Today it was my turn to go down...bugger!

Topics related to the ownership, maintenance, equipping, operation, and riding of the R1150R.

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OneShot
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Post by OneShot »

DJ,
Sorry to hear about your spill. Hope you are back on your wheels soon.
-Nelson
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daslimpet
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Post by daslimpet »

Awwwww son-of-a-b#&%&@!!!

So glad you came through so well! Bikes is just parts. But you're irreplaceable!!!! Your physical outcome reminds me of the ol' saying: "Luck favors the prepared."

Best wishes from Minneapolis.

:roll:
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pinecone
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Post by pinecone »

So sorry to hear you went down but also very glad to know it wasn't any worse. Take care - and thanks for sharing your story.
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Post by CycleRob »

Wow! We all feel the pain !
That picture made me hurt. It's incredible that, because of digital cameras and the internet, your friends all over the world can share your grief just as if we were there. Although a lot our comrades have spoken well, I think Valueman said it best:
Though we have never met, your many post and tales have led to great respect for you as a motorcyclist. The way you are handling this only enhances that.
There doesn't seem to be serious damage to the bike, maybe less than $1,300 in parts. A good thing you had on DragOn jeans. I've had road rash wear thru Wrangler jeans and give me a large knee scar that's still there to remind me . . . . many years later.

I avoid riding in the rain at all costs. Too many scarey close calls where front wheel traction was totally lost and 1 second later . . . . recovered. In your case, all you had to do is close the throttle in 3rd gear with the rear wheel on the wet shiny smooth steel, the rear wheel would loose traction and remain sliding, stuck in the track grove while the front wheel crossed over it and made the turn. You most likely had an engine braking "low-side". I've experienced just such a wet ride event, but without the steel rail or going down.

My bet is you'll fix your baby all the way back to it's Black-N-Beautiful self, but do me a favor and (repeating) stay out of those Guzzi Dealers!! Our board would loose you to to the spaghetti crowd. Besides, even the new Guzzi's are nowhere near as strong a chic magnet as your R1150R.
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Boxer
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Post by Boxer »

Haven't been able to check the board in a couple of days and what happens? Sheesh! DJ That's scary as hell. I add to the others that I'm really pleased that you aren't hurt.

I learned the train track lesson many years ago in Pensacola Florida where similar train tracks run down one of the downtown streets. I was down there looking for a paper route job on a small Honda, riding along the tracks and never suspected such a thing could happen. It looked safe enough to traverse the tracks along the road. It flipped my butt quicker than greased lightning and I never knew it was happening until I was picking myself up off the road. Never again have I tried to cross a train track without whipping out at a drastic swerve to take it on crosswise.

Glad you're okay and thanks for the post. It heightens our awareness of such dangers lurking out there.
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Post by taosports »

I too have been away from the computer for a few days so I just now read of your spill DJ.

Glad it wasn't as serious as it could have been and especially glad you didn't end up on the other side of that fence

:shock:
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Post by Harry »

Damn, bro. Terrible news... Great that you're OK. You Aussies really are tough!

All things considered, your bike doesn't look horribly damaged. Definitely fixable:))

Dumb thing to say I guess, but it looks to me like you got pretty "lucky," DJ.

"Bugger" is right though...
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MIXR
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Damn!

Post by MIXR »

Hell DJ - That bike didn't bounce at all! Lucky you did. Must be all those pies and cream cakes you keep photographing.

Hope you mend quickly and the bike (or another one) is back on the road soon. Let me know if there's anything you get stumped on with replacement parts should you decide to fix it yourself. I can do some hunting up this way and in Sydney via some riding pals.

Cheers mate. Mick.
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Post by 1150929 »

DJ, glad you're ok. Always enjoyed your bike pics when she looked a bit better, but I'm sure she'll be back to looking new in no time.

Even the best riders go down, its inevitable. I fought Toronto traffic yesterday for an hour, the streetcar tracks spook me every time I crossed them. In the rain, I actually plan my routes on streets without them when possible, just too many track stories.

The biggest pain for you might be re-doing your custom fairing, always liked the look of that. As for the jacket, they always look better with battle scars!

Thanks for sharing.
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Post by Oilhead »

I didn't even notice this thread until now!

I'm very sorry to hear about your getoff DJ. The main thing is you are OK.
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Post by bimrluvr »

Very glad no one was hurt beyond repair.

Don't know if it would've helped lower the damage, but you might consider Stanton headguards for the jugs. They are solid as hell and not very expensive.
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Bugger

Post by KHaynes »

I've been away from the computer for a few days and I open up the site to be startled by this news.
What a major bummer for you DJ. Lyn and I are very sorry to learn of this but very thankful that you came through uninjured.
Going down with your bike is such a frustrating thing that damages ones ego as much as the bike.
When will you know how long it will take for the repairs?
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Post by DJ Downunder »

Keith...I have no idea yet about repair cost or the time that it will take.

