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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Friday evening I was riding in a residential area that had a number of speed bumps. The road was very hilly and curvy...it would make a nice motorcycle road if there were no houses, speed bumps and kids.
There was a older Truck that was about 5 car lengths ahead of me and we were going between 25 and 30. The sun was low and I had some glare on the right side of my visor. I looked at an on coming car, checked my mirrors and looked up to see the truck barely rolling forward over the speed bump.
Since the truck was taking the previous speed bumps with its passenger tire in the empty space between the speed bumps....I was lined up on about a foot and half to the right of his truck and had about five feet of road between the truck and the curb.
The truck was now crawling over the speed bump at about 2 mph. When I saw my position at about 30 feet from the truck I did **"Survival Reaction 1" (SR1) since I was closing fast. SR1 locked up the rear tire. The rear of the Vision slid out to the left.
My faring missed the rear of the truck and I finally got my brain to command my foot to release the brake. I did this just as his pipe bumper hit the left saddle bag and the antenna for the CB tapped the truck.
As I felt the bump, the rear tire was rolling again and I rode to a controlled stop next to the front of the truck just past the speed bump.
The driver of the truck and I looked over the damage. Then we talked for a minutes. He wanted to make sure I was OK....I was. He said that he really did not have any damage and felt bad....I told him that it was my fault and I apologized. I said that this was my worst motorcycle wreck since I started riding in 1983. We shook hand and went down the road.
Damage Report.
1. Left Saddle bag door...Scratched, Cracked and Dented
2. Crack behind Antenna Mount on trunk.
Lessons learned.
1. Unlearn SR1! If I did not hit my brakes, I would have rode around them safely.
2. Give people even more distance when they go over speed bumps.
3. Give people even more distance when you have glare in your eyes.
**Survival Reaction's are listed in the book "Twist of the Wrist"
Edited by radioteacher 2010-11-08 1:11 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | thanks for sharing. this is the kind of stuff that makes us think, think, think, and for the novice or the long-time rider alike. I had a friend ask me Sunday "I want you to teach me to ride a motorcycle." I said "No!" take a motorcycle safety course. I told him I would be glad to talk motorcycles all day long on the ends and outs, but leave the training to the MSF course or one like it.
I am amazed at the momentary predictiments that I find myself in and actually survive, like hitting full glare on a blind turn and traffic going both ways. Or blinding rain and the glasses fog up while riding at 70mph on the interstate. By all accounts I should be dead already laying in a hidden ditch somewhere leaving people thinking I was good on my promise to go out riding and never come back.
glad you're okay.
Edited by varyder 2010-11-08 1:20 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Repair Stated.
The Victory Vision external saddle bag door part and Trunk wrap around that cracked is made from PC/PBT (just like a Ford Taurus bumper). It can be bonded or filled using Flexible Epoxy.
I used a heat gun to lessen the Dent in the door. Then I sanded the scraped area and the tear. Only the outer skin was broken the inner plastic frame was fine. I removed the clear plastic that sits between the outer skin and the inner frame near the cut and slipped a piece on fiberglass behind the cut.
Next I mixed and filled the scrapes and the cut with the epoxy. It dried in 30 minutes.
I reinstalled the door so I could ride this week and will sand and shape it next weekend. I will order the paint from the dealer (Black) tomorrow. I know its $99 a quart.
Riede Safe |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | pics please. Nothing like a "personalized" bike. |
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Tourer
Posts: 323
Troy, NY | Glad everything turned out fine: bike and health. Thanks for the reminder on riding too. I have some motorcycle riding books I am going to read over the winter and take one of the MFS courses next spring. I am only 1.5 years into riding and feeling very, very comfortable riding the Vision. They say it's the 2nd year riders that are the most prone to accidents because of over confidence. So, I'm trying to be comfortable cautious. This reminder helps!!
Take care and safe riding for everyone!! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 162
Northern NJ | All's well that ends well. And lessons learned.
Glad you - and the Vision - weren't hurt.
Ride safe folks. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | varyder - 2010-11-08 1:18 PM
thanks for sharing. this is the kind of stuff that makes us think, think, think, and for the novice or the long-time rider alike. I had a friend ask me Sunday "I want you to teach me to ride a motorcycle." I said "No!" take a motorcycle safety course. I told him I would be glad to talk motorcycles all day long on the ends and outs, but leave the training to the MSF course or one like it.
a BIG +1 on this! Went with a kid who works for me to get a bike in early 2009. He told me and the dealer he rode dirt bikes all his life. I rode the bike to a parking lot (as he didn't have his endorsement) and then let him ride. He looked like he knew what he was doing , then 20 min into it, he rode the bike into a wall at 20 miles an hour. THANK GOD he didn't kill himself, but got lucky and only needed 10 stitches on his forehead (full face helmet shield deflected back into helmet).
