Kawasaki Concours Forum
Mish mash => Open Forum => Topic started by: pat8228 on June 02, 2011, 09:06:32 AM
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Yesterday I wrecked my 04 connie when a farm tractor pulled out in front of me. I was doing around 60 mph. I credit my helmet for saving my life. my head bounced off the road at least 4 times. I came out of it with road rash and lacerations on my right arm and right leg, broke one rib, and injury to my right shoulder. I believe the damage to my bike may be just cosmetic (I hope). I've been riding for over 31 years and this is the 1st time I've laid one down. Also this is the first year I started wearing a helmet. 30 years of riding without one. WOW am I lucky. I'll be riding again as soon as my shoulder lets me!!!
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Wow, very, very lucky!
You gotta watch them there farm tractors. They're always jumping out in front of you!!!!! ;D
Hope you heal up quickly!
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Glad to know you are overall OK! Heal soon.
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Glad to hear that you made it through that relatively unscathed. What did the farmer have to say for himself?
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Glad you're okay (mostly) and had that helmet on! I've ridden more years than you and have never understood why some bikers refuse to wear them. I LIKE my head. It's the only one I've got.
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Glad your still here and with all your pieces, get healed up soon!
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Good to hear you made it through that on ok. It's tales like this that keep me wearing my helmet. That & I've had 3 friends wreck over the last 3 years. Two were wearing & one wasn't. The one without a helmet is dead. The other two broke bones but healed well and both their bike had to be trailered to a shop for repair. The third one, his bike was ridden at his funeral a couple of days later. Sorry about the hijack. For some reason I had the need to relate that. Very glad to know you are gonna make it.
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Do you think ABS would have made a diiference?
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Glad to know all is well (or will be) and that you wore the helmet. Hopefully the repairs will be easy and you'll be back on the road again soon.
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great you survived such a potentially deadly situation! If possible could you describe the sequence so we can all learn as best we can from it? What worked or didnt work for you? What were road conditions? How much time did you have to react? what kind of helmet did you use? Was it a stock bike? tire/brake condition? Sorry to be a pest but real world survivors are great sources of knowledge for us all to learn from!
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I've ridden for thirty eight years, Always with a helmet. Promised my wife I'd leave a good looking head, well as good looking's it's gonna get. Put it on a lazy susan and give it a spin.
Rather ride with no pants than no helmet. :o
Glad you made it relatively unscathed. :)
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Heal quickly friend.
Pretty good injuries to be wanting to climb back on ASAP.
You're much tougher than I. ;)
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Glad you are going to be O.K. If I don't have a helmet on when I throw my leg over the bike I feel buck ass naked.
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First thing i want to do is thank everyone for all the sympathy. Second I'll try to answer the questions some has asked. If I miss one I apologize it's not intentional.
Cruising to work at 60 mph on a country road, and when I came around a curve there was a farm tractor pulling out into the street (big tractor taking up both lanes of traffic). My only choice was to lock up my brakes, both front and back to keep from hitting the tractor. Tires started sliding, then the bike got wobbling side to side. I don't remember how I came off the bike, but I do remember flying through the air. First thing I thought was "Well I guess It's all over now!". But I tucked my arms into my body and tried to go limp and go with the flow (not try to fight it). I think that helped a lot. If i would have tried to catch myself with my arms or legs I think they would have been broke also. I remember landing on my right shoulder and then my head slammed onto the road. every time my head hit I blacked out for a fraction of a second. I came to a stop in the middle of the road about a foot from the blades on the back of the tractor. I laid in the road not moving for about a minute trying to analyze my injuries. I felt alright so I stood up and walked over to check out my baby (my bike). I was going to work, and I am a police officer so I had on my uniform and bullet proof vest which probably helped too.
Farmer said he didn't see me. I didn't do anything wrong and I don't think he did either. It was just one of those uncontrollable things.
ABS I think would have helped. It would have kept the bike from starting the uncontrollable wobble.
I am a true believer of helmets now, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't wearing it. The only reason I had it on is a lady I know made me promise her I would wear one. I always hated helmets, but you'll never see me on a bike without one again.
If you don't wear one please start!
Thanks to everyone again
Pat
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No offense, but you said you were doing nothing wrong. What is the speed limit on that road?
Glad you are okay, it dang sure beats the alternative.
If ya think your head isn't worth the price of a good helmet you are probably right.
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From experience, the vest helped.
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First thing i want to do is thank everyone for all the sympathy. Second I'll try to answer the questions some has asked. If I miss one I apologize it's not intentional.
Cruising to work at 60 mph on a country road, and when I came around a curve there was a farm tractor pulling out into the street (big tractor taking up both lanes of traffic). My only choice was to lock up my brakes, both front and back to keep from hitting the tractor. Tires started sliding, then the bike got wobbling side to side. I don't remember how I came off the bike, but I do remember flying through the air. First thing I thought was "Well I guess It's all over now!". But I tucked my arms into my body and tried to go limp and go with the flow (not try to fight it). I think that helped a lot. If i would have tried to catch myself with my arms or legs I think they would have been broke also. I remember landing on my right shoulder and then my head slammed onto the road. every time my head hit I blacked out for a fraction of a second. I came to a stop in the middle of the road about a foot from the blades on the back of the tractor. I laid in the road not moving for about a minute trying to analyze my injuries. I felt alright so I stood up and walked over to check out my baby (my bike). I was going to work, and I am a police officer so I had on my uniform and bullet proof vest which probably helped too.
