Tweet
Happened a couple of Tuesdays ago. Got home from work, decided to go to Freedom Powersports' bike night, they being Atlanta's newest TRIUMPH dealer (also Polaris, Victory, Suzuki and Piaggio/Vespa.) Full gear, this time my Joe Rocket mesh jacket and pants. As I am leaving my driveway, I notice the throttle rest is still on the throttle grip- when I go full lock right it twist the throttle and the engine revs WAY up, so I twist it around facing forward. Bad move- when I get to the end of my street and brake for the stop sign, ithe throttle rest is LINED UP PEFRECTLY SO AS TO PREVENT THE BRAKE LEVER FROM BEING PULLED BACK, so nothing really happens- I am headed to the intersection (me having the stop sign) with no decrease in speed. So, I grab more brake, which pushes the throttle rest out of the way and WAY TOO MUCH- AND I DO MEAN WAY TOO MUCH, BRAKE. Front wheel locks up, and in no time, bike is on it's side and sliding along, with me sliding along behind it. My gear is much more grippy against the tarmac than the bike's plastic, so the bike easily out-distanced me. While I was watching it recede, I am thinking, "Well, this is really agrivating, and it sucks. I wonder how much damage this little escapade is going to do... Wonder if I will still make it to the bike night."
No real injury- a little road rash on my right fore-arm (didn't velcro the wrist tight, I suppose,) a bit of a headache from my helmeted head clonking against the road surface. Mostly, I am just AGRIVATED I did such a bone-head thing. I got up, walked over to the bike, which is still running and still in gear- the rear wheel is just spinning in mid-air- and I just look at the thing for a few moments. Then it occurs to me, I should probably shut it off. So off it gets shut, and I just stand there, hands on hips, marveling at how such a thing could happen. My next-door neighbor drives by and he helps me stand it up.
All three right-hand fairing pieces are either cracked or rashed, as is the mirror. Muffler can has a touch of rash, and the RH passenger peg mount has a little rash on it, but no other damage. I got back on, rode it home, and parked it while I settled down and decide if I want to go on to the bike night. Went for a little while, but didn't stay- my heart was not in it for that evening.
This is the second stupid little thing like this, this year- did a similar thing in February. Seems I have lost my healty fear/respect for the thing. I decided that I am either taking the Advanced Rider course, or I am getting out of motorcycling.
Just checked on the course- Georgia offers an Advanced Rider Course (ARC) and an Experienced Rider Course (ERC.) Hard to tell how they differ from the descriptions:
Advanced Rider Course (ARC)It may say sport bike but all motorcycles are welcome and encouraged to attend. This one-day course focuses on the complex skills of self-assessment, personal risk management, and riding strategies. Bases on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Military Sport Bike RiderCourse, it is open to all experienced riders with a current motorcycle endorsement. You do not need a sport bike to participate. On the range you'll take your motorcycle through advanced riding techniques under the guidance of experienced Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program Coaches. Click on the Course information for more details. Currently, the only location is Dalton and the introductory enrollment fee is $100.00 for both residents and non-residents. Unless GMSP cancels or is forced to reschedule there is no refund. There is limited space so enroll now.
The Experienced Course (ERC)Even if you've been riding for some time, there's always something new to learn. Increasing numbers of seasoned riders are attending Experienced Courses to hone their skills and fine-tune the mental skills needed for survival in traffic. The Experienced Course is a one-day workshop designed to improve your skills in braking, evasive maneuvers and turning. It provides the experienced motorcyclist with "street strategies" necessary for survival. And you do it on your motorcycle. Click on Course Information for more details.
"Click on Course Informatin for more details" takes me to info for the beginner course, only. Oh, well.
EDIT: I was wearing my Joe Rocket jacket and pants, and frankly I think the First Gear mesh suit I have would have protected me against road rash a bit better. It fits snugger at the wrist (has a zipper that snugs it up) and the mesh is a but tighter of a weave- it is not as cool when riding, but I think it is worth the trade off.
No real injury- a little road rash on my right fore-arm (didn't velcro the wrist tight, I suppose,) a bit of a headache from my helmeted head clonking against the road surface. Mostly, I am just AGRIVATED I did such a bone-head thing. I got up, walked over to the bike, which is still running and still in gear- the rear wheel is just spinning in mid-air- and I just look at the thing for a few moments. Then it occurs to me, I should probably shut it off. So off it gets shut, and I just stand there, hands on hips, marveling at how such a thing could happen. My next-door neighbor drives by and he helps me stand it up.
All three right-hand fairing pieces are either cracked or rashed, as is the mirror. Muffler can has a touch of rash, and the RH passenger peg mount has a little rash on it, but no other damage. I got back on, rode it home, and parked it while I settled down and decide if I want to go on to the bike night. Went for a little while, but didn't stay- my heart was not in it for that evening.
This is the second stupid little thing like this, this year- did a similar thing in February. Seems I have lost my healty fear/respect for the thing. I decided that I am either taking the Advanced Rider course, or I am getting out of motorcycling.
Just checked on the course- Georgia offers an Advanced Rider Course (ARC) and an Experienced Rider Course (ERC.) Hard to tell how they differ from the descriptions:
Advanced Rider Course (ARC)It may say sport bike but all motorcycles are welcome and encouraged to attend. This one-day course focuses on the complex skills of self-assessment, personal risk management, and riding strategies. Bases on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Military Sport Bike RiderCourse, it is open to all experienced riders with a current motorcycle endorsement. You do not need a sport bike to participate. On the range you'll take your motorcycle through advanced riding techniques under the guidance of experienced Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program Coaches. Click on the Course information for more details. Currently, the only location is Dalton and the introductory enrollment fee is $100.00 for both residents and non-residents. Unless GMSP cancels or is forced to reschedule there is no refund. There is limited space so enroll now.
The Experienced Course (ERC)Even if you've been riding for some time, there's always something new to learn. Increasing numbers of seasoned riders are attending Experienced Courses to hone their skills and fine-tune the mental skills needed for survival in traffic. The Experienced Course is a one-day workshop designed to improve your skills in braking, evasive maneuvers and turning. It provides the experienced motorcyclist with "street strategies" necessary for survival. And you do it on your motorcycle. Click on Course Information for more details.
"Click on Course Informatin for more details" takes me to info for the beginner course, only. Oh, well.
EDIT: I was wearing my Joe Rocket jacket and pants, and frankly I think the First Gear mesh suit I have would have protected me against road rash a bit better. It fits snugger at the wrist (has a zipper that snugs it up) and the mesh is a but tighter of a weave- it is not as cool when riding, but I think it is worth the trade off.
Comment