Accident yestrerday

[bpoirier]

Yesterday, 04/22/06, during the CT Experienced Riders Course (ERC) in Plainfield, CT, I drop my prized possession during the two u-turns in a box. It wasn't my first attempt. I had done it successfully many times. Everything was real good according to the instructor (head turn, no braking, etc...) I lost the edge during the right hand turn and a microsecond of non-acceleration caused it to go down. Big scratches in the right saddlebag, front right fairing and mirror.

I really do not feel that bad because I beleive that everyone should strive to be a better rider. This, and any valuable instruction, may save your life. The insurance company and dealer can always fix the damage and return the exterior to pristine condition. That's why he have insurance.

Practice makes perfect they say and I will be back on the range real soon.

Bill P.

Thompson, CT

 

[jjsC6]

I feel for you. But in my 35 years of riding I have never had any real world need to know how to do two u-turns in the size of a small bedroom at 1mph. At that point, in the real world, there is no reason to not put your feet down and do it carefully.

Sorry, but that is my opinion on the training of that kind of maneuver.

 

[bmac]

I feel for you. But in my 35 years of riding I have never had any real world need to know how to do two u-turns in the size of a small bedroom at 1mph. At that point, in the real world, there is no reason to not put your feet down and do it carefully.
Sorry, but that is my opinion on the training of that kind of maneuver.

I agree.

 

[galxy5]

ditto ,, low speed turns are the devils playground ,, your just askin to go down ,,

sorry to hear about your drop,,

 

[Rickster]

I'm not sure of the value of the slow tight footless maneuvers either, unless you're a shriner and ride parades.

Perhaps they should remove that section from the ERC and create a SRC (of course -- Shriner's Riders Course)

 

[Carnifex]

(note to self.. take side-bags off when doing the ERC...)

 

[Bike Effects]

(note to self.. take side-bags off when doing the ERC...)

But then, there are the pipes!

 

[weekend rider]

Just a mindful thought, even instructors become out dated with what they teach in a class room or in the field. Sounds like a manuver you will never use. Nice to know but when do you use it? The other person that mentionrd it not to be a riding technique used only rarely, the instructor might need some updating for what is needed. riding has changed somewhat over the years.(no disrespect to the instructor), only an observasional comment.

I have never used that manuver in all the years I have been riding +40

 

[DocDanDC]

I was thinking he may need Training Wheels!

Glad you are OK. Keep going to the training. You'll improve.

 

[Coyote]

The actual setups used for training aren't designed to be actual real world scenarios, but to teach skills. My guess is that box maneuver is to teach slow speed transitions, not double u-turns in a bedroom. Just as practicing emergency stops while approaching lines of cones isn't to teach stopping skills when you from suddenly encounter lines of cones on road.

Disclaimer - I'm not an instructor and have recently demonstrated that I can't always keep my wheels on the road. Presently, still bikeless.

 

[Ari Rankum]

Yesterday, 04/22/06, during the CT Experienced Riders Course (ERC) in Plainfield, CT, I drop my prized possession during the two u-turns in a box.

That sucks.

The insurance company and dealer can always fix the damage and return the exterior to pristine condition. That's why he have insurance.

Can they the plastic be successfully painted, or must you get new plastics? If it's the former, it may not be worth making a claim, depending on your deductible. If it's the latter, I figure, maybe $700.

 

[Bagger]

Sorry to hear you dinged your ride, Bill. Bummer..., but as you said, it's fixable and you didn't get injured.

Altho I've riden for like 40 odd years ... minus some years when I was in school..., I have dropped 3 Harleys and my Wing. Mostly in my driveway trying to turn the suckers as I backed up on a slope. Can be tricky... and man, are those baggers heavy!! Good thing I'm a strong dude, but had to have Kris help me with the Wing.

Anyway, fix the dings and ride, eh. Happens.

BAGGER

 

[Rickster]

Sorry Bill --

did ya have sliders on?

 

[snikr]

Sorry to hear you dropped the new FJR. Glad you are OK and like you said, the outside parts can be replaced. That's why we have insurance.

Tom

 

[jestal]

I agree that those type maneuvers don't really replicate any real world situations but they do teach low speed manuevering which can certainly help in the real world. The more you practice that sort of thing the less you have to concentrate on riding the bike and the more time you can spend watching the situation.

In a maneuver like that do you use the throttle to balance the bike??

If so, I have learned long ago that just using the throttle as the on/off device for power for low speed manuevering is just not adequate, especially on a shaft drive bike with a touch of driveline lash and lurchiness like the FJR. Instead, apply light throttle, hold your wrist steady and modulate the speed with the rear brake. This way you always have the driveline under tension, you elimnate any possiblity of an unexpected lurch and, more importantly, you have instant power available for recovery by releasing the brake instead of having to turn your wrist and wait for more power. You can apply considerable throttle and just crawl along by dragging the rear brake and have super control of the bike and just crawl around at will. You cannot hurt the motor or trans doing this and it certainly isn't going to hurt the rear brake as it can take far more heat input. It isn't necessary to slip the clutch or even touch the clutch lever as the motor will pull smoothly at very low revs with some throttle application and there is little or no tendency to stall with the throttle open. When I see a situation like this coming I will even wrap part of my hand or one finger onto the grip control pod so as to stablize the throttle at a fixed opening and then just control the speed with the rear brake.

If you have never tried this I would urge you to go to a parking lot and experiment with the technique. I think you will be surprised at the control and smoothness it gives you on low speed manuevers "on the range." And it has a lot of real world applications from parking lots to U turns.