First time down

[yackee]

I had a knucklehead moment last night that led to my first time wiping out on a bike. Luckily not my T3, but my wife's twist-n-go scooter. Dark, drizzling but a bit above freezing, I hopped on the scooter to make a burrito run. No helmet, but gloves, pants, and a puffy jacket. The Mexican place is just 1/2 mile away. On the way home I am approaching a stop light, squeeze the brakes kind of hard, the front wheel locks up and the scooter immediately goes down. I was probably only going 15-20 MPH, and I was immediately thrown off (though I think I also kind of jumped), landing on one side. My eyeglasses flew off and got immediately run over by a following car (which didn't stop to help). The scooter was still running on its side, with some plastic damage but otherwise in good shape; I found half my glasses and the burrito on the road, and continued home the remaining two blocks half-blind. The right side of my body hurt from top to bottom, I definitely sprained a wrist and ankle, but am lucky I kind of jumped/rolled while keeping my head up.

I don't really know what happened. Not ice, too warm by 4 degrees. Maybe wet leaves. But as soon as that wheel locked I was done--no time to think or react, except by pure instinct, before you are hitting pavement.

[Motormike]

Just glad your head didn't hit the pavement.  When I need to do a short test ride or get the mail (1 mile) I don't gear up completely, but aways throw on a helmet and gloves, no matter what.  The slower the get-off, the more likely you are to throw out your hands in a mis-guided attempt to break your fall.   

[Dirk_S]

But was the burrito OK?

[Testarossa]

I'm blind without glasses. I wear a full face helmet in part to keep the glasses captive. Glad you kept your head up..

I suspect that little scooter wheels offer less traction when it's slick. I watched a friend on a scooter lock up the front wheel on an oil patch, in an intersection, and she went down like a shot rabbit. I have zero evidence to back that up.

[Guzzi Gal]

But was the burrito OK?

HA!

I had a knucklehead moment last night that led to my first time wiping out on a bike. Luckily not my T3, but my wife's twist-n-go scooter. Dark, drizzling but a bit above freezing, I hopped on the scooter to make a burrito run. No helmet, but gloves, pants, and a puffy jacket. The Mexican place is just 1/2 mile away. On the way home I am approaching a stop light, squeeze the brakes kind of hard, the front wheel locks up and the scooter immediately goes down. I was probably only going 15-20 MPH, and I was immediately thrown off (though I think I also kind of jumped), landing on one side. My eyeglasses flew off and got immediately run over by a following car (which didn't stop to help). The scooter was still running on its side, with some plastic damage but otherwise in good shape; I found half my glasses and the burrito on the road, and continued home the remaining two blocks half-blind. The right side of my body hurt from top to bottom, I definitely sprained a wrist and ankle, but am lucky I kind of jumped/rolled while keeping my head up.

I don't really know what happened. Not ice, too warm by 4 degrees. Maybe wet leaves. But as soon as that wheel locked I was done--no time to think or react, except by pure instinct, before you are hitting pavement.

I'm so glad you're only bruised. It could have been so much worse on a wet road at night.

I have a non-ABS Vespa, and it can get a little squirrelly in the rear when it's dry out. Living in the desert, I've not had to slam it to a stop in the rain.

[lucky phil]

I had a knucklehead moment last night that led to my first time wiping out on a bike. Luckily not my T3, but my wife's twist-n-go scooter. Dark, drizzling but a bit above freezing, I hopped on the scooter to make a burrito run. No helmet, but gloves, pants, and a puffy jacket. The Mexican place is just 1/2 mile away. On the way home I am approaching a stop light, squeeze the brakes kind of hard, the front wheel locks up and the scooter immediately goes down. I was probably only going 15-20 MPH, and I was immediately thrown off (though I think I also kind of jumped), landing on one side. My eyeglasses flew off and got immediately run over by a following car (which didn't stop to help). The scooter was still running on its side, with some plastic damage but otherwise in good shape; I found half my glasses and the burrito on the road, and continued home the remaining two blocks half-blind. The right side of my body hurt from top to bottom, I definitely sprained a wrist and ankle, but am lucky I kind of jumped/rolled while keeping my head up.

I don't really know what happened. Not ice, too warm by 4 degrees. Maybe wet leaves. But as soon as that wheel locked I was done--no time to think or react, except by pure instinct, before you are hitting pavement.

I know what happened alright. Even scooter tyres need some heat in them. An accident waiting to happen. Physically and mentally unprepared, the classic just running to the shops/just about home/close to home the journeys over I'll mentally relax crash. Glad you're ok but it's a rookie mistake. 

Ciao

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

Glad you’re ok bro! Just like a horse, just get back on and keep truckin’!

[John A]

Anti freeze at an intersection is one of slippery things that have bit me. A long time ago but I still pay attention to that.

[twowheeladdict]

A 1/2 mile?  I would have walked that. 

Welcome to the statistics of it's not if, it's when you go down. 

[MMRanch]

Glad you're not bleeding from a head injury , I'm with the 100% helmet group.   Heck , it hurts me just to bang my noggen on a cabinet door that was left open.

