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First let me say that I am fine. My riding gear did its job, and all I have is a 3 inch bruise on my hip. No serious injuries at all. ATTGATT does work.
So this morning I had met up with a bunch of guys and we had a sweet 200 mile loop planned of the best roads in the area. We had planned this ride since April as there were lots of schedules to try and accommodate.There was about 9 of us that met up in Newark to head out. Including fellow GSer, The Schwartz (Aaron).
We get rolling, I was 2nd from the lead, Aaron being just behind me. While merging onto the highway, I hit a huge pot hole. It didn't look so bad before I hit it, and figured it shouldn't be a problem. WRONG. This was the mother of all potholes and DEEP. Mistake number one.
We got down the road a little ways and I felt the front end feeling really heavy, and the bike not wanting to turn at all. However our group had become spread out, and with there not being too much of a shoulder, and our exit approaching, I figured I could make it off the highway. Mistake number two, and sealed my fate.
Now knowing something is very wrong with my front tire, I slowed down a lot for the exit ramp. It is a gentle curve, nothing drastic or challenging so I didn't think much of it. Being careful I initiated the turn in. About a third of the way through, the front tire gave way. I guess the sidewall pressure was enough to break the bead from the bent wheel, and down I went.
Lowsided on the right hand side of the bike, and slid on my right side. Thankfully the riders behind me were a safe distance away, and there was no sudden stops. I jumped up immediately, shut of the still running GS, and assured everyone that I wasn't hurt. Two guys went up to flag down cars headed towards the exit ramp, we got the bike upright, and called the police.
Once we stopped everyone else who hit that friggen pot hole checked their bikes. Sure enough Aaron had a bent rim, and so did another rider.
State Trooper came, instructed the other bikes to leave the side of the highway. So with my assurance that I was fine, they continued the ride. Aaron and the other rider with the bent rim did an inspection, their tires were still holding air, and deemed it safe enough to CAREFULLY limp home. Avoiding the highways.
I got a $235 tow for 17 miles, some new scuff marks on my riding gear, and am in the market for a new front wheel.
I had my camera with me, here are some pics of the damage from the crash. Mostly cosmetic.
The culprit of the crash. Bent rim, and flat tire, unattached to the wheel
Smashed up my Maier fairing, but it served as a sacrifice because my headlight, bars, controls, and gauges were undamaged.
The case savers sure did their job to. No damage to the motor, but my number 4 header has seen better days.
I am OK. The bike can be fixed. Lessons learned:
1 Don't hit potholes.
2 Pull over the instant you realize a problem
3 Don't get a blowout
4 Gear works, and definitely saved me from being injured.
I am happy to be here to report my story to you all.
Thanks for reading.
PS anyone got a front wheel for an '82 850G?
So this morning I had met up with a bunch of guys and we had a sweet 200 mile loop planned of the best roads in the area. We had planned this ride since April as there were lots of schedules to try and accommodate.There was about 9 of us that met up in Newark to head out. Including fellow GSer, The Schwartz (Aaron).
We get rolling, I was 2nd from the lead, Aaron being just behind me. While merging onto the highway, I hit a huge pot hole. It didn't look so bad before I hit it, and figured it shouldn't be a problem. WRONG. This was the mother of all potholes and DEEP. Mistake number one.
We got down the road a little ways and I felt the front end feeling really heavy, and the bike not wanting to turn at all. However our group had become spread out, and with there not being too much of a shoulder, and our exit approaching, I figured I could make it off the highway. Mistake number two, and sealed my fate.
Now knowing something is very wrong with my front tire, I slowed down a lot for the exit ramp. It is a gentle curve, nothing drastic or challenging so I didn't think much of it. Being careful I initiated the turn in. About a third of the way through, the front tire gave way. I guess the sidewall pressure was enough to break the bead from the bent wheel, and down I went.
Lowsided on the right hand side of the bike, and slid on my right side. Thankfully the riders behind me were a safe distance away, and there was no sudden stops. I jumped up immediately, shut of the still running GS, and assured everyone that I wasn't hurt. Two guys went up to flag down cars headed towards the exit ramp, we got the bike upright, and called the police.
Once we stopped everyone else who hit that friggen pot hole checked their bikes. Sure enough Aaron had a bent rim, and so did another rider.
State Trooper came, instructed the other bikes to leave the side of the highway. So with my assurance that I was fine, they continued the ride. Aaron and the other rider with the bent rim did an inspection, their tires were still holding air, and deemed it safe enough to CAREFULLY limp home. Avoiding the highways.
I got a $235 tow for 17 miles, some new scuff marks on my riding gear, and am in the market for a new front wheel.
I had my camera with me, here are some pics of the damage from the crash. Mostly cosmetic.
The culprit of the crash. Bent rim, and flat tire, unattached to the wheel
Smashed up my Maier fairing, but it served as a sacrifice because my headlight, bars, controls, and gauges were undamaged.
The case savers sure did their job to. No damage to the motor, but my number 4 header has seen better days.
I am OK. The bike can be fixed. Lessons learned:
1 Don't hit potholes.
2 Pull over the instant you realize a problem
3 Don't get a blowout
4 Gear works, and definitely saved me from being injured.
I am happy to be here to report my story to you all.
Thanks for reading.
PS anyone got a front wheel for an '82 850G?
Seems like I'll be grounded for awhile.
.
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