Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: ampm7 on November 04, 2020, 05:54:14 PM
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I was riding today and decided to go around some rumble strips at about 40mph as they are repaving the road (78 near Ramona, Ca) and lo and behold the difference in height between the two pavements was about 5-6" and I went down. Damaged the bike quite badly. Luckily, I was wearing my trusty kevlar riding pants, my Hillside Leather horsehide jacket with armor and my Lee Parks gloves. I came out unscathed! My Scorpion helmet was not even scratched. As I went down, and I know this is a cliche', it all went in slow motion as I slid and watched my bike flipping and writhing on the pavement. Anyway, my riding days may be over as I had a premonition yesterday as I went to get gas as I was intending to go for a ride and the little angel over my shoulder said 'don't do it'. The trouble is, is that it was day off... My kudos go out to the couple that were following and lent a helping hand and also called the CHP officer (Ensign) who was first class, and to my tow truck driver Robert. Thanks guys...
(https://i.ibb.co/FmDRs2q/damage-1-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/FmDRs2q)
(https://i.ibb.co/vsb8rpB/damage-2-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vsb8rpB)
(https://i.ibb.co/QvKRv4p/damage-3-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QvKRv4p)
(https://i.ibb.co/9Vg2TCD/damage-4-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9Vg2TCD)
my monitor resolution (https://whatsmyscreenresolution.com/)
(https://i.ibb.co/XZrbDg1/damage-5-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/XZrbDg1)
(https://i.ibb.co/VpFsjWJ/damage-6-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VpFsjWJ)
(https://i.ibb.co/v1VCLH6/damage-7-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/v1VCLH6)
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Glad to hear you came out OK. Only you can accurately access yourself, but before you give up on riding, you might want to try out some sub 400 lb bikes.
Losing 100 lbs of bike weight is good for restoring confidence.
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Glad your not hurt and yeah the bike did get pretty damaged.
It's not the same ... but now is your chance to get a car with a convertible top.
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Glad you are OK...the bike can be repaired / replaced. :wink:
I agree with SIR REAL ED before you toss in the towel on riding... :cool:
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Thanks guys for the kind comments. The bike can be fixed, but maybe a convertible might be a nice touch.
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Man I’m so sorry to see this AM. I glad your ok. Motorcycle can be replaced body parts at our age not so much.
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Glad to hear you are okay and was prepared for this possibility. I also concuor that you should consider a smaller bike and still be able to enjoy 90+ of riding you did before. I have a Norge and a T-3. At 65 years old the T-3 size and weight becomes more appealling, especially on my three miles off pavement road to any house. I have been recently considering a Royal Enfield Himalayan.
GliderJohn
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So glad you are ok. I can’t imagine not riding even though I worry about the inevitable every time. If you don’t ride again I hope you find something as rewarding.
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Glad your OK. Sorry to see the bike. With some time, hope you get it fixed!
Tom
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WOW , in a word , that sucks :( . Maybe the size and weight of the bike helped you come out as well as you have :) + the being well dressed . Peter
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Scary. I agree with the others, small bikes equal big fun. Unless your gut is telling you otherwise, try one before you throw in the towel.
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echo the comments about your health and smart dressing habits. i will say that i had a 1400 that weighed 700 lbs and went to the v85 at 500 lbs. an incredible difference, but not just the weight, the wheel base is 7 inches shorter making for a much easier package all around to push around in the garage and to ride. you need some time to process all of this. i have been thinking the same as you at several points in my riding life. good luck.
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Let Father Time heal the mental snd emotional shock you have just experienced, then listen to your heart👍
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Sorry for your unfortunate luck.
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Damn sorry to hear that, and of it's effect on your future riding prospects. Perhaps one if those 3-wheel deals, I think they are called Can Am?
Regardless, glad your gear performed well. Might have to check out a horse hyde jacket, never heard of one.
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Ouch! Sorry, but good about lack of injury. Bikes sure do not have much crash-ability, eh? It hurts to look at pix. You can get back on that horse and ride again.
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Glad to hear you came out OK. Only you can accurately access yourself, but before you give up on riding, you might want to try out some sub 400 lb bikes.
Losing 100 lbs of bike weight is good for restoring confidence.
THIS!!
My move from a Big Breva to a V9 Roamer was a good idea, PLUS I can get both feet flat on the floor which is novel for me
Glad you didn't get yourself bent!
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Posts like this are why I study and recommend the books by David Hough. “ Proficient Motorcycling “ books along with “street strategies” should be next to everyone’s favorite chair.
They help put the unique hazards riders encounter at the top memory cells while we are out riding.
Awareness of the hazards before encountering them can mean being prepared to avoid or mitigate the risk.
