FREEKING GRAVEL!!!!

[teerex51]

It is simply amazing I have been to Italy and met Teerex51 but less than 3 miles away never been able to get together with Keithaba

...which reminds me, Don, when are y'all coming back to this neck of the woods? I have a bottle of red wine with your name on it

Stef

 

[keithaba]

It is simply amazing I have been to Italy and met Teerex51 but less than 3 miles away never been able to get together with Keithaba

...which reminds me, Don, when are y'all coming back to this neck of the woods? I have a bottle of red wine with your name on it

Stef

After this last mess, I think I need to go to Italy!!!

 

[AZrider]

Not much you can do about an encounter with gravel or sand on asphalt. The hard asphalt is like the hardened steel in the outer race of a ball bearing and (you guessed it) the gravel and sand are the "ball bearings". The bike's tires are like the inner race and this whole set up isn't at all like riding on dirt which is soft. I dropped my Bultaco (years ago) on an asphalt access road when I hit some sand; nothing I could do but enjoy the ride down.

Dittos on the "no cars or trucks coming" the other direction on right turn. On the road rash through the pants, leathers are the way to go. Here in AZ land it gets too hot in the summer for leathers and when I ride I have this feeling that if I go down my Levis aren't going to give much protection.

Hope you can get the bike back together and use some Neosporin on your SO's knee to prevent scarring.

AZ

 

[keithaba]

Not much you can do about an encounter with gravel or sand on asphalt. The hard asphalt is like the hardened steel in the outer race of a ball bearing and (you guessed it) the gravel and sand are the "ball bearings". The bike's tires are like the inner race and this whole set up isn't at all like riding on dirt which is soft. I dropped my Bultaco (years ago) on an asphalt access road when I hit some sand; nothing I could do but enjoy the ride down.
Dittos on the "no cars or trucks coming" the other direction on right turn. On the road rash through the pants, leathers are the way to go. Here in AZ land it gets too hot in the summer for leathers and when I ride I have this feeling that if I go down my Levis aren't going to give much protection.

Hope you can get the bike back together and use some Neosporin on your SO's knee to prevent scarring.

AZ

Levis definately don't do much. At least get some pants with mesh with armor, that's 1000 times better than jeans.

I think riding 2up only made the situation worse, all the added weight to the rear tire, and the weight is no longer close to the center of the bike any more.

We have been using Neosporin, although she hates it because it makes it burn more. There is also something called "Mederma" that is supposed to prevent scaring. We will give that a try too and see if it helps.

 

[drjfjr]

Neosporin or the generic seemed to work for me. I did not get any infection from the road rash but you can tell a difference in the summer because of the difference in pigment. The rashed areas just don't tan as well.

 

[teerex51]

After this last mess, I think I need to go to Italy!!!

Keith, just get your (sorry) ass over here and we'll take good care of ya...

Stef

 

[KYFJR]

Sorry to hear the news as well, Keith. Let me know if you need any help from your Northern KY brothern....

 

[kballowe]

I'm very rural so all of my bikes end up on gravel roads. It's sort of a test-point to see how well they do. My FJR is not my best bike on gravel but it'll do just fine. Shaft drive bikes work better...... sometimes gravel gets in sprocket on the belt-drive variety and pops that belt right off. Don't ask me how I know.

<_<

Finding a patch of gravel/sand on a curve in an asphalt road is an entirely different thing. It can dump you so fast that (a week later) you're still not sure what happened.

 

[Hot Wheels]

Wow, glad you are both ok. This was a good wake up call for me to wear my gear all the time. I wear jeans way too much.

Good luck with the bike.

Diane

2006 FJR1300

 

[Curve2curve]

Dude:

I am glad you are alive and well....I am even more happy that the spouse is alive and well after all of that. The bike...Who cares, Right!