I hope it's done in time for my yearly ride down to Phillip Island for the Moto Gp next month.

I have read through everyones replies over the last couple of days..wow..it makes me feel so good that I have so many caring and concerned friends here.

I appreciate everyone for making the effort to comment...thanks.

Keith..just like your crash with a kangaroo a while back..my Draggin jeans did a great job..also being very wet must have helped with the sliding.

I'm fine..my hip has come up in a big purple bruise.. http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic2663.JPG and a little sore.

My helmet took a small knock..gloves wore on a couple of fingers..jacket and jeans just scuffed up a little.

I'm insured with Shannon's just like you were so I'm hoping for replacments..I'm not sure how it works..I've left my gear with the bike.

DJ

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Last edited by DJ Downunder on Fri Aug 11, 2006 7:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
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chris
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Post by chris »

Hi DJ, that's a hell of a bruise man. You ought to get it checked out if you haven't already? Looks really nasty. You often get more banged up than you thought at first? Take it nice and easy and fingers crossed your insurance comes through in time for Phillip Island! Who's going to take that championship this season eh?
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DJ Downunder
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Post by DJ Downunder »

Thanks Chris..the doc says it's ok and normal..it looks nastier than it is.

As for Phillip Island..I'm kinda hoping Chris Vermeulen wins it..he was looking good at Laguna before he had bike trouble...and the championship..Rossi.

I don't think Rossi can do it now so Nicky is my next choice..he just has to beat the little robot man.. :D

DJ
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Post by yjleesvrr »

I have to admit that starting about a month ago, I started thinking twice about wearing lighter clothes while riding, i.e. - shorts and a t-shirt. So I haven't ridden much in recent weeks due to the extreme heat we've been experiencing in the U.S.

The pics of DJ's riding gear is a very good reminder that one must wear proper clothing for riding. Glad you were smart DJ. Otherwise, I can only wince at imagining what the alternative pics would have looked like.
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Post by cricman »

DJ,

Good to see that your okay, your gear worked, and your bike can be restored to it's former state of splendor.

I think I figured this whole thing out. After carefully reviewing the pictures, I discovered the primary cause of the spill,....Every bloody driver on that road takes it upon themselves to drive on the wrong side! It's no wonder they didn't flatten you!

Seriously, good to see your okay. Keep us posted on your phoenix, as I assume that she will rise from the ashes!

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Post by Hiker »

I'm so NOT looking at your bruises.
But the gear pic was good info.

Hope you're back together by trip time.

Hiker :wink:
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sweatmark
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Ouch!

Post by sweatmark »

DJ - Glad you're OK! Haven't logged in for a while, surprised to find out about one of our group's Feature Members' mishap.

Thanks for posting the description of events and pics. The priceless info:

(1) wet railroad tracks (and other metals) are treacherous... a very practical reminder for wet weather riders (like us in Oregon);

(2) ATGATT isn't a paranoid response to risk management... and I'm a bad example, riding the 2 miles from home to gym in shorts and t-shirt... at least local helmet law keeps my lid on!

(3) Those Draggin Jeans worked! Gotta get me and the Mrs. some ASAP!

(4) Your Roadster did great in a 30 MPH crash. Like Rob says, there's really not much damage (or at least easily replaceable parts), likely due to the naked bike simplicity. My R850R was spared all damage but a cracked master brake cylinder switch mount when I dumped the bike failing to look through a turn. Same thing with the Mrs.' R1100R during low speed (<5 MPH) tipover, where side bag, cylinder guard, handguard, and one turn signal were only items scratched... neither incident touched paint nor threatened the Roadsters' over-built & bullet-proof structures. Imagine the replacement parts price tag for fairing-laden motos, or those rare Italian and Austrian machines! (a weak attempt to keep you in the Beemer family!)

(5) Underneath the protective gear, we're flesh & bone... can be bruised but not broken, and able to ride again soon!

Get well soon! (that's for the bike... you seem ok!)

Mark & Jacquie
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chris
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Post by chris »

DJ Downunder wrote:Thanks Chris..the doc says it's ok and normal..it looks nastier than it is.

As for Phillip Island..I'm kinda hoping Chris Vermeulen wins it..he was looking good at Laguna before he had bike trouble...and the championship..Rossi.

I don't think Rossi can do it now so Nicky is my next choice..he just has to beat the little robot man.. :D

DJ
Glad to hear the bruising is normal.
I reckon Nicky will do it this year. Felt so bad for Colin Edwards at Assen tho..how close can you get!!
Chris

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