Newbie who dropped a bike...few questions

[MBalbale]

Hi,

I bought a 2000 GS a few months ago and have been reading through this list religiously since. This site is amazing.

So this weekend, I made a classic newbie mistake of breaking in a turn. Unfortunately just as I tapped on the break there was gravel on the road and I took a spill at about 55mph. Thankfully I walked away with only a few scratches on my hands (although my helmet, gloves and riding pants are completely distroyed).

Anyway,  besides scratches on the bike, the headlight, mirror and speedometer were destroyed. All this I think I can fix on my own. The bike sounds rough when I run it and the gears are very hard to shift. I want to take the bike in to a mechanic to get it check out. My question is if if the San Francisco riders here can suggest a reliable and fair mechanic.

Thanks.
Musab

[scratch]

Yes, well, not me, but hold on I can find out who to take it to from BayAreaRidersForum.com

Elskipador (on BARF) Shawn in real life.....415-305-6096

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=63466

Scuderia West 69 Duboce Street (415) 621-7223
http://scuderiawest.com

MotoJava (a BARF Sponsor)
498 9th st. SF
415-255-9527
http://www.motojava.com

Werkstatt

[davipu]

so are you glad you had your gear on? and what brand was it?

[dmp221]

So this weekend, I made a classic newbie mistake of breaking in a turn. Musab

Bet you'll never make that mistake again!!!  Glad you're OK.
(Hint: MSF MSF MSF, er did I mention, MSF??)
Don

[Jeff P]

Hell of a first post Musab!  Glad to hear you're alright.  Lowside at 55 mph?  Could you elaborate on what gear you were wearing?

While you're fixing the bike, see if you can get into the MSF class, and go get yourself a copy of Proficient Motorcycling.  

jeff

[Anonymous]

Hitting gravel could have made him go down anyway.  Granted, braking into a turn is a no-no but a nasty patch of gravel can do you in regardless if you've got too much lean/momentum going in.  Once the gravel/sand starts your tire sliding and you're down into a fast turn there usually isn't much you can do.  This is a perfect example of why you don't go fast on roads you've never been on (or haven't been on lately) and don't know well.  When you don't KNOW what's ahead plan for the worst.  Sorry to hear it was a costly mistake for you.  Glad you had gear on.  I wear AT LEAST my jacket with armor and jeans (usually armored pants too).  Good luck getting it fixed.

[perfdrug]

one helluva first post. got any pics? (gear and bike). now that you're signed up, you can post whore it up. don't worry, you'll be in here every 30 mins while at work  

[MBalbale]

Thanks for the  info Scratch. I really apprceciate it.

I did take the MSF course before I began riding (well The Bay Area Motorcycle Training course which I believe is the same).  

I was riding on route 84 which is a really curvy road. Through most of the route I was focused on constanly repeating what I learned in the class...acclerate though the curve, hand and foot off the break, lean in, look through the curve, don't fixate. It was at the end of the ride when the road straightened out that I relaxed, lost focus and made the mistake. The curve was at most 120 degrees, probably more like 150 or 160. I still don't know why I touched the brakes. I can't really complain though as I feel very lucky to have walked away with no injuries.

I was wearing a Joe Rocket Ballistic 4.0 Jacket and Pants, and their Stage 1 Gloves. I am so glad that I was. (I would post pics, but the security system on my computer prevents me from being able to install the camera software to upload pics)

So what I have learned is the following:
1) Always, always wear a space suit
2) Keep my feet in a postion on curves where I can't instinctually hit the breaks
3) NEVER RELAX

I'll pick up Proficient Motorcycling as soon as I can.

Thank again everyone for your posts.
Best,
Musab

[scratch]

Just a local hint: Stay off of 84 for a while, until you become more experienced. There's a few trick turns that could get you sucked into going too fast for the next turn. There's a recent post on a three bike pileup on B.A.R.F. (photo of three bikes, one on top of another). I'm guessing do a search "Hwy84".

Glad you're allright.

Do relax, so you don't tighten your grip on the bars, keep focused and aware, ever vigilent. Pinch with your knees when going downhill, and flex your back to keep your bodyweight off of the hanldlebars, so ya can steer!