Crashed my FLHTC yesterday (long)
#1
03-13-2010 | 06:09 PM
Crashed my FLHTC yesterday (long)
Miracles happen.
On my way to work, raining off and on, decided to take the back roads and stay off the interstate. While these are back roads, there is a fair amount of commuter traffic during peak times. One lane in each direction.
Not sure why, if I was distracted by the weather, mind not on my ride, or what, but all of a sudden, I realized that the line of cars in front of me was stopped and I wasn't set up for it. Hit the brakes and realized I wasn't gonna make it before hitting the stopped car in front of me. No escape to the shoulder on the right so I decided to take my chances with the left. As soon as I hit the double yellow line, the rear end broke loose (still had the brakes on).
Last thing I remember was the rear end WAY over on my left, and the sudden jerk when the rear end bit. Next thing, I'm laying on my back in the oncoming traffic lane, and there are people standing around me telling to stay still, asking me if I'm ok, etc. I look to my right, my bike is about 20 yards back, and all the stuff that was in my tourpak is strewn all over the road, and bike pieces all over the place.
After doing an inventory of my body parts, I felt OK to sit up, stood, and a couple guys helped me get the bike to the shoulder. The bystanders gathered all the plastic parts and a passenger floorboard and made a nice pile for me next to my bike. I thanked everyone for stopping and was told that 911 had been called, but since we were in county jurisdiction the state troopers were responding. A very nice lady who turned out to be a nurse and a neighbor who I had never met, stayed with me as I called my wife who just happened to be taking a sick day from work.
Wife arrived and we loaded my pieces into the back of her car. I got on the bike and felt a sharp pain in my lower back but managed to get saddled up. As we were getting ready to leave, the state trooper showed up. I told him what had happened, that there were no other parties involved, and he offered to write up a report for my insurance. Turned out he rides, and told me that other than the obvious (see lessons learned below), I made the best choice given the situation. Made me feel a little better.
I rode the bike home and called my family doc. Went in and other than a HUGE bruise on my lower back and butt, he gave me the all clear. Told me to take ibuprofen and ice it down. I ended up going into work as, the irony of it all, we were having our annual Biker Day there, and I was the coordinator for all the guests we had coming in.
The bike is a mess. As I don't remember anything between the slide/pitch, and finding myself laying in the road, I don't know what happened to it. The tour pak is totally gone. Windshield, inner and outer fairing are all tore up, the right passenger floorboard was sheered off leaving the bolt stud in the frame. Mirror cracked, and to be honest, I haven't been out to the garage today to do a thorough inventory. With the damage to the windshield, and the fact that the pad on top of the tour pak is all torn up, the bike must have been upside-down at some point. Insurance company referred me to their "Motorcycle Specialist" who is only around Monday through Friday so we'll see how that goes.
Lessons learned. This crash was totally my fault. I was either riding too fast for the conditions, not paying attention to what I was doing, or both. It was all my bad. I locked up the rear once before on this bike in the rain. I WANT ABS! If I wasn't so paranoid about locking the wheels, I might have not tried to go around. Wet road paint sucks. Wear all the gear, all the time. I was wearing a helmet which has big divot out the back. Not all cagers are ********. There are really good people in the world that are willing to take time to help others.
The miracle of it all of it all is that I wasn't hurt worse that I am. My lower back is all purple and black, but no broken bones, not even road rash. I lead a blessed life and have a new appreciation for my family, my job, and my place in my community. I could have been badly hurt in this or worse. I've have once again been protected from myself by a loving God who watches over me. How cool is that.
By the way, I have been riding since I was 12, have taken the MSF BRC, Rider's Edge ERC, and the Ride Like a Pro course. I haven't bailed since my mid 20's and that too was my fault, but I won't go into that one.
Please folks, ride safe, and thanks for letting me get my story out here.
On my way to work, raining off and on, decided to take the back roads and stay off the interstate. While these are back roads, there is a fair amount of commuter traffic during peak times. One lane in each direction.
Not sure why, if I was distracted by the weather, mind not on my ride, or what, but all of a sudden, I realized that the line of cars in front of me was stopped and I wasn't set up for it. Hit the brakes and realized I wasn't gonna make it before hitting the stopped car in front of me. No escape to the shoulder on the right so I decided to take my chances with the left. As soon as I hit the double yellow line, the rear end broke loose (still had the brakes on).
Last thing I remember was the rear end WAY over on my left, and the sudden jerk when the rear end bit. Next thing, I'm laying on my back in the oncoming traffic lane, and there are people standing around me telling to stay still, asking me if I'm ok, etc. I look to my right, my bike is about 20 yards back, and all the stuff that was in my tourpak is strewn all over the road, and bike pieces all over the place.
