Bagged by the Gravel...again.

BlueThunder18 · August 31st, 2011, 05:25 PM

Ugh...so just over a year after my first very minor spill, I have had my second.

The usual story...just seconds from home, turning onto a street that leads to mine. What annoys me is I've been paranoid about this large collection of gravel at this turn since I moved here less than 2 months ago. I usually go around it, but there was a car coming out, so I just went through it. There was even more than usual, as I guess the storm had collected even more dirt, gravel, and small rocks in this spot.

So many times I thought of walking the two blocks down there with a broom...I will be doing that before I get the bike back on the road.

Overall I was pretty lucky. Some road rash on my elbow received through the jacket - thank god I had it on, that's where I really landed...on my right elbow. Belt got scuffed too, and jeans a little. Right glove slightly torn on the palm. Bruised ego.

Bike: I lopped off the right turn signal, which I already got back on. Broke the right stay step bracket that holds the rear brake pedal and right foot peg. Hoping the dealer in Ossining has it so I can pick it up before the weekend...only place that was still open in CT when it happened earlier would've had to order it. Scuffed up fairing, minor scrapes on mirror, throttle and brake handle.

Picked it up and rode it the less than 2 blocks home with the rear brake hanging. Overall seems OK, but will have to give it a good look-over once I can get the part to put it back together. Consider myself very lucky, and glad my decision to start out on a small bike has been re-enforced again. Not that the next bike won't get banged up too, but hopefully I'll learn some good lessons without it hurting me too much...both physically and in the wallet!

Pics:

IMG_4919 by cshaffer18, on Flickr

IMG_4920 by cshaffer18, on Flickr

IMG_4921 by cshaffer18, on Flickr

IMG_4922 by cshaffer18, on Flickr

IMG_4923 by cshaffer18, on Flickr

IMG_4924 by cshaffer18, on Flickr

Upon closer review, it was even deeper and looser than it looked:

IMG_4926 by cshaffer18, on Flickr

leed · August 31st, 2011, 06:01 PM

It's just a flesh wound!

That asphalt runoff and fines is real crappy

But, glad to hear you are doing alright! Is there another way around?

AznJoJo · August 31st, 2011, 06:07 PM

Glad you're ok! The bike can be fixed/replaced, you cannot. Stay safe

BlueThunder18 · August 31st, 2011, 06:18 PM

Thx JoJo...Yeah Leed...there are like 3 ways in...it's a weird circle, but this is my usual - most direct route. I'm gonna try to sweep it up, and next time there is a car on the other side and I can't get around it u bet your ass I'll take one of the other ways.

MotoED · August 31st, 2011, 06:27 PM

reaperw · August 31st, 2011, 06:31 PM

could have been worst seem minor i am sure any dealer will have you up and running in no time.Maybe you should drive naked for a while (the bike that is )

Mocha Man · September 13th, 2011, 07:43 PM

Whoah...looks like it needs a little touch-up paint :P

BlueThunder18 · September 13th, 2011, 08:05 PM

Still need to get some polishing compound and some wax, but some light clean-up gave pretty decent results! Bike is back together and back on the road.

IMG_0654 by cshaffer18, on Flickr

setasai · September 13th, 2011, 08:26 PM

Yikes. Glad you're back on track. From your photo, how come you didnt just go around the gravel? I mean it's not like its covering the ENTIRE street. If I had to make an "avoid like the plague" list for riding, gravel is like top 3 along with leaves and manhole covers.

BlueThunder18 · September 13th, 2011, 08:31 PM

"I usually go around it, but there was a car coming out, so I just went through it. There was even more than usual, as I guess the storm had collected even more dirt, gravel, and small rocks in this spot."

I won't "just be going through it" anymore!

Malicious Logic · September 19th, 2011, 01:25 PM

Good to hear you're ok. I'd like to think I would've either just waved the car out and then gone around as usual or taken the corner very carefully having known about the gravel before hand but who knows.

kaiserz · September 19th, 2011, 06:51 PM

Frame sliders ):

