There's a hole in my rep now, as well as my LHS rocker cover!
Hit black ice this morning about 08:15 on way to work, less than 500 m from home.
Gentle right hander on level, no parked no traffic. Around half way round the wheel track passes over a repair depression and in there was the black ice. Back wheel went left for sure, but I think the front dipped momentarily too. Shortly after the repair, I was highsided and ended up doing superman down the road.
The bike did a half twirl behind me ending up pointing approximately 120 degrees away from intended. Gouged the tar for about 12 inches. Travelled maybe two or three metres after that. I got up about 2 metres from the bike.
I landed on my left side and was rolled onto my front. Gear totally intact. I had a sore neck immediately, lhs shoulder and lh big toe. And pride.
What to learn?
On the ride I was considering heading down the tunnel road since last two weeks I haven't gotten out of town on the bike and wanted to recharge the battery and clean out the engine. I decided against because I suspected it would be icy on that route. Felt quite please with the restraint. BAM. I was aware of the conditions but not enough. I had slowed - usually take that corner at 50, but was about 40 today, in third.
When I lost control I remember thinking shit - when it slipped under, great, I'm going to get it back - when it came upright, then I remember looking up, so I could see where I was sliding. I find it amazing that I had time to be aware of the initial loss of control, and then to be aware as the bike was coming up and 'straightening' up (it wasn't, at that stage I would have been pointing at the rh kerb) and then nothing until after I was thrown, after I landed, after I rolled onto my front.
My hip padding took the blow square on, as did the shoulder. The simple textile abrasion gave me a rash on the hip/waist. When I went down on the side I glanced the helmet (from the damage I can see) but once on my front had no helmet contact. My gloves are intact, my jacket and pants only just show the shine where they took the blow. (Belstaff and Tecknic). Boots have deep scuff on lh toe - that toe was just healing up from a year long ingrowing treatment!
The toe is agony now, and the hip is also very sore. Neither of these felt bad until much later in the day.
Bike:
rocker cover, centre stand, rear of exhaust (the narrow bit!?) rear grab (givi), seat fabric (where the rear grab/carrier lifted and the rails cut in) both indicator lenses, clear front screen, mirrors, bar ends and so on. I haven't seen the full list but Rodney at Canterbury Rides says over $5700 in parts only!
Ouch. Heard a few more black ice stories of this morning, when I got to work. But that doesn't make it any easier.
I'm glad I was thinking about the conditions, glad I had all the gear on (always do), glad I had slowed down and glad there was no parked vehicles which meant there was no impact other than with the road surface. Thanks to the random individual who stopped and found himself quite surprised to see how easy it is to pick up a GS using the bum into seat technique!
Yes, got on and rode to workshop. Gingerly.
Yes, booked the physio, tomorrow.
Mike
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Originally Posted by Paul in NZ
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