I popped my cherry yesterday. I went down on my 2010 Road King during a group ride to Ojai here in Southern California.

The day started out great. Lot's of twisties and canyon riding, weather was perfect. We took Lockwood Valley Road through the Los Padres forest.

I came upon a corner that had standing water in it from a stream crossing, there were no warning signs. Now that we're in the dry season here in SoCal, the asphalt under the water was slimy with algae. I slowed and entered the turn at about 25 mph, I might as well have been riding on ice. My bike just went out from under me, I hit hard on the right side. I smacked the back of my helmet on the ground and slid on my back for about 20 ft.

Damage to the bike was moderate, handlebars are bent and slammed into the tank which dented, right-side passing lamp is crushed, front fender scraped, crash bars and bag guards scraped pretty bad, right-side saddle bag and muffler scraped up.

We've all heard it before, but I'll say it again. WEAR A GOOD QUALITY HELMET!!! I wear a full-face Shoei RF-1000. I smacked the back of the helmet hard against the asphalt, I'm feeling the whiplash today. I was able to walk away from this crash because of my helmet.

My Lil' Joes leather vest saved my back, it looks like someone took a belt-sander to it. Also, WEAR GOOD QUALITY BOOTS!!! My Red Wings saved my feet. My right boot looks like my dog chewed on it for about an hour, but again, I was able to walk away because I was wearing good boots. No more Chuck Taylors when I ride.

I have a scrape on my elbow, my right knee is a little sore, and I have some whiplash. All-in-all, I'm very lucky.

The bike is at the dealer today, waiting for the appraiser to take a look at it. When I spoke to the appraiser today and told him where the accident happened, he said he gets at least three claims a year from motorcyclists who've gone down on the exact same corner for the exact same reason I did. I told him when I was picking up my bike, I saw a bunch of metal parts from other bikes on the road. You'd think the county would put up speed bumps or warning signs by now.....

Ride safe, guys.

-Alex

 

We have several "low water crossings" around here. I went down in one a few years ago myself. ..............They are slimy slick!

 

Glad you were able to walk away. Hope the King is repaired and you are riding again soon. All the best.

 

That sucks! I know the feeling all too well. Glad to hear you're okay. I was also wearing a Shoei when I went down in early 2009. I hit the pavement hard in the temple area and I also believe it saved my life. I walked away virtually unscathed.

Q: How come none of the other riders in your group went down?

 

Glad your ok, sucks about the bike. At least its insured.

 

Wow, thats sucks! Glad your ok!

 

Had a cousin do that on a Honda chopper back in the early 70s going through Waterman Canyon on the way down from Big Bear Lake. He sold the bike the next day to a friend that had always wanted it. He hasn't ridden since.

Quit playing in the water. Get it fixed and get back on it.

 

Bummer....Glad your ok....You can allways replace or fix a bike to new but the body,nope...

 

 

Good question.

The guy in front of me was on BMW GS850 and he said he felt his bike shimmy a bit through the water, but was able to stay upright. The guy behind had enough time to stop when he saw me go down.

We were about 10 minutes ahead of the main group (about 8 other bikes), so after we got my bike to the side of the road, the BMW high-tailed back up the road to warn the rest of the group.

Me and the other guy stood in the road and warned other riders that came through in the meantime.

-Alex