 Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420
Oil Expert
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OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420 |
Well I've had a rough week. I chaperoned(as I do every year) 125 7th grade kids to Chicago for 4 days from Tuesday morning to Friday night. It's an endurance contest to say the least. Got home and then Saturday morning, my wife went on a camping trip with the girls leaving me with my 3 yr old son and 7 month old daughter. Not too bad since I was away and missed them but still, I could use some me time. She got home today and I finally get to go for a ride. First stop, gas. Pull up and fill my tank and it seems the person before me paid for my gas so that's cool. Great start. Just as I pull out it starts raining. First time really in the rain on the Rocket. Well, I decide this sucks and I just head back home. Coming around a sharp corner cars lock up their brakes and so do I. It was like I was on ice and continued off the road, down a ditch, between some trees, and I come to rest on the right side of the bike. Front fender is a bit tweaked, headlight toast, front signals toast, and crash bars toast. I think that's it but I haven't done a full check yet. I came out with some sore muscles and a few scrapes. Me AND the bike come out pretty good considering. I'm really think the Rocket sucks balls when you have to stop that thing quick. I mean it really sucks balls. It just locks up too easy and won't stop. I've given some thought already to moving on...but we'll see.
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,823
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,823 |
first very glad your ok..and sorry to hear about the rocket..hope it turns out ok..I know you run different tires then me..I find my avons run great in the wet and stop very well..the mets I had on where the worst tire every.. Ed 
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420
Oil Expert
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OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420 |
I'm using the Exedra Max, Ed. They're great in the dry. Getting a lot of miles out of them but it locked up all too easy in the wet.
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,847
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,847 |
Glad you and the bike are mostly OK. 
Warren
04 Caspian Blue and Silver America
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 244
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 244 |
Do, or do not...There is no try.'- Master Yoda
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7 |
Glad you're ok. I know what you mean, I've had mine lock up semi sideways a number of times - a couple of which were real underwear chewing moments 
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420
Oil Expert
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OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420 |
I'm getting more and more sore as the hours go by. It happened about 3 hours ago and walking is getting harder and harder. I'm sure I'm fine it's just all the joints and muscles are reacting. Maybe a day off work tomorrow which I sure think I deserve. 
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 15
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 15 |
Dang Chris, I'm glad you're here to tell us about it. Sounds like you were very lucky. Trees are unforgiving.
I hope you get through the sore muscles quickly, sounds like ya need a couple beers and a hot tub.
Chin up
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,689 Likes: 21
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,689 Likes: 21 |
The jury is in on ABS. If I ever buy a new bike it will have it. Sorry for the mishap. The kids still have a dad so that makes it a good accident.
I will always suspect Friar washed his out too.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Well I've had a rough week. I chaperoned(as I do every year) 125 7th grade kids to Chicago for 4 days from Tuesday morning to Friday night. It's an endurance contest to say the least. Got home and then Saturday morning, my wife went on a camping trip with the girls leaving me with my 3 yr old son and 7 month old daughter. Not too bad since I was away and missed them but still, I could use some me time. She got home today and I finally get to go for a ride. First stop, gas. Pull up and fill my tank and it seems the person before me paid for my gas so that's cool. Great start. Just as I pull out it starts raining. First time really in the rain on the Rocket. Well, I decide this sucks and I just head back home. Coming around a sharp corner cars lock up their brakes and so do I. It was like I was on ice and continued off the road, down a ditch, between some trees, and I come to rest on the right side of the bike. Front fender is a bit tweaked, headlight toast, front signals toast, and crash bars toast. I think that's it but I haven't done a full check yet. I came out with some sore muscles and a few scrapes. Me AND the bike come out pretty good considering. I'm really think the Rocket sucks balls when you have to stop that thing quick. I mean it really sucks balls. It just locks up too easy and won't stop. I've given some thought already to moving on...but we'll see.
Very sorry to hear this but glad you're mostly OK. The bike can be fixed.
Don't be so hard on your machine. Wet roads can be challenging. Last week our Vision came out from under us while braking on a wet - and slick - road. It was like it slipped on a banana peel! We walked away unharmed and rode the bike 200 miles home.
RIDE SAFE FOLKS!
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419 |
Good to see you're OK. I hate that sick feeling when your drop the bike. Doesn't sound too bad though. I go for tires that handle the wet (Dunlop 404) over tire mileage. The R3 is a lot of weight to stop in the wet.
Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,931 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,931 Likes: 1 |
it coulda been worse. ice up & hit the pain killers
we should do this every weekend!
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 728 Likes: 1
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 728 Likes: 1 |
Ditto, I recently picked up a used T-Bird 1600 with ABS, the more I ride it, the more I appreciate it. 
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 874
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 874 |
Damn that sucks! Glad your ok Chris!
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 413
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 413 |
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
I'm sorry Chris. I hope your aches and pains go away quick. You can always fix the bike but I'm glad you are not hurt seriously. I agree on the ABS. My next bike will have them also.
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Hey, Chris... glad you came out of this with a story to tell, rather than us telling the story about you. Soothe those pains with a wee dram or two until you can cope with the pain a bit better. Must have scared the crap outta you!!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Yep, it always sucks to crash, little OR big...but I'm glad to hear it was of the "little" variety, Chris.
