I crashed Tuesday and wanted to share to hopefully help others avoid my mistake.
So, here's the scenario:
I had just left work to head home for lunch and was making the right from eastbound Church Ranch Blvd. onto Hwy 36 EB. As I approached the light, I saw it was changing and rolled off the throttle to let the left turners from WB Church Ranch head down the on-ramp ahead of me. The Group passed and I started to roll on the throttle. Just as I started to dip the bike into the turn, I caught sight of a straggler coming through the light late. The sight lines were such that the traffic light pole itself had hidden her from view until the last second.
The next few events happened very fast but I never panicked. Just a quick "that's craptacular" went through my head when I realized I couldn't save it. I also feel it necessary to specify that while cold tires may have been a contributing factor, they did not cause this and I hope this thread doesn't devolve into a "Q2's suck @ cold temps morass". I had literally left work 45 seconds before. Even if the air temp was 80 that day, i'd have had cold tires no matter the brand.
So, anyways...
I immediately applied both brakes but hit the back a little too hard (mistake #1) and locked the rear (warmer tire temps MAY have made a diff here). Because I had just started the turn it slid out to the left and was carrying me right towards the curb (and the steep hill that accompanies overpasses). Seeing this coming at me, I released the rear brake before I had scrubbed enough speed off (mistake #2, If i'd waited a half-second more, I think I would've recovered) and the rear immediately came in line. This initiated a wicked tank-slapper wobble and the front just plain washed out on me after about a cycle and a half of that.
The bike went down fairly hard on the right side, breaking the oil pump cover right open, and dumping all of my motor oil on the street. All other damage to her was cosmetic and I should be able to get her roadworthy again easily.
As for me, I slid about ten feet on my right shoulder and the face shield of the Shoei I just bought from Sean. I got up immediately and checked myself for injuries. I realized right away I had bruised my right knee, but it took a couple hours to realize I had also (much more severely) bruised my left big toe. I'm guessing that the shift lever can be thanked. I could hardly walk on it Tues, evening but a couple days later It's almost as if I never hurt it.
The take-away here: WEAR YOUR GEAR! Seriously, I bounced my freaking face on the asphalt and slid on it and my most severe injury will be healed up by Monday. If that isn't an ATGATT testimonial, i don't know what is.
So, there it is. Do what you will with it... I know I learned a lesson or two.
Alex
PS: The chick I had to hit the brakes so hard to avoid, did indeed stop to help, as did three others. I was sure to thank them.
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Originally Posted by TinkerinWstuff