Lesson learned, follow Chris' advice! Why didn't you tell me this a year ago? ;-) |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | My father has said many times for as far back as I can remember "If it is already broke, why not try to fix it?"** I have learned every time I have applied this advice. Most of the time I learned that I could fix whatever was broken.
Here are some pictures. I sanded the dent before I took this picture. You can see the depth of the dent. Most of the dent came out with the heat gun.
I also have a picture of the epoxy drying while clamped.
Today I looked at it in the sun and I do not have a very much sanding to do. This might work out. If not I am prepared to buy a replacement.
** Of course that statement does not apply to any relationship I have ever had....oh well. The best advice there is "Do not ever BREAK it in the first place!"
(SaddleBagDamage-sm.jpg)
(Trunk.jpg)
(Epoxy2.JPG)
Attachments
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 SaddleBagDamage-sm.jpg (53KB - 1 downloads)
Trunk.jpg (40KB - 1 downloads)
Epoxy2.JPG (39KB - 2 downloads)
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Cruiser
Posts: 277
Apopka, FL | Thanks for the pix Paul and the safety tips. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 277
Apopka, FL | I love it when I post things 2x. Then I get to edit it and write something totally lame.
Edited by DrDecay 2010-11-10 5:05 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | On Friday 11-5-2010 I had a minor accident that I discussed on this thread. Well on 12-3-2010 I went down on a low speed turn on the way to work.
This Friday was one strange day for ups and downs.
The ride was going very well up until the moment it wasn't. I was going right about 20 mph at the time.
I was on the last leg of the ride turning into the office parking lot and hit a approximately 14 inch diameter patch of fresh wet clay mud that a truck from a local construction site (we are building on our property) dropped on the public road.
I never saw the mud patch. The Sun was lined up with the road and I was looking into my turn to the driveway when the contact patch stopped working.
In the right hand turn the front tire hit the patch on mud and slid out in a blink. I felt the tire give way and turned slightly into the turn but by that time I was on the tipovers. Between the street and the driveway is a small lip of concrete.
The front right tipover caught on the driveway lip and kicked the back of the Vision out a few inches to the left and over far enough to tap the mirror area slightly on the driveway. At that point the Vision and I separated from each other.
I was tossed forward and to the right as the right floorboard and highway peg was being pushed back and up by front right tipover.
The highway peg pushed into my leg about 4 inches up from my knee. The area touches the front lip of a chair if I am sitting inside my lower thigh. I received a 3" bruise in that location. To put the minor damage in perspective, I have had more pain and a bigger bruise from a paintball gun shot to the quadricep.
I receive a very slight abrasion to my right calf from my jeans. My right shoulder felt like I feels like some friend punched it to get my attention but no pain. My neck feels like I slept wrong the next day. Nothing that I even needed Ibuprofen for but I took some at night to sleep.
My helmet never hit the ground. My nice leather jacket did it job perfectly. The shoulder and arm of the jacket are scraped up and protected me as intended. The gloves looked fine and showed no wear. The right shoe had a good scrape on the toe area.
So if I rode to work in t-shirt, shorts and flip flops I would be hurting a lot more and bleeding too.
The Vision is still good to ride. The Right front tipover area sustained most of the damage including the lower part of the fairing (parts of the plastic in the fairing broke off) and the floorboard tray bent a bit. I stood on the right floorboard and it went back down most of the way and rode it to the dealer for its scheduled 20,000 mile checkup.
They found a screw in the rear tire during the maintenance. Cha Ching, new tire installed!
I had tickets to the San Antonio Spurs game on Friday. On yea, a low beam head lamp went out on the way there on the truck.
At least the Spurs won!
Ride Safe
Edited by radioteacher 2010-12-05 2:42 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | RT I'm glad to hear your team won! Doesn't mean a thing to me, but it does tell me you are okay to still have a sense of humor over this whole ordeal, especially just being a month from the last crash and burn.
There's nothing I can say that I know you already know. Just praying that this won't happen again, ever.
My bentley is parked out front since Wednesday because we've had some overnight lows below freezing after some heavy rains earlier in the week. On Thursday driving in, I came across some ice patches that might have done me in. I say might, as I rode in the same conditions last winter without any regards, but this winter I'm less inclined to do so.
