Bugger! I crashed - Long

[Promethean]

I was on my way to my local RadioShack a few blocks away at about 7 PM CST today. I was on Hwy 100 going North coming to a stop at a traffic light in the rightmost lane of a 3 lane road. There was no one ahead of me in the lane that I was about to stop.

One other thing worth mentioning is that it had rained a little about an hour before so the surface appeared partially dry. The speed limit was 40mph and I was doing 42-43.

As I came to a stop using both brakes, I must have been going 20 mph or so when I "saw" and felt the front tire go out from under me. The bike slid for about 30-40 feet (I'm not great with estimating distance so this is a guesstimate) before coming to a stop in the pedestrian crosswalk. The most probable cause of this was the oil that had been brought to the surface due to the recent rain.

My body hit the pavement at two points that I could remember...left shoulder and left hip. I slid for about 20 feet on the left hip and my helmet narrowly missed hitting the right rear tire of the SUV in the lane to my left.

I was up as soon as I stopped sliding and picked up the bike and moved it out of the travel lanes. One kind soul stopped to make sure that I was okay.

As soon as my hands stopped trembling, I rode a couple of blocks to a Wallgreens' parking lot for Tylenol and Gatorade and to survey the damage after calming my nerves.

I take back every bad thing I've said about Joe Rocket products. Frankly, it was the gear that I was wearing that saved me from serious injury.

My left hip and left shoulder are sore and that's about all the extent of the damage to my body. The helmet did not impact the pavement at all.

At the time of the crash, I was wearing

Joe Rocket Mesh jacket
JR Alter Ego over pants
Leather gloves
HJC CL-14 helmet
Engineer boots with steel tipped toes.


The damage to the bike is superficial and can be repaired at leisure. I apologise for the bad pics. The battery in the camera was going kaputt.

From what I can see, the left valve cover is scraped and may only need replacement if I want to make the bike look beautiful again.

http://R1150R.smugmug.com/photos/65735777-M.jpg

The left city case cover is scratched.

http://R1150R.smugmug.com/photos/65735788-M.jpg

The new windshield I had installed is scratched. The damaged area is about 3 inches wide.

http://R1150R.smugmug.com/photos/65735798-M.jpg

The left handgrip and the clutch lever are ground away a little bit.

http://R1150R.smugmug.com/photos/65735809-M.jpg

The front left indicator light doesn't work. I'll have to look at that but overall the bike still runs like a champ. No other damage appears to have resulted.

I just have to check on how much the left valve cover would cost me if I wanted to replace it. Any idea anyone?

The scratches on the city case lid would come off with ArmorAll and 0000 steel wool.

I can live with the scratch on the windshield since it doesn't impair my view of the road and damage to the handgrip and clutch lever is barely noticeable.

The important thing is that I'm alive, undamaged and still functioning. Damage to the bike can be fixed.

Now I need to figure out what I learned from this experience.

:icon_redface:

[JCsman]

Very good to hear you (and the bike nearly) came through unscathed. May this be the worst crash you ever experience!

If the valve cover is oil tight I might leave it (don't they say girls dig scars?). Or you might want to consider a valve cover protector. Not so much to protect, (locking the barn door and all that) but for a cosmetic cover. I assume they are substantially less than the valve cover.

[BobFV1]

Abhijeet -

First of all, I am REALLY GLAD you are okay - always a bummer to go down but the fact that you and the bike escaped any serious damage or injury is the part of the story I enjoyed reading.

Hard to say regarding the crash. Good to try to figure it out, but you may or may not be able to. A lot of times a front tire "wash out" as you describe comes from locking the front wheel up while the handlebars are not square, ie, pointed straight ahead. If the road was slightly rain slick and the front locked up with even a little bit of a turn to your front wheel, it would cause you to go down unless you very quickly released the front brake. This is just one plausible scenario - YMMV.

Glad to see the bike is up and running and so are you. ATGATT!

Ride safe!

[1MPH]

Abhijeet, Glad you are O.K. When I went down on my 1999 R1100R I found most of the parts on EBAY. I think a new valve cover is about $100, that was three years ago. Again glad you were not seriously injured.

[Gord]

Abhijeet - I absolutely hate hearing about a brother going down. Glad to hear you are okay and that the damage to your bike is not too severe. I think it is common for us riders to always say "it could have been worse."

You gave an excellent description of the conditions and what took place. There is a lesson in there for each of us. I know that my instructors emphasized to us that one of the worst times for riding is when rain first starts or when it has only been a "gentle" drizzle. The first hints of moisture raise the oils and slippery stuff, and if the rain is not hard enough to drive it away, then it sits there like a minefield. It's one of the reasons I choose not to ride in the wet if I can avoid it. I won't have that luxury this June though. Heading out on a scheduled ride, to Canada's east coast. Rain or Shine we ride.

