I dumped the scoot and broke my hand... - Harley Forum

unfknblvbl · #1 05-06-2008, 02:03 PM

This past Saturday. All it took was two freaking months. I was coming down a mountain into a hair pin left when my bike drifted over and hit some gravel. I went into a slide, so I stood it up to come to a stop, I gently applied the front brakes and my front tire went into a slide as I was headed head on to a guard rail. I let of the front brake and applied both brakes, turned my bike and me to take the guard rail on my right side. Hit the damn rail came off of it, hit some more loose chat, which then flung me back into the guard rail and at this time I was going down, somehow managed to get me off of the guard rail and the bike. I knew I wasn't going to recover the bike so I let it go. I slid about 15-20 feet down the highway and my bike slid 30-40 feet. I came to a stop as did the bike, got a up and hauled ass to the other side of the guard rail. Two guys stopped and helped me pick up my bike. I then threw my helmet, dropped my leathers and cussed as I called roadside assistance. The crappy part of it all I was only doing 30-35 around a 30 MPH curve, it felt like I was doing 80 mph, which is my normal highway cruising speed.

All in all I did about 1300-1500 dollars in damage to the bike. The only mechanical problem (and this is where I had to of broke my hand) was the throttle was completely ripped off. Everything else is cosmetic.

Lessons learned:

1. Regardless of how hot it is outside I will wear full leathers. I only had a leather jacket on and it saved my arm from being demolished by the guard rail and black top. Had I had on chaps what little damage was done to my leg would not have happened.

2. Full finger gloves are a hand saver. I had on a pair of Oakley tactical gloves and only had a small cut on one of my fingers. Will be buying full finger leather ones along with my chaps.

3. Helmets are not stupid. I think we all should have the choice to wear one and not be told to wear one, but I've made the choice to wear one for life.

4. Everyone should wear at a minimum boots and jeans, even though some prefer shorts and flip flops. Your right and your choice, but I like my skin the way it is and not looking like ground beef and I believe after your first trip to the ground (god forbid it never happens, because I don't wish that on any rider) you, too, will hopefully change your mind.

5. There are still some good people in this world who will stop and make sure you're alright and see if there is anything they can do to help.

I'm just thankful to be standing and my injuries weren't any worse. I'm pissed about my bike seems how it is only 2 months old and has just over 1500 miles on it. It is repairable, but I'm not replaceable.

The other day I read the post about riders stopping for other riders that are broke down, wrecked, whatever the case maybe. Where I was riding is a popular spot for motorcyclist. I don't want to generalize here, but I'm going to, regardless of make if someone went by on a cruiser they gave the thumbs up or down to make sure I was alright, hollered to see if I needed help or even pulled over to offer any type of assistance they could. The only ones that rolled by were those that were a "crotch rocket". There were very few who even bothered. Not saying all who ride crotch rocket are this way, but it seemed that way on Saturday.

If by chance there is anyone on this forum that was on CA Route 76 coming up or down Palomar Mountain this past Saturday and saw a black Night Train and a blue Rocker C pulled over, I just want to say Thanks for your concern.

In about 4 weeks or so I'll be back on the scoot and riding again.

EZE RIDER · #2 05-06-2008, 02:24 PM

UFB,

Sorry brother and glad your healthy enough to post. I will take your experience as a reminder for how easy it is to be laying on the ground!

HarleyCruiser · #3 05-06-2008, 03:10 PM

Glad to hear you were not seriously hurt, things happen real fast at even thirty five mph.
You can not have too much protection.

4cams · #4 05-06-2008, 03:17 PM

I've been up and down Palomar Mt. in the old days and see how this could happen. Glad your okay. I guess you'll be profiling for awhile. Semper Fi.

shovelmike · #5 05-06-2008, 05:40 PM

Sorry to hear you broke your hand. Glad you didn't get too much road rash. I second your motion to wear more leather in the future; The cow's done using that hide...might as well let it take the abuse when you take a spill.
I've been down hard twice in my many years of riding and wasn't dressed as well as I should have been. Trying to heal road rash takes a while...just starts scabbing over right, you try to get some serious work done and you knock the scab off.....yep, best avoided if you can.

#6 05-06-2008, 06:20 PM

I'm glad you're OK other than your hand. I went for ride on the back roads today, and as I have posted before the corners and intersections are covered with sand (so all be careful if you have these conditions). I know you must be upset about going down and the damage to your bike. Remember as long as you will be alright the bike can be fixed.

Tank412 · #7 05-06-2008, 07:46 PM

Glad to hear your ok, if you ride your going to crash, just the way it is. Broke my right hand in '96, after about three weeks couldn't take it anymore and rode w/the cast. Get back on the ASAP. For the time being take it easy, heal up, fix the bike. Always a good time to add those extras you've been putting off.

frisco-rigid · #8 05-06-2008, 09:38 PM

Hey unfknblvbl

Dang bud, I been wondering where you've been,, haven't seen any posts from you in some time..

You got my best wishes for a speedy recover and sickle fix..

I've been down about 9 times over time.. After the first time, I have never ridden without my chaps, no matter how hot..
It seems like my legs always got the worst of it..

Did you get that feeling of being a hard hit ground ball that just keeps rolling no matter what you do.? Eerie huh..

Good luck buddy.. This simply confirms, it's not if you go down,,,, it's When..
Yeah baby..

JCourneyaP · #9 05-06-2008, 11:09 PM

Geez Gunny, Didnt you just get State side? That sucks! Hand will heal. Get that bike a good looksie over. Make sure the frame aint cracked or bent and so forth.

A similiar situation happened to me a few years back. I was half a sleep in the middle of a good day dream.

I learned #1 not to hit the brakes. At least not the front unless I was going straight.

#2 A push on the handle bar "Counter steer" would have gotten me through.

I buzzed through the gravel. Lucky there was no Gaurd rail. Went into the woods a bit and came back out onto the road. Out of all them little trees I missed them all. Once back on the shoulder I stopped and gave the bike a damage control peek. All looked fine. Then I did the underwear check to see if I needed to change.

Lucky for me no oncomming vehicles. Yup I crossed all the way over through the other lane. I learned to pay a lot more attention in unfamiliar routes. Became better in cornering with practice in emergency situations. I got lucky.

unfknblvbl · #10 05-06-2008, 11:53 PM

Thanks everyone I appreciate it.

frisco- I've been around, just not posting a lot. Still trying to get readjusted to life in the states vice the sand box. It's taking longer than I thought it would. I don't have chaps, but will be getting them soon. I'm with ya, I'll always wear them now.

Joe- I've only been back for a couple months now. Like I told frisco just trying to ease back into the garrison and family life. When I applied the front brakes I did what I was taught in the BRC, if in a curve straighten it up and apply the brakes if the front wheel goes into a skid release and re-apply. It just didn't work out to my benefit that day. I'll probably tear the bike down pretty far to make sure all is good. For that reason and to add some goodies. I've gave it a few look overs and haven't seen anything.