I love BMW city cases

[Promethean]

Yes. You heard me right. I love those black ugly city cases. They've taken the brunt of the fall the last time I went down and this morning as well.

Part of my route to work is a low traffic city street with a speed limit of 30 mph that winds a little bit (unheard of in Wisconsin...I know :D). It's a 2 laner in each direction. It seems construction trucks were up and about in the morning on the same route as my daily morning commute.

It appears that one of the construction tankers had water filled to the brim had just made a left turn into the right lane of the street that I was traveling in with water sloshing all over the place.

I hit that ice patch just as I came round a left corner....there was no clear path.

The results are predictable......I went down!

The Joe Rocket Meteor 4.0 jacket is what saved my hide since I remember sliding head first on my left shoulder and elbow. I remember seeing the bike sliding on left side with the valve covers and the left city case with sparks flying till it came to rest with the rear tire touching the sidewalk.

I remember flipping over from my left side to my front during the slide and seeing the cars behind me hoping they'd avoid the patch and start braking early enough to avoid hitting me.

The only damage to the bike, if you can call it that, is to the system case, some to the valve covers and the handlebars are bent forward a little bit.

Damage to self....is limited to a skinned elbow.

Odd thing is that when I went down this morning....I remember thinking.....hey....this feels familiar....I know...I'm going down. :037:

Looks like I've pushed my luck far enough this winter.....I'm storing the bike in the garage till the ice melts off.

[Deans BMW]

Sam, glad that you are OK, sounds like the bike is OK as well. Those sudden ice patches will get you every time.

[arkline]

FireGuy,

Glad you're okay. And yes, I'd avoid those slickery conditions. Given the bizarre weather happening all over the country, I imagine that Wisconsin will hit springtime temps in a couple of weeks and all will be fine. Be safe...

[DarthRider]

Wow, glad you're OK Abhijeet!
If the damn cagers don't get us, the road conditions will...

[geechie]

Shit! There was a bit of ice on an upper deck this morning, so I drove the pick-up to work. I have great respect and admiration for those of you who brave cold and/or inclement weather to ride.

Abhijeet: So glad you're O.K. I've been down several times on my 1100R, and you're right; the cases absorb a whole lot of the damage that would otherwise be inflicted on the more expensive parts of the bike.

Spring is just around the corner.

George

[BobFV1]

Abhijeet - yikes! Put that bike away for a couple months! I saw a few ice patches here this morning and was glad I wasn't riding - ice and two-wheels don't mix!

After all is said and done, there's nothing more "unique" than skidding along the asphalt on your side, looking ahead to see a shower of sparks coming off your bike. First time I saw that was over 20 years ago - haven't seen it too many times since, though.

Glad you are okay. Take care - glad the City Cases worked out for you. We need damage pics! Gear and bike please.

Glad you could walk away from this one. Check all your cables and fluid reservoirs carefully to make suer there are no leaks.

[Tipstall]

You crazy man.

Weather Today
High: 28°Low: 21°

Glad you are OK.

Did you ever get any new boots/riding shoes?

Ken

[jamais]

I was warned early on, don't ride in the city, don't ride at night, and don't drink and ride. It just never occurred to me to ride on ice. Hey I'm only kidding, I'm really glad you're okay. Sharing these experiences benefits everyone.

[1MPH]

Hey Ab, don't we have it in you contract that you can't ride on ice?:confused:
Who will take care of us if you are laid up. Please be careful. Very glad you came out as well as you did.:dance:

[Promethean]

Thanks guys for the thoughts.

Bob,
I plan to put it away for a few months and work on it before doing Arby's NC ride in April (weather permitting). I'll post pics in the evening when I get home. Cables/fluids seem to be holding so far.

I've been careful about venturing out on the bike, if the road surface looks the least bit threatening. This morning was no exception....the road was dry and I was about a couple of miles from my work location when I dropped the bike.

Interestingly, that was the only patch of ice I encountered on that route. I did not consider accidental water spills and the freezing point of water before setting out. I guess that was my "blind spot".

I really should move to warmer parts of the country. :D


Abhijeet - yikes! Put that bike away for a couple months! I saw a few ice patches here this morning and was glad I wasn't riding - ice and two-wheels don't mix!

We need damage pics! Gear and bike please.

Glad you could walk away from this one. Check all your cables and fluid reservoirs carefully to make suer there are no leaks.


Ken,
No....I'm still using those ratty old engineer boots...steel tipped toes of-course. I blew the cash on the GPS & Radar detector :)


You crazy man.

Weather Today
High: 28°Low: 21°

Glad you are OK.

Did you ever get any new boots/riding shoes?

Ken

[Sir Limpsalot]

If you must ride in very cold conditions watch out for bridges, they'll freeze before the normal highway does. Just don't ask me how I know, OK?
Si.

[Wild Will]

it back from the devil. Glad you're OK. Elbow skinned? Small price to pay. It takes huge brass balls to ride when the temperature says ice! Doesn't take much to foil the contact patch, does it!

[Dirty Doug]

Abhijeet, Sorry to hear about the lay-down. That black ice can get even the best. I rode across it many times when I was living in Alaska. Usually in the spring when it would melt during the day and freeze over at night. I'd say I was about 50/50 on making it across. Hope the bike, and more important you, are O.K. If you want warm riding come on down south.

K-Rider
Doug

[Arby]

Abhijeet

Glad you survived that little get off so well. Sounds like the bike made out well too.

I'm checking you into the house with the other guys for the Tour, please try to stay outa trouble till then , OK?

Better start checking ebay for some System lids so you'll have room for all your stuff on the way down.

BTW, a friend will be riding a 1150 GS down from the Chicago area for the Tour, in case you want to hook up with someone for the ride down. Let me know.

RB

[GPM]

Abhijeet,

Glad you survived rather unscathed. If you're really want to ride in January I'd suggest relocating, or maybe a set of these...

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g199/harryparker/Studded_Tire.jpg (http://www.motorcyclistcafe.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g199/harryparker/Studded_Tire.jpg%5B/IMG%5D)

[jamming]

Damn AB, you ok?????

I hate to hear you crashed, and those cases are awful expensive to be using for crash bars. However they work great dont' they, just road scars, shows it's ridden.

We always need good IT people down here, BTW it was 78 and sunny today, no ice here, except for what's in my glass of Bourbon :jkam:

Be careful huh, and take care of your self.

[Bones]

Abhijeet,
Glad you are OK.

Traction Good.
Ice Bad.

Jeff

[Promethean]

Thanks guys. I've put the bike away till I can work on it.

I actually saw the water tanker make the left turn this morning. The guy didn't even have a marked construction entrance to the street. He just rolled over the sidewalk to make that left turn. That's what caused the water to spill over today as well. Psycho!

I got a little lazy with the pictures.

[jb44]

I got a little lazy with the pictures.
Promethean, you can use the photo of my city case.
Glad it was the case and not you.

jb

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/mascioj/CityCase.jpg

[Moose]

Promethean, That fall was hard to take no doubt. Along with everyone on the site, glad you survived with "only" the aches and pains. It appears the case remained attached to the bike bracket. That's good. Too often the case separates from the bike, more expensive. Been there.
Among the advisories on my 1200RT EICAS screen, (Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System among aviators) is a Freeze indication. To date, I've ignored the advisory. Thanks for pointing out I've done that at my peril. Think I'll just keep the RT parked on those supposedly dry 28F degree mornings. Your mishap was the result of a bazaar set of circumstances, your willingness to share the circumstances, instructive. Hope to see you at ARBY's Appalachian Ride, Heal Well, Moose