# First ride of the year doesn't end so well... **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [March 17, 2010, 8:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664 "2010-03-17T08:23:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![9ONA3OOZX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/9ona3oozx/32/7242_2.png) [@9ONA3OOZX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/9ONA3OOZX)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 8:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/1 "2010-03-17T08:23:01Z")
Here’s the story… My boss/buddy Jack had ridden some growing up, not a lot…finally got the OK from the wife to get a bike. Took delivery yesterday of his 1993 Harley Softtail with about 13k miles on it…thing was MINT (…was). I made sure my bike was charged and ready to go so i could ride with him…this being my first ride of the year too. I got to his house and told him to take it easy, and to go as slow as he needed to and i’d pace behind him the whole time so as to never get ahead of him or make him feel like he had to keep up. After going around on his side streets a bit, and a bunch of left and right turns, stops and go’s, etc…he felt comfy leaving his neighborhood and venturing into some nice open backroads for a bit. We figured it was a better idea than going up or down transit since it was rush hour and transit’s full of lights and traffic. Well, all is going well…my buddy bryan coincidentally picked up his first bike yesterday too and was riding with us. We’re cruisin right at the 45mph speed limit and approach a long, wide swooping turn that appeared no big deal to me at all…so gradual that there wasn’t even a need to slow down, nor a yellow speed limit sign indicating we should slow down at all for this turn. Well, Jack must have not paid complete attention or felt entirely comfortable leaning the bike…because he went a bit wide on the turn…and got dangerously close to the shoulder…then, hit the shoulder, full of gravel, and it was all over from there. Bike wobbled violently, went sideways, and he was in a ditch at around 45-50mph. I’m 20 feet behind him and see nothing more than a cloud/explosion of water and mud and gravel/dust at this point…and through that cloud, i see the 630 lb bike rocket 10 feet in the air, and go end over end 3 times. I thought for sure it landed on him and i’d be dragging a bloody motionless Jack out of that ditch… Locked up my rear tire braking, tore off my jacket and helmet while running over to him…only to see him already on his feet trying to get the bike out!? I told him to let go of the bike and try walking a bit, breathing, making sure nothing was broken, etc…worry about health first, bike later. He said his ankle hurt…but other than that…no blood at all. Apparently when i came running over, i was ghost white and looked like i was gonna throw up…this i don’t remember, but i don’t doubt. The neighbors came running out, and this whole street rode…one house was the brother of the other, was the cousin of the other, was related by marriage to the other…all were Harley guys, all worked on bikes too. They helped us out of the ditch, straightened out the front fork to make sure it was ride-able again, pulled the fenders away from the tires because both were pushed in and rubbing…and even took the bike for a rip up and down the street to make sure it was safe to ride for Jack. Then, offered us a beer saying “what’s the worst that can happen? you crash?” Amazing guys…i’ve never experienced such hospitality. They spent 45 minutes getting muddy trying to straighten this bike out best they could. It’s still trashed…but at least it still rides straight. He’ll need a new front and rear fender, handlebars, seat, turn signals, and a whole new paint job. These guys even offered to do all the labor for him in exchange for the beer they’d drink while working on it…lol. An hour after the crash, i paced behind him as we limped it home (were only like 4 miles from his house), and luckily…the wife wasn’t home when we got there. I made sure to leave before she got home. Some side notes: - If jack had gone into the ditch 5 feet sooner…he would have face planted into a fire hydrant. - If jack had gone into the ditch 10 feet later, he would have been tossed into a bunch of trees. - Went to see an orthopedic surgeon today, might need pins…broke his fibula (sp?)…the thinner of the two shin bones, sits at the back of your leg. The doctor said that to break it how and where he did, with such a clean snap, the ONLY way to have broken it like that would be for his toes to have touched his shin…think about that…fucking gross. - Lucky for jack, he hated the handle bars and seat on the bike…and already bought new ones. So, the insurance check for those items is just going to be extra money for him. Also, the new leather jacket, gloves, and helmet he ordered…hadn’t come in yet. So all the riding gear he trashed was old stuff. The guy walked away from a crash so horrific looking i was ready to pull a body out of a ditch, seriously scary shit. Be careful out there guys…the season’s just starting and i’ve already had a wake-up call. ---
**Author:** ![Avatar](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/avatar/32/5076_2.png) [@Avatar](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Avatar)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 8:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/2 "2010-03-17T08:29:00Z")
Eww. That sucks. Motorcycle education course is a super good idea. Learn how to properly use brakes. ---
**Author:** ![9ONA3OOZX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/9ona3oozx/32/7242_2.png) [@9ONA3OOZX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/9ONA3OOZX)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 8:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/3 "2010-03-17T08:30:06Z")
He’s already signed up for it…the first slot he could get in is the first or 2nd weekend of May. i talked him along with a bunch of other coworkers into it…best decision i ever made before riding was taking the course. ---
**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 8:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/4 "2010-03-17T08:30:50Z")
Ugh. I’m really glad he’s ok. (well aside from his leg) Out of curiosity, did Jack take the MSF course? EDIT. N/m. Too bad he couldn’t get in sooner. ---
**Author:** ![TsiTalon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/tsitalon/32/5012_2.png) [@TsiTalon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TsiTalon)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 8:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/5 "2010-03-17T08:41:49Z")
im surprised that his wife will let him continue to ride!!! but also where is this street that you crashed on? cause im gonna recommend all new riders start there in case they need anything atleast there is a whole block of generous bikers =P glad to hear he made it out ok! sounds like a rediculous scenario ---
