So it finally happened, downed the new bike

[Brando]

It's never a matter of if, but when. [In reference to the "bike for a beginner" thread]

Heading down to Lake Forest/Laguna Hills this evening. I pull into a driveway to get gas. The driveway has a bit of a sharp turn, so I slow down to about 15, then 10... Then I line up my turn and start to... wait, what's that noise? The sound of loose asphalt? Sh... As I'm in the turn the bike is sliding sideways. I have to choose between over, under, or into a concrete divider. I chose under... Laid the bike down doing about 10mph at that time.

Nothing major... A scrape on the tank a bit (no dents!), bent the bars a smidge (bike rolled upwards after stopping), bent the right mirror, scraped the exhaust and bent the right foot-peg. There may be a few more scrapes but nothing insurance can't cover.

Man, that almost ruined my evening, but whatever... I honestly am kicking myself because I feel like there's something I should have been able to do to prevent the low-side. I know the simple answer would be "don't ride on loose asphalt" but I didn't even know what the issue was until I was sliding sideways.

My deductible is only $500... I hope this doesn't kill my rates! I'll post pics tomorrow. Ugh this just sucks. I'm dreading that call to make a claim tomorrow.

[Rick Lee]

Gravel and leftover sand from snow treatment will get you every time.

[Flieger]

What kind of bike?

[Brando]

Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom, Special Edition (Black w/ silver stripes).

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Aww geez, sorry to hear this - the good news is you're okay. Could be MUCH worse. Get the bike patched up (shouldn't be that big a deal) and replace any of your gear that hit the ground or got any kind of damage on it at all - no matter how minor-seeming.

Glad you're okay. Hopefully now you've gotten it out of your system and there won't be any more!

That whole thing about "two kinds of riders - those who have laid one down and those who will" - well, now you can say you have. No need to go there again!

[HardDrive]

Sorry to hear that man. Don't feel bad, it happens. More bikes get dumped in driveways than on highways, but you don't hear about it because its typically only the riders pride that gets hurt. I have not dumped my current bike, but the plastics are bit chewed up on one side. Previous owner was moving it in the driveway, and it got away from him. A 1 mph crash.

You sure you want to make an insurance claim? Might be able to get the bike cleaned up for less than the deductible, and avoid a ding in your insurance rates.

[crustychief]

I am glad you are ok. I had my son on the back of my bike and we went down turning a corner, sand in the gutter while leaning.

[techweenie]

Don't be embarrassed. I had my Norton JPS Special fall over in my garage. Bikes fall. The important thing is that when you ride, dress for the fall, not the ride.

[MMARSH]

Bummer man. Lesson learned and your not hurt.

I probably would just bite the bullet and get it fixed on my own dime. I wouldn't want to claim such a small mishap with the insurance. Save it for something bigger.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

That whole thing about "two kinds of riders - those who have laid one down and those who will" - well, now you can say you have. No need to go there again!

Bingo....I know guys who have ridden for 20 years and have never gone down.....I'm not one of them.....

[Jeff Higgins]

Welcome to the club. I hate to say it, but that's a part of it. We have all "BTDT". At least you were not hurt - you can always fix a bike.

Look at it this way - you have kind of lifted the spectre of the "two kinds of bikers..." thing. Now that you fall into the category of "those who have", you can breathe a little easier.

Just fix it and get back to riding it.

[Brando]

Thanks gents... I may have to fix up the bike somewhat on my own. I've re-read my policy and it looks like I in fact went with a $1500 deductible... So it seems the only thing I'll have someone else do is paint and match the tank. The rest I'm able to do on my own: Footpeg, exhaust, mirror & bars.

Oy this sucks. Looks like I'm pricing parts for lunch.

[sammyg2]

Hay I used to have one of those. I never laid it down tho, I sold it right before that happened

[Brando]

New exhaust: $99
Replacement bars: $85
Mirror(s): $20

Looks like paint & body are going to be the killer.

[Rick Lee]

This was probably the first of 20 falls I had that day. Bike was beat to hell when we got out.

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by techweenie

Don't be embarrassed. I had my Norton JPS Special fall over in my garage. Bikes fall. The important thing is that when you ride, dress for the fall, not the ride.

If you have a Norton JPS, you're my new hero.

I rode my friends in a six-hour endurance road race back in the mid-80's. Our day ended early as he went wide open thru turn one at Pacific Raceways, started to wobble and crashed. I had to take him to the hospital as all the ambulances were already busy......

[techweenie]

Operative word: had. It was slick looking but just an 850 Commando under the plastic. At the time, I went with the Norton owners club to the Big Dog Garage one weekend. Leno also had one and he told me: 'its kinda like a transvestite: looks good from a distance but when you ride it, you sense somethings not right.'

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally Posted by Brando

New exhaust: $99
Replacement bars: $85
Mirror(s): $20

Looks like paint & body are going to be the killer.

DIY. Ebay. Little Preval paint sprayers. Back in bizniss for WAY less than having a shop get involved.

Unfortunately newer bikes have lots of little plastic clips and other fasteners that like to get broken, the upside is replacement panels and fasteners are cheap in the used parts market.

[Brando]

Word, Jeff!

It's just a pain because the paint is a special color. Some flat black with metal flake. I can pull the tank and decals and just have them spot shoot it to match then do clear with a flattening agent.

Everything else I can manage myself. I don't even think I need replacement bars, so there saves another $100 after shipping.

[Evans, Marv]

Glad you're OK and only have minor damage. There is a learning curve like anything else, and some things can't be learned through anything but experience. Years ago when I had my first bike, I remember pulling into the drive of a gas station to get out of the rain. I found out the smooth concrete was very slippery with wet tires. I was going pretty slowly and my bike did a little sideways slip. Didn't go down, but it was one of those learning moments. You're lucky it's minor damage.