53,000 Kms without a bin
The dream run had to end sometime.
Monday morning, 8.15 am. Paremata Roundabout. 'twas a cold, wet morning, and I was running late for work and pushing the bike. No dramas however, until the roundabout.
I'm coming around the roundabout and some clown decides to beat the traffic and pull out of the Mobil station into the path of the car in front of me, which, quite rightly, emergency brakes.
And stupid Survival Reaction #1 kicks in before Mr riffer can say "don't brake so hard". But it's too late... Lose the front end, and the bike goes down faster than a cheap porn actress. Head whacks straight into the ground followed by hand and shoulder, then bike.
Jolly good of me to take the impact and prevent the bike getting too munted.
Anyway, got away with mild concussion, a sore hand and shoulder. The impact cured my back which has been sore for about three weeks. Must have been just the right sort of chiropractic.
My insurance company (Vero) have been brilliant. New gear within 24 hours. Took the opportunity of getting a nice wine red Shoei Multitec to match the bike, and took a day off work to chill.
I noticed I was a bit squirrely on the first right hander getting back on but that soon settled.
Onwards and upwards...
Here's some piccies for the curious. Bugger all damage really. New mirror, indicator, possibly new muffler needed. The rest I can sand and bog out.
edit: notice pic 4 - you can see where the tyre let go.
And I to my motorcycle parked like the soul of the junkyard. Restored, a bicycle fleshed with power, and tore off. Up Highway 106 continually drunk on the wind in my mouth. Wringing the handlebar for speed, wild to be wreckage forever.
- James Dickey, Cherrylog Road.
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