Farmer said he didn't see me. I didn't do anything wrong and I don't think he did either. It was just one of those uncontrollable things.
ABS I think would have helped. It would have kept the bike from starting the uncontrollable wobble.
I am a true believer of helmets now, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't wearing it. The only reason I had it on is a lady I know made me promise her I would wear one. I always hated helmets, but you'll never see me on a bike without one again.
If you don't wear one please start!
Thanks to everyone again
Pat
Good post! Good analysis. Glad you're still with us! Now get the bike fixed so you can go riding. Ohhh . . . and get a new helmet. The old one did its job. Replace it.
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After reading what happened, It sounds like you were going into a blind corner too fast. I think riding the Connie is like riding a bull when you get in trouble. It's heavy and when brakes get locked up, you don't have much of a chance of staying on. I have read that when you lock up brakes, you need to lay it down. This might have helped, but I think that is near impossible to do, unless you do it all the time. I know I can't lay it down on purpose. As far as ABS goes, I wonder if ABS gives you a sense of more confidence to go faster.
Here are two things I learned
1. It doesn't matter how long you been riding, you still can get caught off guard.
2. Slow your speed into turns you cannot see ahead of. Don't assume a blind corner is okay.
Pat, what ever the case, I appreciate you taking the time to share this with us. (I am not criticizing you, I certainly don't think I am a better rider than you and this can't happen to me. I'm just trying to learn from it, so I can avoid this terrible experience) The best part is that you are okay.
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Speed limit is 55, I was doing 60. curve isn't real sharp, slow gradual curve, and there's no cross street on the other side. He came out of a driveway. I travel this road everyday, so i may have been over confident. It shows that anything can happen.
I did get on the bike today and ride around the block, just to check it out. it seems to be running good, just cosmetic damage. Which isn't good because it was a beautiful bike. I went to a doctor for my shoulder today and found out I have a fractured shoulder blade also. Doc said i should be healed up in 3 weeks. Then I'll be riding again!
Thanks for all the comments.
The reason i started this post is to let everyone learn from my misfortune and be aware of similar situations. Might save someone else's life. Maybe get someone who don't wear a helmet to start wearing one.
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Damn glad to have you with us, Pat! Thanks for the details, just shows how aware you were during the entire high-side.
Surely the parts you'll need can be had by our own in the for sale section, and help from our member base, were
kinda funny that way! After you and your bike heal up, maybe a shake-down run to the National in Vermont in August?? 8)
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great info and really appreciate it all. Makes me review my habits on favorite roads that I tend to push the speed a bit due to familiarity. It could happen to any of us. I will keep your info in my thoughts as I head out onto roads I may know too well! Thanks and heal fast!
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You may have to write yourself a ticket for "60 in a 55" just to be honest. You can then plead not guilty and set a court date. When the court date comes take the 5th and the case will be dismissed.
:rotflmao: Glad to hear you're OK. If it would have been me I'm not sure I could have resisted asking the farmer for his license and registration.
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It's amazing how our instincts take over when something potentially traumatic happens. All of this happened within a few very short seconds and the things he did saved him from really bad injury. #1 the helmet and #2 going limp after being ejected from the bike. I think ABS would have made a big difference. He was in a corner and had to hit the brakes hard. Both wheels locked up and off he went. The ABS would have given him a chance for a controlled stop. I'm a believer. I've seen it work perfectly on my vehicles. If I ever trade my trusty '02 in for a new bike I'm going to get one with ABS.
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Glad to hear you came out of this fairly well. Reading your assessment of what happened gave me the shivers!
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I have both front turn signals and a headlight... they are yours if you need them.
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Glad to hear you are alright bro. Heal quickly my friend.
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I might have lower fairings. Not sure if I want to get rid of them or not.
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Maybe a new bike with ABS is what the doctor orders.
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Maybe a new bike with ABS is what the doctor orders.
Would love to have one, but just can't afford it right now.
If anyone has any extra parts i will be interested in getting 1. A new helmet!LOL. 2. Right luggage bag. 3. All the fairings parts on the right side, and maybe the front fairing. My bike is a 04, very, very dark blue, looks black until the sunlight hits it.
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After reading what happened, It sounds like you were going into a blind corner too fast. I think riding the Connie is like riding a bull when you get in trouble. It's heavy and when brakes get locked up, you don't have much of a chance of staying on. I have read that when you lock up brakes, you need to lay it down. This might have helped, but I think that is near impossible to do, unless you do it all the time. I know I can't lay it down on purpose. As far as ABS goes, I wonder if ABS gives you a sense of more confidence to go faster.
Here are two things I learned
1. It doesn't matter how long you been riding, you still can get caught off guard.
2. Slow your speed into turns you cannot see ahead of. Don't assume a blind corner is okay.
Pat, what ever the case, I appreciate you taking the time to share this with us. (I am not criticizing you, I certainly don't think I am a better rider than you and this can't happen to me. I'm just trying to learn from it, so I can avoid this terrible experience) The best part is that you are okay.
No, when you lock both brakes you will GO DOWN. You will have no choice in the matter.