Damnit! I binned and it's been written off!

**portokiwi** · 5th July 2008, 07:37

At least you are ok, Shame about your bike though.

**Motig** · 5th July 2008, 09:35

Redundancy and the bike ! Stay in bed for gods sake thats only 2 disasters. Seriously tho glad your OK. Just a point, and OK I dont know your financial position but would it be an idea to hold off on the new bike in case the insurance money might be needed if things dont go to well job wise ?

**Toaster** · 5th July 2008, 09:43

Originally Posted by outlawtorn

Let's set the scene,....
The main thing is that I walked away from it, few scrapes and bruises, but I walked away from it, I can thanks my lucky stars for that.

The damage to the bike is all asthetics, but it comes to $7500 and the fucking bike is only worth $8500!!!!

So this week I have been running back and forth between Colemans and AMI getting shit sorted.

Looking at getting an M50 now, but I am still so pissed off with myself for ruining my beautiful bike!!!! I should have the M50 at the end of next week so I'll post pics of it as soon as.

Oh mate I am gutted for you and yeah your bike was flippin' awesome - so sorry to hear of your off - I know how you feel after having had my crash on 1 June.

Great to see you going for the M50 - very nice indeed!
Cam.

**cs363** · 5th July 2008, 10:14

Originally Posted by Thumper

Hey bud, sorry to hear about the bin, glad you’re OK.

Had a similar experience a few weeks ago at a lower speed. Woman pulled out of a side street (did not see me, duh), I hit the back break, locked up and went sideways, next thing I know I was getting up off the tarmac. I was only doing around 40km/h but when a 1500 starts to go down there is not much you can do. It seems so easy to lose the back of a heavy cruiser.

Umm....why the back brake? Front brakes are the most efficient, contributing something like 70% of your braking power due to weight transfer etc. However the best braking technique in this situation is to use both brakes as hard as possible without locking the wheels. Hitting the back brake alone in a panic stop will almost always induce the above effect and is not advisable unless you know how to control/ride out of a rear wheel skid.

Sorry to hear about your bike Outlawtorn, but as everyone has said - at least you are ok. Good luck with the job hunt, again at least there are plenty of jobs around at present - even if they might not be your first choice.

**Tank** · 5th July 2008, 10:22

Just goes to show that you just cannot afford not to concentrate when riding.

Glad that you are OK - as many have said thats the main thing.

I've got the M50 also and love it - I also think its a bloody good looking bike.

Plenty of bits to throw on them also if you are that way inclined.

Make sure that when the invites come out that you sign up for the Boulevard rally - next year its down the south Island and if its as good as this years - its gonna be a awesome trip.

As you are local - Ill see you out there.

**Thumper** · 5th July 2008, 10:43

Originally Posted by cs363

Umm....why the back brake? Front brakes are the most efficient, contributing something like 70% of your braking power due to weight transfer etc. However the best braking technique in this situation is to use both brakes as hard as possible without locking the wheels. Hitting the back brake alone in a panic stop will almost always induce the above effect and is not advisable unless you know how to control/ride out of a rear wheel skid.

Agreed, problem is that the front brakes on the VL1500LC are shite. When I grabbed a hand full of front and a quick mental calculation told me that based on the rate I was slowing I was going to run out of space I Instinctively went to the back brakes. I guess it could be something to do with stopping over 300kg of bike and 110kg of rider

. The fact that I put the bike onto the tarmac and not into the car that pulled out made the lock up worth it (I think).

**rainman** · 5th July 2008, 12:05

Originally Posted by Motig

...but would it be an idea to hold off on the new bike in case the insurance money might be needed if things dont go to well job wise ?

Now that's crazy talk!

**cs363** · 5th July 2008, 12:22

Originally Posted by Thumper

Agreed, problem is that the front brakes on the VL1500LC are shite. When I grabbed a hand full of front and a quick mental calculation told me that based on the rate I was slowing I was going to run out of space I Instinctively went to the back brakes. I guess it could be something to do with stopping over 300kg of bike and 110kg of rider

. The fact that I put the bike onto the tarmac and not into the car that pulled out made the lock up worth it (I think).

Sweet , just thought I should make the point in case any novice riders picked up the wrong idea. maybe a brake upgrade would be a good idea? lol

**AllanB** · 5th July 2008, 12:32

Main thing is you are fine. Lucky in a situation like that in busy traffic to walk away.

Hmmm now if I can score your 800 off the insurance company for a couple of K that will make a mean bobber project.......

**Padmei** · 6th July 2008, 08:59

Mate this story is the best thing I've read for a while!! Youre ALIVE man & will still keep riding. Yehaa!!

Life has some suckful moments but if I was you I would be smiling that you get to have a chance to buy another bike

meet new people in your new job & hang out with your mates here on KB

**gunrunner** · 6th August 2008, 20:55

Originally Posted by Pedrostt500

Bad luck with the bin, but good to hear you walked away.

I second the motion but not that motion tho

**shafty** · 6th August 2008, 21:19

Originally Posted by cs363

Umm....why the back brake? Front brakes are the most efficient, contributing something like 70% of your braking power due to weight transfer etc. However the best braking technique in this situation is to use both brakes as hard as possible without locking the wheels. Hitting the back brake alone in a panic stop will almost always induce the above effect and is not advisable unless you know how to control/ride out of a rear wheel skid.

Sorry to hear about your bike Outlawtorn, but as everyone has said - at least you are ok. Good luck with the job hunt, again at least there are plenty of jobs around at present - even if they might not be your first choice.

Yeah, would normally totally agree - 70% is spot on, but on the longer wheel base cruisers, the rears have more effect (and need) - but I'd still go more majorlly for front with the rear as a bonus

**shafty** · 6th August 2008, 21:30

Bummer OUTLAWTORN, but big ups that you're OK. DO NOT beat yourself up about his - easily done and not your fault.

Ride your new steed in style Bro!

**carver** · 6th August 2008, 21:42

sucks dude.
i had a driver pull out on me in a roundabout in the wet.
i was doing 60, he hit the brakes and slide directly into my lane.
i stood the DRZ up and braked hard.
stopped 300mm off his door.
i love my bikes great brakes, light weight, wide bars and great handling!