First off

[binaryferret]

Hi Guys, just thought I'd tell you about my first off.

On the 10th of August, was on my way to work on my Yamaha YBR Custom (125) and although it had been raining all night, I presumed the night of rain would have removed all the crap from the roads - and as I had already ridden while it was pouring down I was looking forward to the ride through a condition I had not experienced much.

Off I tootled to work - however coming around a bend ( a very slight bend) at around 25-30mph my bike went into a massive wobble, and although at first I tried to control it I started shitting myself - I gripped the brakes etc and went off - for some reason kept hold of my bike (only been riding for 4 weeks and it's my first bike) and I took the damage.

Left leg - Compound fracture, broke Tibia and Fibula with which ever bone is the shin sticking out of my leg. Also dislocated my right shoulder. I didn't know it was anything too serious as it wasn't hurting too much and leather trousers kept it all together, attempting to move resulted in a weird movement in the leg so had to just lay there.

The bike is fine, a broken tail light, left mirror is scuffed and the foot pegs and lever will need replacing but still runs and has been tested by a mate who is keeping it in his garage.

I've had a metal rod put in my leg for keeps which you can see in the xray pic further on - my right arm is out of the sling now and through physio should recover most of its previous movement.

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=holcroft+lane,+warrington&hl=en&ll=53.454634,-2.50145&spn=0.019523,0.110378&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=10.885322,28.256836&vpsrc=0&t=m&layer=c&cbll=53.45462,-2.50147&panoid=DvFyXqW62dlKygglBx4naQ&cbp=11,133.69,,0,9.6&z=13

This is where I landed, I think I hit a little bit of oil on the road where the road has a slight bend a bit further back (was heading to stockport so back is north west directionish)

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eUVB1NnWfwjZw-8uAZRKxw?feat=directlink

Leg all stapled up

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AGDRkOjsXxeC6ZVpYeowkw?feat=directlink

Leg a week or two later



https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/O1wrTKHfcUew_mXkCuaReg?feat=directlink

and the xray which was taken yesterday (starting to heal, and sorry that it's blurry)

----

My helmet saved me from a nasty head injury, my leather trousers kept my leg attached - and you couldn't tell that I'd even had an off from looking at the trousers. The leather / textile jacket kept everything good + the armour in it protected my elbows (again it only had a sligh scuff) - and my boots protected my foot from being ripped off lol.

Unfortunately, all my gear bar the gloves had to be cut from my body so alas need to rebuy it all - but it did it's job.

Very gutted that I had only been riding for 4 weeks and had such a serious off, still on my L's but had just gotten my new prov through (didn't have the green slip so had to resend that) and was planning on doing my theory and MOD 1 and MOD 2 in the coming weeks (remove those bloody L plates).

Can't put much weight on the leg still, but it's all healing up and has been very positive So plan is, to heal up and while healing keep buying bits of gear again (can work from home so that's a bonus as I'm not going poor) once I'm able to work the foot I'm planning on getting some lessons when weather permits to make sure I've not picked up any nasty habits and go straight for the tests (Restricted tho).

A question -

how should one handle a wobble/back spin out

Again, gutted but alive - just a shame that I came off in such a lame way and got so injured rather than having one of those first offs I hear about so much, where it's pride hurt and a sore arse.
____________________
CBT: 07/2011 | Theory: 08/2012 | Current Bike: Yamaha YBR 125 Custom 2009

[FerretFing]

Ouch! Hope you have a speedy recovery & hope it doesn't knock your confidence too much.

[felicity]

Your first off sounds a little bit like mine (low side off going round a corner in the rain), although you came off it a bit worse for wear!

So far as I understand it, there's really nothing you can do if you lose the front wheel; the best course of action is to not do anything (don't brake/accelerate), and try not to grip the bars too tightly, then pray a bit.

GWS, etc.

[Fifteen15]

Ouch, that looks bad. It's a kick in the teeth getting your leathers cut off too, I'd be gutted. I've been riding for 4 weeks now, and I've had a lot of near misses however I learn from every single one of them, it's a steep learning curve. I still tend to keep it real slow going into corners if they look particularly sharp to avoid the dreaded low side.

