Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Crash!

As small a crash is it was, my bike and I took a spill recently. I was returning home from putting Mom in a nursing facility the other day... it was raining and I was riding on the downside of a twisty mountain pass with many switchbacks and hairpin corners. One of those hairpins had a curved bridge in it, commanding a suggested speed of what I remember to be 50 kph. I entered the corner (and therefore the bridge) at said speed only to find my front wheel sliding on the wet concrete surface (they oil concrete bridges every year). I corrected the slide but then found myself sailing across the oncoming lane and crashing into the abutment on the other side of the bridge.

Myself and bike are okay. Of course I have a few bruises and soar spots from the impact, and my bike has a few broken bits but I was able to pick it up, and after picking up the broken stuff and adjusting and tightening things that got knocked loose I rode off into the rain and towards home. The next day I seemed to hurt all over.

I was wearing great gear. My jacket has padding throughout and my chaps, gloves, boots and helmet saved a lot of grief. All in all I was VERY lucky, especially considering I could have easily ended up being a hood ornament for an oncoming transporter!! The crash seemed to match my gloomy mood from moving my mother out of her home and I wonder(ed) if somehow THAT might have played a part in this happening. I suppose I'll never know.

So, stay alert out there people, and wear protective gear as much as possible. Poop happens!!

Glad your ok Keith. Now can you stop crashing your bikes! Take the hint dude... maybe a trike is in your future.

Well Dang, Keith. I'm glad to hear you're OK but sorry about the spill and the sore bones. I''m also glad to hear the bike isn't too bad and will be repairable. Keep your head up, bro and glad to see you're back by the way.

Well you had that crash when drinking the Coors (beer flavored water) and now this!

Glad you are OK and I hope the bike isn't too bad, it was such a good looking machine.( rider, not so much )

Stay alert is correct ! Oily wet concrete with a curve is a terrible combo.
Glad to hear you and bike are "ok"

Keith,

That's quite the experience. Glad things didn't end up any worse. Good to hear there wasn't too much damage to the bike and yourself.

Is this an excuse to change colours this year???? Maybe the red bike is crying for a change?

Glad you are ok Keith

Maybe someone can weigh in on what possible advantage there might be to doing that. Possibly trying to prevent water penetration or water/salt penetration to prolong the life of the concrete?

Glad ta hear yer ok Keith,perhaps it did have somthing to do with having to go to the coast.I've never herd of that oiling thing either.Keep yer chin up bud.

Thanks buddy! (I'm just going through some pics of my ride out to your place... got a really goofy one of you warming up the 'Speedmaster' I'll have to post.)

Wow, glad you are here to tell us the tale, Keith.

I pray that your mother is doing well and that you be more careful.

Sorry to hear it keith - I'll think twice before I ride in the rain again.

Could the cause be more your mind being on your mom than the road? Would be plausible if I was in your place.

I must admit Ian, the thought crossed my mind as a distinct possibility.

Feel for ya man, must be tough.

Bummer, dude. Sorry to hear this. Hope your bike and you are in first class condition very soon.

(...and, I hope your mom is in a first class facility, which I'll bet she is)

Glad you're ok Keith sounds like it could of been a lot worse.

mike

I'd remind you to "keep the shinny side up", but on your bike ALL sides are shinny. So, TRY to "keep the rubber side DOWN". Glad you're OK. One of the guys on return from the Baker City Ralley found some "Tar Snakes" on a hot day and found his Bonney in the ditch. Like you, he was wearing good protection. He's OK - not so much for the bike.
Take care!

Glad to hear you are ok Keith, you are here to tell the tale. That's what's important. Thankfully you had all your gear on. When I was 19 I was involved in an accident that threw me over the handlebars, I never even realized that my head hit the pavement until I looked at my helmet the day after and saw the big chunk that came out right above my forehead. Makes you a believer in good gear. Take care

Good gear can save a lot of grief. Thanks for that story, Robert!

Glad to hear you're OK Keith. As for the oily bridge, I believe they do it because bridges are more subject to stress from temperature fluctuations and will fail sooner than the road surface will over land. As a result, they coat the bridge with a water resistant polymer in order to waterproof it to try and cut down on the damage caused by water seeping into the asphalt and freezing/thawing. Looks like they're spraying oil, but not actually.

I'm glad you are okay Keith. Just look to the calendar this month and remember the good times. I hope your Mother is doing okay.

Who the hell makes curved bridges anyway? Glad you're ok...

I'm glad you are ok too. I took a spill weekend before last and my ribs are still sore as hell. I'm wondering what the heck is going on, thats three of us in two weeks by my count.

I'm perfectly fine guys... got off super easy! Now our thoughts turn to Larry in hopes of speedy and successful recovery!

Hey Kieth, sounds like you had a real double bummer of a day there. I am glad to hear you are okay, and your ride isn't mangled beyond repair. Just a point of note...There are 2 types of motorcycle riders in the world....those that have taken a spill, and those that haven't. The one that haven't yet usually are wearing sandals and shorts and end up dumping the machine at high speeds. Thank the powers that be you had the foresight to have great riding gear!

Things worked out pretty good. I'm still amazed at how little damage we suffered. And I still shake a little when I remember how I sailed across the oncoming lane. I'm a very lucky man.