Triumphrat

rwantin · 12-09-2008, 11:08 AM

Okay, perhaps I need to be talked off the ledge, or perhaps, cheered up a bit. I'll feel better getting this out there, anyway.

I just got into the office. This morning, on the ride in, I parted company with the Bonnie. As I understand it, it is much easier to operate a bike while upon it.

I blame myself. I was coming up to a light - there was a lot of room between the lanes/cars, so I thought I would move up to the front (yes, lane-splitting). I do this all the time - carefully, safely, slowly.

The problem was this was a construction zone. Uneven pavement between the lanes, which I SHOULD have seen. As soon as the front wheel ran along the higher surface (at a very low speed), I got tossed. I've been street riding for 25 years now. I know better.

The lack of damage to the bike was remarkable. Cases and tank are fine. The mirror was scuffed. The back tip of the muffler has a few scratches. The leading edge of the front fender. And the brand new saddlebag.

I inspected everything on the side of the road very carefully, including myself. Nothing sore. A scuffed boot. Even the jacket was fine. I started it up, and came here into the office. Nothing tweaked. Pretty lucky.

So while I consider myself most thankful, there is pause for reflection. This has not been a good year. After 24 uneventful years of riding, I've gone down twice this year, including earlier this spring on a friend's Harley in downtown LA after hitting something slick (similiar incident, minimal damage).

Do I hang it up? Probably not, I love riding too much. What say you folks out there that have been in a similar situation? I'm in a bit of a funk right now.

Thanks.

neuroboy74 · 12-09-2008, 12:52 PM

happened to me twice in my first year within a month or so of each other. first was a sub 1 mph slip on dead leaves while parking and, at the end of my first season last december, close to freezing, accelerating as i crossed over a manhole cover at around 10-15 mph. next thing i knew the back end was out and i was on the ground. busted shift lever, left indicator, left exhaust, left pinky finger. put it up for the winter, rode it a couple times when there was a day over 50, put on new shocks, and got back on with a little more respect and new gloves in the spring.

looking back, having the winter away meant that when i was back on it full time had a smile a mile wide and was in the swing of things straightaway.

road_dog · 12-09-2008, 01:12 PM

rwantin · 12-09-2008, 01:35 PM

Thanks guys. In the end, of course, it could have been a lot worse. Road Dog - I LOVE that song. I think that'll be the theme going through my helmet on the way home tonight.

theblackhand · 12-09-2008, 02:20 PM

Hitting the ground every now and then (hopefully as rarely as possible) is an inevitable event on a two wheeled conveyance. Assuming you don't get injured, it has the added side effect of making you realize that riding a bike takes constant mental vigilance. Pilots call it "Total Situational Awareness". Don't quit.

Geimer · 12-09-2008, 03:06 PM

Thanksgiving day I tried the Bonnie on a hill climb. Not REAL steep but steep enough to be the favorite neighborhood sled riding hill when I was a kid. Its covered in ankle deep grass right now and had some furrows ploughed across it years ago to help prevent erosion (So its always been bouncy). Anyway the machine rode up the hill like a pro through the furrows and everything. But when I got to the top (not really the top though, up to the woods line but still on the slope) I tried turning around slowly. I was not used to turning around on a slope like that and went over. It was kind of a slow motion fall into the soft grass. There was no damage to the machine or to me other than the clutch lever. My pride was damaged a little though

The lever seemed out of line just a little bit but worked fine. The next day I thought I would try bending the lever back in line but with just a little bit of pressure it snapped right off. (Glad THAT did not happen on the road) I pinned and then epoxied the lever and bolted a piece of plate metal over the break too. It seems stronger than original.
Anyway, I have a few years of riding in. The last time I remember laying the bike down was in 1978 riding up the switchback trail in Rocky Mountain National Park with the old Bonnie while trying to pass a string of slow moving cars. They were going too slow for my first gear. Anyway it happens. Maybe the pride gets a ding or the superstitious feelings come up. But this downer is not anywhere close to making me think about anything like quitting. I'd rather figure out how to turn around correctly while on a slope

Sal Paradise · 12-09-2008, 05:04 PM

Be thankful the lesson was so cheap. Next time you will be more careful.

Best .

Sal

jboyette · 12-09-2008, 08:05 PM

...BRAND NEW 1973 Suzuki Savage 250; headed to a job interview when, in traffic and coming to a stop, went down hard for no apparent reason. Saw a long stream/puddle of amber gold fluid down the center of the lane where I went down. I guess someone just had an oil change and the drain plug wasn't tight and fell out. Whatever. Made me a lot more careful about riding in the center of the lane!

I went to the job interview dirty and a little bloody and still got the job...

Probably nothing you could have done to avoid the hi/lo pavement. Glad you are ok and keep riding!

rwantin · 12-09-2008, 08:57 PM

Thanks so much all. I was so damn mad at myself this morning. Sometimes you just need to sort things out in your head. Almost felt like a confession...

There was something I could have done. I should have seen or at least acknowledged the possibility of a problem, since I knew I was in a construction zone. Brain farts can get you hurt or killed. Perhaps I needed a reminder. Yes. I learned from it.

I just got home and gave the bike a good-lookover, and will be heading back out there to give some bolts a check, see what else I can address.

If there's a silver lining, or maybe good fortune in my misfortune, is the aforementioned lack of any real damage. I need a mirror first and foremost, it did not break but is scuffed pretty badly. The right-side muffler has some scratches, but not too bad and not necessarily in view. The turn-signal LENS has a scuff. The brake lever BALL has a scuff. The saddlebag (new Triumph fabric) is a bummer but even that does not look too bad.

Probably like many of us, I'm a perfectionist, so if anyone has some stock peashooters or mirrors around, I'm all eyes and ears (and yes, have been all over Ebay).

It's still a beautiful bike, and damnit, I'll ride in again tomorrow

Sorry for all the words, and again, many thanks.

buckstoy · 12-10-2008, 10:08 AM

Appreciate that you posted about this, I like to be reminded that at anytime it can happen (helps keep me on my toes!). Glad the only real wound was your ego!!