First things first - I'm okay.
I went for a nice ride with two friends to Snoqualmie Falls, through Duvall, and we were heading back to Bellevue when I had a brain freeze.
I was downshifting so I could make a left turn at an intersection, and I got the right gear, but I failed to engage it. I coasted into the intersection with the clutch in and target fixated on a guard rail. I panicked, grabbed the break and the rest is history. Of course breaking on a corner is stupid - I should have looked where I wanted to go and throttled through the corner. It was a stupid noobie error - but until this point I had never even dropped a bike.
Anyway, one lowside and a faceplant later, here I am. My friends (who were ahead of me) backtracked and hung out with me while I waited for the tow truck. AAA was great! I couldn't restart the bike, and the shifter was too bent up to use anyway. Good news: I wasn't on my GS. Bad news: I was riding my husband's bike! He was nice enough to let me use it so I could ride with my friends while my bike was in the shop.
It'll need a new left fairing, left pipe, windshield and shifter. I hope there's nothing internally wrong - like transmission problems from jamming the shifter into the ground. They'll look at it a week Tuesday - busy guys!
On a good note, my gear worked! Always wear your gear! I was hot, but not bloody. My helmet, jacket, pants and boots took some scrapes, but I was fine. My left hip is going to bruise. Could have been worse.
What a humbling experience that was. Anyway, like they say, there are two kinds of riders: Those who have gone down, and those who will. I was hoping the people who had been down before erroneously came up with that, but it's probably true. When I get my bike back, I'm going to a parking lot and practicing those turns!
Well, keep the shiny side up guys! :oops:
Glad you're okay. Sorry about the bike.
Don't ignore your body, if you are in pain, see a doctor. I lowsided this spring (target fixation in a turn) and found out a week later that I had a broken collarbone.
Don't forget, the two groups of riders are not mutually exclusive.
Jean,
Good to hear that you are ok! And that your gear worked! Too bad about the bike but hopefully your husband isn't too upset and the shop doesn't find anything major to fix. I have found my biggest noobie mistakes to be a.) looking in the wrong place b.) brain freeze (or thinking tooo much) instead of just riding.
Be safe everyone.
Dylan
Thanks guys! I'll keep an eye on any pain I'm having (minor so far - phew - but I'll be a bit stiff in the morning, I'm sure). I have good health insurance so I won't hesitate to use it.
I guess I need to get out and practice more. Dylan, you're right...I've been over-analyzing my corners. I know the right things to do, so I should just do them.
BTW, if I make an insurance claim for the damages, do you think my insurance rates will suffer? It's my first claim, but I've had te policy only since January.
I think the insurance companies use something like an $800 figure with automobiles to assess if your premium may increase. If they pay out more than $800 for one incident, your rate is likely to go up (for autos at least). Not sure what $ amount they may use for motorcycles, since they usually are cheaper than cars.
Also check out what the deductible for collision is. Your deductible may just about cover for the parts needed for repair anyway, so why report it to the insurance company if they might increase or cancel your premium if they only have to pay out a little?
Yeah always wear your gear. I high sided up near Tahoe earlier in the year and I was wearing full gear. I got up fine, fixed the bike, and rode the 150 miles straight home. If I had been one of the dolt's you see riding around in shorts, tank top, and sneakers I would have been in the hospital. As it is, my leather jacket has some cool scrapes on it that I get to talk about and you can't even see the marks on my gloves anymore.
Those who don't wear gear haven't gone down hard enough yet. . .
Take a look at every scratch in your gear and imaging that mark on your skin, pepperoni color, and filled with salt and pepper gravel and you won't care anymore how hot it is outside - you'll just put on your gear and thank the speed gods for natural fiber to protect you.
It is 105 around here these days and I wear my boots, jeans, leather, and gloves. I don't care, I'm getting home alive. :thumb:
That's exactly what I did when I got home! I put on all my gear to see where I would have lost skin, etc. Toes, shin, knee, hip, fingers, forearm, elbow, shoulder, face, head. I'm never going without good gear - even a half-helmet would have been insufficient - the jaw/cheekbone section of the helmet was scratched up.
Today, I'm a bit sore - feels like I've helped a friend move boxes all day - but other than a bruise on my knee and hip, I'm fine. Phew!
When I get my bike back, I'm gonna hit the parking lots until proper turning is second-nature.
Yep.... that's what ya gotta do. I'ts up to you to stay safe. There are people driving around with all kinds of things to do and not one of them is "watch out for you"..
You won't be as stiff on the 4th day. Ibuprofen is great and don't forget to get your heart rate elevated, it'll wash the lactic acid out of your muscles and you won't be as sore.
Laugh about though. I bet a very small portion of your friends can straight-faced say "yeah I crashed my motorcycle last week"...... They will all look at you like you're some sort of freak....which......
of course you are.......
or you wouldn't be riding a motorcycle........ :mrgreen:
You get "street cred" now.....
:cheers:
You're tough.
:)
Don't let it get you down... like you said- go out and practice.. practice until its second nature. Though keep in mind.. we all have brain freezes- every now again. But practicing certainly makes them happen less frequently.
Glad you were wearing your gear! Smart girl! ;) :mrgreen: I am SO glad you are ok!!!
On another note: You may want to pick up another helmet...I think the deal with helmets is if you drop it or "use it" it may no longer be as good as it was. I believe companies will test them but you'd need another while it was gone (think it takes forever!)..
Just a thought. Not a fun - just wanted to mention it.
Heal up!
:cheers:
Yeah V8, I'm tough! I've got stories to tell 8)
And snapper, I am planning on replacing the helmet before I ride again - it's done it's job. It might be okay, but I don't want to take a chance. thx!
Glad you are OK. What kind of bike were you on, by the way?
I was riding a 1999 Kawasaki Ninja 500 - I actually have more hours logged on that bike than on my GS. Sadly, hubby didn't have frame sliders on, so the left fairing and windscreen are pretty messed up. And of all the bike to have dual exhaust...of course one pipe is scratched up too :(
On the same note as V8, you will want to take Motrin, and stretch. Do stretches like you just did an intense workout, which your body kinda did when you fell. That will help with the stifness, and should help relieve some of the pain by forcing the lactic acid out.
Stay Safe.
Bix
Good to hear you`re OK. But remember, falling is a good thing, especially on a GS (which this wasn`t, I know....). Better to fall on a GS than on an R1 or a GSXR1000. I felt one time too, with 50km/h on the clock. It hurted!!! :cry: :cry: My shifter was completely bent too, but I managed to drive home in third gear. I also lost a footpeg that day. I leaned on the swingarm with my left foot. Falling sucks, also on a GS, it`s only less expensive..........A scant comfort. All the best!
VB...good thing you were wearing gear! Glad you made it okay. Better your hybby's bike than yours! hehehe.
Take care and heal quickly.
Glad you are alright.
Take care.