Well, today was a first. I woke up this morning all excited because it was going to be a nice clear day for riding. A bit cold, but clear. So I warmed up my TBA, went up the street, and was turning to go onto the onramp for the freeway when by back tire hit some black ice and down I went. I was doing about 15mph, and could have been worse. The right bar end, mirror and the end of my front brake lever got scratched but it's not too noticable. Also, the right exhaust pipe got scratched in a couple places underneath but you can't tell by looking at the bike, and the heat protector on the pipe broke off where it's welded on the pipe on the front of it, so that needs to be rewelded. And it's terrible, I just put on my new short TORs on Tuesday! ARGH! My knee/ankle are tweaked but I'll be ok.

So, nothing really major but now my bike has a couple of battle scars. But I can tell you, that was a very interesting experience.

Sorry to hear it, glad it wasn't worse.

And thanks for reminding me of one of the many reasons I don't ride in the cold season.

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Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes, Unifilter, no snorkel, 120/40/Thrux needle/1 shim/3 turns, fly screen, tacho, D9 gauge panel, center stand, Ikon 7610s, Hagon fork springs, gaiters, Pirelli Sport Demons, sissy bar, 3 seats.

glad it wasn't any worse.

that's why I only ride in daylight hours during the winter. too much chance during dark early mornings or evenings to hit black ice. . .at least during daylight hours I can spot it and avoid it.

ride on

rick

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live to ride

Around here, you also have to watch for the sand they spread on the streets. this morning after scraping ice ( my que for 4 wheeling instead of 2) as I got on the kansas turnpike, I hit a patch of sand in 3rd and had a little fun in my alfa. nothing like sideways onto a 70 mph turnpike.
cliff

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2006 Bonnie Black
1980 Yamaha xs650

Good to hear that the bike came out a bit worse than you. It sounds like nothing got seriously bent, but scratched up. Like someone said, and I have to paraphrase, 'a motorcycle's natural resting position is on it's side'. The laws of physics aren't always on our side, as you and several of us have found out over the years.

Get her fixed up and do the same for yourself. Best wishes for a quick recovery for both of you.

Bob

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2003 T100 (790cc) Lucifer Org and Silv: 122/42 jets, TORs, 17T, UNI filter, no AI, Polaris bellmouth, Dunlop 501GT tires, Progressive 440 shocks (105/150 springs),11-1126 fork springs, gaiters, MotoTwin low bars, 6024 lamp, htd grips, 12v outlet.

Very glad you weren't hurt worse. And glad that the first "off" came at low speed.

The saying goes: "There are those who have been down, and those who will go down." Let's pray that this is your quotient for a long, long, time.

Monte

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Monte

"The Old Ohio Preacher Man"

Sounds like a good reason to leave the bike on blocks for winter, to me. I think it was TB-T100 who mentioned that the cops in Oslo Norway use studs in their tyres, so they can ride all through winter. Can you guys do that? Or is it only cops who are allowed to put such wear & tear on the roads? I suppose studs would have a whole load of handling problems to master anyway. They can't be much fun on oily wet bitumen.
I had one black-ice experience in the Sth Island of NZ many years ago, when the Mini Cooper I was hitching a ride in, hit a patch of it, while we overtaking a line of cars. Luckilly the driver had a lot of experience & didn't panic. He just kept lightly tugging at the steering wheel, as we skated along at 80mph, until he felt it bite on the bitumen, & then zipped back onto the safe side of the road, seconds before oncoming traffic were about to slam into us. It was one of the scariest things I've ever experienced on a road. & I made a mental note, never to drive when black-ice was a possibility.

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"They told me I was goin to have to work for my living, & all I wanna do is ride." Jackson Browne (the Road & The Sky)

Happy to hear you and the America came out OK Kirk! Heal up quick.

Cheers.

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Have you ever stopped to think about what rats do for fun?
- Shane MacGowan

Never Forget Chickenman.

Glad you're okay and the bike came through with minimal damage....I can remember days like that riding all winter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin....I finally got a sidecar halfway through the winter, this, after sliding with the bike through a black ice intersection and being narrowly missed by a delivery truck....
Black ice, or ice in general isn't a lot of fun on two wheels....and not the best on four....
Wouldn't be a triumph without a few battle scars on er.....
Bill

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Mods: snorkel removed, bafflectomy, jets out 3 turns, summer screen, cortec tank/saddlebags, Bella Corse Highlander bars,Modre peg lowering kit.

Well, you were lucky. My first time wasn't nearly as simple some 38 years ago. In fact, i experienced several more for my first few years of riding and soon made it a rule of mine that i never ride in anything less than optimal conditions. For me that not only means bone dry weather, but i actually won't even ride at nite ! Like someone said, the laws of physics are stacked against us and unless you are stupid careful about how, when, and where you ride, it's only a matter of time. Thats probably why i went down many times and then never again after i adopted that philosophy.

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2005 Speedmaster, Neon Blue, Thunderbike pipes, snorkel removed, UNI filter, drilled airbox, 130 mains, TBS needles.(2 shims) And speaking of Speedmasters, HERE'S MINE