Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge One Tough Bike (Warning: Crash Story)

So it happened… I was out for a scape with a couple of buddies – my best friend who started riding a couple years ago same as me, and his dad who has been riding for 40+ years, on a country road in the middle of no where and I was setting the pace. We just entered a stretch of road with half mile straights then turns with posted “30mph” recommended entry speeds. The first one, a right hander, I took at 50, no problem, just started scraping boards. The next, another right, I took at 55, again no problem, this time scraping exhaust. The next, a left, I took at 60… bike leaned all the way over, caught the side stand, levered the front tire off the ground and that’s all she wrote. I lowside and go sliding. From what my buddy behind me tells me, this is what transpired next: as the bike left the road on it’s side it hit a road marker and got airborne. On the side of the road was a little raised burn and then a 30 foot dirt embankment with a barbed fire fence at the bottom. The bike flipped through the air and down the embankment, tumbling and crashed through the fence, coming to a rest hanging sort of upside down in the barbed wire. I meanwhile, slid, hit the burm, got airborn but the bike flew OVER me so I then hit the embankment, tumbled and slide and came to a stop caught in the fence too about 15 feet away from the bike.

I checked to make sure everything was working and to my surprise, I seemed okay. My buddies ran down and got me out the fence and I made my way back up to the street. My only injuries are a sprained left foot from where the floorboards squeezed it against the bike with it went down, and a good sized rash on the right side of my body – when I hit the burm, my riding jacket got pulled up about 9 inches exposing my skin to the dirt and thistles in the embankment. Luckily, dirt does not scrape skin off with the efficiency of asphalt so the scrapes aren’t too deep. My jeans and helmet were totally unscathed – well, the helmet was really scratched up from the dirt and stuff but no impact marks. Even my jacket was pretty okay expect for the left arm with was ravaged around the cuff. My gloves had some scrapes on the knuckles, but all in all not much damage. I guess because I was in the air most of the trip. I’m still glad I had the gear on or it would have been much worse, I have no doubt – those scratches all over my visor on my helmet would have been all over my face.

So that left the BA trashed and tangled in the fence down the embankment. Luckily on the other side of the fence was a large, empty, flat field. We finally got the bike out and I said to my buddy’s dad “Now what?” His reply - “Now you ride this sumb**** outta here.” I’m like no way this bike is going to get me home. Every body panel is smashed, the forks have dents in them, the front tire was stuck in barbed wire, the bars are twisted down, there’s dirt and rocks pouring out of every opening, the mirrors and screen are scattered across the road, etc. So we right it, pull clutch in, hit the starter and the bike fires to life just like nothing ever happened! Holy cow – that is one tough bike! Are you kidding me?! So he hops on and rides it across the field to the opening in the fence, rides it up on the road and blasts down the road past me, turns it around, parks it and says “I think she’ll get you home.”

And so she did – it was without question the longest 2 hour ride of my life to get the 150 miles back home with the missing mirrors and lights and boards hanging limply; having to shift my bent up shifter with my injured foot. But she hung together just fine even at freeway speeds. In fact, I could probably just replace the lights and mirrors, get some new fork tubes, and paint her primer black and no one would know the difference. As is I’m thinking about doing just that and painting the skull and crossbones symbol on her tank from Stuntman Mike’s car in that movie “Deathproof”. Seems fitting.

What I take away from this? Well, #1 – when things start scraping, it means you’re getting near the bike’s limits, don’t keep pushing it. #2 – the street is not a racetrack and riding at 10/10ths is just a crash waiting to happen (see above). #3 – My gear saved my rear, so always wear it. I think I may invest in one of those aerostitch like riding suits because if my jacket hadn’t been pulled up, I would be in much better shape right now. #4 – Triumph makes a helluva tough bike; any thought I may have had about buying a different brand in the future is now gone. It’s only Triumph for me from here on out.

Glad you are ok man, that sounds like a wild ride! Get 'er fixed and get back on.

What a ride!! Good to hear you're alright. sounds like it's time for a

Did you get any pictures of the bike hanging in the barbed wire? If you have pictures, I would bet that's a story Triumph would like to have.

Obviously, the bike can be made almost like new again. Really glad YOU didn't need any replacement parts.

Sorry to hear about your spill, and glad you are hear to tell the tail.

