Triumphrat

HeyMan · 10-01-2005, 09:16 AM

Recently I've noticed what seems to be an inordinate number of experienced riders dropping their bikes. So when I ride, safety is foremost in my mind.
Yesterday my good friend and I went on a ride in the North Georgia Mountains and wow! it was good. Perfect weather and all. On the way back down the mountain, he in the lead and I following, we were sweeping through a 25 mph downhill left hand curve. I slowed before entry, chose my line, noticing the 1 ton flatbed passing going north. Quick glance at Don, (didn't want to run up on my friend), I leaned my t bird and began to glide around the curve. We weren't riding too fast (maybe 30-35) and for no reason, a hard bang to my front wheel while I was at max lean! Then, in slo motion it seemed, heeeeyyyy myyyy bikkke iis gooiiiinnggg dooown.
The scraping and spinning and tumbling commenced. I low sided it and the mirror was the first thing to shatter. I slid through the broken glass, my left knee making first contact. The bike was ripped out of my hands as my left elbow hit and I began to tumble a little and slide. I could see my pristine t bird spinning as it came to a stop with the motor dead. I jumped up, checked myself and looked at my bike. Worrying about hydrolock snatched it up and rolled it off the road. Don found a place to turn around and jumped off his rocket III to check on me. I felt surprisingly calm considering everything. That was because my triumph riding gear had saved my bacon!
I told Don what happened and we looked around to see a 6"x1.5" inch piece of red oak firewood laying in the road. No other debris. Just that. Don picked it up and threw it off the road. A couple of riders checked on us and we rode back to Dahlonegah then another hundred miles through Atlanta to Newnan. When I got home I had a 1/4" piece of glass mirror stuck in my side and a very light abrasion to my hip. That was all. I was wearing an Arai helmet: no damage at all. A black triumph perforated leather jacket: scuffed up. Triumph riding jeans: left knee ground down through all layers to the armorand a few slices through the cloth from the glass. Triumph boots: no damage.

fbird · 10-01-2005, 11:56 AM

Heyman sounds like you were real lucky you didn't get hurt. Glad to hear your ok, just shows how important it is to wear your gear.
Good luck getting her back on the road.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm starting to wonder if there is some sort of conspiracy against us triple owners. Fbird

Jodel · 10-01-2005, 11:58 AM

Glad you're (more or less) OK after your spill - sounds like your riding gear did its job well enough. Heading on down the highway without being attached to your bike is not much fun. Hope the damage to your TBird is not too extensive either.

Losing the front is one of those things I hope never happens. I've never been too worried about the back moving around a bit. However, anyone I've heard about who has come off as a result of a front wheel slide tells the same story - one second they are riding along quite happily, the next instant they are sprawled on the road wondering where there bike went!

suemchenry · 10-01-2005, 01:52 PM

It's almost metaphysical how fast it happens. Almost like a time-warp. Watch out for gravel on the turn, too. That's my story from a lot of years back. Again, though, full leathers saved me (and my skin). Wear your gear, everybody!

Great testimony. Thanks for sharing, and thank God you're reasonably okay.

(And let's not jinx the triples - okay? :razz:

Sue

benthepaint · 10-01-2005, 03:06 PM

Hi there HeyMan, Glad to read that you are o.k. hope there is not to much scratched and scraped on your Tbird, how right you are about the right gear saving your skin,I had a similar experience two month ago my leathers saved my skin from the dreaded gravel rash,shame about the car i broke my wrist and pelvis against though, i could not believe the cost of replacing the scratched and scraped bits of my TBS,when the only thing stopping the bike being ridable is the bent handlebars,
like the description of your experience,very eloquent.

Ben
.. :hammer:
:yayyy:

Rincewind · 10-01-2005, 03:07 PM

Wow, that's unfortunate. I'm glad you were able to ride the bike back home, rather than getting a ride in an ambulance.

It's a good reminder to watch for road debris.

JWoodsie · 10-01-2005, 05:24 PM

Bugger, bloody firewood. Insecure loading thats a big fine in Australia. Pity its not enforced.
Glad your OK mate, hope the bike is an easy and cheap fixer.

jp99tbirdnm · 10-02-2005, 08:37 AM

HeyMan, glad you made it through that without serious injury. Hope your T-Bird is an easy fix. Thank goodness you wearing your safety gear. I tell people that I ride with to wear it. It falls on deaf ears. These are the excuses, I can't hear traffic with a helmet on, it's to hot wear them,it looks gay, and it doesn't look cool.
Most of the riders are of the V-Twin variety(all makes).
Jerry

thunderscot · 10-02-2005, 09:14 AM

Similar incident happened to me in April, not so lucky, bike total insurance write off, self cracked ribs bruised ribs and twisted ankle, not as bad as it could have been though. I was wearing leathers and heavy winter jacket. The main cause of my cracked rib was a hard glasses case in the jacket pocket which twisted round as I rolled and as my ribs were not as hard as the road they took the strain. Silver lining though. I bought my mint condition TBS with the cash from the insurance and had money over to replace a scratched Shuberth helmet and the jacket that the paramedics cut off me.

jimmyj900 · 10-02-2005, 11:17 AM

HeyMan glad to hear you're in good shape. How's the bike looking?

I was wearing a Pioneer jacket too and that elbow armor saved me from much bigger problems -- d*amn fine gear!

I'd personally recommend a look at www.bikepsych.com for the "Back In The Saddle Again" e-book. It might save you a problem later.

Jim