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So, I subscribed to Pashnit.com and spoke to several coworkers, and the concensus seemed to be "Check out Salmon Falls Rd, and if you get a chance, CA-49 - their nice twisty rides." I figure, why not - I was going to go to San Jose, but some backroad riding (not really a backroad since its the only way to get to certain cities - but they are backwoods cities) will be fun this weekend.

I load up the tank bag and head off. Fast forward two hours of riding, goofing off at various stops - I'm turning a blind corner on CA-49, and roll right over a nice smooth tar spot. Wham bam thank you ma'm, the machine comes out from under me, and I go rolling. The entire time Im thinking "please lord. . .let the repairs be cheap". I somehow manage to turn the bike off before I fall (dunno how), and after I do my stuntman roll (about 5), i let out a large "fudge", pick myself up and dust off my pants and jacket. I walk back over to the bike and pick it up (note to anyone looking to buy a SV650 - you can totally get it up by yourself) and do an inspection, already accepting the damage that will have been done - left side, right side, front and tail. . .nothing. This can't be right. . .check some more, run my hands over the lights and the mirrors. . .nada. There are scrape marks on the upper-cowl, and around the Suzuki S - but other than that. . .nothing. I almost start laughing as I look around at all the rocks and the large mountain wall to my right. I shrug and say to myself, "Must've been my lucky day", and start her up. She pops on, and the familiar whine of the fuel injection is a sweet sound. I go to put her in first gear and my foot slips. "The hell I say". I try it again - nope. . .slips. I look down, and where there should be a nice little peg - there is nothing. "Oh balls." The peg has appearantly snapped off, and Im wondering how the hell I could have missed that. Im still able to shift, but only but getting my foot under the nub end of the shifter. "Well this will be interesting" I tell myself, and shift into first, and make my way back down 49 to get on 80 and head home.

All told, I got off pretty lucky. My body is starting to feel a little sore - hitting the ground at 30-40mph isnt going to make you feel better - but my ego isn't. I picked myself up, and will try again - thats what matters to me. Bound to happen sooner or later.

Anyway - heres some pictures:


Salmon Falls to CA-49




















Bike

That sux, glad you're allright, but keep a close eye on how you feel in the next couple of days just to be sure.

So, you lowside, ride home with no shift peg, and you still get all artsy on us with the pics?

Im actually pretty sore right now and think I'm gonna go to bed. I dunno why I wasn't sore on the way home (I actually felt fantastic on the way home, and think I did some of the best driving of my "career" - although, scary moment, I hit 105MPH at one point in traffic, not realizing it because my hand was pretty numb. . . ) and now seem to be feeling it, and not bike riding numbness.

And other than to enjoy the scenery - photography is really the only reason I get up and go - ability to find new places to take pictures of. A couple of those are going into my permi-file.

Geez man, you were really lucky. Glad to hear it all went down (no pun intended) relatively unscathed.

How are you liking the bike? I'm about to cross the 1k mile barrier and man, I love it.

I would've had 1K today had I not blipped it. The urge to go out tomorrow is strong, but common sense is telling me that though I CAN shift without a peg, I probably shouldn't. I just wish there was a shifter store I could go to and get a new one. I was contemplating seeing if a welder could hook me up with a nice piece metal to go on the handle. . .and as I type this Im wondering why I cant figure something out on my own (my service appt. isnt until the 22nd).

Personally - this is the greatest thing I have ever owned. I rode on three different surfaces today, and the thing handled it all superbly. And the fact that it was able to hit 100MPH without even coming close to 10K (hell 9K if my eyes didn't deceive me) is just more magic. I really have no complaints about the machine, and since I dont know how a suspension should feel like, I can't even complain about that as I know some others dont like the 650's "suspension" or w/e.

The thing just works, and thats what I love about it.

EDIT: Yea, after looking at pictures I took around the area (I'm an addict, and I figured why not - the view was pretty good). . .I realized how lucky I was that: A) No cars came around that corner (from either direction) while I was rolling (the signs say 25 - or 30 - dont remember, but who knows who wouldve been speeding), B) I didn't get slammed up against the jagged parts of the mountain face, C) I didn't lose control in the OPPOSITE direction and go over the railing.

ANDS! wrote: Personally - this is the greatest thing I have ever owned.
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The thing just works, and thats what I love about it.

Yup, same here. From what I've read higher end bikes offer nicer rides, but that's fine. I would hope they do at the price they demand. But my SV is by far the nicest thing I've ever thrown a leg over.

My only complaint is downshifting in a turn causes the rear wheel to jump out, which is pretty scary. But I also understand that's normal (and why slipper clutches were invented) and I shouldn't be downshifting at that moment anyway.

I'm also getting used to the riding position and clip ons (something you don't have to suffer through ) and I'm starting to figure out how to make the SV rather comfortable. In fact, on the freeway, it's the most comfortable bike I've ever been on by a good margin. I could ride her on the freeway all day (and probably will, considering taking it out to Iowa to visit my parents).

Glad you're alright.

As for these naked bikes, the gear shift lever is the first thing to hit the ground when it goes on that left side. Mine has been knocked into the frame a time or two The lever sits at such a position that I wonder, even with sliders on, if the lever would remain in tact. Its possible the best thing to protect it, aside from not going down, may be like a lower engine roll cage type thing. If I had a MIG setup I'd think about custom fabbing a nice, low key bolt on cage.

wow. great photos. real sorry to hear of the accident though. Glad you are OK and you were able to get home alright. take it slow.

I've never lowsided (knocks wooden desktop several times, hard) but based on my softball experience, adrenaline is a great pain-reliever. Feel great after going 3-for-4 with two RBI, but the next afternoon I can't walk straight (also I'm 46 years old, that doesn't help).

Glad to hear you got off relatively unhurt and with so little damage to the bike!

And nice images - that sign "curvy road, next 9 miles" is my new desktop pic. I live in Illinois, we don't see many of those

wow. great photos. real sorry to hear of the accident though. Glad you are OK and you were able to get home alright. take it slow.

Definitely. . .I mean Im still on it. . .but Im not going crazy w/ it - not til I know nothings wrong.

Feel great after going 3-for-4 with two RBI, but the next afternoon I can't walk straight (also I'm 46 years old, that doesn't help).

I dont feel like "poo poo" - but I dont feel great either.

I live in Illinois, we don't see many of those

When I saw it I IMMEDIATELY slowed down, turned around and took a picture. The did some deep breaths and jumped into it. . .the signs were not lying. . .I DEFINITELY will be using those to practice on as they arent as sharp as 49 or the north end of Salmon Falls.

For a minute I was a lil bummed/depressed - but riding today restored my joy and confidence. . .

Also - man. . .a REAL bike jacket does WONDERS for the wind-blast. . .ever since I got it I really dont notice the wind or feel it trying to "knock" me off my bike. Which is great cause my confidence just shot up that much higher.