Hope you recover from the pain. Hope you recover mentally from the off.

[GPM]

Abhijeet,

Sorry to hear about your accident, great to hear that you are ok. Take care and double check those bumps and bruises in the morning.

[fganger]

Abhijeet,

Wow, I'm so sorry about your crash. I checked my e-mail first and wrote you about tomorrow - I imagine you may not want to ride. It was quite a shock when I checked our site.


I'm glad you are basically in good shape, Penelope will be back to her gorgeous self shortly, I'm sure.

Just a bad deal all around.

Frank

[Promethean]

Thanks all for your thoughts!

Bill,
The cylinder cover is oil tight and I'm tempted to leave it in place after polishing off the rough edges.

Jack,
A brand new one is $135 plus shipping from Chicago BMW for my dual-spark bike....couldn't find one on eBay but I'm not too keen on getting one right now.

Bob,
You're probably right. The handlebars may not have been square when I braked. I thought they were but I can never be sure. I knew that I was going down after the fact and there was no time to react...but I'll concede that a more experienced rider than I, could possibly have recovered the situation.

Gord,
It could have been worse. I could have slid further into cross traffic or there could have been a vehicle behind me which may not have stopped in time. Traffic was unbelievably light tonight and I thank God for that. I hope your June trip passes without incident.

Frank,
I've responded to your email. We're still on for tomorrow morning if your cold doesn't keep you away.

Looks like the left indicator bulb filament is gone. Not really a big deal.

[Ed K]

Abhijeet,

Sorry to hear of the crash...but happy to hear that you're ok. As others have said...keep close observation...some bruises take a while to surface.

Sounds to me also like a quick wheel lock-up on slippery surface...is yours non-ABS?

[DJ Down Under]

A brand new one is $135 plus shipping from Chicago BMW for my dual-spark bike....
I think yours is a single spark...:eusa_think:

What a bugger!

Glad you're ok...shame about the bike..that city case lide saved the exhaust.

New valve cover..new case lid and a spot of black paint on the bar end and lever...and she'll be as good as new.

Lucky you had your gear on.

DJ

[Arby]

Sorry that happened to you, but glad you're OK.

This rash of accidents is a reminder for all of us to remember the basics, no matter how much experience we have.

Thanks for the report.

Bob

[TorqueMonsterMT-01]

Abhijeet,
Glad you are OK. I ride in the rain a lot and this friendly reminder has sunk in.

It looks like it is time for you to get some CL chrome valvae covers and some RS mirrors. I've never been a fan of luggage and shields, but I suppose you could replace them.

Don't let it get you down. Keep thinking about it until you know for sure where you went wrong, and then never do that again.

Cheers,
Jeff

[jamming]

Abhijeet, that sucks!!!
Your OK, and that's the most important thing. The bike can be fixed, and it just gives you a chance to spend quailty time with her.
You said the shield was new, no worries, you can buff out the stratches.
Let me dig up the part # for the repair kit. I've used them for years to buff out light airplane windscreens. Takes a while, but will be good as new.
Take care of your self, and I'm really glad you had AGATT.
Roger

[fganger]

Abhijeet,

I'm glad you are still up for it. There are not many people who have visited Hugh Hefner's playhouse at Lake Geneva (not many males that is) much less having lunch with him and all his “friends.” The last time Ken took me to the playhouse I came back home smelling of perfume; my wife was understandable curious. :076:

I'm glad Ken has an in with Hefner, even though he won't take me to the Chicago Mansion with him - the bum.

In any case I'll be there,

Frank

[Promethean]

Ed,
Yes. It's a Non-ABS bike.

DJ,
You may be right. I just assumed that since my RR was a 2003 it was a dual spark. Doesn't matter...the valve cover price is still the same. :(
In any case, with me it's always ATGATT even to the grocery store.

Bob,
You're probably right. It may have been unwise to get the bike out so shortly after it had rained. I just have to control that itch to get on the bike and go, without regard to the road/weather conditions.

Jeff,
Will the CL valve covers fit on my RR? I've always wanted to install RS mirrors.

Roger,
Thanks. Please let me know whenever you've located the repair kit part #. I hate blemishes on my RR. No...not really...it gets ridden more than it's cleaned. :)

Frank,
Ken did not share that little piece of information with me. He mentioned "We had a nice short ride". :D I'll see you at 11:00.

[arkline]

Fireguy,

Wow, what a bummer. Glad you are up and about. Are you suffering any undue aches and pains. Frequently your body will let you know just a few days later that it has been abused. If you experience any pain that is more than you expect, get to a physician for a checkout.

I love those ugly black side cases. They keep the back end of the bike up and off the pavement when you go over. My left valve cover is a little munged from a couple of recent, non-moving drops and I'm just going to smooth out the damage and let it go at that. Battle scars...