(...hope you're feelin' 100% real soon)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680 |
Wow. Glad it was not much worse for you AND for the bike. Hope you feel better soon (although I am betting on a couple of days).
Thom
I might be wrong, I sometimes am.
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420
Oil Expert
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OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420 |
Actually, it didn't. It was wierd. I was so calm during the whole thing. I knew what was going to happen. I immediately accepted it and after it was over. I stood up perfectly fine. My right lower leg and ankle hurt but I was so OK with what happened. I didn't have the jitters, or that weak feeling, or nerves at all. It was strange. I got on the bike and drove her up some muddy terrain to a driveway nearby and thanked the guy that stopped and helped me, then rode it home without a jitter in my bones. I'm a bit surprised by it.
I'm hurting now and after removing the jeans, I see I have some good scrapes and significant swelling. This too shall pass.
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Now that you mention being calm about the whole thing, it reminds me that I felt much the same way last year when I went down on a curved bridge and sailed right across the oncoming traffic and into yonder side. I sprung to my feet immediately. Yeah, then I got sore a bit later. I felt pretty darn lucky about the whole affair, as I know you do too. Once again, Chris... I'm glad it wasn't much worse. Phew!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
Glad you're ok.That's the main thing.
I locked my America and dropped it a few years ago to stop running into the back of a car that'd stopped suddenly in front of me
I had Metzler on.I since switched to Bridgestone.I don't know if the Bridgestones would have saved my situation.
Anyway,as I said you're ok and that's the main deal. Things can be fixed.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Musta been fun picking it up.
Glad it wasn't worse!
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Real bummer, Chris! If if it just started raining, maybe that's it, with the first ten minutes turning road dust into slippery slime and all. I guess you should do some asking around about the tires though. At least you're ok.
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,172 Likes: 15
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,172 Likes: 15 |
off road and dodging trees, no fun there. glad to hear you are okay.
by any chance were the tips of your exhaust damaged?
last month I was doing some work on a friends R3 roadster, so I rode it around for a couple of weeks. It has the ABS and I was trying to see what it could do, couldn't get it to lock up.
05 speedmaster - 1100cc, 11:1 racing pistons, Carillo rods, thunderbike cams, ported and polished head, 2mm over intake and exhaust valves, Barnett kevlar clutch, scepter pipes, oversize manifolds, 45mm HSR's, TTP stage 4 firestarter
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 237
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 237 |
Bugger!! Nuff said! 
I'd rather ride it than clean it!!!!
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
Dang! What an experience! Glad you're ok to tell us about. Hope ya get to feeling 100% real soon.
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580 |
Glad you're OK and the bike is repairable
Too old to die young, too ugly to leave a good looking corpse
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5 |
Chris, if you ever seriously hurt yourself on a bike, I'm gonna kick your ass. Because I love you man.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,931 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,931 Likes: 1 |
you should try to stop a tiger!
we should do this every weekend!
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420
Oil Expert
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OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420 |
You got me into this stuff, dude! It's all your fault. So now I've discovered damage to the pannier bracket which also holds the exhaust. It's a little bent. I've fixed the headlight and the signal. I tweaked the front fender back into shape and it seems about perfect again. I wish I could find a right side engine bar. No luck on ebay or pinwall.
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420
Oil Expert
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OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420 |
Quote:
you should try to stop a tiger!
Dude, it's easier to stop a tiger than a rocket...duh.
I could trap a tiger and eat it. I wouldn't want to eat a rocket. They're too hard and dangerous.
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,931 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,931 Likes: 1 |
get on a tiger pretty hard & you will be doing a stoppie...ask me how i know. you cant catch my tiger! 
we should do this every weekend!
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240 |
Glad you are okay, Chris. And what a way to enjoy that "me time", no doubt. My first thought too, other than you being alright, was how did yo pick it back up out of a ditch, and how could she not have more damage if trees were involved? Sheesh! ABS for sure on my next bike, too. If it's not an option, it won't be an option. Glad nothing's broken too bad.... 
Keith
Houston
Ridin'Texas
'04 Speedmaster
AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K
2020 T120 Black
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,647
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,647 |
Glad you're okay Chris, but the real issue here is that you were in Chicago for 4 days and didn't CALL ME FOR A BEER!
Hope you feel better soon bro.
06 America 904
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
I wish I could find a right side engine bar.
I bet those engine bars saved your bike from even more damage. Chris, did you try requesting an engine bar through the R-III website?
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 36
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 36 |
Sorry to hear about your off-road trip.
Glad you did not get hurt.
It's much easier to fix a bike than a body.
John
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Unfortunate. Glad your able to talk about it. And IF I may add, NOW is the perfect time to follow hutch7's lead!
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Downed the Rocket
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 754
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 754 |
Chris, I just read thru the posts on your spill. It's a real bummer to learn YOU got banged up a bit. I know the Rocket is repairable & will survive to ride still & I sincerely hope you mend quickly. (Just a little hint for the road rash...peroxide rinse daily, Neosporene, and a clean dressing daily).
Karl
Odessa, MO
'07 America, Cinnamon Girl (aka: Black Beauty or Ol' Penny) - Sit Down, Shut Up & Hang On
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