Not If, When!

MarkG · 08-18-2012, 11:54 PM

One of those days when I should have stayed in bed. Going from a friend's house down a dirt road to the highway. Next thing I knew, Down I Went!

Recent rains caused a 45 degree angled rut across the road. I was right on top of it and no time to do anything but brake. Just deep enough to be a real problem and I was down to 10mph give or take when I hit the rut. The front wheel instantly followed the rut, so much for holding onto the handlebars.

One second everything is fine, a split second later the Nomad was on its' side and I was airborne. Definitely not a good feeling.

I rolled and slid a little when I hit off to the side. Reminded me quite forcefully why I wear full gear. My guess is about a 6.5 out of 10 points for lack of elegance and style when I was launched into the air. Then again, any fall you can walk away from is a good fall.

Damage report: Right crash guard is bent about an inch and a half and twisted slightly. The crash guard did exactly what it was designed to do, no damage to the Nomad, not so much as a scratch. The right front chap I had on the crash guard is torn, too.

Physically: Nothing wrong with me at all. No bruises, no road rash, nothing broken. Fortunately the side of the dirt road was reasonably soft. Bruised Ego and humiliated because I went down. A car came along as I was picking up the Nomad to add to the embarrassment. Always has to be somebody around to see your agony.

Picking up the Nomad on a dirt road with loose gravel is not easy, especially with somebody watching.

I was lucky that I was already going fairly slow and was able to reduce speed even more before I hit the rut. Bending the crash bar and not bending anything else is a big plus.

Remember, there are those who have gone down, and there are the ones who will go down.

Not if, but when! Unfortunately we are not always able to pick when or where it happens.

cactusjack · 08-19-2012, 12:00 AM

Mark,
Sorry to hear about your involuntary dismount, but glad it wasn't serious.

**ringadingh** · 08-19-2012, 06:59 AM

Its always a bit humiliating when you go down, but you and the bike are basically OK so it was still a lot better than it can be sometimes.

Dave · 08-19-2012, 07:48 AM

3 weeks ago as I was backing out of a parking stall when I had an "involuntary dismount", I like that saying. Good thing is there were 3 guys standing there to help me pick it iup. Bad thing is there were three guys that saw it.

Funny thing is, when it happens to others, I think no big deal, that's part of owning and riding motorcycles. But when it happens to yourself, it's embarrassing!

Loafer · 08-19-2012, 07:57 AM

Glad it wasn't serious.

**glwilson** · 08-19-2012, 09:13 AM

Glad to hear you are okay.

Been down on gravel before... not any more fun than asphalt -- but a great reminder to not become complacent about riding.

Kedosto · 08-19-2012, 08:33 PM

Unplanned get-offs are never fun.

At least the only injury is a bruised ego. It'll take a while to heal, but we'll expect a full recovery.

Jgrazjgraz · 08-19-2012, 08:39 PM

I was watching fox news this morning about the 911 run here in NYC. They had some police bikes there for the segment. As they were getting ready to roll,one policeman went down,standing still. He had his wheel turned before he started to go. Talk about embarrassing, a moto cop goes down on national tv. Anybody see it?

Jgrazjgraz · 08-19-2012, 08:51 PM

Here it is if you want to watch it. At the very end

http://video.foxnews.com/v/179311242...list_id=163197

usranger74 · 08-19-2012, 10:30 PM

Mark - Glad you are not hurt and it sounds like the bike will be OK.

**crazygene49** · 08-20-2012, 12:23 AM

Glad you're ok.

AlabamaNomadRider · 08-20-2012, 04:48 AM

Sorry to hear about the fall Mark. Glad you werent' hurt. The guard costs about $90. at the dealer. Don't ask me how I know. Well that is what the rear guard costs. My front one has minor scratches but the rear one had major scratches.

Loafer · 08-20-2012, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jgrazjgraz

Here it is if you want to watch it. At the very end

http://video.foxnews.com/v/179311242...list_id=163197

That rider will be razzed for a long time.

**glwilson** · 08-20-2012, 01:18 PM

He has branded himself forever.

