First Crash
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 45
Likes: 5
From: Salt Lake City
First Crash
Well, it happened. Riding my brand-new Road King through a neighborhood and I hear some guy yell, "Hey!". I look over in the direction of the voice and see no one. I turn my head back forward and there's a huge dog right in front of me. I was going about 25 mph and grabbed both brakes hard. The rear tire skidded about six feet and the front two feet. I hit the dog and he rolled straight forward a couple of feet before yiping off. The bike went down on the right side but I basically jumped off and ran but miraculously stayed on my feet.
A few observations:
A few observations:
- Amazed at how quickly I scrubbed off speed before the bike actually went down. The HD is 850 lbs and I'm 195. That's a lot of energy to stop suddenly but in retrospect, I was pleased with it.
- Picking up the bike is easy. I did the Youtube backwards walk-up method and it was effortless. Maybe adrenaline was in the mix but I'm glad I know I can pick up the Road King easily.
- The right floor board support bracket is slightly tweaked but did not come in contact with the exhaust or engine. There was about a two foot scrape in the asphalt from the steel bracket.
- No damage to the crash bars. How is that? There was plenty of powder (like what comes from crushed rock) on both the front and back crash bars but when I wiped it off and rubbed off a little bit of road tar, there is only one tiny little flaw that I can see. Clearly the floor board bracket took on the bulk of the scraping duty.
- I'm glad I still have Ninja skills and stayed on my feet but it was also comforting to know I had on gloves, helmet, jeans and running shoes. No shorts this time...
- The leather on those little half helmets will tear when you throw it on the ground.
- I feel kind of bad for the dog but pissed at the owner who mostly mumbled during our 5 minute meeting. Never said anything close to sorry.
Last edited by EpicCowlick; Jul 2, 2012 at 10:06 PM.
Glad you are ok, that low speed could have gone nasty real quick. Aound my hood we have to watch for kids darting out between cars. Almost got a couple of them, course the parents on the porch start yessling obsenities at youwhen you almost wack thier kid....No respect for the street, it's like they dare you to hit them.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,880
Likes: 33,830
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
[quote=EpicCowlick;10020529]Well, it happened. Riding my brand-new Road King through a neighborhood and I hear some guy yell, "Hey!". I look over in the direction of the voice and see no one. I turn my head back forward and there's a huge dog right in front of me. I was going about 25 mph and grabbed both brakes hard. The rear tire skidded about six feet and the front two feet. I hit the dog and he rolled straight forward a couple of feet before yiping off. The bike went down on the right side but I basically jumped off and ran but miraculously stayed on my feet.
A few observations:
A few observations:
- I feel kind of bad for the dog but pissed at the owner who mostly mumbled during our 5 minute meeting. Never said anything close to sorry.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 45
Likes: 5
From: Salt Lake City
Yes the dog was off the leash and free to run out in the street. It wasn't te dog's fault, it's what dogs do when they have irresponsible owners. I feel bad for the thing. And yes, I know my legal options.
i just went out in the garage and looked the bike over carefully. Still amazed at such little damage. With the exception of the one little mark, the crash bars are perfect. The floor board is about 1/16th out of alignment.
And no, no ABS. I can see how it would have helped in the situation. It was a full-on brake check in a straight line. When I bought the bike, both I and the dealer dismissed ABS as required. Mistake?
i just went out in the garage and looked the bike over carefully. Still amazed at such little damage. With the exception of the one little mark, the crash bars are perfect. The floor board is about 1/16th out of alignment.
And no, no ABS. I can see how it would have helped in the situation. It was a full-on brake check in a straight line. When I bought the bike, both I and the dealer dismissed ABS as required. Mistake?
Last edited by EpicCowlick; Jul 2, 2012 at 11:26 PM.