Friends don't let friends ride FJR's

[KYFJR]

You aint gonna believe this one.

Since I bought the '06, a cruiser friend of mine that I have taken two trips (1500 miles total) with has begged me this week to ride the '03. I said no problem but be VERY careful. This is NOT like your cruiser!!! Smart guy, mid-50's and around 6'2", lottsa bikes and lottsa miles. No problem, right? Welp, after about 30 miles he has a grin so large that a SOS pad couldn't wipe off. He loves it, wants to buy one, but mine (excuse me, wifes) is not for sale. So we joke about it and we helmet up and start to head back to my house.

Here it comes....we are on a back country road (KY) going at a CRUISER speed (25 to 30) into a left turn and he just falls over. I am watching in my mirror with horror as he and the '03 struck pavement then slid into the side of the road. I turn around and ride back to him who is very slow getting up. My first concern is obviously him and he had a little rash but thats about it. Very lucky. His helmet has a HUGE scrape. It was the weirdest fall I have ever seen. His feet and hands did not leave their respective positions as he fell. So for a moment, he lay on the ground with his feet on the pegs, his hands on the bars. I have never seen anything like it. No roll, no body movement. It just looked like he was riding the bike on his side. Cause of the crash: Uneven pavement. He hit this while leaning into the turn and thought the bike was sliding so he grabbed a handful of front brake. You can visualize the rest...

Now the '03 didn't fare so well. Left side, gone. The saddlebag saved his leg from road rash. Dealer estimates around $4500 today but will tear into her more tomorrow.

2 lessons: 1) Always wear your protective equipment and 2) sometimes it doesn't matter how much experience one has, when switching to another bike, take the time to get to know her! The front brake on the FJR is muuuuch more potent then on a cruiser!

OOPS! There goes the buzzer! Got to get the cake out! I have a lot making up to do! Cake dear? How about shopping tomorrow? he he

 

[Ari Rankum]

Now the '03 didn't fare so well. Left side, gone. The saddlebag saved his leg from road rash. Dealer estimates around $4500 today but will tear into her more tomorrow.
2 lessons: 1) Always wear your protective equipment and 2) sometimes it doesn't matter how much experience one has, when switching to another bike, take the time to get to know her! The front brake on the FJR is muuuuch more potent then on a cruiser!

OOPS! There goes the buzzer! Got to get the cake out! I have a lot making up to do! Cake dear? How about shopping tomorrow? he he

Oh, snap! If you make it through this evening without having to see how comfortable the couch is, I'll be impressed. That cake was a great idea. I could learn some things from you, it's clear.

Glad your friend was okay. Really sorry about the impending hassle. Good story, though.

Regards.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Wow...I was thinking about letting my neighbor with similar riding experience take mine for a ride...perhaps noT!

 

[KYFJR]

Oh, in case anyone else didn't know...like me...I am at fault. It doesn't matter who is riding the bike, the owner of the title is at fault unless someone "stole" it. Another exception is a rental place. The rider is at fault here. Great info, hard way to find out.

There goes the insurance....

More cake dear?

 

[SoCalFJR]

Sounds like your '03 is for sale after all! Hope he enjoys his new fixer-upper

 

[mdisher]

Damn, sorry to hear that... Glad your bud is alright.

Well there are plenty of 05's for sale, maybe you'll get lucky and they'll total it.

In fact one not far from you for $10k with only 1500 miles on it. That should make the Mrs. happy.

Isn't KY a no fault state? I'm sure you're buddy's going to step up to the plate for what's not covered right?

"You break it you bought it, sort of thing."

One accident shouldn't hurt you too bad no under those circumstances.

-MD

 

[Groo]

I assume your "friend" will honor the tried and true axiom... "you break it, you bought it"...?

 

[radman]

I assume your "friend" will honor the tried and true axiom... "you break it, you bought it"...?

That would comprise the list of options I would give him. And why I don't like being on other guys rides-nor they on mine.