Those wet roads scare me down to about 25% speed of normal.

[nc43bsa]

The smaller the wheels, the less stability the bike has.

Motorcycle tires have gone from 22" down to 15" over the years.  Apparently, they have settled on 17" in recent years as a compromise between stability and agility.

Why car tires have gone from 13" up to 24" is beyond my comprehension.

[bobrebos]

Just curious, as I like scooters.  What kind of scooter?  Glad you aren’t too seriously injured.

[Guzzished]

Why car tires have gone from 13" up to 24" is beyond my comprehension.

So they can run over bikers without feeling the bump.

[Scout63]

Glad you’re ok. Any ride without a helmet is life threatening. Gloves, boots jacket and pants won’t save your life but they will save your skin.

[egschade]

Glad you're OK and didn't bonk your noggin. I worked for a MC dealer back in the day. One of the mechanics was test riding a bike at maybe 15 mph in the parking lot without a helmet and went down on something slick. Suffered a bad concussion and had yet to return to work when I left 3 months later.

[Ncdan]

A motorcycle accident I investigated in the 80s.

I responded to an accident involving a motorcycle on a ramp to US 52(s) from I40.
The cyclist told me he came down the ramp at a reasonable speed and all of a sudden the bike slammed to the pavement, which was concrete. It was raining and I figured he hit the ramp too fast.
Reasonable speed, sure you were says I, thinking and prejudging he was flying low on the ramp.
So as I was measuring the distance to impact of the center lane wall of the highway he was entering, all of a sudden my feet flew out from underneath me and I hit the pavement, clipboard and roll tape flying.
I tried to stand and went down a second time.
Needless to say the young man was sent on his was with my apologies and definitely no charges.

After the roads dried there was a viable dark spot on the pavement, around 5 feet in diameter, that stayed there for years to come. I suspect it was antifreeze where a prior accident had occurred.

I hope the you man learned a lesson that day because I know I did.

[Dirk_S]

Seeing that it’s the internet, and we don’t know one another personally, let me NOW point out for clarity that I’m glad you’re safe. On few occasion I’ll ride around town without a helmet, and I’m always thinking when I do, what it would be feel like to go down this time around. Having said that, at least a helmet would be warmer than nothing on your head!

I second the oil slick idea. Seems to make sense that much of the slick junk that drips out of vehicles collects near stops. Also that cold rubber/cold tarmac theory makes a lot of sense. It’s all an equation for disaster.

But seriously…

…you damn well had better enjoyed that burrito.

[yackee]

Thanks for all the encouragement and advice to wear a helmet even on the short trips! This was definitely a wake-up call on that front.

For those of you worried about the burrito, it survived intact, the rice acted like an airbag, and I promptly ate it when I got home and was sitting in the Laz-e-boy nursing my ankle and wrist.

The scoot in question was a Genuine Buddy 50cc, with 10-inch wheels; I like the cold-tire explanation of what happened. Cold + rain=slippy.

The students ride their 50cc scooters here (Wisconsin) all winter, even in snow, without helmets and their legs held out like pontoons in case of a slip. I've never done that...

[Moparnut72]

Man brought up a memory of a past experience. It took place when I first started riding. I was on my way to class and was taking an exit ramp. The ramp was concrete with chert as an aggregate. The concrete had been there for a long time and was a bit slick onits own. I think the chert helped whith its long life. I came down the ramp one morning when the rear started coming around. I would have made a flattracker proud but I was going right. I know we are not supposed to do this but I let it slide out from under me as I was headed towards some curbing and a high side was eminent. The bike landed on its right hand grip locking the bike on full throttle. I had slid on front with hands in the air so I wouldn't injure them, it was winter so I had gloves and a heavy coat. I was unhurt but was hurting hearing that poor bike screaming for help. Fortunately it was a 2 stroke. I jumped to my feet to render aid, my feet came out from under me instantly and I smacked my elbow on the pavement. The road had been oiled down with something and in combination with the smooth concrete was slick as hell. I will never forget that day and am still leary of exit and entrance ramps and I am still kind of a poster child for chicken strips. 
kk

[Stretch]

It's SO hard to see if there's oil or anti-freeze or sealant or something on
pavement if it's wet. Even harder at night in the rain!

Glad you're not hurt badly, (and the burrito was okay!  )

Almost every time I've been down, bad surfaces/oil have been involved.

Also be VERY aware of painted lines and any sealant. The latter can be lethal -ask me how I know!!!   

https://www.centralmaine.com/2019/12/08/about-35-miles-of-maine-roads-have-been-treated-with-now-banned-fog-sealant/

                                                                             -Stretch

[nc43bsa]

Glad you’re ok. Any ride without a helmet is life threatening.

Indeed.

I seem to remember a GP rider (in the 1960s) that was warming his bike at a race, riding up and down the pit area without his helmet, when he leaned over to adjust the carburetor.  The engine seized at that particular moment, throwing him to the ground, killing him.

As they say, it can happen to any one of us.