New biker, new bike and a crash

[edb]

I'm new to this forum, came on looking for workshop advice but thought I'd share my story.

Passed my Mod2 2 weeks ago and bought myself a 2004 600 Hornet, lovely bike perfect condition, garaged throughout its life and 7000 miles!

I spent the last 2 weeks riding it putting hundreds of miles on and enjoying the few days of sunshine we had and the freedom that comes with the bike, absolutely loving it!
Long story short I took it to the garage to get a dodgy filler cap seen to, 60 mile round trip and I took a detour to check out a bike dealer on the way back. 2 miles from home I turn into a bend and next thing I know I'm sliding on my arse through the mouth of a junction watching my bike disappear!
I don't know how I missed it, but gravel right in the centre of my lane in the junction caused me to lose traction mid-lean. A bit annoyed at myself because my observations in driving and riding have always been so good, but there's no point kicking myself as it's a learning experience.
Turned out my knees were both cut up but not seriously, my head didn't even touch the ground and my already damaged rucksack took most of it. Didn't even notice my knees until the adrenaline wore off I was more concerned with getting me and my bike out the junction! As for damage all clothing intact, bent gear pedal and clutch lever, left mirror counterthreaded and left rear indicator casing smashed (it slid along the left) but the crash bungs did the job and the engine etc was all fine! Managed to ride it home and except for having to do funny things with my left hand it was just like before!

I'm glad I managed to ride it home, you read stories of how people wait months and lose their nerve which I didn't want to happen to me. So anyway after 2 weeks of being a rider I have my first crash and I get to enjoy the repairs. Just a shame it took a bash to the rear cowl otherwise it would look almost good as new for very little money!

Long post of waffling but I don't have many biker acquaintences so thought I'd share with some others and enter myself into the community.

[KingKong]

Congratulations - you have officially popped your cherry

I came off mine ten days after getting my bike and sadly I had no crash bungs so I scratched up an otherwise lovely right side panel

You did right getting straight back on, as I did; otherwise you would lose the nerve if you took a 'break'.

Well done; I hope that you live long and healthy to enjoy more rides
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Kwak 636 (2005)

Past - 2016 Ninja 300 (dark grey); K4 GSXR 600 (sexy yellow); 2002 CBR600FS; 2004 GSXR 1000; 2006 Kwak 636; 2005 Yamaha XVS 1100 Dragstar (facepalm); 2005 Kwak 636; 2011 Yamaha R125.

[pinkyfloyd]

Firstly I would like to welcome you into BCF. You'll fit in well here as it seems you entered in style.

Now thats the welcome done a little bit of advice.

You've had an off, its customary to draw a dodgy paint diagram with details of the off, including where the bike ended up and where you ended up. This must be done within a day unless you are unable to do so because your in bits, dead or in a hospital, and sometimes dead is no excuse for BCF.

Secondly. Your details must be added to this thread: BCF Official Spill Counter where you can take solace with your fellow fall offies.

Thems the rules out of the way.

Glad your ok. As I always say on here with an off. Bikes are replaceable, people arent. So pick yourself up, scrape yourself off, search Ebay for replacement parts and carry on regardless.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[Alex_B]

Glad you're OK mate and the bike is not nearly as bad as it could have been.
Sucks though eh?

Gravel can be a bitch though.
Going to work yesterday, I'm sitting at my usual roundabout (huge and very busy) and as I'm waiting I'm looking, as ya do... and I see a huge spill of large gravel, right in the lane I will use when coming home.

I came home a slightly different way and will for the next few days. That way, it will be clear and I won't have to ride over it.

Keep those obs going
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My Lane Position is always AWESOME!!

[trikeschick]

First - welcome to the forum, as someone has already said you have arrived in style.

Glad to hear you are okay. I too bought a Hornet 600 when I passed my test and it is a 2004 reg and had just under 7k on the clock! They are fab bikes. I got the crash bobbins put on it and hearing your story am glad I did that now.

