Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Accident-all my fault!

Driving back from the dentist in a 30mph zone, I applied the back brake- it locked and I skidded, broadsiding the bike down the road. The result was me landing on my head and right arm in an undignified heap! I got a zero score card from numerous judges/witnesses who saw me flying through the air!- ( the dismount was great, the landing needs a bit of improvement )

no other road users involved, driving conditions perfect, the back wheel just locked up!(at 30mph)

The damage to me...fractured/broken arm, dented pride
The damage to the bike.
tank dented, front mudguard scratched, exhaust scratched, mirror scratched, bars bent, brake lever bent,brake pedal bent, rear r hanger scratched, screen scratched, headlight shroud and indicaator damaged.I have not had too close a look at the bike though, there may be a other bits!

I have no idea what caused it and have thought maybe the bike stalled and I did not pull in the clutch- but it seems so unlikely'.

Im unsure of the repair costs- would anyone like to estaimate cost to repair...I will keep you informed on repair costs!- Is this likely to be a write off?



How foolish do I feel

P.s. I was wearing a full face helmet and full protection. Im glad it was full face as I would be adding new jaw to the body damage.

Rod

Sorry to read about your bad luck, main thing is your ok & no one else hurt, 6-8 weeks your ready to ride again.


First thing I would do is get free estimate from nearest repairer (maybe frame twisted).

Not many TBA in scrap dealers yet if any so parts not going to be cheap.

Look at bright side though provided frame ok damage is only cosmetic & this could be a winter project if that way inclined.

Or cut your losses & claim on insurance.

Good Luck with getting back on the road.

Danny
TBA

Hey Rod
That's too bad mate

Wishing you and the bike a speedy recovery.

Could there have been a bit of diesel?
That stuff is like glass when you hit it.

Get well soon mate.

Rod,
Sorry to hear of your misfortune. I nearly did the same thing last year at the Nor-East rally but was able to pull the bike out of the low side skid. Now I rarely use the rear brake at speed. As far as your bike it my take some time but eventually you'll be able to gather up what you need. I hope your arm heals quickly and your pride isn't hurt to bad.

That really sucks Rod. Heal well!

Unfortunate incident indeed, Rod...but as has been said, things could've been much worse. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

At least your teeth looked clean.
Mend well, mate.

Sorry to hear about it, mate.

Hope you and the bike are better soon.

Very sorry to hear that Rod. Hope the broken arm heals quick. Sounds like damage to the bike is relatively minor. You have a great attitude and I'm sure you will be riding again soon

Hi Rod:
Sorry to hear about the accident and I hope you heal up soon. I think it is good that we discuss the accident to see what went wrong and figure out how to prevent it from happening in the future. I hope that you don't mind. I have only 13,000 miles under my belt and need all of the help and improvement that I can get. It sounds like you may have let off of the throttle (engine braking), thereby shifting the bike and your weight forward. This would reduce traction on the rear tire and when the rear brake was applied it could lockup and skid. If the front brakes were applied and a little rear braking, this may have been avoided. What does everybody think?
Dave

Ouch

What Adey said - Diesel and stuff.

At this point insurance would be a wonderfull thing;
Get well soon - Chin up.... Look at it as gods way of giving you the oppotunity to customise

Popeye

Tuff luck Rod.

But good thing is there is no damage to you. You can always fix the bike.

Speedy recovery.

Rod,

Glad you made it through relatively undamaged - I chipped a bone in my arm in March and it took until May/June until I could ride without pain - hope you heal quicker than I did!

Hope you manage to get the bike sorted out okay - I presume you had it fully insured, but as someone else said, if the wheel skidded for no apparent reason, might want to get that looked into! Can you go back and check for diesel spill, gravel etc?

At least you escaped with your good looks intact

Nobby

thats a bummer rod ,glad to hear you are not to badly hurt .

My WAG is that you hit a patch of slick stuff (especially that smooth crude oil looking stuff they use to repair cracks) and the wheel slipped enough to lockup. That would kill the engine and it can keep the wheel locked. If you were in one of the 3 lower gears, it's even more likely that the engine will stop the wheel from regaining traction.

Glad you're not busted up any more than that, you are sure to heal up in a few. Too bad bikes don't heal up too.

OH SURE! What are WE supposed to do while YOU'RE recuperating?

I mean....WHO ELSE is goin' to supply us with those COOL VIDEOS of the Yorkshire countryside while...ahem....WHILST....you're LAID UP, DUDE?? HUH?!

Okay! Sorry! There I go only thinkin' of myself again, D*MN IT!

Cheers,
Dwight
(sorry to hear, mate.....I know in a few months that you, the BA, and the CAMERA will be back and good as new)

Hi everyone, thanks for your support- but where were you as I was flying through the air- no one to catch me!

Im all for discussing the incident-its the main reason I posted.

I feel we can all learn and this curve continues- in my case quite steeply!!