We have an expression on the ADVRIDER forum ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time). It took me about 2-3 little incidents and one sideswipe at 70MPH by a drunk drive to talk me into that one. I don't care how hot, and I don't care how easy of a drive...I do it. The Germans here look like it's 40 degrees outside in 90 degree heat...they just do it. Reminds me of the old First Sergeant I used to ride with. He said there are rider that have, and riders that will no matter how careful you are.

Wow, Man you guys are seriously blessed! Hope everything heals nice. Are you pressing and peeling the bandages twice a day? It can make road rash dissapear almost - Tip from a burnward. I'm not worried about you...Men love tatoos. Women...It is a deal breaker!

 

[Karmak]

Not meant to be criticism-I would not let my wife on the bike without full gear, no matter what weather. She thought I was overboard, until last year when we also hit gravel . That is, a diesel slick first, I righted the bike and hit gravel next as soon as I regained control from the diesel (same turn, same episode). Each slide was so fast, no time to think. Still don't know how I kept it up, I'd swear I saw pavement a foot from my head! The point-she said "I'll never again think you were being dramatic by insisting I wear all that stuff." She's still antsy about feeling at ease again. She learned what I already knew from experience-sometimes all the skill in the world may not make a difference.

 

[Karmak]

I raced motocross for years and have done a lot of general off-road cycling. Dealing with gravel on the road and off the road are, most often, two entirely different things. No situation presents an absolute certainty, but hitting gravel on the road....in any appreciable amount and in an unexpected and sudden occurence....while in a leaning attitude, is going to lead to a spill. There are certainly exceptions, and good riding skills are always a huge plus, but " ole man gravel " is going to win most of these contests. Ride aware and hope you don't have to deal with crap in the road.

+1

 

[painman]

Not to hijack but while on the topic of gear, a good chest protector is an asset to our gear. Most wear a back protector so why not something for the front. Just a thought.....PM. <><

 

[evilmedic13]

Not to hijack but while on the topic of gear, a good chest protector is an asset to our gear. Most wear a back protector so why not something for the front. Just a thought.....PM. <><

Because our boobs are real? Just guessing,

 

[keithaba]

Not meant to be criticism-I would not let my wife on the bike without full gear, no matter what weather. She thought I was overboard, until last year when we also hit gravel . That is, a diesel slick first, I righted the bike and hit gravel next as soon as I regained control from the diesel (same turn, same episode). Each slide was so fast, no time to think. Still don't know how I kept it up, I'd swear I saw pavement a foot from my head! The point-she said "I'll never again think you were being dramatic by insisting I wear all that stuff." She's still antsy about feeling at ease again. She learned what I already knew from experience-sometimes all the skill in the world may not make a difference.

I agree with you completely. I still feel like an :asshat2: for not having the right type of pants for her.

I am, however, glad that all of the other gear did it's job and kept injuries to a minimum.

I posted this with the particular hope that those who read it and don't have ALL the gear for their pillion, will go get some.

 

[fretbender]

I posted this with the particular hope that those who read it and don't have ALL the gear for their pillion, will go get some.

Point taken. I went down on a gravel road a few weeks ago myself. Left turn, about 25mph, left saddlebag & generator cover scraped badly. My leg was trapped under the bike during the event and functioned as a slider, keeping the rest of the plastic off the road. Thank goodness I was fully geared up as I walked away with nary a scratch, though some ligaments in my left leg were stretched somewhat. Also need a new helmet now. I need to go get some pants for my wife before she goes on another ride with me.

 

[rtoyboy]

Hoorah, glad you and wife survived the crash.......any crash you could walk away is due to your skills as a motorcyclist...I crashed quite a few times....from hitting cracks in the road, riding on sand blown road, hitting oil slick, heavy rain storm, etc. I will ride in all types of weather with exception of heavy rain storms. The time I skided in the heavy rain storm was rolling to a stop and wipe out but I always wear protective clothing.

So glad you and wife is okay....Heal up....Insurance will cover your losses......RT