replace the helmet, you're technically supposed to replace one if you drop it from more than 3 feet, so I'm pretty sure high siding and slamming your head on pavement qualifies for a new one.

Hm... NHF, but... just out of curiosity... let's say you own a fancy Rossi replica (or even the real thing) worth a fortune, and it accidentaly falls off of your bike's tank (cca 1 meter height) to the floor... Fortunately, the visor's ok, and there's no even a scratch visible... Would you throw it away and buy a new one?

What I wanted to say... I crashed more than once (never was my fault though, and never had any major trauma), one time I flew over the car, landed on my lower back, roled and roled, and just touched the ground with helmet. There wasn't even a dot on it, so why would I toss it?

It's a whole different thing if you slam your head down, have a concusion or something like that... in that case, I'd consider helmet a writeoff, if I lived to talk about it. 

[XLAR8]

helmets need 5 pounds in them to be damaged in a drop.... if your head hit the road i would get it replaced, because the foam liner can only take one hit as it compresses on impact to protect your head.

[CliffHanger]

helmets need 5 pounds in them to be damaged in a drop.... if your head hit the road i would get it replaced, because the foam liner can only take one hit as it compresses on impact to protect your head.

I agree with the above.
In a 1 meter accidental drop, the foam will be unaffected since there are no contents (i.e. head).
However, the rule-of-thumb exists because you may cause a hairline fracture in the shell, compromising its integrity.

Just something to think about, Shepa.

I would probably do a thorough inspection if it was mine... if insurance was paying, I'd just write it off.

[Twism86]

You crash and you head hits the ground, new helmet, no questions asked, end of story. If it drops from the high shelf in the garage you keep in on, well I might be cautious about that. I mean its only your head you are protecting   

So yea, new helmet for you.

Always be looking further ahead, maybe next time stopping for the yellow wont be such a bad idea unless you see clear road ahead. Not to mention the people who like to jump the light, or make a right turn on red a few seconds earlier and dont see the little bike coming. They are all trying to kill us.

PS: Replica helmets are for posers 

[Twism86]

And as for things to look for. Check for bent handlebars, or brake/ clutch levers. Anything bent really that may be on the verge of breaking. Just take a nice slow ride around to make sure everything feels ok.

[LimaXray]

Agreed on the helmet.  Helmets are like condoms - use them once and toss it.  When you buy a helmet, you have to understand that they are disposable goods, so if you can't afford to throw away a $500+ helmet, then you can't afford the helmet. 

Anyway, did you hit the car or did the bike just drop?  If the bike didn't hit anything, you may be alright.  I would take off the fairings and check that nothing is bent or loose.  I would imagine at the very least your fairing brackets will be bent.  Basically just give it a good look over to see if anything else is damaged.  Depending on the severity of the crash, you may want to check your front and rear wheel alignment.  If you're unsure, bring it to a dealer.

If you did hit something, definitely bring it to the dealer and have them check that your forks and frame are straight and everything is in proper alignment. 

[redhawkdancing]

SHOEI will X-ray your helmet for free and let you know if it is okay. Not sure about other manufacturers.   

[Twism86]

SHOEI will X-ray your helmet for free and let you know if it is okay. Not sure about other manufacturers.   

I was gonna say, some manufacturers will check for you. If you have a Shoei or Arai its worth it. Its its a $100 HJC (huge junk of crap) toss it.

[greaseman]

Definitely replace the helmet, you're technically supposed to replace one if you drop it from more than 3 feet, so I'm pretty sure high siding and slamming your head on pavement qualifies for a new one.

Hm... NHF, but... just out of curiosity... let's say you own a fancy Rossi replica (or even the real thing) worth a fortune, and it accidentaly falls off of your bike's tank (cca 1 meter height) to the floor... Fortunately, the visor's ok, and there's no even a scratch visible... Would you throw it away and buy a new one?

What I wanted to say... I crashed more than once (never was my fault though, and never had any major trauma), one time I flew over the car, landed on my lower back, roled and roled, and just touched the ground with helmet. There wasn't even a dot on it, so why would I toss it?

Hah key word is "technically". From that height the foam could be permanently compressed on that spot and not provide any shock absorption, but personally I wouldn't replace one if I dropped it from that height. I think replacing it is more to console any doubt of safety - just knowing that your helmet will work like it's supposed to if the time comes to test it, compared to not being sure if it will work to its full potential if you do hit the damaged spot.

[Vova]

The one crash and replace it is mostly the helmet manufacturer salesmen talking. Take liners out of your helmets and you will see that they are not really any more sophisticated than a bicycle helmet. If it is damaged, that is one thing, but don't assume just because it rolled over one day when you set it on the table that it needs to be replaced.

You know how SPD custom-fits their helmet? An hammer against the foam... Seems to be working for them, considering the number of crashes and lack of deaths and all.

[uvukidaviation]

OK ya definitely going with a new helmet then. and bike seems fine just missing a mirror and some cosmetic damage didnt hit the car witch was good  definitely gona wait till the next light next time and thanks for the replies guys.

[Tombstones81]

yeah most motorcycle accidents around here (North east Pa) that are on the news are all from idiots going like 90 at night on back roads with Deadly curves if anything goes wrong.

2nd is from intersections.

Never will do the first and I'm NEVER in any hurry when it comes to intersections 

and now after Weds wipe... god made dirt and yes DIRT REALLY HURTS!!!! ... well the large chunky dirt anyways hahahahaha