PTParks
Active member
My driveway is very steep and ends in a slight dip as it transitions to the cul-de-sac I live on. Coming home yesterday I approached the driveway and downshifted from second to first as I started up the driveway...or so I thought. What I ended up doing after I'm about 10 feet up the driveway is catching neutral and revving like a wild man while I started drifting downhill backwards. I ran out of footing and ideas at the same time and ended up putting the bike on its (left) side and launching me off the bike into the middle of the asphalt. Figure a 2 mph wreck rolling backwards downhill. Typical newbie dumb-assed maneuver. The bike fairing sustained various degrees of road rash in two areas(upper left side piece and the lower adjustable piece by my knee), the left hand mirror is toast, the left footpeg is gone (mounting point is ok), the left side engine cover is badly scratched, and there is a small roughed up area on the bottom side of the left muffler (soon to be replaced with some Vance-Hines pieces). All what looks to be easily replaceable parts. I have found a couple of Yamaha parts places that lists all the necessary replacement parts, and if I am reading the information correctly the faring pieces come already painted (silver). Exactly how hard is it to replace the parts I listed? With the exception of the engine side cover that I would leave to the dealer to replace, I think I could do the tear-down and replacement of the parts myself. I could file an insurance claim and go to the dealer for the whole thing but the majority of the cost would end up being my deductable.
Anyone familiar with the fairing have any words of wisdom before I order the parts and start?
Me? It's amazing how hard you can hit your head with hardly any velocity to add to the force of the fall. Helmet did what it was designed to do. Felt the impact but suffered no ill effects. Joe Rocket jacket prevented any road rash. Left shoulder a little sore and I've got a weird bruise on the side of my left foot. All the gear, all the time, even at 2mph.
Anyone familiar with the fairing have any words of wisdom before I order the parts and start?
Me? It's amazing how hard you can hit your head with hardly any velocity to add to the force of the fall. Helmet did what it was designed to do. Felt the impact but suffered no ill effects. Joe Rocket jacket prevented any road rash. Left shoulder a little sore and I've got a weird bruise on the side of my left foot. All the gear, all the time, even at 2mph.