August 31st, 2011, 05:25 PM	#1
BlueThunder18 ninjette.org member Name: Chris Location: New York Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50T Posts: 90	Bagged by the Gravel...again. Ugh...so just over a year after my first very minor spill, I have had my second. The usual story...just seconds from home, turning onto a street that leads to mine. What annoys me is I've been paranoid about this large collection of gravel at this turn since I moved here less than 2 months ago. I usually go around it, but there was a car coming out, so I just went through it. There was even more than usual, as I guess the storm had collected even more dirt, gravel, and small rocks in this spot. So many times I thought of walking the two blocks down there with a broom...I will be doing that before I get the bike back on the road. Overall I was pretty lucky. Some road rash on my elbow received through the jacket - thank god I had it on, that's where I really landed...on my right elbow. Belt got scuffed too, and jeans a little. Right glove slightly torn on the palm. Bruised ego. Bike: I lopped off the right turn signal, which I already got back on. Broke the right stay step bracket that holds the rear brake pedal and right foot peg. Hoping the dealer in Ossining has it so I can pick it up before the weekend...only place that was still open in CT when it happened earlier would've had to order it. Scuffed up fairing, minor scrapes on mirror, throttle and brake handle. Picked it up and rode it the less than 2 blocks home with the rear brake hanging. Overall seems OK, but will have to give it a good look-over once I can get the part to put it back together. Consider myself very lucky, and glad my decision to start out on a small bike has been re-enforced again. Not that the next bike won't get banged up too, but hopefully I'll learn some good lessons without it hurting me too much...both physically and in the wallet! Pics: IMG_4919 by cshaffer18, on Flickr IMG_4920 by cshaffer18, on Flickr IMG_4921 by cshaffer18, on Flickr IMG_4922 by cshaffer18, on Flickr IMG_4923 by cshaffer18, on Flickr IMG_4924 by cshaffer18, on Flickr Upon closer review, it was even deeper and looser than it looked: IMG_4926 by cshaffer18, on Flickr

August 31st, 2011, 06:07 PM	#3
AznJoJo ninjette.org Bunny Name: Jojo Location: San Diego Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): none, cuz i'm a loser. Posts: 687	Glad you're ok! The bike can be fixed/replaced, you cannot. Stay safe __________________________________________________ (\_/) (o.0) c(")(") - baby bunny disapproves of creepy PM's...

August 31st, 2011, 06:27 PM	#5
MotoED ninjette.org guru Name: Edd Location: Los Angeles-CALI Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 SE Pearl/Ebony Ninja 250R Posts: 376	__________________________________________________ [#4]

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August 31st, 2011, 06:01 PM	#2
leed ninjette.org sage Name: David Location: Loves Park, IL Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): Time will tell Posts: 969	It's just a flesh wound! That asphalt runoff and fines is real crappy But, glad to hear you are doing alright! Is there another way around?

August 31st, 2011, 06:18 PM	#4
BlueThunder18 ninjette.org member Name: Chris Location: New York Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50T Posts: 90	Thx JoJo...Yeah Leed...there are like 3 ways in...it's a weird circle, but this is my usual - most direct route. I'm gonna try to sweep it up, and next time there is a car on the other side and I can't get around it u bet your ass I'll take one of the other ways.

August 31st, 2011, 06:31 PM	#6
reaperw ninjette.org member Name: Ian Location: newmarket Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): ninja 250 Posts: 191	could have been worst seem minor i am sure any dealer will have you up and running in no time.Maybe you should drive naked for a while (the bike that is )

September 13th, 2011, 07:43 PM	#7
Mocha Man Blue Shell magnet Name: Nolan Location: Northwest Washington Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 1997 Ninja 250 Posts: 816	Whoah...looks like it needs a little touch-up paint :P

September 13th, 2011, 08:05 PM	#8
BlueThunder18 ninjette.org member Name: Chris Location: New York Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50T Posts: 90	Still need to get some polishing compound and some wax, but some light clean-up gave pretty decent results! Bike is back together and back on the road. IMG_0654 by cshaffer18, on Flickr

September 13th, 2011, 08:26 PM	#9
setasai ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Brian Location: Detroit, MI Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Green Posts: A lot.	Yikes. Glad you're back on track. From your photo, how come you didnt just go around the gravel? I mean it's not like its covering the ENTIRE street. If I had to make an "avoid like the plague" list for riding, gravel is like top 3 along with leaves and manhole covers.

September 13th, 2011, 08:31 PM	#10
BlueThunder18 ninjette.org member Name: Chris Location: New York Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50T Posts: 90	"I usually go around it, but there was a car coming out, so I just went through it. There was even more than usual, as I guess the storm had collected even more dirt, gravel, and small rocks in this spot." I won't "just be going through it" anymore!

September 19th, 2011, 01:25 PM	#11
Malicious Logic hates stupid people Name: Mark Location: Oklahoma City Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2005 ZX6R Posts: 860	Good to hear you're ok. I'd like to think I would've either just waved the car out and then gone around as usual or taken the corner very carefully having known about the gravel before hand but who knows.

September 19th, 2011, 06:51 PM	#12
kaiserz There's a limit to s2pdty Name: A.D. Location: NoVa the burg Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250r ninja (sold) Posts: A lot.	Frame sliders ):