Laid my Street Bob down yesterday. Was slowing down and diagonally crossing a street (not really making a turn) as I was beginning to to enter a small parking lot on a not very well traveled road. The road was damp & I down shifted not realizing that I was right over the painted double yellow line. I was not going very fast at the time - probably between 15 & 20 mph. The rear wheel locked up due to the engine braking, and, before I knew it the bike went sideways. When the rear wheel regained traction (skidded past the painted line) I high sided and got launched off of the bike. The bike went down the road and I flew off to the side. I landed on my head & shoulder, skidded that way for a while & then started rolling. Not that I really knew what happened, but two of my friends that were in the parking lot waiting for me saw me go down. Thank goodness I had a full face helmet, heavy leather jacket & gloves. My helmet is ground down on the left side from the top down to the jaw area.

I think that other than a tore up left shoulder, I am OK. I'll see an orthopedic on Monday & know more. The bike has some damage, but not as much as I thought that it would have. The tank is a little bit tore up, clutch perch, lever & grip a little bit tore up, derby cover ground down and possibly bent handlebars. I did have saddlebags on which I think took the brunt of the grinding as the bike was skidding down the road.

All in all, things could have turned out much worse, and it is only by the Grace of God that they did not. I am not quite sure what my take away is at this point. A couple of things come to mind. First, on cold, damp roads be very wary of paint lines. Second, when downshifting be smooth, and do not forget how strong engine braking can be. This is especially important in questionable traction conditions. Third, a reminder for all the gear, all the time. Had I not been fully geared up, the outcome would have been much different.

 

 

Accidents happen, glad you are not to badly hurt. I like the fact that you have analyzed how you will handle;e that situation in the future. Every ride, even if you fall, is a learning experience.

 

Be sure to get your neck thoroughly checked out. X-Ray would be a good idea.

What kind of tires are on the bike?

 

Bingo!

 

 

Glad you are okay. Good luck with both the shoulder and the bike.

 

Bike can get repaired, get checked out good, glad it was not a serious downing. Hey, post pic of the helmet would be good, not sadistic, but to show others like FYI thing.

 

 

Glad you are okay. Sounds like a engine guard may have saved you some coin on repairs.