Just clean her up and ride her again She deserves it

You are ___________!!!!!! Just fill in the blank. I'm glad your ok, and that you have learned your lessons, but what possessed you to do such a thing. And to think, many of you on this site castigated me for riding up next to my husband for a couple of miles, but wouldn't think twice about pushing the limits of your bike in the twisties. Ride safe please.

AmyLee

Bleedin eck!!!

Glad you are ok. And yeah the bikes are tough. I know. But repairable. Take it easy to get the bit of you that need a little time to repair fix it's self before you do anything else.

I had my camera and wanted to take a picture but was advised by my friend that it might not be a good idea in case I wanted to get insurance involved. I doubt they would pay anyway considering my gross negligence.

Glad you're ok.
You also have one tough Dad.
Here's something to consider- we don't wake up from dead.

Why wouldn't you get the insurance involved after getting
run off the road by a driver who left the scene?
Or, maybe you were avoiding a deer?
I think the mental trauma of the accident made you forget
about that part!

Not to make light of your crash, and I'm real glad to hear you have no major injuries, but let me get this straight...

...You and the Triumph were airborne and ended up getting tangled in a barbed wire fence?

That is SO Steve McQueen!

I hate it when I drag my kickstand around the rare corner, but only have done it once or twice. I make an honest effort not to drag parts.

Poor deer, always getting a bad rap...

jed...glad your ok and could share your story!

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And to think, many of you on this site castigated me for riding up next to my husband for a couple of miles, but wouldn't think twice about pushing the limits of your bike in the twisties. AmyLee

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AmyLee...what woudl you do if you were to teh right side of jed when he started sliding?

Oops, Glad you're OK!

Turns out insurance will pay for it after all. They asked what happened and I told them "I was going around a corner, I got the bike leaner over, and it slipped out from under me and slid off the road." They didn't ask for any more details so my account was technically accurate.

Again, glad you're OK!
The bike can always be fixed, or replaced.
Happy to hear you didn't fare worse,
Uncle Charlie

That's good to hear.

Not your issue, but I just got my friend's commemorative patch to sew on my vest, and your experience, and the recent posts about others' passing, is making me think about the loved ones left behind after death takes someone.

There are probably (hopefully!) folks who love you and who would be devastated should you go senselessly.

I'm not trying to be preachy or scoldy- we all get on our bikes and it's a risk every time. But it's no fun to assist with an ambu bag and CPR, or stand back and pray when EMTs are hitting someone with paddles. Your buddy's dad could have been in that position today, is what I keep seeing.

Zman, I wouldn't be riding to the right side of anyone taking the corners at any speed let alone 50 to 60 mph. I keep the corners to myself.

AmyLee

I look at this like landings you walked away so its all good. You learned something about riding and yourself.
I think more experience might have helped you out but fix up the bike and hit it hard.

Doooood, good to see another one live to tell the tale. You'll have to let me know what the damage comes out to be, I got tagged and there wasn't even barbed wire and flight time involved and the insurance company totalled my bike. I can help you look for parts if you help me!
Again, glad you're okay and hope you can get the scoot put back together quickly or at least make out decently with the insurance peeps.

glad to hear you are ok.. and the bike will be fine!

Cheers

Trev

glad you are OK. I try not to push the limits that far,as you said if I scrape I know it's time to back off a little.

Ah, you could have taken the next one at 70.....

Sounds like that rear master cylinder passed the acid test.

Thats the best crash story I ever heard-but the best part is your analysis of the lessons learned!

That is one ****** of a story, so glad that your indiscretion has not caused you to be too badly hurt. REMEMBER these signs are there for a reason . If you want to push your bike to the limit and beyond go track day if you have them over the pond. No doubt Bonnie will fix up ok just glad you have

Glad you're OK. You obliviously have cajones of steel because............. you rode 150 miles home in two hours right after crashing your bike. That's averaging 75 mph, not accounting for traffic, on a bike that just went acrobatic on you. Me? I would have been limping along at 20 mph for the duration. Respects to you.

Uncle Jed,
You some kind of tough guy or somethin?
I GUESS SO!!! Great to know you're alright!

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What I take away from this?

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I'd probably add another point also, point #5 I'm one lucky *******!
Glad to hear you're OK. Don't think the TBAs are really designed for sharp twisties though, esp. with the boards fitted. More suited for cruising those nice long straights and curves you guys seem to be blessed with
Agree the bike's tough, flesh & bones aint as tough though...