Set her on her side this morning

[caddman11]

On the way to work this morning, I had somewhat of a close call and carefully set my bike down in the middle of a busy highway intersection. Waiting to make a left turn, the light turned yellow, got ready to go, and as the light turned red, I started to go and was in a pretty heavy lean; just as I started the move the woman in the car that was almost stopped and headed in the opposite direction, decided she was going to make a right turn in the same direction as me.

As I slammed on the brakes, the bike came to a stop and I just couldn't hold her up and over she went. That freakin' woman watch the whole thing and just kept on driving. So there I am, in the middle of a busy intersection in rush hour morning traffic, on my side. Forgot how heavy my bike was and tried to do a snatch lift--well, yeah right. Got off and got her up, pushed her to the side of the road started her up and got to work safely.

The weird thing is is that I never wear a helmet, but this morning I as I took my bike out of the garage, I went back in and put on a helmet. What a vibe. Everything is fine, just a small scratch on the crash bar and no damage to me except my ego. Anyway, sorry for venting, but I'm a school teacher and that's a tough way to start a day.

[phenrichs]

Glad you are ok. I hope that lady gets rotten fruit for lunch.

[waterman]

Cadd,

Glad you are ok. That has happened to the best of us.

[ells]

Thanks for the reminder of how quickly things can go sour. Glad it wasn't any worse.

[blowndodge]

Good reminder that cagers don't care so be cautions!

[macmac]

A drop is no real big deal... I did that in Cali, where traffic is pretty aggresive. My head got in a snafu set and the bike was downed on the right. I forgot to pull out the side stand, so I could get turned around from being back to the bike to lift it. My wife did that for me, but if i was alone i am not sure how I would have got me turned and still hold the bike up...

The set up was I was chasing a guy who knew the area.. he took the right turn, and traffic was closing in fast.

At the same time i hit a raised manhole cover, which was in a sandy patch on the pavement, so there was a lifting effect a stopping effect and a ft wheel stepping out to the side..

Boom down I went. I was so embarressed I didn't feel my 3 broken ribs twitch at that moment.. but i sure did later...

Stopping a Nomad any way other than up straight is bad news.. That effect took me a long time get figured. I was used to tossing my 465 pound 850 triple around like a toy.. I can't do that with the Nomad yet...

[kudzufarmer]

that sucks man, and show what cagers will do even if they are looking right at you.......goes to show taht they are out to get us and you have to assume that.......i tried to pick mine up the other day when I laid her down in some grass (no damage) and wound up using my 4 wheeler and a strap....how did you pick her up?

[nomad561]

Glad to hear it was only your pride that got hurt.

[macmac]

Tp pick a Nomad up alone, you should be in gear 1st is best. It the bike is down on the right, it is more akward for me... So then I like the side stand out, so I can let the bike down on it.

I squat facing away from the bike, getting low, and grab the frame with both hands lifting with my legs and pressing my back into the seat.

If you can, it is a good idea to lock the forks with your key. If there is anyone willing to assist use them to steady the lift and help lifting...

A point comes part way up, that if you can clear a hand to hold the ft brake and steady the bars, it will help.

I weigh 150 pounds, and did it in Cal so fast I can't really recall what happened... I had the idea traffic was going to run me down. They damn near do too!

[kudzufarmer]

Tp pick a Nomad up alone, you should be in gear 1st is best. It the bike is down on the right, it is more akward for me... So then I like the side stand out, so I can let the bike down on it.

I squat facing away from the bike, getting low, and grab the frame with both hands lifting with my legs and pressing my back into the seat.

If you can, it is a good idea to lock the forks with your key. If there is anyone willing to assist use them to steady the lift and help lifting...

A point comes part way up, that if you can clear a hand to hold the ft brake and steady the bars, it will help.

I weigh 150 pounds, and did it in Cal so fast I can't really recall what happened... I had the idea traffic was going to run me down. They damn near do too!



thanks MAC....I will have to try it in some soft dirt and grass just to get a feel for it so I can do it when I need to (hopefully not!!!!!)

[dantama]

It's more embarrassing than damaging when you drop the bike in front of an audience, but the embarrassment adrenaline surge helps with lifting it back up :)

Using a lot of front brake when leaned over puts a bike down fast. In a holy sh*t moment, instinct usually tells me to grab the brakes faster than I can decided to only use the rear one.