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Yeah, one problem with the bike was the weight. I am just not as strong as I was. At age 67 a lighter bike would be a major plus. Moving it around with my bad leg was difficult to say the least. Also, I had gone down on a Guzzi once before on Palomar mountain as a squid did not stop at the yield sign before the general store. That pavement has a heavy gravel to its composition because of snowfall during the winter. Thank the Lord I was wearing full leathers. I fixed the bike (VII) as good as new but the Eldo might be too far gone. There is a nice Roamer at GP motorcycles...
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ampm7 -- if you would like me to visit GPM for more pictures, etc of this beauty let me know.
(https://i.ibb.co/YP21HSP/Pete-2019-Bobber-Sport.jpg) (https://ibb.co/YP21HSP)
I can swing by this morning or tomorrow morning. I need to ask what their labor charge would be for a 3,000 mile engine/gearbox/final drive fluid change only for my V7 III.
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Ugly and unfortunate, but glad it was the bike that was injured. Not a Dr, but do yourself a favor and up your aspirin intake for a week or so, will help to guard against any random clots from bruising.
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Damn! Glad you're okay.
Larry
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Thanks guys for the kind words. Bert if you are going by GP take some extra shots of the Roamer as I like the looks of that bike.
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I'm with everyone here, soooo glad you are alright ! And good on you to get 'dressed up' when riding. Ya the 'Big Guzzi's' are a bit to handle ,...'fun to ride' ,but.
Bike is dented ,can be fixed but dont take it to discourage you, .... Guzzi V9, V85 TT or even the 7 class all good fun !!!
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Hi Ampm,
I'm really glad you survived your crash without injury and that your gear did such a good job.
I wonder if you can think back to describe exactly why your bike crashed when it went over the edge. Did you instinctively try to turn back onto the roadway and then fall when the tire came up against the edge? Or was it something else? Your experience could help another rider.
Moto
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Good to see you survived well Amp.
I have an 03 Breva, had it from new, and I have never been tempted really by a big block because of size. I am 150 lbs, 5' 7", nearly 72 years old with dodgy hammies, and I find I am still ok to handle the Breva.
Only you can decide to toss in the towel but I understand that the V9 is a nice wee bike; about the same as the Breva in size.
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Glad you're okay. Give yourself a little time before you make any big decisions about future riding. Maybe your little angel just meant "don't ride today."
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Had the same thing happen to me on a 10 speed. Wrong angle to get back up on a sidewalk. 2"-3" lip. Caught the front wheel and slid the rear parallel to the lip of concrete. I got ejected off with the bike still clipped to my shoes. No injuries. Minor scrapes & ego. You had a worse version of that. Too shallow of an angle before going over the lip. Similar to crossing railroad tracks. Good to hear that you weren't hurt.
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Ampm7
We all do something silly once in a while. I fell over turning around in the road one time in the summer ??? It was the old tilted road trick !
I can't imagine not having a two wheeler , that would just be too sad to deal with. I'm 67 and not getting any stronger , but there are lots of lighter bikes out there to pick from ! I've got a V7II that will go anywhere and do most anything close to legal ! You could have one too ? :grin:
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I've heard that anything that does't kill you makes you stronger.
Not sure that I agree, but by finding the truth of what happened, the door is opened to a handling.
Perhaps an advanced rider course is a good idea.
For sure, the David Hough books are a smart idea.
Now, that little demon on your shoulder, saying "turn around, get back in bed, this is your day..." has to be dealt with. Nothing like a twinge of fear to wreck the day.
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(https://i.ibb.co/34gP6XK/IMG-0006.jpg) (https://ibb.co/34gP6XK)
I bought a small convertable and it did not scratch the mc itch so I made a reverse trike.
(https://i.ibb.co/gttqpK1/IMG-0002.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gttqpK1)
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Man I’m so sorry to see this AM. I glad your ok. Motorcycle can be replaced body parts at our age not so much.
Yeah, nobody stocks that beat up old s**t, and even if they did, who would want it?
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Thanks guys for the kind words. Bert if you are going by GP take some extra shots of the Roamer as I like the looks of that bike.
Sounds like your optimism/confidence was not destroyed in the crash. If my arms longer, I'd pat you on the back!!!
I don't know what your financial situation is, but small used bikes are sometimes so cheap, experimenting is possible. Way back when I was riding a 1980 Suzuki GS1000G (600 lbs wet), I ran into an elderly friend on the Blue Ridge Parkway who was riding a Kawasaki EX 500. He insisted I try it out. What a hoot! A few months later I bought one.
I never looked back. The biggest heaviest bike I have owned since then was a V-Strom 650, which I now consider to be a cow.
Suzuki DR 650's are tough to beat. If they are too tall for one's taste, that's fixable. They also tip over well and crash cheaply.
Stay in the game as long as you still trust yourself.
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Did you ride up into a 5”-6” rise or did you ride off a 5”-6” drop? I guess the latter would be like riding off a curb. Was the difference in height parallel, perpendicular or at an angle?
That’s a lot of damage to the Eldo so it’s awesome you faired so much better.
All the best to you with the insurance company and your complete restoration, mentally and physically.
