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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: wever411 on August 29, 2006, 11:09:42 AM

Title: Very sad and somewhat painful day
Post by: wever411 on August 29, 2006, 11:09:42 AM
I crashed my bike last weekend. I'm sitting in the center lane waiting to complete the second half of a U turn...cars were passing by so I had to stop. There were only 2 narrow lanes with a 2 ft concrete barrier lining the edge since the road is under construction. Unfortunately I went a little wider than I wanted to. I also target fixated on the barrier and did not look through the turn in the direction I wanted to go. Luckily I wasn't going more than 10 mph since I was stopped before I tried to make the turn.

So I hit the barrier at an angle with my front tire, which turns the bike sideways. Now I'm sliding against this barrier for a few feet. I can hear my front fairing getting torn up. Worst of all I can feel the skin being scraped from my shin area...1st time wearing shorts while riding, STUPID IDEA, will NEVER do again. So on instinct I push off the wall, make sure I don't get run over in the process, and drive away. I pull over to the nearest parking lot and assess the damage but mainly to regain my composure.

Now I have a new set of tear graphics on my lower right fairing...I hear people pay lots of money to get custom graphics painted on but I got it for free. I've also got a 3x8 inch section of concrete rash on my leg. Now I'm just waiting for that to heal up before I get on the bike again. It was a very sad day indeed.
Title: Re: Very sad and somewhat painful day
Post by: CirclesCenter on August 29, 2006, 11:58:52 AM
Yep that sucks.

Take the fairing off, the GS is a beautiful bike under there.
Title: Re: Very sad and somewhat painful day
Post by: RVertigo on August 29, 2006, 12:32:41 PM
Target fixation is a killer...  You got off pretty lucky...  And although it hurts now, that little road rash on your leg may save your life later.

Gear == Good
Title: Re: Very sad and somewhat painful day
Post by: pandy on August 29, 2006, 12:38:36 PM
Quote from: RVertigo on August 29, 2006, 12:32:41 PM
Target fixation is a killer...  You got off pretty lucky...  And although it hurts now, that little road rash on your leg may save your life later.

Gear == Good

+1!  :thumb:
Title: Re: Very sad and somewhat painful day
Post by: plusultra on August 29, 2006, 12:39:50 PM
Hey u got 5555 posts.  congrats!   Dude, that sux.  At least u have an excuse to custom paint your fairings now!    :cheers:  Get back on that bike now!   :thumb:
Title: Re: Very sad and somewhat painful day
Post by: wever411 on August 29, 2006, 12:44:09 PM
Quote from: RVertigo on August 29, 2006, 12:32:41 PM
Target fixation is a killer... You got off pretty lucky... And although it hurts now, that little road rash on your leg may save your life later.

Gear == Good

I agree completely. I could have damaged the bike and myself a whole lot more.
Title: Re: Very sad and somewhat painful day
Post by: Leon78 on August 29, 2006, 03:20:40 PM
I strongly belive every thing happens for a reason. better you have a small crash now, and learn. Call it a little enlightenment(SP)
Title: Re: Very sad and somewhat painful day
Post by: Codger on August 29, 2006, 03:29:37 PM
Good to hear no permanent injuries to you or your bike.
The fairing is a flesh wound.  Painful and maybe expensive, but it could be worse.

Road rash is there for education.  It hurts enough for you to recognize your mistake, but it heals and the pain goes away.  The scar is left behind as a reminder not to do it again.
Title: Re: Very sad and somewhat painful day
Post by: blue05twin on August 29, 2006, 03:43:29 PM
Man glad you were not hurt worse, and that the bike will be easy to fix back up.
Title: Re: Very sad and somewhat painful day
Post by: FearedGS500 on August 29, 2006, 05:10:31 PM
dont listen to the yahooo's telling you to take that fairing off  :flipoff: :cookoo: :cookoo: keep it on . its better with it on  :thumb:
Title: Re: Very sad and somewhat painful day
Post by: RVertigo on August 29, 2006, 05:11:27 PM
Quote from: FearedGS500 on August 29, 2006, 05:10:31 PMits better with it on  :thumb:
True...  Except when you're looking at it...  Or riding it...  or thinking about it...  or talking about it...

Ok.. Wait... NM, it's not true.   :laugh:
Title: Re: Very sad and somewhat painful day
Post by: TarzanBoy on August 29, 2006, 10:19:43 PM
Super Squid Guy says:  That is what you get for NOT doing a WHEELIE through the intersection, dude.    Wheelies are the only safe way to go through an intersection becuase it increases the profile of your bike and makes you more visible

You probably target fixated because your vision was impaired by the full-face helmet you had on.   Next time DITCH THE LID, and wear sandals for better gearshift + rear brake control.
Title: Re: Very sad and somewhat painful day
Post by: CirclesCenter on August 29, 2006, 11:26:35 PM
Quote from: TarzanBoy on August 29, 2006, 10:19:43 PM
Super Squid Guy says:  That is what you get for NOT doing a WHEELIE through the intersection, dude.    Wheelies are the only safe way to go through an intersection becuase it increases the profile of your bike and makes you more visible

You probably target fixated because your vision was impaired by the full-face helmet you had on.   Next time DITCH THE LID, and wear sandals for better gearshift + rear brake control.

BWAHAHAHAHHA!
Title: Re: Very sad and somewhat painful day
Post by: wever411 on August 30, 2006, 07:19:36 AM
Quote from: TarzanBoy on August 29, 2006, 10:19:43 PM
Super Squid Guy says: That is what you get for NOT doing a WHEELIE through the intersection, dude. Wheelies are the only safe way to go through an intersection becuase it increases the profile of your bike and makes you more visible

You probably target fixated because your vision was impaired by the full-face helmet you had on. Next time DITCH THE LID, and wear sandals for better gearshift + rear brake control.

I'll make sure to do all that you said next time. Thanks for the great advice.
Title: Re: Very sad and somewhat painful day
Post by: LimaXray on August 30, 2006, 07:49:41 AM
Quote from: TarzanBoy on August 29, 2006, 10:19:43 PM
Super Squid Guy says:  That is what you get for NOT doing a WHEELIE through the intersection, dude.    Wheelies are the only safe way to go through an intersection becuase it increases the profile of your bike and makes you more visible

You probably target fixated because your vision was impaired by the full-face helmet you had on.   Next time DITCH THE LID, and wear sandals for better gearshift + rear brake control.

You forgot to point out that it's good he was wearing shorts... think about it, he could have ruined a perfectly good pair of jeans or riding pants if he made that mistake  :thumb:
Title: Re: Very sad and somewhat painful day
Post by: NiceGuysFinishLast on August 30, 2006, 09:26:31 AM
Glad to hear you're alright. Don't worry, I still hold the award for stupidest crash ever.