**Author:** ![9ONA3OOZX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/9ona3oozx/32/7242_2.png) [@9ONA3OOZX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/9ONA3OOZX)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 9:42am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/6 "2010-03-17T09:42:47Z")
It was on Crosby road in/near Lockport…not too far from where Crosby ends/T’s at route 93/Robinson i think…i don’t know the area well. ---
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 9:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/7 "2010-03-17T09:53:09Z")
That’s real shitty, glad he’s okay though ---
**Author:** ![91MR2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/91mr2/32/7217_2.png) [@91MR2](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/91MR2)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 9:57am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/8 "2010-03-17T09:57:09Z")
Dude, that’s absurd. ---
**Author:** ![BadnewsMike](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/badnewsmike/32/7419_2.png) [@BadnewsMike](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BadnewsMike)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 9:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/9 "2010-03-17T09:59:52Z")
One rule I was taught when i started teaching my wife. was TAKE THE LEAD. it gives them someone to copy (obviously don’t ride stupid IE willybeen) plus you don’t chance wrecking into them. Glad he walked away. I need to get another bike ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Coldaccord](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/coldaccord/32/7272_2.png) [@Coldaccord](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Coldaccord)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 10:07am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/10 "2010-03-17T10:07:40Z")
that sucks. should have waited til post msf. ---
**Author:** ![Carnut](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/carnut/32/7590_2.png) [@Carnut](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Carnut)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 10:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/11 "2010-03-17T10:21:04Z")
It’s good to hear he walked away and that the people were helpful. I wonder if he checked his tire pressure before going out? ---
**Author:** ![9ONA3OOZX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/9ona3oozx/32/7242_2.png) [@9ONA3OOZX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/9ONA3OOZX)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 10:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/12 "2010-03-17T10:23:15Z")
The bike was freshly delivered from the dealer an hour before the ride, and they give it a complete inspection before delivering it…i doubt tire pressure was an issue…once you go into gravel while turning, there’s no saving it…especially when you’re that inexperienced. ---
**Author:** ![Saxon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@Saxon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Saxon)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 10:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/13 "2010-03-17T10:55:46Z")
i doubt he will be riding even after the insurance fixes it, i imagine the wife would make him sell it ---
**Author:** ![burnt\_toast](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/burnt_toast/32/7518_2.png) [@burnt\_toast](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/burnt_toast)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 11:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/14 "2010-03-17T11:04:29Z")
riding boots FTW. Sounds like he was pretty damn lucky though. ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 11:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/15 "2010-03-17T11:08:08Z")
be safe… especially for the next 3 months… ---
**Author:** ![08GT500](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/08gt500/32/5417_2.png) [@08GT500](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/08GT500)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 12:58pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/16 "2010-03-17T12:58:59Z")
Ouch. Glad he is ok. ---
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 1:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/17 "2010-03-17T13:04:28Z")
Glad he is ok… and here we go with another season of inexperienced riders. ---
**Author:** ![08GT500](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/08gt500/32/5417_2.png) [@08GT500](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/08GT500)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 1:07pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/18 "2010-03-17T13:07:29Z")
> [@LZ](#): > > Glad he is ok… > > and here we go with another season of inexperienced riders. Won’t there always be a season of inexperienced riders? ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 2:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/19 "2010-03-17T14:36:00Z")
^yes… but when the economy shit the bed… new riders justified their decisions with high gas prices, and the cheapness of the sport… then they cheaped out on gear, didnt pay for msf, didnt take time to learn, and many people got hurt… It happens every year… but these past few have been brutal. ---
**Author:** ![9ONA3OOZX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/9ona3oozx/32/7242_2.png) [@9ONA3OOZX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/9ONA3OOZX)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 1:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664/20 "2010-03-18T13:51:16Z")
So the bike is totaled. Appraiser came by today and got under the bike, and noticed a nice bend in the frame just below the motor. So, he’s gonna get a check for whatever he paid for the bike ($7500) or the book value…whatever the lower of those two figures is. On top of that, they cut him a check dollar for dollar for the cost of upgradse ($900 pipes, $600 special intake system, etc)…so, he’ll likely end up breaking even or even making money on this deal. Pipes are still in great shape, motor still runs perfect, transmission’s unaffected by the crash, tank only needs new paint…so he’s now considering just buying a fresh frame, and having a custom bike shop take all the working parts off this bike and put them on the new frame for him and building a bike to his liking from the ground up. Insurance check should be plenty to cover this. Surprisingly, the wife is going to let him keep riding/keep the bike too. Shitty to total your bike in the first few hours, but on the bright side at least he’ll have something better and newer in the end. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/first-ride-of-the-year-doesnt-end-so-well/151664.md?page=2)