Hope your knees heal soon and take it easy. If the car drivers don't make it difficult you can guarantee the bloody roads will! I was on a road the other day that had obviously had the centre of my lane dug up and the patch was horrific. Either side was a very coarse tar line but the filler was a hump. I couldn't find a decent spot to ride on, the road wasn't wide so going to the left wasnt easy due to crumbling verges and mud, and going to the right I was practically on the white line. That would have been okay on a straight but not on a twisty turn type road. I just kept my speed down and pissed off all the drivers behind me, but hey, I didn't come off
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"Light travels faster than the speed of sound, which is why some people appear bright until they speak"

[FerretFing]

Welcome to the forum

Sorry to hear of your off - gravel is a bitch for certain! crash bungs are great for low speed spills/drops.

At least you're in one piece & have the right attitude

[edb]

Thanks for the welcome and reassurance all!


Is this the kind of thing that's called for? X marks the spot I lost it, exclamation mark is where I think I got to my feet and sad face marks the bike :(

New bulb and electric taped on the orange indicator lenses, new clutch lever is on the way, gear pedal bent back into shape (but I can't test it since I can't bend my knee. And I don't have a clutch :roll: ) and the wingmirrors are secure but could look a bit better!

So if I can bend my knee enough I should be back on the roads come friday. Can't wait 8o)

[harscot]

welcome, get down and boogie my son, glad your not damaged to much, the bike as well of course, as you will realise you never stop learning so stay safe out there

[carlosthejack...]

I must get some crash bungs for my Hornet. I've been meaning to but just not got round to it yet. I've no intention of falling off or damaging my lovely bike in any way, shape or form, but I'm not deluded enough to think it will never happen.

Nice story OP, glad you weren't too damaged and got straight back on. I've had wobbles at times, some at very high speed, but they just make me giggle!
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DonnyBrago: "I think you may be confusing rain and napalm..." Paulington: "It's not what you ride, it's how you ride it."
Current rides: '05 VFR800 VTEC, '57 Mondeo 1.8 TDCi #58LEGEND

[edb]

[quote="carlosthejackal"]I've no intention of falling off or damaging my lovely bike in any way, shape or form[/quote]

That's exactly how I felt :wink: Crash bungs did wonders.

[McFlufferson]

Well done for getting back on.

These things happen. Knowing that they can happen at any time I find part of the thrill (but also makes me aware to keep extre eyes out ).

My only (not really) serious drop was on a bend. Hit a wet manhole cover. I went one way, scooter went the other. I called my dad to come pick up the obliterated back box and continued on the 25 mile trip to my mate's house. My nerve was iffy even after that. So I know I'd have lost it if I'd given it a break.

Fortunately I haven't had any spills (yet) since getting on to a real bike. I dread to think of the damage it'll suffer in a slip.
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Think that you'll stay loyal to a loving bike? So did I. Only rich men can afford to stay loyal. The poorer of us will whore ourselves out to any two wheeled monstrosity that will take us.

[edb]

Got it all back up and running again now, took it out for a quick spin and it seems fine! I've had to order a mirror as one wont point where I want it but other than that it's sound

Knee still hurts though so changing gear was fun, but at least me and the bike are back up!

[Recluso]

That was quite an introduction!

I'm glad you and the bike survived! You did right to get back on. I collided with a taxi a couple of weeks ago and will be off the bike for another month. I'm already a bit worried that the 'break' will see me having lost my nerve.

Welcome to the forum and the paint pic is awesome
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'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

[edb]

McFlufferson that's too true! Where's the fun and the challenge if you know that you're perfectly safe? I've been particularly careful of manholes but still hit a few, fortunately not wiped me out yet. Mine was only a slip and I'm back up 5 days later so don't worry and keep the wheels rolling

Recluso it's good to see my artwork appreciated Hopefully wont be too many more of my masterpieces for a while though! And sorry to hear about the collision, glad you're ok and get back on as soon as you can.