First time down (or my trip to the pavement)

[mattwells]

Well, I have been riding a couple of months now (haven't taken the MSF yet, because of money problems), but I have read Proficient Motorcycling and have practiced alot in a parking lot. I drive to and from work (about 5 miles each way) and the speed limit never exceeds 30 MPH.

I was pulling out of a stoplight, making a right. Had the bike leaned over, was accelerating into the turn...and then lost traction, and was on the pavement. I think I hit a tar snake with my back tire and it went over. Or it could have been taking the turn too hard. I don't know. I am fine (thank you FirstGear jacket, Joe Rocket gloves, and NewEnough.com) and the bike only has minor damage (bent handlebar, bent footpeg, cracked right blinker housing). I was able to drive it home, very cautiously. Nevertheless, I consider myself lucky (I ended up in the oncoming traffic lane), and will be out practicing again as soon as I get it fixed.

Matt

[stock28]

Glad to hear you're ok. Could have been any number of things that put you down. Go back and look at the corner to see if you can fingure it out. Could have been the tar snake or loose gravel. Either way, if you learned anything from it and didn't get hurt it's not all bad.

[Grunt]

Glad to hear you're OK! My first time down was trying to avoid my neighbor's dog. I was on my Honda Rebel so a very short fall. The first thing I did when I got up was to see if anyone saw me. Fortunately no one saw and my pride stayed intact.

[rnr262]

Glad you're okay! At least you're first time down was doing something. Mine was sitting still in a parking lot. Hard to find an excuse for that one.

[Edacio]

My first Bike Yamaha FJ1200 August 30,2005

My first time down was Labor day. I got my bike on the Thursday before.

The first few days I was riding in my development so that I could practice turning, stopping, ect. I was soon bored with that and wanted to go out on the open road. I live in the county so riding around the block is more then just a few miles. I was "riding around the block" that Saturday and Sunday and almost put 100 miles on the bike. The next day, Monday, I was riding the same route and I am making my last left hand turn to go home. I am still not sure why I did what I did b/c I had made this turn 20 times before, but I just did not pay attention to what I was doing.

I ended up making the turn too wide and when I realized that I was going to hit the curb I tried to brake, but I my state of panic I didn't realize that I was holding the throttle and the brake so I did not slow down. The curb was very small so I rode over that but when I hit the grass the bike slid out from under me. I guess because I was still trying to turn and I lost traction on the grass. The worst part was that I only had a helmet on for protection. The throttle lock tore up my hand and my forearm made a "C" shape crack in the windshield and tore up my forearm. I went flying off and the bike slid into the grass.

I picked up the bike, started it, and took off with bleeding arms. Someone had pulled off the road to see if I was ok but I just took off. The bike is fine besides the windshield crack, Left mirror is gone, and the throttle lock is gone.

I have learned that I need a jacket and gloves before I ride again. And I need to be more careful on turns. Back to practice.

[Craig7220]

Glad to hear your OK. I agree, go back and look at the intersection again. Dirt, sand or gravel in a turn can cause your bike to feel like your driving on marbles. But learning from the experience will be a great help in the future. Any accident that you can walk away from is a good thing. The bike can be fixed. Ride safe..