Really, the main reason I haven't rode is I've got a blown exhaust gasket again from my makeshift sealant job. I'm waiting for the Lloyds gasket to come in now. The funny thing is, is the timing is perfect as the days she has sat has been days I would have run the greater risks of hitting black ice. I'll be leaving tomorrow and be gone through Wednesday to NJ so I'll have a project to get her back on the road when I get back.
Your two-timer is giving me something to reflect on to know when to hold them, or know when to fold them.
Glad to hear you are okay!
Ride safe my friend, ride safe.
Edited by varyder 2010-12-05 6:05 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 741
Central New York | I have posted before on my thoughts about never riding unless you're dressed for the task. I think your incident highlights how much proper clothing can turn a real painful accident into an inconvenience. I never ride, even to the corner store, without at least the minimum of heavy pants, heavy long sleeve shirt, gloves, and boots.
And for those that have never taken a MSF course and thinking of doing so, do it. You really don't know what you don't know. (But don't go without the above mentioned gear or you can't play) |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | Glad to hear you weren't hurt too bad. I had a similar mishap and went sliding through the grass, the front tipover cutting through the dirt like a plow blade. I was very surprised how little strenth the front tipover had when a rearward force was applied to it as opposed to a drop. It pushed the tipover back far enough that it was touching the floor board preventing it from its normal seated position. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| radioteacher
I am very happy that you didn't get hurt. Bikes are hard to fix but keep in mind we are harder to fix. I try to tell my self every day I ride to use the front brake the rear only will throw us to the ground or worse. The dunlop tires don't help either there is not many groves so we skid more then stop. varyder had a friend ask him to teach him and he said no take a coarse. I have been riding for forty years and have put on maybe close to a million miles on a lot of bikes but I wounder how good a rider I am. When I started riding a guy would stand in a parking lot and watch you make a bunch of turns and a stop and you had your license. I am sure i follow to close to cages and go to fast for the conditions and only had two accidents one where a girl pulled out in front of me and one where I was going fast into a curve and lost it.
Know I am thinking of taking a riders coarse just to learn what I don't know. But then you know we know it all Dad would tell me that when I would take a perfect bike all a part to make it better.
Ever time i read that some one was in a accident I get scared that some one was hurt. I am so happy when its just there bike.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 732
Western WA | RT I'm just happy to know you weren't hurt.
The rest is repairable details. |
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Tourer
Posts: 390
| Good to hear your OK. Good heads up for construction areas. Out where I live, we look out for tractor droppings. Lots of gumbo in our area that would prodce the same hazzards. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 192
Republic of Tejas | Sorry to hear about your run of bad karma Paul. Hang in there, it can only get better!
also, myself and a few other Victory pilots are planning on doing a three day run to the sisters and Garner State Park on January 21, 22, & 23. I'll keep you informed. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| RT, sorry to read about your string of bad luck, glad you are alright.
But these seem too close together to just be bad luck my friend. You might want to step back for a couple days and evaluate your riding habits. Obviously you have CHANGED something you normally do and replaced it with something you probably shouldn't keep doing. You're a better rider than to have these happen.
Had this happen to me the year before last; Stuff was coming at me too fast and just had an uneasy feel while riding. Got off the bike for a week and couldn' put a finger on it so I went out to the lot I practice in and ran through my drills. For some unexplained reason I had adopted a closer than usual sight line. Started looking out further and immediately began feeling at home, but I did have to fight the tendancy to look in too tight for a month. Picking up a tiny bad habit can happen to all riders without our knowing we even picked it up. In your case it might be something as simple as riding with a foot raised a little over the rear brake so the tendancy is to hit it first or not using the front as much as recommended, I can't say, but I hope you figure it out quickly my friend. Ride safe...... T
ps... turning into that turn when traction felt it was going away was instinct, training would have told you to not react in that manner. Refer to "Twist"......
pss... Anyone who is interested; Ride like a Pro the video folks offer weekend courses in many locations across the USA, cost is around $125 (last time I attended) and class sizes are small (no more than 8 riders). However any advanced rider training is worth every penny in my opinion. Take them often |
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Tourer
Posts: 363
Goldsboro, NC | It is stories like these that have me riding conservatively enough that sometimes even HD guys think I'm timid.
I keep my safety factor maximized because there are so many of those mud spots/ green spots from people who water the roadway every morning / gravel or sand at intersections/ dips or bumps in curve apexes/ et cetera.
Keep your head on a swivel... and keep just a little bit more for the unforseeable. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | OldGringo - 2010-12-05 5:48 PM
Sorry to hear about your run of bad karma Paul. Hang in there, it can only get better!
also, myself and a few other Victory pilots are planning on doing a three day run to the sisters and Garner State Park on January 21, 22, & 23. I'll keep you informed.
