Glad your okay. I had a bad feeling that morning plus I wasn't in my riding mood(or maybe it was just the hangover), that's why I split before Cherry Valley. And you are right it could have been worse, I could be riding at the back of the pack and catch that on HD video . J/K .Well, I kinda crashed yesterday. I wouldn't call it "crash" exactly... but my bike did end up in the ditch on it's side... so I guess that's a crash. Trust me, I'm still laughing my @$$ off about it -- which is lucky for me -- so it really isn't a big deal but I thought I would explain what happened because it was TOTALLY MY FAULT and hopefully I've learned something from the experience.
I was out for a ride after meeting up with a dozen riders from our group for breakfast. We were doing our "Cherry Valley" ride, one I've done over a dozen times this year already. Its nothing fancy like you guys out in California have, but its a short stretch of some nice curves and corners -- which we take a little too fast to make it fun.
All morning I was feeling feisty, (aka overly-confident) so I was probably riding a little too fast for my experience level... but so far so good through the curves and my speeds were in the mid 80's.
We had just gotten to the actual run of curves (there are maybe a dozen good curves in the run itself) and I made the first two really well. I was hauling @$$ into the third right when I checked my speed, 83mph, and thought "oh crap, that's way too fast for this corner" (it's a 15-25mph curve) and immediately thought -- I better not grab my brakes too hard or I'll skid and wipe out completely. So I braked firmly, realizing I was already going across the double yellow onto the wrong side of the road. I stopped looking through my turn :banghead: and fixated on the trees & grass on the other side of the road......... which is promptly where my bike and I ended up.
I was still in the process of slowing down when I rolled off the road and into the grass, and wanted to slow down enough to roll back up onto the road, but I misjudged the slope of the shoulder, and almost immediately my tires swung out from under the bike (to the left), the entire bike swung out from under me, landing in a very immediate thud. TUCK AND ROLL – that’s all I can say.
I’m fine. THANKFULLY there were no oncoming cars. And miraculously, my bike has barely a bit of dirt on the right fairing, and some dirt/grass stuck to the rear brake lever and on the clutch housing.
Lesson learned: :surrender: Slow the F down and LOOK THROUGH THE TURNS!!
Ya, my shoulder is a bit sore today. And my ego bruised. But that’s all. I'm very very lucky. It could have been 100x worse.
Yesterday was a weird day -- a bunch of us had close calls, some with gravel, others with bad lane/position choices, too much speed, even Michael said he almost wiped on a curve following Martin...Glad your okay. I had a bad feeling that morning plus I wasn't in my riding mood(or maybe it was just the hangover), that's why I split before Cherry Valley. And you are right it could have been worse, I could be riding at the back of the pack and catch that on HD video . J/K .
By watching Martin's video from yesterday I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to keep up with him, but Michael and Noelle did ).
That's what they taught us in the MSF. If you don't think you can make the turn, press harder! In most cases, you will lean over further and make the turn. I've had to do this a few times. Scary as hell, but it works. However, if you are running way too hot, and already at the tires edge, you are going to lose it if you press harder. One good reason not to try and burn your chicken strips. It's always nice to have that extra little bit in case you run hot into a curve.I just read somewhere something about if you think you are coming into a turn too hot, lean into it farther, the bike is better than you. Probably true in most cases.
I actually have my two mishaps on video.... I felt like a complete idiot... but may still post them up, just as a.... don't do this... like I said earlier, part of the issue was a really bumpy road that shook the bike violently..... maybe later this week I'll get the vid up onlineThat's what they taught us in the MSF. If you don't think you can make the turn, press harder!
PA, huh.. more and more of you popping on here! Check out the NE section for a planned ride coming up in Oct.I've been riding a 125cc for about 1.5yrs, last weekend I bought my first 600cc.
Today while going downhill to an intersection, I stopped at the stop sign. Everything is good. A car goes by, still good. Check both ways before making my left hand turn, good good. In the middle of my turn, a car decides he's not going to stop but make a wide circle in front of me to pass before I can complete the turn. Front brake, rear brake, and first gear. Being that I'm on a hill and partially leaned over, I still stopped, but the weight of the bike on one leg pulled me down. Now I'm on a downward angle trying to straighten the wheel and right this bike. Too flippin heavy for me, I drop my baby twice. If it weren't for some onlookers and a passerby I never would have got it upright on that hill.
Now I have scratches, a torn FZ6R decal, and the plastic vent just beside the headlight is popped out a bit. Oh and don't forget a now shortened clutch lever! And of course my husband blames the whole thing on me. I take responsibility as I was the one riding, but don't know what I could have down differently. Other than having Spider-sense.
Any suggestions to prevent this kind of thing?
Lesson Learned: 1) Don't go down steep hills, 2) Go to the gym and get some muscles before buying a heavier motorcycle
I feel your pain drunknfairy.Lesson Learned: 1) Don't go down steep hills, 2) Go to the gym and get some muscles before buying a heavier motorcycle