Before we harp too much on the right turn person, if it was a single lane in each direction road, they were a bone head idiot. If it was a multi-lane road, the left turner is supposed to turn into the nearest lane to the center of the road unless there is a line painted directing them to a different lane. That frees up the lane closest to the edge of the road for cars to turn right into.

Don't know what your setup was, perhaps they were an idiot, or perhaps they were doing it just as it should be done. Depends on the lane setup.

[Cajunrider]

Glad you're OK cadd.

[caddman11]

Hey Dan, 2 lanes, both directions, no turn lanes anywhere, gravel shoulder.

[macmac]

Well with my back I don't practice squat when heavy lifting a thing.. When I need to lift something it just gets done..

If I were going to practice with a Nomad i would run the fuel down lower so no spills occur.

I would wrap the crash bars in papers and masking tape, and have blankets down.

AND MAKE SURE nothing was going to contact the saddle bag doors... I might go so far as to pull the bags off the bike in practice mode. Why risk $1,000.00 bags each ! They sure don't add much weight..

[MikeInFla]

That's a hell of a way to start your day.

This morning I wore my riding jacket which I never do in the summer but I just felt like I had to. Nothing happened but it's weird that you get those feelings that all of a sudden you should do something different.

Glad your ok.

[bobhamlin]

I found it hard to muscle my Classics-- and the Nomad makes them seem like featherweights.

Here is the technique for guys who can be touch with a technique that uses brains over brawn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ6_2VqSHBw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sP3cqKbOEs&feature=related

Glad you were ok. What does not kill us makes us pretty pissed off at that other idiot.

[dougster]

Cadd, I am so glad you are O.K. (and that you were wearing a helmet this morning!)

Is is possible she went ahead because she thought you were turning into the lefthand lane? Usually, if there are two lanes in the same direction, left turns are expected to be made into the left lane. That would explain why someone from the opposite direction would go ahead and make a right turn. Even so, she should have stopped to make sure you were all right.

[ringadingh]

Good to hear there was no damage or injury. Things can happen in a split second at the least opportune moment.

[dkdixie]

I'm sure your embrassment will heal quickly.....just glad nothing else has to heal.
Glad you're OK!!

[psychocycle]

Glad to hear you and the bike are ok.

[Top Cat]

.The weird thing is is that I never wear a helmet, but this morning I as I took my bike out of the garage, I went back in and put on a helmet

It was the damn helmet that caused the problem. Next time leave it home http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[jd01]

Glad you got through that unscathed!

[markusmaximus]

As others have said, grabbing the front brake in a slow turn will indeed bring her down. But it's hard not to when you in the middle of a sudden defensive move. This is something we should all practice occasionally, going for the rear brake that it.

Glad you're ok though.

[oldbikers]

Cadd never lift your bike with your upper body, watch the ride like a pro video I have and have raised my bike several times even tho I have a bad back.

[merri1]

I'm glad to hear that you got through the fall without being hurt; other then your pride.

And I'm glad that you posted your story. By following the thread, it seems like the front brake and slow turn, had a lot to do with falling over. I use my front brake most times when I'm going slow. But you can bet that I'm going to change my habit now.

Thanks for sharing your story.

[pirate]

Glad to hear you're ok.

[schoeney]

Glad it wasn't worse Caddman...and a helmet is not a bad idea!

[skeeter]

You stopped and didn't get run over (is that good english?). I'd risk the drop over injury. Good defense.

[cheriann]

WHEW! I'm glad you're okay!!!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif
Thank you for sharing it with us all. I always take in these stories and try to learn from them. I think it is AWEFUL that the lady drove away. There is no doubt in my mind that I would have stopped to make sure you were okay....even if I wasn't a biker myself.

The helmet story reminds me of the time I wore a seat belt on the way home from work, back before it was a law and when I usually didn't. I ended up in an accident that flipped my car upside down! That seat belt saved my life!!!

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Glad everything turned out fine. I dropped my Nomad on the third day I owned it. My left leg got caught under it and broke my ankle and have to have surgery on ankle and knee. Luckily someone was nearby and helped me lift that heavy sucker. No problem for two but for one it can be a nightmare.