Let me know when you run Three Sisters! I love that ride! My email is Radioteacher (at) gmail.com
It is a 320 mile round trip to ride from my house than "once" around three sisters and home again for the night but it is worth every mile.
Ride Safe! |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Teach,
I have been running over both incidents in my mind a lot over the weekend. Here is the tally so far. Looking too close is a habit that many fall into. I catch myself at that from time to time.
Turning into the skid is a SR for sure and a quick way to the "High Side".
I have completed the ERC and need to sign up for the Ride Like A Pro. They have the course in Houston.
Similarities in events:
Weather:
In both the roads were clean and dry....except for the mud.
Both happened with the Sun and Glare on my glasses and visor. Within 60 minutes of Sunrise or Sunset.
Rider:
Awake and alert. Not under the influence.
The first incident I was not in a rush but I did have somewhere to go and wanted to get there.
The Second, I was on the way to work and would rather point the bike to Luchenbach for the afternoon. In other words I was not in a hurry.
Machine:
Tires and mechanically the Vision was running fine.
Technically the rear tire was down to 30 lbs due to a screw I picked up.
Differences:
In the first incident, another vehicle was involved. The second was a single bike event.
Steps to prevent it in the future:
Clean my glasses and visor to reduce glare.
Riding too close in a residential area is a really bad plan. Back off.
Practice evasive maneuvers from the ERC.
Be extra cautious when riding within an hour of Sunrise and Sunset. Back off.
Ride Safe
P.S. My wife wants me to stop riding and said so in front of friends this weekend. I told her I understand her feelings on the matter and have sympathy for them but I will not stop riding. I have a a healthy respect for the risks involved but I will not have my riding ruled by the fears of others.
Edited by radioteacher 2010-12-06 1:31 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 171
San Antonio, Texas | Dang, Paul, You've had a couple of rough weeks! I'm glad you're not injured. Sorry about Sparks--she'll recover, I'm sure. Either way, at least you're using up the Vision wrecks for San Antonio and I can ride as per usual and not worry---NOT!! If you need some help with anything, let me know. I'll help where I can. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | So, Sparks has finally earned its namesake. It sent sparks a spewing. Maybe I should have named mine, SR-1 Blackbird, SheetRock 1nce, and it is black and it flies. It goes well with the aeronautical theme around here.
It is good to hear you got the adrenaline pumping again. You needed something to kickstart you out of the wintertime blues, or is it just a mid life crisis. The ability to put the foot down to the wife, I hand you back your well deserved MAN CARD! So, now, you get to let the insurance company fix the rest of it and from the first incident. You have earned a nice little hiatus from riding to recharge the old batteries and become afresh and anew once again.
GAME ON and let the RESTING BEGIN until ole Sparks and its rightful owner have been reunited. Until then, if Memory serves me right, I believe you enjoy a little of the adult beverage variety with a little % PROOF in it. Tip up and rest.
Oh yeah, glad you got to enjoy a slow speed thrill ride with no hospital stay. TWICE! |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | All,
Thanks for all the kindness and support. I am a better rider today because of the many things I have learned from my fellow Vision Riders.
Magic,
Doing what I can to help Vision riders everywhere.
LittleChickenPicata,
Mud is not as cool as Sheetrock but it did the deed. Yup, I have the Man Card and I received a hearty thumbs up from the other men at the dinner table (Except the one whose wife was watching him). The drink is named Glengoyne Whisky. I think I will have some tonight.
I am not resting one bit. The Vision is parked in its usual parking spot at work right now and in a few minutes I will be riding it home.
All,
Vision Pilots take note, with a Man Card and a sofa you will never be without a place to sleep!
I will be posting pics later to show the damage. The only thing I can feel wrong is that the right floor board is bent up a bit. So the damage is hard to spot but the parts and labor add up to about $3500. Parts are expensive and labor are not free.
I told them when they have all of the parts and are ready to do the work they can have the Vision. Maybe they can do it when I leave town in a few weeks.
Ride Safe my friends.