I am not what you'd call an expert rider by any means, but I do have a lot of experience riding in the damp. If it doesn't really rain for a good thirty minutes, pavement doesn't lose the road sleeze that builds up during dry weather. It just floats up and makes things woogedy. Under those conditions stopping should be a smooth, slow and completely upright deal.

I might suggest that if your tires are original, they may have gotten a tad harder than they were at new. This, too, will make stopping in adverse conditions a little peculiar.

Anyways, I am absolutely glad that you're okay. Live to ride another day.

[jamming]

Abhijeet...I found a kit to repair the shield
http://www.properautocare.com/scoffapgu.html
...OK I found the catalog I was looking for.
U need the Micro mesh windshield scratch removal kit.
part # 09-24700...17.95$
Order on line at http://www.aircraftspruce.com/main.php
I've used this kit on Aircraft windscreens fo years and if you take your time you can't tell it was scratched.
I've also used them on my R100RS screen with the same results. If you go this route and need some pointers just ask and I'll talk you thru it.....FYI, have plenty of beer and a lot of Grateful Dead CD's, I ain't saying its exciting, but the results are worth it, and a damned sight cheaper than a replacement.
Oh, and you could probabaly use it to buff out the bag as well...its just plastic. I've got some scratches on my bag from my crash, and have a kit I've used. I'll try and let you know my results on the bag.
Roger

[Promethean]

Ron,
Thanks. I'll remember this and yes....the tires are the original ones that came with the bike and probably need changed sometime. And yes...thank god for the side cases...they take the brunt of the impact.

Roger,
Thanks for the part number. Will order it and fix the windshield.

Frank,
Nice ride today. It was great to meet in person. Now if Ken could send those pics across. Speaking of which, I loved Tipstall's Hugh Hefner connection. Awesome! Definitely worth a visit. :020:

[Tipstall]

Abhijeet,

Holy Cow, I missed this and did not even notice any damage on your bike. Glad you are OK.

I'll get to work on the pictures.

Ken

[fganger]

Ken and Abhijeet,

Now I'm sorry I even mentioned Ken's Hefner connection. Everyone is going to want to go "riding" with Ken now. Bob's going to take the long way to Washington D.C. - just you wait and see. Next the Texas Peckerhead's are going to want a local branch.

I can't wait to see the pictures of Abhijeet and that big blonde with the... well you know. For a while I didn't think we were going to get him out of the place. They always say, "You have to watch the quiet ones."

Frank

PS - Ken I'd rather my Bonnie not see the one with me and the really short redhead.:icon_redface:

[Bonnie]

Wait a minute. I do want to see those pictures:104:

Bonnie

[jamming]

UUUhhhhh...Frank, old buddy...I hate to be the one to tell ya this........
YOUR BUSTED!!!!!:104:
Rog

[DarthRider]

Abhijeet -

Man, sorry to hear about your accident...let's hear it for good gear!
The only thing I could suggest from your description of the crash, and I imagine you know this, but the center 1/3 of any traffic lane will always have much more oil & crap from cars & Harleys (sorry, couldn't resist) than the outside of the lanes. Could you have been in the center part when you braked?
Don't beat yourself up over it but you are right to try and "get the learning" from this or any mishap.
Geeze, why go to the bother of a crash if you can't get *something* from it!?
One other thing...often in rain riding it is best to use a little more rear brake than usual and a little less front. Better to skid the rear than the front. I'm not second guessing what happened, just throwing that out.
Glad you're OK and you only have minor damage to your bike.

Dave

[Promethean]

Dave,
Thanks for the good thoughts. To answer your question...I'm never in the center third of the lane while stopped. This time while I was braking...I was in the left third of the lane. So....anyways....I live to ride another day.

Thanks for the advice on the more rear and less front brake. Will keep that in mind for future use. :)

[geechie]

Abhijeet,

Sorry it's taken me so long to catch up with this thread. And so, so glad you're not worse hurt.

Now, don't you feel smart for being in ATGATT mode? You certainly should. And isn't it amazing how quickly terra firma comes up to smack you when you lose the front end? Gravity is a real bitch, sometimes. I also think it's fortunate that you were able to get back on the bike and ride away from the scene. I think that helps with the confidence aspect of the thing.

You're also fortunate that your valve cover is still oil tight. While I, in the meantime am still waiting on parts. Grrrr!

George

[DarthRider]

Abhijeet -
You mending OK?
Dave

[Promethean]

George,
Thanks. I had an "oh-no" moment when I knew I was going down....but totally devoid of panic. I wonder why....although that's a good thing. I hope your bike gets back to its beautiful self soon. ATGATT!

Dave,
The hip's still sore but getting better...just muscle pain. The shoulder's okay. A couple of aches surfaced after a day or so...just like some folks here predicted....bruised rib. Thanks.