What Else Can I Do To My FJR?

[twowheelnut]

[seriousness]

NOTICE: This post is meant as a learning tool and nothing more. I think it's important to offer up the scenarios that end up in wrecks (not accidents, as this one was completely avoidable, IMO), so that others may learn and bolster their own internal Rolodex of what not to do. Please don't turn this thread into anything other than that.

[/seriousness]

No excuses, I fucked up. Lack of focus, misuse of brakes and target fixation. 35ish MPH into a sharp right hander that I've taken hundreds of times, tap the brakes for the turn and POOF! Across the road and into the gravel I go. MCML, I believe, correctly analyzed the wreck. When hitting the brakes, I stood it up (or rather, didn't get it turned back in for the turn) and ran outta road in time to correct my blunder. That and choking by whacking the brakes too damn hard after the stand-up. I don't remember getting so hard on the brakes to start this whole mess, but I'm sure that is the case. Gear did it's job: fell hard on my right shoulder/ribs, whacked my helmeted head on the ground and then slid 10 - 20 feet on chunky gravel. Except for the helmet, no damage to the gear or my jeans that a run through the laundry can't fix.

The bike runs fine and true, but the case is toast as are the upper and lower fairings, screen, head lamp, blinker, fender, slider, mirror and break pedal. Maybe I'll leave the pedal alone and learn to stay off the damn thing. Need to pull the plastic to have a peek beneath, but a quick look-see says it's all good below. The whole time I'm slipping and sliding I'm thinking, "Don't let the bike go down! Save the bike!" Never once did I think, "Shit, this might hurt..." Go figger. A brief afterthought was, "Damn. I can't bust on skooter for crashing ever again (after this post that is )."

Fortunately, we were just 5 miles from the house, so I dropped off the skootered FJR and grabbed the Wabs to finish the ride. MCML's buddy, Mark, who was riding his Harley, is a certified EMT, gave me the once over and pronounced everything in my shoulder/rib area to be in it's place (he missed the hardened gray matter between the ears, however). I'm a hurtin' pup right now and I'm pretty sure I won't be movin' too fast in the morning. Thank gawd Dr. Daniels is in the house.

Thanks to Joseph and Mark for their assistance, patience and support.

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot to mention: I finally scraped a peg... <_<

 

[Bike Effects]

Sorry Dude! I'm glad you are OK. Thanks for posting, sad as it was.

 

[v65]

Damn that sucks, glad to hear you are alright. Maybe this is an opportunity for a new paint scheme?

Please don't turn this thread into anything other than that.

oops, f'd that up.

 

[dcarver]

Oh boy this one hits close to home. Tim, I am very glad you are OK.. sore is good, broken not good, so it's nice to hear you are only 'sore'... and to continue the ride on a different bike? Dude, you just went up 5 notches in my 'he's a rider' or 'just freakin' crazy' book.

And thank you for sharing the experience. You are an experienced rider, and yet it happened to you too.. so it could happen to any of us, no matter how proficient we think we are.

Your statement has me curious.." Lack of focus, misuse of brakes and target fixation". As a learning experience only, and not to ever cast a stone, unless of course I've just bought you and helped drink a bottle of Makers Mark, , were there any circumstances that lead to the lack of focus? Were you fiddling with the tank bag, adjusting the tunes, or just complacent from having done that same corner a million times before?

I ask because just last Friday I saw a Bmw 1150 rider damn near miss a turn on 101 near the Monterey exit heading toward SLO.. and this ain't much of a turn, folks... he ran all the way across the emergency divider and damn near clipped the cement center barrier.. I accelerated up to him, he looked at me like 'what the hell did I just do?".. So it can happen.. Thanks again for sharing Tim, I'm very glad you are OK.

 

[Luke]

Glad you're OK. Sore will heal quickly. So you Skooterized it huh? Definitely the unmistakable look of gravel.

Ditto on Dcarver's questions. Let's all learn from this. Thank's for posting.

 

[kaitsdad]

Damn, Tim ... Damn !!!

Scary stuff - I am so glad you are ok. I am NOT sharing this with the boss lady.

What's amazing to me is that you just changed bikes and finished the ride.

Brass. Big ones.

Did your helmet hit? Any scratches on it? Maybe now it's time for the new Caberg.

Yes, Mr. Daniel's can be a good thing - in moderation. May I also suggest Mr. Advil.

Be careful, will ya? Be Safe.

And quit scraping stuff, ok?