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They had paved one side of the road which I was riding and the opposite lane was the old pavement. The rumble strips were about 1 1/2' from the drop off. It was easy negotiating the drop off but once entering the front end crossed up and over I went. If I had been more perpendicular to the berm instead of parallel I might have faired better. I really like the bike but it is a heavy bike and not easy to move around. If I continue motorcycling I will purchase a much lighter bike. Under 500lbs would be good. Vintage bikes seem to be a lot less in weight and somewhat easier to work on. I am thinking 850T, CB750, BMW R100s etc. as the Eldo will be towed to GP Motorcycles next week and they will do an estimate for my insurance company. When I talked to them they had another Eldo that suffered the same fate as mine in their shop. Somewhat of a coincidence considering that there are not many around. I do still have the Ambo to ride but here in SoCal it is quite dangerous to ride without good brakes and we know how the Ambo is...
(https://i.ibb.co/3pN2Gdb/ambo-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3pN2Gdb)
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There’s a spot on I-285 where there is a lip that large. I “found” it one day in my work truck. Unbelievable how fast it headed for the wall! If I’d been on my bike it would have been the same as you!
I’m glad you’re relatively unhurt. Whatever decision you make I’m sure everyone will support you.
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Glad to hear you came out OK. Only you can accurately access yourself, but before you give up on riding, you might want to try out some sub 400 lb bikes.
Losing 100 lbs of bike weight is good for restoring confidence.
It's good for a lot of things. I just bought a Yamaha MT-07. It weighs right around 400 lbs. and is a real pleasure to ride. I'll miss it, but I'm planning to sell my Mille now.
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This is the classic “edge trap” crash. A single track vehicle will immediately lose stability if you try to cross a square cornered height of 3 to 4 inches or more at a near parallel angle. The front wheel gets stuck and can’t move to stabilize the bike. Like you said, the result is immediate fall down/boom.
Don’t mess with these edge traps. They occur in road construction, rail road or subway tracks, curbs, etc.
If you absolutely have to cross one, slow down and increase your angle of attack to closer to 90 degrees.
I spoke with a Texas highway contractor last year. He said that when they used to repaved a lane and left a 4 inch square cornered height different there were a remarkable number of motorcycle accidents. Texas then changed the standard to mandate no more than a 3” difference and a required the use of a gradual “lip.” No more motorcycle accidents.
More generally, I suggest going on red alert whenever riding in a construction zone. There is no telling what might be waiting to bite you.
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This ^^^^
Smith said it all - Nothing more to add.
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I have an Audace which is very similar to your Eldo. It has been a struggle for me to ride it around town, etc doing errands and short rides with several stops. I bought a V7lll Special for these duties. A very nice bike for a 75 year old that I enjoy very much for this kind of riding. I still have the Audace for road riding, I am just careful where I go to park it. I hope I haven't started something where more bike begin to appear, I understand that this happens to Guzzi owners. I love both of my bikes but they are intended for different kinds of riding.
kk
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This is the classic “edge trap” crash. A single track vehicle will immediately lose stability if you try to cross a square cornered height of 3 to 4 inches or more at a near parallel angle. The front wheel gets stuck and can’t move to stabilize the bike. Like you said, the result is immediate fall down/boom.
Don’t mess with these edge traps. They occur in road construction, rail road or subway tracks, curbs, etc.
If you absolutely have to cross one, slow down and increase your angle of attack to closer to 90 degrees.
I spoke with a Texas highway contractor last year. He said that when they used to repaved a lane and left a 4 inch square cornered height different there were a remarkable number of motorcycle accidents. Texas then changed the standard to mandate no more than a 3” difference and a required the use of a gradual “lip.” No more motorcycle accidents.
More generally, I suggest going on red alert whenever riding in a construction zone. There is no telling what might be waiting to bite you.
Great post. Thanks @SmithSwede
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Let Father Time heal the mental snd emotional shock you have just experienced, then listen to your heart👍
I second that. And as others are suggesting, a smaller, lighter bike can be a revelation.
The main thing is that you are in one piece. And that should encourage you, not discourage you.
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Well, I have had lighter bikes in the past but my problem is that I can't mount a high seat bike. Not at least until I get a hip replacement. I really like the Yamaha Tracer 09 but I went and got on one and had to have the salesman help me off the bike. A narrower seat would be a plus but my left leg is very weak and I know that I have to park the Eldo on flat pavement which is not possible in a lot of SoCal as much of it is hilly.One thing that is somewhat disconcerting is the excessive vibration at idle and slowing for a stop or coming off of a stop. None of my other Guzzi's did that. And Smith you are exactly right in your analysis as the berm was not gradual at all in which case I would not have gone down if it had been sloping. We'll see this next week what the Guzzi dealer says as to how much it will cost to put back together. This is probably going to be expensive...
(https://i.ibb.co/64R2wPH/digital-speedo-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/64R2wPH)