Got ready for the annual Toy Ride. Mounted up and took off up the street.
Wait, wait, wait, wait. There's more to it than THAT!
About a week ago, a buddy gave me one of those gremlin bells. I've never had one in the 4+ years I've ridden the Busa and never had a mishap of any serious merit, knock on wood. NEARLY dropped it in a parking lot a coupla three times over the years but saved it each time. Had the usual series of close calls from time to time that we all have. Anyway, this morning, I tied that bastid bell to the left side of the bike where the former stock muffler strap bolts up.
Warmed up the bike, geared up, waited (forever and ever and ever and . . . ) for my wife to finish gearing up and mount up. When she was (finally) ready, I led off as I usually do. Started to tip the bike in for the left turn at the end of my street, no more than five houses away. I was only going about 5 mph, 7 tops. I had just enough time to think, "Dang my steering feels really sluggish. Does my front tire need air?"
The aforementioned tire was mostly likely already sliding by then. Probably just cold tire and cold asphalt. Plus, there are these concrete waterways going through the intersection. Maybe a few rocks or sand or something. Next thing you know, I'm on the ground, slightly dazed. Dammit.
Picked myself up, picked up the bike, swore at nothing in particular, then lit up and took off again, headed for the toy run. No further mishaps for me the rest of the day.
I have to say, frame sliders and a Woodcraft stator cover with it's accompanying skid plate more than paid for themselves today. They're both rashed up good but there is only a very slight scratch in the left fairing and another in the left side of the tail cowling and that's it.
My leathers, of course, kept me completely undamaged. In fact, the leathers have so little damage, I can't really even take a picture 'cause it doesn't show on the camera. But it's there and better there than on my knee, my elbow and my midsection.
The only thing is, my elbow must have hyperextended somehow. I'm thinking that the leather from the jacket was thick enough that when I went down, my elbow closed up on it and it bruised the forearm muscle and bicep very slightly. My knee is unaffected at all.
My helmet visor is scraped up so I'm damn glad I had it on. Of course, I always have it on.
Folks, I was less than 300 feet from my house when I went down. I might not have been going fast, but believe me, the gear saved me some significant pain and agony. USE your gear, everyone!
The gear and the bike's equipment saved me a BUNCH of money (and I didn't even have to switch to Geico!
) and pain and suffering. It has suddenly MORE than paid for itself. Little did I know four years ago as I shelled out some serious money for all of it that it was going to pay such huge dividends this far down the road.
I'll post some pics later today or tomorrow.
--Wag--
Wait, wait, wait, wait. There's more to it than THAT!
About a week ago, a buddy gave me one of those gremlin bells. I've never had one in the 4+ years I've ridden the Busa and never had a mishap of any serious merit, knock on wood. NEARLY dropped it in a parking lot a coupla three times over the years but saved it each time. Had the usual series of close calls from time to time that we all have. Anyway, this morning, I tied that bastid bell to the left side of the bike where the former stock muffler strap bolts up.
Warmed up the bike, geared up, waited (forever and ever and ever and . . . ) for my wife to finish gearing up and mount up. When she was (finally) ready, I led off as I usually do. Started to tip the bike in for the left turn at the end of my street, no more than five houses away. I was only going about 5 mph, 7 tops. I had just enough time to think, "Dang my steering feels really sluggish. Does my front tire need air?"
The aforementioned tire was mostly likely already sliding by then. Probably just cold tire and cold asphalt. Plus, there are these concrete waterways going through the intersection. Maybe a few rocks or sand or something. Next thing you know, I'm on the ground, slightly dazed. Dammit.
Picked myself up, picked up the bike, swore at nothing in particular, then lit up and took off again, headed for the toy run. No further mishaps for me the rest of the day.
I have to say, frame sliders and a Woodcraft stator cover with it's accompanying skid plate more than paid for themselves today. They're both rashed up good but there is only a very slight scratch in the left fairing and another in the left side of the tail cowling and that's it.
My leathers, of course, kept me completely undamaged. In fact, the leathers have so little damage, I can't really even take a picture 'cause it doesn't show on the camera. But it's there and better there than on my knee, my elbow and my midsection.
The only thing is, my elbow must have hyperextended somehow. I'm thinking that the leather from the jacket was thick enough that when I went down, my elbow closed up on it and it bruised the forearm muscle and bicep very slightly. My knee is unaffected at all.
My helmet visor is scraped up so I'm damn glad I had it on. Of course, I always have it on.
Folks, I was less than 300 feet from my house when I went down. I might not have been going fast, but believe me, the gear saved me some significant pain and agony. USE your gear, everyone!
The gear and the bike's equipment saved me a BUNCH of money (and I didn't even have to switch to Geico!
) and pain and suffering. It has suddenly MORE than paid for itself. Little did I know four years ago as I shelled out some serious money for all of it that it was going to pay such huge dividends this far down the road.I'll post some pics later today or tomorrow.
--Wag--
for the message.
hee hee That is when you are feeling a little better of course. 
