stupid low side

[DimitriT]

About a mile and half from home car was stopping in front of me kinda quick to turn left on a 2 lane country road. There was room on right to pass but I didn't have good visibility and didn't see another car pull in from the left. Got on the brake (wasn't going too fast, like 25 mph) but sand along the right side of the road caused a low side. Everything worked: armor padding, gloves, boots, case guard, footpeg, etc. Lost a turnsignal, broke the windscreen and scuffed up the chrome headlight bucket (ouch) but other than a little buising along the calf and hip, no major issues. Picked it up and rode it back home. Took the car to work.

Moral of the story: I was a DUMB ASS for trying to pass on the right. I need to stop and let the cars sort out their business and not be in a hurry. I took it for granted that drivers would behave a certain way. I didn't respect the sand on the road. I'm glad I was in full gear or I would be waiting in bloody clothes in the ER rather than writing this.

[uudfourty]

True true and true.

[spyug]

Good to hear you didn't come serious harm and glad to hear the ATGATT preparation worked out.

Sand gives me the willies. Gravel you can see and most times deal with but sand is harder to spot I find. Up here they use a lot of it on the highway off ramps during winter and they are slow to clean it up in spring. Almost all ramps here abouts are still covered with it.

A week or so ago I was out and about and was coming along a 2 lane divided highway (Mud Street for the locals). Up until a few months back it had transitioned from straight road through some nice esses into a faster and straight highway ( the Linc). I had forgotten that the transition now goes over another connecting stretch of highway into a nice sweeping and decending right hand curve. Not much sand on this section and fun to run down all leaned over. The next section, where it transitions into the highway is flatter and right after that there is an off ramp with sweeping right hand transitioning to left hand crossing the highway. I had some fun on the right hander and thinking the off ramp would be fun so I shoot on in. Too late to see it is still covered in sand.:shock:

I'm hot going in but upright enough to scrub off speed.Problem is there is a Jeep right up my ass and he's hot too. I feel the back end slide a bit as i heel over left and i think I'm going down. MR. Jeep is inches from my back end and likely thinking this bike should be squirting through here. The bike stays up and shimmies a bit and I make it through. Mr. Jeep gives me the evil eye at the light for spoiling his fun. Me I'm shaking a bit and making a mental note to stay off the ramps until August. They might have them cleaned by then.

Thanks for your post, it is a good reminder for us not to get too cocky so early in the season and the importance of ATGATT.

Cheers,
Spyug

[DimitriT]

Guys, thanks for the feedback. I'm hoping other beginner riders (like me, 3rd season) can benefit. A local cop was about 200 yards and saw me go down. He rushed over as I was getting up and was amazed I wasn't going to the ER.

All our roads have some sand along the outer 2-3 feet which is where I was stupidly trying to pass. You just can't take it for granted that those outer feet of road are any good.

Spy, I'm glad you worked through the sand on the ramp.

Ride safe!! ATGATT! What's down there? Pain! There's pain down there! You don't want to be down there!

[ScottMc1100L]

About a mile and half from home car was stopping in front of me kinda quick to turn left on a 2 lane country road. There was room on right to pass but I didn't have good visibility and didn't see another car pull in from the left. .................Moral of the story: I was a DUMB ASS for trying to pass on the right....

I don't think passing on the right is wrong. It keeps traffic moving. As a matter of fact, I feel as if you're a sitting duck waiting on a left turner. Some clown comes up from behind you who's not paying attention and see you later. I think your only error was doing it in haste or with limited visibility as you'd noted.

Glad you are ok!!

....Note to self. I need better gear .

[DimitriT]

Scott, didn't mean to imply passing on the right is a no-no. But it must be done with caution as you point out. If you're on a stretch of clear road and have good visibility I think you can slow it down and pass safely. In my case I was on a busy town center road with lots of driveways/parking lots. Very popular place for accidents between cars too. Its very difficult to predict what's gonna happen next on a road like that and when I drive down it I try to be 100% aware. I'm certain now that in this situation you are better off riding slow, stopping when you have to, and letting the cars do their thing. Basically pretend like your in a car or riding a goldwing.

[gametip]

I'm glad you're ok DimitriT, I had a lowside (from me being dumb on a damp street) a week after I got my bike.

[Dogma]

I'm glad you're ok DimitriT, I had a lowside (from me being dumb on a damp street) a week after I got my bike.

Checking in with another noob story. My first season out i was having fun being lost one night and pulled up to a T to figure out which way to turn. It was dark enough that I couldn't see the pavement, and I turned left right through a pile of gravel in the middle of the T. The rear end went right, and I reflexively tried to catch it with my left foot. Yeah right. That's not even a good idea on my mountain bike. Luckily, the rear end got out of the gravel and grabbed again before I wishboned myself. Even so, my knee was complaining later from the excessive effort.

Glad your OK, Dimitri.

[earlfor]

I dont know about your area, but its illegal here and will get you a quick $250 ticket. :-) I'm not saying I havent done it, but if anything goes wrong, even if someone turns into YOU while you're doing that, you are automatically charged with the accident.

Earl

I don't think passing on the right is wrong. It keeps traffic moving. As a matter of fact, I feel as if you're a sitting duck waiting on a left turner. Some clown comes up from behind you who's not paying attention and see you later. I think your only error was doing it in haste or with limited visibility as you'd noted.

Glad you are ok!!

....Note to self. I need better gear .

[dpep]

Moral of the story: I was a DUMB ASS for trying to pass on the right. I need to stop and let the cars sort out their business and not be in a hurry. I took it for granted that drivers would behave a certain way. I didn't respect the sand on the road. I'm glad I was in full gear or I would be waiting in bloody clothes in the ER rather than writing this.

This is the only dumb thing you did. And we have all done it. Surprises like this one are what break you of the habit. Reading your story influences me not to get lax and start taking things for granted just because I haven't been surprised lately. You are a much safer rider now than you were. You have an additional awareness. Being covered with the right gear was very smart. Sorry about your bike. But congratularions on the good fortune that resulted from your good judgment.

[DimitriT]

Thanks for all your great feedback. Last night I replaced the turn signal (using a part off the 550 which is under development) and took the broken windscreen off. I also popped some more Advil before going to bed. I still need to fix the right footpeg and I may spend a little and replace a scuffed part or two. But the bike is readworthy.

This morning I got right back on it and rode it to work. I was a little hesitant getting back on the road and was quick on the brakes a bit, but once on the highway I settled down and had a nice smooth ride.