I am a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists ( a UK course which takes approx 7 months to complete in addition to the mandatory test)- there is always something new to learn from those more knowledgeable- I learnt that accidents dont just happen there is usually a series of events that usuallty leads upto it (its just spotting them and avoiding them)

I looked at the road after and went back- the road surface is fine, no diesel or gravel, just a slight camber and a bend to the right.

I started the bike up afterwards and rode it home ( 3 miles or so) and the back wheel had not locked; but when I get it examined by the fixers- they will be going straight to the rear brake to check it over.( I have described the event to them)

I am fully insured so that is great, but the leathers and helmet are not covered where only one fool is to blame! - should help me to remember any future lessons!

Speaking with some off road chaps- they rarely use the rear brake-

I tend to use the engine to slow down unless it is an emergency- then I use back then front- which I feel I did.
The use of purely the front brake on a bend at speed, would have transferred the weight of the bike out of proportion, coupled with the bend; local knowledge tells me that gravel is usually around too- its a road I am familar with- ( perhaps there lies a problem??)

speaking with a witness (a friend I nodded to just before the incident)he said he saw the back wheel just lock up and me wrestle with it for 30 ft or so, before going for the motorbike long "chump" record- He even admired my role and relative regain of composure ( I suspect he has low standards!!)

I really am at a loss asto what happened- If no problem is found with the bike brakes- I will have to evaluate my riding and stopping, so if anyone would be prepared to offer advice- Im all ears and bruises!

Hi Dwight- fortunately, I was down at teh ACE cafe last weekend, with the video camera. I suspect you won't be waiting too long as there was some excellent stuff I caught- time editing down was the problem, but I think I have found the solution- if its a little painful!

Hi Rod

Sorry to hear of your fall mate, I had one similar after I had owned the bike for a week, my repair costs were £1200.00 so I would say around there somewhere if going through the Insurance...

Dude, I had a similar thing happen in May, (read my old posts) I had to stop quick (my fault), hit the rear brake and within a half second the bike was out from under me. With yours and other posts I’ve read I wonder if the rear brakes are of a bad design and lock up too easily?! As for damage, mine looked like $500-$800-ended up $3900 with less wrong sounding then yours, you may be totaled? Of course glad you are not hurt more. I too kept thinking I was badly at fault but now believe that the brakes are too touchy to the tune of wanting a few air bubbles in the rear to soften up the response ( a bit extreme for sure) , but I am afraid to use the rears at all now. Hope input useful.

I agree make a claim I lowsided mine on some stone at about 10 mph locked the brakes accidently. Thought it was maybe a couple hundered of damage, insurance said 3000. I too am very touchy on the rear now. How you make a speedy recoverery and jump back on when you get doctor's clearance.

I adjusted my brake pedal down a little after constantly locking up rear. It was after my new rear pads were seated.

I join every good American in saying "Get Back on that Pony and Ride!"
& God Bless Chris LeDoux!

Sorry about your accident... hope you get well fast...
I see where a few other have had the rear brake lock up... I was wondering if perhops overspray from lubing the chain got on the disk... that might cause it to grab like glue...
I dont' use the rear brake very much... those two big disks on the front really do a good job of stopping... My Harley has one front disk, weighs about 200 lbs more than my SM, and I mostly use the front brake on that as well..
Anyway... Good luck..
Mary

ive sort of got use to my rear brake locking up, i think it might be a bit harsh, (drum brake might be not so efficient) but life is cruel some times.its the landing in front of people that hurts the most isnt it. just hope youre ok n that the bike is re-pairable?.hope youre back on the road soon(and on 2 wheels not ur @ss).

Look at it this way Rod, you can use the down time and insurance money to do the customizing you've always wanted to do. Can't wait to see your new custom TBA:) Hope you get well soon......Angelis

Sorry to read of your accident. Thankfully, you were able to walk away. I hope you and your bike recover fully and soon.

Brummie- you may have just saved me from further incidents!

I have passed both the motorcycle and car Institute of Advanced Motoring- each one taking approx 7 months.

I have been applying the rear brake first and then the front momentarily afterwards and on this occassion- it was no different.

I went back to a book( Motorcycle Roadcraft, written by the UK police for their riders)ISBN 0-11-341143-X

It confirms what you say on good dry surfaces- start off with the front and then apply the back, not as I did start off with the back and then apply the front afterwards; the weight distribution will be upset and is not maximized for stopping.

I have got into bad habits and am really greatful you took the trouble to post.

I will be spending my time now re-reading the above mentioned book and taking it in!

thanks once again everyone for your input.

On another note- my bike was taken away to be assessed today- I will keep you informed of the outcome.

Regards

RodYork

Heres the update on the damage-
had the valuation to repair today ...

just waiting for the valuer to agree and confirm work can begin, then its that waiting time- which I hope will marry in with the mending of the arm!

total £2200!