Jgrazjgraz · 08-20-2012, 03:02 PM

So what did he do wrong ? Had his wheel turned,maybe applies the front brake? I know that's a no no

08-18-2012, 11:54 PM	#1
MarkG Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 1,255	Not If, When! One of those days when I should have stayed in bed. Going from a friend's house down a dirt road to the highway. Next thing I knew, Down I Went! Recent rains caused a 45 degree angled rut across the road. I was right on top of it and no time to do anything but brake. Just deep enough to be a real problem and I was down to 10mph give or take when I hit the rut. The front wheel instantly followed the rut, so much for holding onto the handlebars. One second everything is fine, a split second later the Nomad was on its' side and I was airborne. Definitely not a good feeling. I rolled and slid a little when I hit off to the side. Reminded me quite forcefully why I wear full gear. My guess is about a 6.5 out of 10 points for lack of elegance and style when I was launched into the air. Then again, any fall you can walk away from is a good fall. Damage report: Right crash guard is bent about an inch and a half and twisted slightly. The crash guard did exactly what it was designed to do, no damage to the Nomad, not so much as a scratch. The right front chap I had on the crash guard is torn, too. Physically: Nothing wrong with me at all. No bruises, no road rash, nothing broken. Fortunately the side of the dirt road was reasonably soft. Bruised Ego and humiliated because I went down. A car came along as I was picking up the Nomad to add to the embarrassment. Always has to be somebody around to see your agony.Picking up the Nomad on a dirt road with loose gravel is not easy, especially with somebody watching. I was lucky that I was already going fairly slow and was able to reduce speed even more before I hit the rut. Bending the crash bar and not bending anything else is a big plus. Remember, there are those who have gone down, and there are the ones who will go down. Not if, but when! Unfortunately we are not always able to pick when or where it happens. __________________ Mark Griffin 2021 Manhattan Metallic K1600GTL 2016 Silver K1600GTL - sold 2015 Red/Blk Cross Country Tour - sold 2008 Red/Blk Nomad - sold KE7HG VBA 00176, IBA 65686, MOA 211564 Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Maggie Valley '11\|Kanab '12\|Estes Park '13\|Red Lodge '16\|Custer '18 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-19-2012, 12:00 AM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Mark, Sorry to hear about your involuntary dismount, but glad it wasn't serious. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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08-19-2012, 06:59 AM	#3
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Its always a bit humiliating when you go down, but you and the bike are basically OK so it was still a lot better than it can be sometimes. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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08-19-2012, 07:57 AM	#5
Loafer Sr. Contributor Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 18,287	Glad it wasn't serious. __________________ Gerry Martineau / 802 VT / VBA #0892 /[email]glmjgm@gmail.com[email] Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-19-2012, 09:13 AM	#6
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	Glad to hear you are okay. Been down on gravel before... not any more fun than asphalt -- but a great reminder to not become complacent about riding. __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
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08-19-2012, 07:48 AM	#4
Dave Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Itchycoo Park Posts: 3,422	3 weeks ago as I was backing out of a parking stall when I had an "involuntary dismount", I like that saying. Good thing is there were 3 guys standing there to help me pick it iup. Bad thing is there were three guys that saw it. Funny thing is, when it happens to others, I think no big deal, that's part of owning and riding motorcycles. But when it happens to yourself, it's embarrassing!
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08-19-2012, 08:33 PM	#7
Kedosto Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: San Leandro, California Posts: 273	Unplanned get-offs are never fun. At least the only injury is a bruised ego. It'll take a while to heal, but we'll expect a full recovery. __________________ Kedosto 2007 Vulcan Nomad in Bad-Assed black. I call her "Black Betty" Disclaimer: The opinion(s) expressed in the above post are just that - OPINION. Chill out, take a breath, and remember this is only an internet forum, and everyone here has an opinion.
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08-19-2012, 08:39 PM	#8
Jgrazjgraz Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 65	I was watching fox news this morning about the 911 run here in NYC. They had some police bikes there for the segment. As they were getting ready to roll,one policeman went down,standing still. He had his wheel turned before he started to go. Talk about embarrassing, a moto cop goes down on national tv. Anybody see it? Last edited by Jgrazjgraz; 08-19-2012 at 08:46 PM.
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08-19-2012, 08:51 PM	#9
Jgrazjgraz Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 65	Here it is if you want to watch it. At the very end http://video.foxnews.com/v/179311242...list_id=163197
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08-19-2012, 10:30 PM	#10
usranger74 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: La Vista, NE Posts: 4,060	Mark - Glad you are not hurt and it sounds like the bike will be OK. __________________ Bill (usranger74) Blake 2016 Goldwing VBA # 1505
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08-20-2012, 12:23 AM	#11
crazygene49 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 1,856	Glad you're ok. __________________ Gene Chestnut Dover, DE USAF 1968-1995 VBA#01761 2007 Nomad 1600 Black and Titanium
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08-20-2012, 04:48 AM	#12
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Sorry to hear about the fall Mark. Glad you werent' hurt. The guard costs about $90. at the dealer. Don't ask me how I know. Well that is what the rear guard costs. My front one has minor scratches but the rear one had major scratches. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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08-20-2012, 01:18 PM	#14
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	He has branded himself forever. __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
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08-20-2012, 03:02 PM	#15
Jgrazjgraz Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 65	So what did he do wrong ? Had his wheel turned,maybe applies the front brake? I know that's a no no
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