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Cruiser
Posts: 259
Land O Lakes, FL | We'll it happened. Went down Tuesday on my ZX14R. Totally sucked (as you would expect). Was coming up to a toll booth on the expressway and some jackass decided to almost come to a complete stop in the high speed lane. I glanced away for just 2 seconds to make sure the van next to me wasn't encroaching on my lane, looked back and dumb ass was almost stopped in front of me. I drilled the brakes, front locked, let up and was still to close, hit the brakes again, front locked and this time it tucked and I was sliding into the toll booth. Bike one way, me the other. Went down about 40mph I think. Luckily I had my gear on, leather jacket, helmet, light gloves, boots, etc. Still hurt like a SOB though. Elbows got skinned up from the inside of the jacket (hey coulda been worse), my knee took a nasty hit and jammed my thumb. Never hit my head though not a mark on the helmet. While the bike didn't look bad most of the damage was under the plastics. Got the estimate back, $6000 in damages. Ouch... Insurance will cover it and I'll have it back in a few weeks but still sucks.
At the end of the day it's still my fault for not being hyper vigilant and not anticipating they guy was going to stop in the middle of the interstate but we aren't perfect and shit happens. Be carful out there, lots of idiots on the road, Anyway some pics...
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Cruiser
Posts: 212
Tavares, Fl | I feel you pain, I drive a tour bus and travel those turnpikes a lot. Its amazing the stupid stuff I see people do. I actually saw an idiot stop in the Sunpass lane and throw it in reverse to back up because was in the wrong lane, horns blowing, tires squealing.... One other time I was getting off on the exit at Wintergarden and almost broadsided a car turning around on the exit to go the wrong way, I suppose because it was a Sunpass only exit, no attendant...I avoid them on the bike though..... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 126
Meadow, Texas | Glad you were able to walk away from this. And I agree, idiots are everywhere. We all have to have combat driving skills. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | Glad you weren't hurt bad. I'm surprised they didn't total your bike, plastic for sportbikes is very expensive............Best thing: you live to tell the tale. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | Glad that you're OK. Chit like that can happen in an instant. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 143
Lexington Park, MD | Glad your ok and that the bike is not a loss. Know several at slower speeds with more damage to them and their bike as well. Glad you posted about your gear with pics, ride for the slide because you never know what is going to happen when. Good write up! See ya back out on the road and stay safe! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| Glad you're ok. Sorry you had to contend with an idiot. I still see people slow down on the freeway as they pass under the tolltag readers. I'm like, wtf? |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 7
Clayton, In. 25 mi w of Indy | Amen on the gear. Having gone down not long ago I won't ride now without it. Saved my hide. Glad no serious injuries. Keep on riding!! Good Luck! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | I agree that you should wear the proper gear. If it's hot out, the best gear is t shirt, shorts and flip flops. Maybe a doo rag if it's sunny. You can't stay too cool in summer. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| to think one lair of pants is equivalent to five layers of skin |
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Cruiser
Posts: 259
Land O Lakes, FL | If I had been in my normal dress pants that would have been much much worse for sure. The pants were very tore up but only got through on the knee. And man if my knee still isn't sore lol. I'm glad I could be here to say that though. Should have my ZX back in about 2 weeks. Was out on the Victory today and it felt really good to be back on the bike even though it was in the low 40's. Which is cold for Florida by the way. I live here because I like it warm, it's a bit tough when it's that cold. I know, I know whining is so overrated... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | PhantomX - 2013-02-17 11:53 PM
If I had been in my normal dress...
It would have been a LOT worse (and much, much funnier even in a deranged sort of way).
Edited by Monkeyman 2013-02-18 3:18 AM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 27
Owings Mills, MD | Good thing for the gear. Nice Ninja btw. |
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Tourer
Posts: 373
Lansing, MI |
DAMN! Gald you're "ok". Stupid ass people...
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Cruiser
Posts: 178
LaGrange, GA | Glad you're good, bro. |
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Tourer
Posts: 562
SC, Bluffton | Sorry to hear about your incident. Your Kaw is a beautiful model. I love the Ghost green flames
on it. Interesting your head never hit. You wouldn't be the type to drown. LOL.
Our toll goes form 55 MPH, to 45 MPH, and then all the way down to 30 MPH (But most go through
at 40 MPH (o:
I see so many motorcycles go through without a transponder. PO's me. I spend about $300+
anually on just my motorcycles passing though, not the truck.
Herb
Edited by g1nomad 2013-02-20 11:49 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 122
Westchester Co., NY | When I was younger I used to wear a half helmet and maybe a denim jacket when it was hot. But a crash when it was cooler, so I was wearing more gear, convinced me of two things. 1. You never know when a crash is coming and 2. You will want protective gear when that time comes.
Glad that overall you are OK. Good luck with the bike. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 79
Memphis,Tn. | I traded in a GTR1400 Concours with ABS for my Vision. Does your ZX14R have ABS? Glad you can still ride. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 259
Land O Lakes, FL | It does not have ABS. I wish it did. Actually I thought it did because I saw what looks like ABS wheel sensors not realizing they were there for the traction control. The '13 models do have ABS (it's a $1k option though) and I'm actually in the works for a '13 in Arctic White with ABS. If they can get the financing right I may do it! I'll never buy another bike without it for sure. And I would feel a lot more confident with it. I firmly believe had I had it on this bike I wouldn't have crashed and would have been able to keep it upright.
I totally agree on the gear, it was warm but it saved my hide (literally!). I will still continue to wear it as well. I've been down before and each time gear saved me from any serious injury. I hate road rash (as i sit here scratching around the rash on my knee as it heals). So I do what I can to make sure it stays to the minimum cause you never know! I surely didn't leave the house thinking "I'm gonna crash today" lol but I damn sure left thinking "I'm gonna wear my shit in case I do"! |
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Went down on Tuesday... Not on the Victory though...
