It Finally Happened

[Sin City Stan]

Rode the old Rt 66 stretch between Kingman, AZ and Oatman, AZ today. We were just getting into the switchbacks. Most of the switchbacks had 15 MPH signs and that was about all I felt comfotable doing riding 2 up. Did I say that the oncoming cagers were having a problem staying in their lane?

As we're making our way up the mountain I notice a couple bikes (Harleys) close on us pretty quick. Not wanting to hold them up I pulled off on the next available gravel shoulder (about 5 minutes).

As I pulled over to let them by I stopped on the gravel and put my left foot down. If my leg was about 6" longer there would not have been a problem. But it wasn't. The left side was the low side and I layed it gently down on the crash bars. It was in slow motion. You know, Your half way there fighting to hold and know you can't and you just ease it down. The engine cut out and it was quiet except for me telling my wife. Get off, Get off. I couldn't bear to see the bike on its side. She got off. I got off. We picked it right up. By this time the first Harly rider was back. Parked his bike. Made sure we were OK and ran across the road to get a rock to put under the kickstand. The first rock broke in half. The second one held up until I was back on and moved to level ground.

We regrouped and were rolling again in no time. (Kudos to the Harly riders) I had this happen before riding by myself and was able to catch the bike and muscle it up before it was on the crash bars, but riding two just moved the CG too high.

Now I have a little scratch on the engine and saddle bag crash bars. She's not new anymore.

Still a great day for a ride. We were gone 8 hours and covered three States (NV, AZ & CA), driving 290 miles. This is what I bought her for.

[Yellow Jacket]

Stan, sorry to hear that your guards got scratched up.

But the part about the Harley riders coming back to help reaffirmed my belief that most riders are decent folk regardless of what kind of bike they're riding.

[Jared]

Glad it wasn't any worse!

[isaiahsdad]

Amen to that. Glad all ended well.

[skeeter]

Now you won't worry about that first scratch anymore. I feel your pain though and since I don't have a lollipop, I'll give you a Karma to make you feel better and because your not too proud to let others know what's going on. It will make the rookies and even the more experienced riders think a bit more where they decide to touch down.

[putt]

Ouch, dread that first one, on yours or mine
But glad you had a good ride so keep thinkin' about that

[dkdixie]

Sorry to hear about your mishap.

Glad it wasn't any worse and you had help!

[billz410]

Boy that sucks, Stan. I put the first ding in my Nomad when I dropped a wrench on the front fender. Too lazy to put a towel on the fender.

PS There will be more scratches to come!!!

[markusmaximus]

Welcome to the club Syan.

[Top Cat]

Thats not so bad. I saw a Nomad exactly like yours, same color except his was all scratched to hell. He hit a deer and the windshield, front fender, saddlebag on left side, mirror,clutch lever all looked like you took a belt sander to them.

[radco]

Stan,bummer about the first scratch, Glad thats all that happened and no one was hurt,,, Rich

[dogdoc]

Morale of the story Stan, don't pull over for any bike, especially a Harley! :-)

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Sorry to hear about your mishap. I bought my leftover '08 April 1 this year. Rode it that day and the next three days. On the third day which was April 4, I was near Huntsville, AL and stopped at an overlook above Huntsville. I parked on a slight grade and for some reason the bike just fell over on the left side. It was on pavement so scratched both guards with the front guard only sustaining a small scratch but the rear guard took more damage. Also damaged the left mirror and the clutch lever. I ordered the mirror and clutch lever and that set me back $90 plus dollars. Recently replaced the left rear guard and that set me back $94. The only things left to replace are the front guard and my left saddlebag handle has small scratches. I may eventually replace those. Then my bike will be new again. Sorry about your crash and glad it wasn't any worse than what it was. A thing I have learned about our Nomads is that you can't park them in grass or gravel.

[dogdoc]

10-4 Gene. And i never park her on a grade downhill on the kick stand side. if you do park on a good grade you will regret it when you have to pull her up right IF she doesnt just fall over in the first place on soft ddirt/gravel.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Yea Doc, if you end up with the nose pointed down and you don't have room to turn it around and you have to back it, you may need to get some help. Having to push the Nomad in gravel is an almost impossible thing. Keep the park level or going uphill and on concrete or asphalt and you will not have a problem. If you park on asphalt and it is hot as it has been here lately and are going to be gone for quite some time may want to put something under the side stand.