Had My First MC Accident Today

I'm fine, broken collarbone, a little sore. The thing that troubles me is I'm not sure what I did wrong; I was returning from a 100 mile plus ride, gorgeous conditions, not far from home ( yeah, I know where that fits into the statistical average), slowing down after some nice biiig sweepers on a fairly level straight away, approaching a stop sign. The vigorous application of the front brake has never, ever gotten me in trouble, the only thing I can figure is that I must have downshifted too abruptly and locked the rear wheel. Anyway, I went off the left side squarely landing on my left shoulder, which clearly took the impact, my head did bounce, but with the Arai, not a problem. In fact, I didn't even appear to slide that much, but may have been out of it for a few seconds, next thing i knew i was surrounded by people from other vehicles. The bike, from what I gather, didn't get too hammered, and my local mechanic was called and retrieved it. The only bit of drama was that my wife was travelling on the adjacent road a few minutes later, saw the commotion, and then recognized my red moto-boots. I'm sure her emotions were off-chart when she realized it was me, but I was and am OK. (Does hurt, though, when i move in the wrong position). No great insight here, other than the thing i've always worried about, the crazy car or SUV driver, or overcooking a turn and running off the road, was not what happened.
Maybe I should look into a slipper clutch... Anyway, I needed to tell it....

 

Whoa. Glad to see you made it out. I can't imagine the chances of your spouse or loved one just casually driving along and wham, there you are in an accident. Sounds like something out of a movie.

 

thankfully you did not get hit by a car or anything. it is good you escaped this with just a broken collar bone.

 

Glad you're more or less okay. Hope you get better soon.

 

Terrible, terrible story. Hope everything is ok. Did you go to the hospital?
If not SOMEBODY NEEDS TO DO NEURO CHECKS ON YOU FOR THE NEXT 18 HOURS as a subdural hematoma may not show for hours! Don't taake it lightly!!!!!

 

Holy ****, Bill, i'm so glad you're okay...!

Sorry to hear about the accident... i suppose it could've been a lot worse... Of course, that's probably not what you want to hear right now... i wish i had some words of wisdom, but i don't...

i broke my clavicle once... Go get a sling and get some flowers for your wife... Be easy, buddy.

 

Glad to hear your doing fine with only 'minor' injuries. Take it easy for a while. I broke my collarbone twice and while not immobilizing the pain is exquisite.

That's what turns me away from riding motorcycles - I've heard several times from experienced riders it's not IF you fall, but WHEN.

 

Glad you escaped major injury. Maybe you will make it a learning experience like I did.

 

Glad it wasn't too bad. Not a good thing to read when I am looking for a new bike to get back into the sport. Hope you recover quickly.

Jeff

 

Glad your here to write about it............

Remember this thread?

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57747

I'll just add you to the list....

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=134905223&postcount=4

Stay safe............

 

Sounds like you did lock it momentarily and probably hit some oil at the same time near the intersection.

Possible to have had a mini high side at that point which would basically toss you and the bike over like that, sounds like you slid a bit to the right.

So glad to hear you are ok, and glad to hear that you had your gear on.

May you have a speedy recovery!

 

Were you on your new Guzzi?

 

Thanks, all. Yes, the Guzzi. Went to the hospital straight away, courtesy of the local EMTs. All checks out except the clavicle, but i'll be seeing an orthopedist Monday. Not much I can do, other than keep it immobilized.

 

Thank god nothing worse happened! i'm really glad your fine!

 

Good to hear you came out of it basically OK. It's not uncommon for the pavement to be slick from oil/coolant at stop signs, even if it's not very visible...you'd be amazed how little it takes to put a bike down with the right conditions.

Heal quickly,
Larry

 

Geez Bill, Glad you are relatively OK. Luck outweighs skill daily. Sounds like bad luck got you a little. Get checked out by Ortho, and a head CT wouldn't be unreasonable, I'm surprised they haven't done one already, Uro is correct.
Hope scooter is OK. I haven't the self-restraint to ride scooters or fly, I'd be dead.
Get better, and get CT...You make a living with that noggin. Get a new helmet too, that one is toast.
Lee

 

Bill, normally you can take what Urotrashy sez with little more than a grain of salt. But in this case, he is right. I don't know WTF a subdural hematoma is, but I do know that internal bleeding is very bad stuff.

Glad to hear that you're doing okay. The good news is that you just brought yourself a lot of time. They say that there are two types of motorcycle riders. Those who have crashed or those who are about to crash. You are now in the first group. Don't ask me how I know this.

Damn, I wish that motorcycles weren't so damn sexy. The closest I have come in a car is in a Stradale.

Just remember -- the rubber side goes down and the shiny side goes up. Or is it the rubber side goes up and the shiny side goes down?

Keep the faith, brother. Dale

 

Bill,

The bike will be fine, just take care of yourself. I had a few close calls over the years before I had "the big one", and any of those close calls could have ended similarly to your incident. I am glad to hear you are OK!

I am personally not a big fan of downshifting and letting out the clutch while decelerating. The problem is that the tires only have so much grip and if you are at 80% on the brakes, all it takes is that extra 21% from the engine and the rear tire locks. I dont think many of us are skilled enough to achieve 100% brake performance with a combination of engine braking and hand braking. I downshift through the gears while braking but I keep the clutch in, so if I need to take off, I can. But thats just my style.

Hey Bill, if you need anything after your tumble, let me know. I am in the bike biz, and while nothing I manufacture would help you, I have friends who get me stuff at cost, so if you need a new lid, or any new parts for your bike, I can put you in touch with some folks who can steer you right.

Take care of yourself and your wounds. You will live to ride another day! Whatever doesnt kill us makes us stronger and wiser, and its better to have a mishap with a broken bone than one with a worse injury!

Let your f-chat friends know if theres anything you need. As for me, I am a giver... so, if you need someone to take any of your other toys out and keep the seals and gaskets lubed, I am always happy to selflessly help out. I will even pay for the gas!

 

Bless all of you for your words, thoughts, concern and humor. This, in addition to about a thousand other things, is why this place, and you' -all
(sorry Dale, it was the only way the sentence would work) are so special. One funny- the nurse said to my wife, in my presence, "If he begins behaving oddly, anything at all, bring him right back immediately." At which point I turned to my wife and said, "If I say anything remotely Democratic, like a positive statement about Ms. Rodham C., you'll know I suffered brain damage. "

 

Bill,

Spicy and I are moving pretty close to you after the first of the year. We'll make sure that we have an extra bedroom. Come over one weekend and we'll give you an immersion course in Southern. We'll teach you how to pronounce y'all with no evidence of brain damage.

Get well bro.

Erik

 

I resemble that remark, the Y'all one.

 

I know, where do you think I picked it up? Remember, I've been over to your house to watch F1 before...

 

I'll have to have you over again when you move back and give you a southern english lesson. Does that belong in the same sentence?

 

Nope. You've been spending too much time in Palm Beach again...

 

It's y'all been spending too much time....
And remember, "y'all" is singular, "all y'all" is plural.