 

[blueman]

My 18 year old has tried to get his hands on my FJR. HE EVEN BREGGED ME ONCE. No fnnn way! This kid likes to clear 90 foot doubles on his YZ250. And when I rode with him in his truck last time he scared the crap out of me. I have to re-hide my set of keys ever other day to insure he do's not get his hands on it. If he could he would. I could not blaim him though I would have done the same thing at his age. It would be worse than gas on a fire!!.

 

[madmike2]

There are a couple of fellow riders who have mentioned they'd like to ride mine. They all get the standard offer:

"Yew putt yer 18-thousands of cash dollers intuh mah hand en yew kin ryde this here FJR motorsickle whenever yew wanta. Nuthin' personnel butt thet-a-weigh ah kin fixer repare eny broken peaces."

Nuff sed?!?

Sorry to read about your wife's bike. Da-yang, that hurts.

 

[v65]

Isn't KY a no fault state?

Oh thats what KY stands for, I thought the KY was for after the wife found out about the bike Might help get the foot out of your posterior.

 

[Thug]

KYFJR

Maybe a maxed out card shopping WEEKEND just in case...

Riding others or letting others ride yours (Bike people!) no biggie, let them know you're bike's special qualities or idiosyncrocies and take it easy....oh and ride where there are not too many curves.

Ciao

 

[nusman68]

There are a couple of fellow riders who have mentioned they'd like to ride mine. They all get the standard offer:
"Yew putt yer 18-thousands of cash dollers intuh mah hand en yew kin ryde this here FJR motorsickle whenever yew wanta. Nuthin' personnel butt thet-a-weigh ah kin fixer repare eny broken peaces."

Nuff sed?!?

Sorry to read about your wife's bike. Da-yang, that hurts.

+1...reminds me of the scene in 'Clear & Present Danger' when Harrison Ford's character sees a helicopter, and wants to purchase it...

'How much is it?'

'One million dollars'

'Okay, I'll need to take it on a test flight'...

'Of course....I'll need a deposit'

'How much is the deposit?'

'One million dollars'

Glad your friend wasn't seriously hurt; he should just whip out a blank check for you or offer to pay your insurance premium increases for the next 3 yrs. (or whatever is applicable in your state) perhaps he now realizes that there are some motorcycles with real power and real brakes....

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I was offered to ride a neighbor's GSXR1000 today and I thought of this story and declined. You ruined my fun!

 

[mdisher]

Ahhhh, **** happens...

While I wouldn't let any stranger ride my bike, there are folks that I know would step up.

You know there are people you can and people you can't. Like wise I've turned down offers too because I didn't want to buy it if I wrecked it.

Just gotta know what you're getting into.

 

[fjrchik]

your buddy wrecked HER bike?? and your makin a cake?

sounds a little more like diamonds are in order here! :lol:

 

[Mike-H]

your buddy wrecked HER bike?? and your makin a cake?
sounds a little more like diamonds are in order here! :lol:

That's our fjrchik...go big or go home ....sorry for your luck ....

 

[fjrchik]

your buddy wrecked HER bike?? and your makin a cake?

sounds a little more like diamonds are in order here! :lol:

That's our fjrchik...go big or go home ....sorry for your luck ....

that's right bro! you know me too well!!

 

[Bounce]

I assume your "friend" will honor the tried and true axiom... "you break it, you bought it"...?

That would comprise the list of options I would give him. And why I don't like being on other guys rides-nor they on mine.

Yep.

#1 - does your insurance cover others operating your bike (unlike cars, this is often NOT the case)

#2 - does he have insurance that covers him on other bikes (if he's not paying the premium for higher performance bikes then probably not)

#3 - the first 2 years of riding and the first 6 months after switching to a new bike are the times when you are at highest risk

Pretty much sums up why I usually don't let someone ride my bike and don't feel comfortable asking to ride someone else's.