After doing an inventory of my body parts, I felt OK to sit up, stood, and a couple guys helped me get the bike to the shoulder. The bystanders gathered all the plastic parts and a passenger floorboard and made a nice pile for me next to my bike. I thanked everyone for stopping and was told that 911 had been called, but since we were in county jurisdiction the state troopers were responding. A very nice lady who turned out to be a nurse and a neighbor who I had never met, stayed with me as I called my wife who just happened to be taking a sick day from work.
Wife arrived and we loaded my pieces into the back of her car. I got on the bike and felt a sharp pain in my lower back but managed to get saddled up. As we were getting ready to leave, the state trooper showed up. I told him what had happened, that there were no other parties involved, and he offered to write up a report for my insurance. Turned out he rides, and told me that other than the obvious (see lessons learned below), I made the best choice given the situation. Made me feel a little better.
I rode the bike home and called my family doc. Went in and other than a HUGE bruise on my lower back and butt, he gave me the all clear. Told me to take ibuprofen and ice it down. I ended up going into work as, the irony of it all, we were having our annual Biker Day there, and I was the coordinator for all the guests we had coming in.
The bike is a mess. As I don't remember anything between the slide/pitch, and finding myself laying in the road, I don't know what happened to it. The tour pak is totally gone. Windshield, inner and outer fairing are all tore up, the right passenger floorboard was sheered off leaving the bolt stud in the frame. Mirror cracked, and to be honest, I haven't been out to the garage today to do a thorough inventory. With the damage to the windshield, and the fact that the pad on top of the tour pak is all torn up, the bike must have been upside-down at some point. Insurance company referred me to their "Motorcycle Specialist" who is only around Monday through Friday so we'll see how that goes.
Lessons learned. This crash was totally my fault. I was either riding too fast for the conditions, not paying attention to what I was doing, or both. It was all my bad. I locked up the rear once before on this bike in the rain. I WANT ABS! If I wasn't so paranoid about locking the wheels, I might have not tried to go around. Wet road paint sucks. Wear all the gear, all the time. I was wearing a helmet which has big divot out the back. Not all cagers are ********. There are really good people in the world that are willing to take time to help others.
The miracle of it all of it all is that I wasn't hurt worse that I am. My lower back is all purple and black, but no broken bones, not even road rash. I lead a blessed life and have a new appreciation for my family, my job, and my place in my community. I could have been badly hurt in this or worse. I've have once again been protected from myself by a loving God who watches over me. How cool is that.
By the way, I have been riding since I was 12, have taken the MSF BRC, Rider's Edge ERC, and the Ride Like a Pro course. I haven't bailed since my mid 20's and that too was my fault, but I won't go into that one.
Please folks, ride safe, and thanks for letting me get my story out here.
#3
03-13-2010 | 06:25 PM
Supporter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,691
Likes: 217
From: Altoona, Pa.
Tough way to learn a lesson. Glad things arent worse as to your injuries. We ALL lose concentration at times and we know just how fast crap can happen. Heal up in all ways and just hope the insurance works well with ya. Keep us informed.
#4
03-13-2010 | 06:26 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 4
From: El Cajon Ca.
Wow you are doin something right to come out of it so good. I agree all cagers are not bad. When I went down last year the guy behind me blocked traffic with his truck so I wouldn't get run over. He let me use his phone to call my wife as mine was trashed. He and his wife who was a nurse stayed with me until an ambulance came. Good luck with your bike.
#5
03-13-2010 | 06:27 PM
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 15,793
Likes: 1,132
From: NorCal916
Get well soon and back on that horse
#7
03-13-2010 | 06:31 PM
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 6
From: Las Vegas, NV
Wow, hell of a story.
As you mentioned, you are a lucky man.
I like the fact that you take full responsibility for your incident and am very happy that you are OK.
Your bike will be fixed and you will heal.
An even better rider will soon be on the road again.
Looks like you've got a little project now.........maybe pick a new color or something?
As you mentioned, you are a lucky man.
I like the fact that you take full responsibility for your incident and am very happy that you are OK.
Your bike will be fixed and you will heal.
An even better rider will soon be on the road again.
Looks like you've got a little project now.........maybe pick a new color or something?
Trending Topics
#8
03-13-2010 | 06:38 PM
Banned
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 555
Likes: 1
From: San Diego
Really sorry to hear about you going down. Im really glad to hear you are okay and just bruised. Could have been much worse. As for the scoot, time for a 2010 CVO, only 38K. I was looking at one yesterday. Jokingly told me wife, I wouldn’t mind a little road rash if my insurance would buy me that. She got pretty upset. Woman, cant live with them, cant shoot them in the head… anymore… 
#9
03-13-2010 | 06:58 PM
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
From: Southern IN.
Damn,dude .....you're a very fortunate individual....sorry ta hear of your accident, but glad yer still vertical, not horizontal,and able ta make this post, as we all know.....bike's can be fixed or replaced......not so in every case with flesh and bone......hope yer ins settle's up w/no problems and ya recover and get back in the wind soon as yer able.......
