Close call

[bajakirch]

I almost went down yesterday and it scared the bejesus out of me.

I had a little time after dinner so I jumped on the bike for a quick 40-mile ride. Went up one side of the Wisconsin River, crossed on the only active ferry still in operation here, then down the other side.

During my trip north I came to a sharp right curve. Luckily I slowed way down for it, as it was almost a 90-degree turn. I have no idea what it was -- gravel, warm tar, oil in the road, whatever -- but the front end started to slide out. I got my right foot down fast enough to prevent me from going over. Then the tire caught and everything was the bike straightened out.

The only injury (if you can call it that) was to my right inner thigh. I think my leg got pulled a little sideways when my foot went down. It was sore for the rest of the night, but fine this morning.

A relatively small price to pay as a reminder to be constantly vigilant, and never get complacent while riding.

[popo303]

Glad your ok. Hate those close calls.

[drdubb]

Its amazing how quick it can happen. You can't really relax too much. Always vigilant. I think certain practices have to become habit.

[hppants]

I had a similar experience with a snake in North Carolina.  Slippery little suckers.

Glad you are OK.

[natehawk750]

I had a close call a few months ago when going over the Mississippi bridge in Baton Rouge. It was raining and a cager swerved right in front of me no signal or anything the proceeded to slam on her brakes to  avoid hitting her I swerved and applied my brakes. Well with the wet roads and the suddeness of all the other factors my biked did a wobble and I ended up being slamed against the railing of the bridge. All I was thinking was I'm about to go over the rail and this is it. Thank whoever you do that that didn't happen I suffered from a twisted ankle for a couple of days and that was it. It did however make me stop and realize how fast things can happen though.   

[LOKi]

That is not a bridge you want to fall off of. The bridge Nate is talking about is a fixed, suspension bridge over the Mississippi. This is a major shipping lane so any fixed bridge (non draw bridge) has to be high. WAY HIGH.

What have we learn for that? When a car swerves in front of you the very next thing they will do is slam on the brakes.

[natehawk750]

Yeah and if the water dosen't kill you you'll likely drown. I learned to give ALOT of space and ride slower in wet weather.Oh and never underestimate the actions of others around you.

[natehawk750]

Yeah and if the water doesn't kill you you'll likely drown.

 I just reread that and realized that it doesn't make sense. In lieu of getting picked on I'm going to correct my self first then you guys can pick on me.

If the fall doesn't kill you will likely drown. hitting the water from a couple hundred feet up is like hitting concrete.

So with that out of the way let the   begin.

[JB1290]

Glad you are Ok. Let that scare only make you a better rider.

[Brittles]

Can never be careful enough.

Natehawk, your story reminds of a local rider that lost his life after going off the side of a tall bridge. Don't know if it was caused by rider error, mechanical problem, or what. I do remember it was an extremely windy day. Thank goodness your ok.

[happycommuter]

I got my right foot down fast enough to prevent me from going over. Then the tire caught and everything was the bike straightened out.

The only injury (if you can call it that) was to my right inner thigh. I think my leg got pulled a little sideways when my foot went down.

Am I the only one that was taught to keep their feet on the pegs in MSF?  
  As I've said before, putting your foot out is a fine way to break an ankle and affords you less control than if one stays on the pegs.

Legs should only be used to support a motorcycle in a static situation.  If the bike is moving, feet should be off the ground.

[bajakirch]

Oh, I agree. But it was just one of those things that was a reflex reaction. Good excuse to spend more time on the bike practicing evasive maneuvering.

[LOKi]

I spend a lot of time on the bike and I did that same thing not to long ago. Slow turn <15mph and I hit something slick at the apex. The bike slipped so fast that I actually lost my balance and my foot came off. Jabbed it down quick and got my weight back over the bike. I know I'm not supposed to do that on a street bike but it did save me from crashing. I even checked my leg and foot (while riding still) to make sure it wasn't actually hurt. Toes still wiggle, leg still moves without pain. Good to go.

[Von rottes]

I got my right foot down fast enough to prevent me from going over. Then the tire caught and everything was the bike straightened out.

The only injury (if you can call it that) was to my right inner thigh. I think my leg got pulled a little sideways when my foot went down.

Am I the only one that was taught to keep their feet on the pegs in MSF? 
  As I've said before, putting your foot out is a fine way to break an ankle and affords you less control than if one stays on the pegs.

Legs should only be used to support a motorcycle in a static situation.  If the bike is moving, feet should be off the ground.

I been riding wrong for years...
Coming from 2 1/2 prior years of enduro a LOT of dirt habits carried over when i hit the pavement.
One of which is if the bike starts to low side the foot kicks out to pop the bike back up.
Happened many time speed varying from <5MHP-35MPH

[geemann]

Glad your ok. Hate those close calls.

+1