 

[rickcorwn]

Ouch! That seriously sucks, glad your OK.

That brake pedal is pretty cool though :blink:

 

[Greg E.]

Glad you're O.K. I can relate to lack of focus, like the day that I pulled up at work and got off the bike w/o putting down the sidestand. oster_oops:

Hope the bod' feels ok tomorrow. I assume all of your gear held up alright.

-GSE-

 

[extrememarine]

Note to self, "this is not the recommended way to 'scrape a peg'".

Glad you're ok, It could have worse.

-wr

 

[beerme]

FAAHHK!!!!! Glad you're ok, ever more gladder that repairs will be possible. Heal fast.

 

[HaulinAshe]

OUCH! Double-OUCH!!

Glad you are okay to type and ride again. Heal fast and well.

That momentary lapse of concentration is all it takes sometimes. BTDT and only had six inches of pavement left when my brain re-engaged. Wish things had turned out better for you too.

 

[Duff]

To add one more question to the above mentioned: Is your 05 an ABS or non-ABS version? I know it can still happen just as you stated, I am just wondering if the ABS had a chance to do anything or if it was even a factor.

That said, I'm glad you are OK, and back up-n-riding. Three months to repair before WFO... any chance of it being ready? Sure hope to see you there either way!

 

[MotorSWATCop]

OH Bro! Hate that you dinged the scooter. Glad you are OK.

BTDT too...only on the city's bike...got up close and personal w/ the rear of a Hoda Civic. Eat some Ibuprofin and get well.

 

[skyway]

Damn Tim, not good on the bodywork. Glad you're OK and talking about it. Can you recall any target fixation after the initial stand up? Sounds like there was no road left to just whack the bars to ride through it?

When you're out on a normal ride, when approaching a sharp turn that requires you to slow down, what percentage of front and rear brakes do you estimate you use to set up for such a turn? Assuming that engine braking alone will not be enough to reduce speed.

I recall a post where you replaced the rear brake pads, which based on mileage accumulated, at the time seemed to indicate that you like the rear brake, at least more than I do.

Just trying learn about this with the goal of avoiding this happening to myself.

To add one more question to the above mentioned: Is your 05 an ABS or non-ABS version? I know it can still happen just as you stated, I am just wondering if the ABS had a chance to do anything or if it was even a factor.

It's a non ABS model.

Forgot to add: If you need some stuff straightened out, I know someone who's got some prior experience with tweaking FJR parts for forum friends.

 

[Toecutter]

To add one more question to the above mentioned: Is your 05 an ABS or non-ABS version?

That bike's non-ABS. The blue brake piston covers are the indicator of no ABS.

Dang, dude. That blows. Why don't you paint it Fire Engine Red, then trade me! Oh wait, it's non-ABS. Maybe just tank & plastic then. Yeah, that's the ticket!

Get well (and drunk) soon!

 

[madmike2]

Broken human parts: Extremely not good!

Broken motorcycle parts: acceptable, but expensive (Then there's that listening to the S.O. go on and on and on and...).

Heal quickly, friend. The soreness will be worse Monday, then the deep bruises begin to surface on the third day. You should be near psychedelic by Thursday.

Sorry to hear about your "lay down". As Kevin Schwanze said about trail braking with the rear brake, "Every time I've done it I've crashed, so I don't do it". That brake pedal is now a "work of art", you should get it polished if you're going to leave it on the bike.

You know, we could take the bike to the same corner and "do" the other side, then label it Modern Art and the Motorcycle. Who'd know? You'd be riding a modern piece of sculpture and we could come up with a tricky name like, Skooters Demon, or something. :lol:

Don't drive yourself crazy with retrospective thinking about the accident. At some point you admit you messed up, identify the issue and move on. Its painful when you look at the scene and KNOW what you woulda, shoulda, coulda done. Ixnay on the upidstay!

 

[Fencer]

Did you not see my warning?

And we know this how? Not by the board home page I'm reading...

There are informants among us.

I actually pay this informant fairly well, He is a little green man who got this information the last time he was "probing" MSC. He actually mind controlled Scab to stab himself. I (he) could tell you how a truck in West Virgini "popped" out of gear. TWN is next

Glad you're OK. And the damage is only cosmetic (to match the owner )

That is one sick way of trying to rationalize putting miles on the weejer.

Insurance ?

 

[FJRay]

Drugs, Drink and Rest. Glad you are OK. Take tomorow off and rest up.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Twn,

My heart goes out to ya... glad you are OK.