Crash this morning!

[JVRR]

Crashed my GS500 this morning. The number one thing driving me crazy is I have no idea what happened. I honestly believe I did not give it too much gas. The only things I can think of is I hit gravel/sand, or had some stutter issues due to the temperature and lack of warming up. I was just coming out of a turn. In my neighborhood. I do not really remember anything except riding fine and then being on the ground- did not hit my head or anything, but as everyone will attest we have close calls, recover, and go "Woa," but I didn't feel a thing, I have NO idea what happened!

I got right back on and headed out to work, got about 200 feet before I could tell it wasn't quite right (I think it was my ego that got me back up so fast) so took it home and swapped for the car. Suffice to say I have never had such a good excuse for being late to work before .

So the damage is very concentrated. Very little damage, but where it is, it is severe. I knew the bar end/balancer was going to have to be replaced, bent the screw really well. And the shift lever (it is usable but bent). Did some damage to the underneath of the mirror and blinker, a little on the front fender, and some nasty stuff to the bottom edge of the engine (all damage is left side). Ripped the little "SUZUKI" circle sticker off and underneath that. That is the only spot really bugging me as I doubt that can be fixed without buying a new engine casing. I went for a ride tonight and I am pretty sure there is a very minor bend to the handlebars as well, which shouldn't surprise me with how badly that balancer was tore up.

I am going to do one of two things, the work myself, and then an inspection. I want an inspection anyway for resale value, I know it will drop but not as much with a clear certified inspection, but also for confidence. I do not want to get stuck getting back on my bike with lost confidence, one way to help skip that is by knowing I am getting on a bike in good order.

I called the local Suzuki dealer and repairs are not bad actually. The prices he quoted me easily matched online (around $30 for balancers, $60 for bars, $40 for shift lever, all OEM/stock new). Labor for those three only he quoted about $150. If I have work done the inspection is free ($100 value). I would actually like to do the work myself that I can, but if I am going to pay for an inspection anyway, might as well get the work done professionally.

As for the more cosmetic stuff, I am not worried about that for the moment, we will see what his estimates are for that stuff.

Oh and I am fine. Pulled a groin muscle and banged up my knee, within an hour they felt fine but my back is bugging me quite a bit. But my back is on-and-off anyway so little jolt would do that to it. Landed square on my butt, but slid good. Tore my jeans and boots up, gloves and jacket not a scratch, head never hit pavement.

EDIT: Summary

Necessary
1- Handlebar probably
2- Shift Lever
3- Handlebar Balancer/End Bars

Cosmetic
4- Two light scratches on front fender
5- Center stand a little chewed up on the side
6- Left mirror (underside)
7- Left blinker (underside)
8- Engine casing on left side

Debating between what to have done, and what to do. I guess if I am worried about resale value makes sense to have it all done professionally. I know it won't be worth as much still, but there is a good market out here and I got a great deal on it anyway.

[mogster]

Sorry to hear about your off, but glad you relatively ok.
You said that you slid but jeans ripped, were they kevlar jeans?

Take it easy.

[JVRR]

Negative, regular jeans over long-johns. I have been pant-shopping for a while, been debating between kevlar jeans and overpants.

I just priced it all out on Cheap Cycle Gear online and looks like I could replace everything touched, including engine cover and cowling for about $400, that's not bad at all. Assuming that was all the damage and I could do all the work, $400 plus $100 for an inspection... I could live with that! Not as good as a professional job, and I'd hate to have the inspection find other things after spending all that money... but... Of course summer is just kicking in now too after weeks of rain.

I can say I feel a little less tempted to run out and finance that Speed Triple now .

[RhadamYgg]

Not good! Definitely glad to hear you are ok after that misadventure. I'd walk the corner and check for debris - not that I'm an authority or anything. I'm sure it would bug the crap out of you not knowing why you hit the ground.

[JVRR]

I have, I am highly suspicious it was a multitude of factors. There wasn't any heavy collection of debris, at least not 8 hours later. Really a little too much speed and a jolt from a poorly warmed GS500 would probably be enough to do it. Anyone who rides a GS500 knows that thing takes forever to warm up, and at least mine isn't the most friendly until it does.

However, I vividly remember on the ground trying to figure out how to hold onto my bike, and yet get my hand off the throttle. Still seems somewhat plausible I went down due to a lack of speed, grabbed the throttle to try and get back up and as a result spun my bike around and sent me on the slide. I was facing nearly 180 degrees from where I started!

[Wrider]

Glad you're relatively ok buddy.
As far as what needs to be replaced, just go into a shop and ask for a "crash evaluation". They'll tell you everything that needs to be replaced to get it back to pre-crash condition. And they do a lot of them, trust me...

[zeligman]

take it easy and make sure all YOUR parts are in working order! glad you're ok.

[pchast]

Good to hear that you are ok.

Its the second and third day that
the strained muscles bother me though...

[sunshine229]

OMG so sorry to hear! So glad you're okay and hope you're doing well in the 24-48 hours after...

Having a minor crash early in your career might be a good thing - might help you to become a better rider. Whatever you do, don't let it get you scared of riding!

Take care of yourself. Let us know how you get on.

[totalmotorcycle]

James, sorry to hear about your accident as well, I am very releaved to hear you are ok and that while the bike may be a little damaged it will only cost you $150 in parts or $400 in parts to correct completely.

I would check out eBay for used GS550E parts there should be a lot of them and our online shopping guide: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/shoponline.htm I've done a lot of digging to where the deals are, you might find some cheaper ones there.

After my accident I wanted to get back on the bike again as I didn't want to lose confidence and that year I bought another bike (my bike was totaled). But after that accident I was a changed rider forever, for the better as I learned from my mistakes I made and thus learned to ride better. Since then, no accidents (knock on wood) and I'm glad I got back on the bike.

If there is anything I can do to help you just let me know.

Mike