Edited by radioteacher 2010-12-06 4:56 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| RT, sounds like you are already running through the checklist, good on you, and I surely didn't mean to be critical in any way. As some may recall I like to use these mishaps as a learning tool of sorts to avoid if at all possible a similar situation. I have been thinking about your get offs since reading of them and was wondering if you had changed anything with regards to riding gear, glasses, etc... that might be playing a role? I know you said one was following too closely or rather riding up on a slower vehicle in a residential zone, but I suspect your riding skills are better tuned since you took the appropriate avoidance steps upon recognizing the hazard. That said it has been a wicked year for sun in the eyes approaching sunset. I hope you have one of those "eureka moments" when the cure comes out of nowhere, and many more safe future miles...... Ride safe my friend and I do apologize if my comments were taken as anything more than curiousity and concern. I'm suppose to be riding thru Texas this next summer and if so it would be great to meet you along the road for a coffee. I'll shout when I have some dates established...... T |
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Cruiser
Posts: 60
not far from hustler wisconsin | i just read this whole thread.
dam glad to still have you here. sounds like a bummer for the bike but as others have said your not hurt. thanks for posting this. we all need to stay on top of the game. reading about near misses and walk aways is infinitely better than reading obits.
your wife loves you, because she said she wants you to quit riding for your own good. well since she loves you she should know how much you need and want to ride and she should come around. make sense?
you ride safe too. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Teach,
I appreciated your posting very much. It gave me the push to write down the event information that was buzzing around my head. The "Twist of the Wrist" books that you suggested a long time ago, helped me to be a better rider.
The more I think about it the more I think it boils down to glare on the glasses and visor. These late sunrises and early sunsets can be part of it for sure. That and increasing my following distance. I was way too close to that truck for those driving conditions.
Please look me up if you ever get down to San Antonio.
wibiker,
I think she is remembering what a "Pain in the rear" I can be when I am not riding. She had no problem with my ride to work today.
On Sunday I took a 50 mile ride mainly on urban highways to a show across town. If felt good to get on the Vision and just ride. As they say at the rodeo. "If you get thrown off get back on!" In other words, "Cowboy Up!"
Ride Safe
Edited by radioteacher 2010-12-06 9:11 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Paul, I understand your wife's emotion on this one. Earlier this year my wife and I were riding behind our friends on their Road King on one of the three sisters and he slid the bike in a curve. We were right behind them and watched it in full 1080 HD. They were ok, except for some bruises and scraps, and about $4000. But the reaction from my wife was amazing, she actually had a hard time getting back on the Vision that day. She's fiine now and rides all the time with me, but that day, it was tuff for her to get back on the horse. Your a determined informed rider, and your good at riding. Ensure your wife, you have it under control. Take care. |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | I carry no man card and do not need to discuss my riding with my Lady. She is well within the rules and regulations of the Wildman - 150 mile away, do not live together and are not married, just enjoy being together almost every weekend! Just glad your OK Brother and fit enough to ride again....
Ride hard, ride fast, but above all - ride safe....
Let us all learn a thing or two from this posting! |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Who stole 8-ball's Man Card? I bet he just burned it! Sounds like a good setup for me. When I get my man card back, I think I'm gonna burn mine tooo. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | Paul
I'm very glad to hear that you're OK and that your Vision can be repaired.
I find this time of year difficult with shorter days and daylight savings ended. I also have to ride into the setting sun in the evening, which may have been fine for Shane or the Lone Ranger, but sucks for a guy with bifocals on a motorcycle who is surrounded by car drivers who cant see either.
I know most motorcyclists don't like polarized lenses because it makes reading digital gauges, GPS and other electronics difficult or impossible, and does weird things to plastic windscreens and face shields; but I find that the reduced glare improves my ability to see and react to traffic or obstacles in the road significantly.
I also do not wear a face shield (regardless of weather) because of the glare and distortion created by having to peer through multiple layers of less than perfect plastic. I find that a visor peak is also an essential accessory. The laminar lip on my bike affords me great wind protection without having the shield in front of my face.
I have discovered that as I have aged I have had to make other concessions based on my changing eyesight (and slower reaction times). I have two pair of bike specific glasses with my bifocal prescription adjusted to allow me to clearly see the images in the mirrors of the Vision. I have increased my following distance as well, which can be problematic , since during rush hour car drivers will attempt to fill the smallest opening with 4000 lbs of scratched and dented sheet metal.
As to the whole wife / man card thing.......If she didn't love you she wouldn't have asked; and that is one more thing to be thankful for. |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | Never had a man card, so no need to burn. We all pick our life path, I could not do what most do but will not say any path is wrong as long as you do what is in your heart or follow the path you were given...
Ride hard, ride fast, but above all - ride safe..... |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | As an x-Rodeo Cowboy, kick some butt and "COWYBOY UP" This would make all of us Vision Riders proud.... |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | As an x-Rodeo Cowboy, kick some butt and "COW
BOY UP" This would make all of us Vision Riders proud.... |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | The most experienced riders should ride or pay attention just like a novice, this will help us all have that special focus while riding that allows us to ride on again and again. Brothers and Sisters of the wind....
Ride hard, ride fast, but above all - ride safe..... |
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