Just thought I'd share an experience from this weekend.

I decided to go for a ride Saturday evening just before dark. I had been riding for a while and ended up on a fairly well traveled, two-lane road with moderate traffic about five miles from home. I glanced down at my speedometer and when I looked back up, an SUV had suddenly stopped in my lane apparently preparing to turn left (no turn signal). Normally, I leave plenty of following distance to allow for these things. But, by the time I realized what was happening, it was too late and I was all over top of the SUV. I knew there was no way I could stop in time so I bailed to the side of the road (at about 45 mph) into someone's front yard. Fortunately, I at least had an out.

The yard was sloped away from the road and the grass was wet with dew so the bike started fish tailing as I tried to slow to a stop (headed directly for a concrete culvert). Suddenly the back end came completely around and I and the bike went down sliding sideways and backwards. I wasn't able to kick completely free of the bike when it went down so it was partially on top of me.

After sliding for about 50 feet I (and the bike) finally came to a stop. Luckily, I wasn't completely pinned and was able to climb out from under the bike. The guy in the car that stopped in front of me didn't even stop to see if I was okay. However, a guy that was behind me stopped and a lady in her front yard came across the road to check on me. Both commented about how the guy in front of me had basically run me off the road by stopping so suddenly without a signal. Personally, I never really saw it since I was looking down at my gauges. So, I'm still a little fuzzy about what really happened.

Anyway, the guy that stopped helped me pick up my bike. I was expecting to find a lot of damage but, to my surprise, I couldn't find anything wrong. There was a bit of mud on the left side footboard and shifter but, no visible damage. I got on the bike, rode home, and parked in the garage to inspect the bike more closely for damage. On closer inspection, I found that the chrome insert plug that goes in the end of the left handlebar handle was missing. But, that was the only damage. And, other than a few tender spots on my left arm and thigh (which later turned to bruises), a sore back, and some grass stains on my clothes, I came out of it in one piece. The next morning, I rode back to the scene and found the plug half buried in the ground.

As it turns out, the bike going down was probably the best thing that could have happened. I honestly don't think I could have stopped before hitting the concrete culvert in the yard and the ground was soft enough that there was no damage to myself or the bike. It has to be one on the luckiest experiences of my life (as it sure wasn't the result of clean living). I should have bought a lottery ticket.

 

Ive looked down a time or two that way then always worry about you experienced....every time I do it, I hear my old instructor screaming what are you looking down for? Did that in a car once just like you said and did the Old Dukes of Hazzard....went airborne on a side street....glad you survived it! always can learn a thing or two from others.....its nice when you walk away with just a lesson with life and bike still intact!

 

Glad to hear you are OK. $h1t happens fast.

 

Wow that was close. Glad you are ok. Be safe out there...

 

Glad to hear you and your bike are ok. That kind of thing makes me try to be extra careful.

 

It's good to hear that you and bike are fine!

 

Glad you are okay! It's good to be lucky sometimes

 

Wow! You are a lucky dude! Glad you and the bike are OK.

 

did you go home and change your drawers, glad you and bike came out alright, be safe .

 

Glad your ok. I can't believe there is no damage at all. You are a lucky dude