Hello from Cortez, CO!
So my wife and I are celebrating anniversary number 8 with a 3 day trip to Mesa Verde and in continuance of our tradition of something going terribly wrong on our anniversary trips, we crashed yesterday just before Creede, CO
While we were eatting lunch at Lake City the clouds opened up. The rain stopped by the time we left so we took it easy going over the roads. Just before Creede we hit some straight pavement and cruised along at highway speeds.
The rain had washed mud onto the road way. I saw it in advance and slowed slightly driving the bike in the tire marks. Maybe a 100 feet after the rear wheel lost traction and we went sliding. Shannon fell off first but my left leg was stuck under the bike dragging me towards a Dodge Charger in the oncoming lane.
Somehow I got my leg free and detached from the bike just in time to see the tires hook and flip the bike over to grind the other side.
Shan and I were both in our full leathers, in fact we had just bought Shannon's alpinestars last weekend. This was her first time wearing them.
We both popped up, unharmed other then some minor bruising and a bruised bike.
The hard side bags acted as frame sliders and both the actual frame sliders grinded down.
My front left peg broke off but I still had my highway peg, granted bent.
The bike and us were covered in mud, awesome. Lots of people stopped to help and we got the bike up. It started up with a little effort (I'm assuming due to fuel cut?). I walked back to where we slid and in my boots it felt like walking on ice, incredibly slick.
We got to Pagosa Springs and stopped at a self service wash and cleaned the bike and ourselves up before finding a hotel to stay at in Durango.
Our original plan was to ride to Cortez and stay here for 2 days but I thought my chances of finding a dealer with a peg would be better in Durango.
Two big thanks to Handlebar motorsports and The Fun Center in Durango!!
Handlebar gave me the option of taking off a peg from a used 2010 FJR they had for sale as long as I bought a replacement from Yamaha and paid for next day shipping. Kind of expensive due the $65 shipping but at least I knew I could get a peg.
Christie (bornwildnfree) suggested The Fun Center (they helped her out when she broke down in Cortez last year).
Their mechanic, Greg didn't have any specific pegs but he did have a set of motor cross pegs in the random parts bin! He grinded its bracket down to fit and painted it black for that professional touch! He also straightened out my highway peg.
With a new custom peg we left Durango and headed to the hotel in Cortez and then back to Mesa Verde.
The cliff dwellings had more Europen tourist to Americans; I guess there's nothing interesting to see in Europe???
I'll call Nate for leather repairs and Tracy @ Jackal for insurance repairs. Lucky for me I just bumped my optional equipment coverage (ie gear) to $3000 on Monday.
Crashing sucks but skipping the hospital sucks a lot less and being able to continue our trip, pretty cool!
Anyhow.. Pictures!
Wear your gear!!!
Shannon's brand new Alpinestars Stella Tyla pants
My pants
My jacket
Boots
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Originally Posted by salsashark
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