Lets hope that's your bad luck spent for the next few years.
____________________
"Pain is weakness leaving the body, and blood makes the grass grow faster...but I'll wear my gear anyway"

[EXC-Rider]

from riding motocross i can say if you are in a slide and know your going to fall just jump of the bike , if you hold on you can get more hurt as you can tell , you can replace a fender and break light but not a leg!!!

and to handle slipping in the wet? just keep a steady hand on the throttle as if you feel wobble dont use the breaks just close the throttle and bike should straiten up , ive had a few wobbles in heavy rain on my 125 and that tech neck has worked for me every time

hope you have a speedy recovery and be back on the bike in no time
____________________
owned bikes: DR50, Thumpsta 110 , Honda CR85, Speedfight 100, Yamaha XT125X, Honda CRF450, Honda Hornet '07
current bikes: KTM EXC525 AKA the wheelie machine
A friend in need is a friend indeed but a friend with weed is better!

[Rogerborg]

Ouch, that's got to smart. I haven't had the fun of going down yet, but I've pre-determined that I should bail. Don't know if I'll do it, mind.

Anyway, I hope it doesn't put you off; the first bend might be a bit of a clencher.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Mehty]

Sounds painful man! Hope you recover quickly..
I had my first off on Monday, after riding for 3 days
Was going round a corner on a rural road (about 20 on my YBR '07) and fell on mud. More damage to the bike than me (just a cut on my knee) So i guess i was lucky

Taking corner's is gonna be a bit of a extra 'SLOW THE FUCK DOWN AND REALLY CONCENTRATE ON THIS' for a while - im still being like that and i only had a little spill!
____________________
2007 YBR 125 (sold), 2011 ER6-N (sold), LHD 1999 GSX750F (sold), ??????

[Recluso]

Ah man, it's terrifying enough when you topple over for the first time. To have a 'real' off as your first is crappy luck.

My own first 'off' involved a wet corner (and a buttload of manholes) and that was terrifying enough. And I walked away with only some bruising. But, like others have said regarding corners (and was passed onto me by the lovely folks here when I posed a similar question to yours), fight the urge to hit the brakes. If you're using a bit of clutch control (on say a particularly tight corner) and you feel the bike begin to go, if you release the clutch, the bike should spring back up. If you feel it's gonna go, let go of the bike. You don't want to go where it's going, or risk getting injured by the bike's travelling (it could be the difference between sliding down the road or going under a bus, which is what almost happened to me!).

Don't forget as well to make sure that your eyes are looking to the end of the corner and keep your eyes moving rather than fix on one part of the road. The bike goes where you look after all

Best wishes for a speedy recovery! And I'm sure that when it comes to getting back out on the road, you'll be able to find some friendly folks willing to help you along and maybe even get out there with you!
____________________
'Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken.'
Honda PS125i > Yamaha YBR125 > Yamaha XJ6 Diversion > Yamaha Tracer 900

[ClockworkJesu...]

Fuuuun times...

Sorry to hear about your off dude. And such a bad one, and so soon! Hope you heal up real fast.

My first off was in the wet on a corner. Came around the corner a bit fast; would have made it if the corner didn't sharpen up half way around and double back on itself.
Hit the brakes as I closed in on the embankment. Front wheel locked but I stayed upright and made a beeline for the verge.

I was fine. Bruised lots and my ribs still hurt a few months after, but nothing serious. Probably some cracked ribs at most.

Heal up, jump back on that bike and keep riding! There's a lot more spills to be had! You'll probably find yourself petrified of the wet until you can break that fear barrier. I know I was.

[binaryferret]

Cheers chaps.

I'll be getting back on "fo' sure". Already missing it tons. Might be a slight nervy in bad weather but I'm sure I'll get over it.
____________________
CBT: 07/2011 | Theory: 08/2012 | Current Bike: Yamaha YBR 125 Custom 2009

[Glenben92]

[mivster]

hope your ok and back on your feet soon
____________________
"I'd rather be riding my motorcycle thinking about God than sitting in church thinking about my motorcycle."

[Jim Mc]

I would say, grip with your thighs, and take the weight off your arms, and the handlebars. Not sure how good this is in the heat of the moment though when you're not thinking straight.

I think I've just been lucky so far personally, I lost control once on the 125 and rode it all the way to the opposite side of the road, bounced off the kerb and managed to hold it off the deck.

Then I slid about 300 yards to a junction after a rear lock up, remembered to take my hand/foot off the brake 50 yards prior to getting there and did a last second save. I find the foot brake is the hardest thing to take the pressure off in those shit-yer-pants situations because you're bracing.

[Glenben92]

[Clanger]

Ouch. You seem chirrupy enough, which is a good thing.

When the ambulance men came toward me with their scissors (after my biggie), I told them that wasn't gonna happen 'no way' (they had just come back from from being altered), a little bit of planning, and swift action of getting the boot then the jeans off before immense swelling kicked in... I saved my jeans !! Yay!!
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[binaryferret]