Wreck 20060404

What was the cause of this crash? Since there were multiple factors, it is difficult to determine the primary cause. So the lesson in this crash, as in most crashes, is that there is rarely a single cause. There is usually an interaction of factors that accumulate, and at some point in time they come together in such a way to produce a crash. Many safety professionals do not like to use the word "accident." Crashes are predictable and preventable.

--- Basic Rider Course Rider Handbook, MSF

This story is the hardest one for me to write up. It isn't just the embarrassing nature of the crash. It is also the damage done to the bike. As with all the other incidents to date, this happened at low speed. I was also impaired. Not by alcohol. I was impaired by lack of sleep and illness. I should have called in sick. I missed the day of work anyway.

Later in the day, I attended the second classroom session of the MSF Basic Rider Course as part of Pennsylvania's Motorcycle Safety Program. In this class, you take the written test. I passed with 100% correct answers. The following Sunday was the second riding day. I didn't get a perfect score on the riding test, but I came close. I only lost points on the braking test. The instructor said I didn't use enough front brake to stop. I had done better during the practice session, but I was never consistent.

This write up is different from the previous ones. The primary difference is the pictorial style. I'm also giving it its own page.

It's a typical Tuesday morning and I'm going to work. I am running a bit behind schedule and not feeling terrific. I had a horrible night's sleep if I slept at all. I had already called in sick on Monday. I didn't want to take a second sick day because I only get paid for the actual hours worked. I want to keep my paychecks as large as possible so I can clear off my motorcycle dept and save up some money for a cross country tour.

I head out onto the small road at the end of my driveway, turning left, and go down a hill to a four way intersection I've taken every single time I've commuted with my bike. The picture shows my view to the left.

When I go to take the turn, things go wrong. I'm hit with a wave of nausea and look down. Next thing I know, I'm turning way too wide and end up off the right side of the white line. There is no shoulder. I'm in a rut.

The drop off is at least as deep as the tire profile. At this point, I should have just stoped and walked the bike out of the rut. Instead, I tried to ride out of the rut. Then I saw the rock ahead and fixed on it.

I've already been a victim of target fixation once and here I was doing it again. I ran into the rock and went right over the handle bars. Pieces of the rock broke off.

My knee hit that rock and so did my foot. Fortunately for me, I was wearing over pants with knee armor. I am convinced that this gear saved me from a serious injury.

The bike was badly damaged, but I was able to ride it home after recovering my wits and getting the bike back up. At home I hosed it off to remove as much mud as possible.

Here you can see the damaged radiator core and a bent exhaust pipe. The horn is bent back. The radiator protector is gone. Just gone.

Some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed.

When I bought this bike, I didn't have my learner's permit yet. It was delivered by tow truck to my house. When I tried to purchase insurance, I was quoted a rate that would cover a Ferrari. I ended up going with liability only which was cheap enough. Or at least it seemed so at the time. My hope was that after getting my license by passing the PAMSP course run by the MSF, I would be able to get a better rate and more insurance. That came a bit late.

Now that I'm hooked on riding, the question is what to do with this bike. The repair estimate is enormous. More than I can pay. Oddly enough, it is much easier to buy another bike. The only downside is that I end up paying for two bikes, one of which I can't ride. The thing is, I can't not ride. My patience is not up to the fever to ride. I also have my license now and should be able to get a cheaper insurance rate. So I have done the unthinkable.

I bought another bike. An identical model. I really do like the 599 and if this isn't proof of that, I don't know what is. I've already installed Rizoma sliders on the new bike. Here they are installed:

Hopefully these will provide protection to the engine and transmission casings. More hopefully, I won't have to test that. I really am trying to avoid drops. Honestly.

I'm also not taking out the replacement 599 until I have full insurance coverage on it. It seems safer to bet against myself. LoJack is also available and you can be sure I will be buying that as soon as I can.

Wish me luck. If anyone is interested in the old 599, I will entertain offers. However, at the present time I currently owe more money than the bike is now worth. I will be working hard to clear the loan ASAP so that I can hold the title. I have not yet decided how to part with the bike. I can part with it in several ways:

• I can simply sell it in its current condition. That is unridable. The buyer would have to pick it up with a trailer.
• I can repair it to either street legal or fully like new. The latter isn't cost effective. The former is doable though. I doubt I would get that money back selling it though.
• I can part it out. That's a pain in the butt, but I can potentially get back the most money that way.

Currently I remain undecided.