Accident 5mph ST1300

[jf3000]

So yesterday afternoon I was in a cul de sac and heading to the end to do a u turn, I had down this numerous times and with ease, but for yesterday afternoon as I was taking the turn to the right I must of either braked too much or not enough acceleration and the bike just tipped over to the right side.

Everything happened in a mad instance, all I remember was being in a fit of rage and cursing and swearing my head off and using all that rage I lifted the bike back up and only then someone asked me if I wanted some help, where were you when I was lifting the bike....

In a heated moment I jumped on the bike and it wouldn't start, at first I rang Brian but he was busy with work so I called Streak.

This is the first time I have fallen off the bike in 7 years but I am still in shock and also sore. No I wasn't wearing my bike gear but a lesson well learned with one nasty burn on the left leg to which I have no idea how I got since the bike fell to the right.

Anyways I just wanted to thank Brian and Steak and also Diesel for your knowledge on restarting the bike. I maybe only 41 but I did cry  especially when that 1300 falls on top of you, OMG!!!!

So Streak has asked me to catch up with him down the track and I will definitely take you up on the offer after the bike has had a service then I will head your way.


So my lesson learned is no matter how far you've to go even if its just 1 minute down the road, wearing your gear can be a difference between saving ur life or losing a limb.

Thank you.

[StinkyPete]

You are no orphan, and welcome to the "Failed at doing a "U" Turn" club!     In 2009 I dropped my brand new ST1300 on the day after I got it while it doing a "U" turn.   In my case it was a total failure of skill and technique, and I now have a small "battle scar" on the right side pipe where it landed on a bit of gravel that was sticking up.  Learn from the experience, and you'll laugh about it down the track.

[jf3000]

I am going to conquer that street.

[Rodd]

That's unforgivable, Jason! I mean.. dropping it on the right side.. no one thinks to look on that side for damage! 
I've never dropped my bike on the right side! Well, ok.. 3 times on the left side. BUT I HAVE LEARNED FROM THAT, OK!.. and my very first vehicle was a motorbike!

I got my best feel for the ST after doing some long rides. I tend to practice low speed without feet down when the opportunity arises (give way signs, road works, etc), surely that helps. I feel much more comfortable now that I have modified my seat and that allows me to sit just a little bit lower. Only thing that you can do once it has gone too far over is to stabilise the fall.. if the road fall is steep enough the bike can go past it's tip-over bars and that's not good for the mirror covers.. but don't risk an injury trying too hard to stop it once it goes too far. They still make tip-over bar covers! Just don't replace yours just yet!

Just imagine what you can do to your skin if you drop it just a little bit faster.
Good habit to get into is to wear the gear... you also look the look with the right gear on.

Edit: I have also had a few near falls from poor decision on footwear. My choice is a pair of Aussie Redbacks for traction when stopping, but decent motorbike boots are the way to go. I have a friend who was hit in the ankle by a large stone (rock).. he thought that his leg had broken and got a couple of his mates to ride ahead and stop so that when he stopped the bike they could grab it so that he could roll off it. Luckily his leg wasn't broken, but it goes to show that sometimes the protection is for things that you don't consider!

One of the things that I tell a new pillion is that IF we fall off and it's a low speed fall then they are to simply step off the bike and walk away.

[jf3000]

Hey Rodd that wasnt you I passed the other day with a copper was it?

[Rodd]

No mate. I have been very lucky, although I try to do the right thing. I can't afford to be making any donations to the Qld Government. I did pass someone at Tiaro getting booked last night. I found out later that they were friends of mine on their way to the same place I was.

[Streak]

It was my pleasure to help you out Jason!

i have my low speed drop badges as well, but you have done all the right things, and are doing what i did, get mad at it, learn from it, and you will get to laugh about it....

Let me know when you are free i am more than happy to come for a ride to say hello 

[TAZZIEBAZ]

If I'm doing a U turn at low speed I ride the clutch, I'm also extra careful that I've selected first gear, as I've found from experience that it's very easy to stall the bike at low speed if the bikes in second gear, fortunately I haven't stalled while doing a U turn, and hasn't resulted in a tip over. I have dropped the bike though, once while stationary when my right foot slipped on gravel just as I was selecting first gear, and the bike went down slowly, and secondly when I rode over a small patch of grass in first gear at idle speed, the grass looked dry and solid but had a couple of inches of hidden mud underneath, the rear wheel simply slipped away to the left and down she went on the right side again. I thought at first I'd broken my right foot as the bike went down so quickly I didn't even have time to take my foot off the foot rest and it closed up on my foot, fortunately I had boots on otherwise I probably would have broken it. No damage whatsoever to the bike, just a bit of mud and my sore foot, and damaged pride. I've been extra careful since and never had another problem. I try to keep the bike as upright as possible when coming to a stop, and try never to stop while turning. They're a heavy beast and once they start to go it's bloody hard to hold them up.

[HOFFY]

While turning slowly in a carpark, don't use your front brake when steering is on full lock. Use the rear brake only, stops the front from sagging under brakes and there is less chance of the bike leaning too far over that you can no longer balance it.

Obviousley there are other reasons for falling like uneven road surface or slippery surface, but normal everyday U turns, don't use the front brake and if you have to, touch it softly.

Just my experience so someone may over ride this.

Regards

HOFFY.

[jf3000]

I wish there was a Thanks button on each post, I would of clicked all of them. Thank you.

[DaleMcLean]

I feel for you 
Its been some time since I did similar (read 27 years ago) it was on the bike before this one 

Basic slow speed manouvering rules

1. Eyes UP and looking where you WANT TO GO, not where your at
2, NO fornt brake unless steering is straight ahead
3. Clutch working around friction point, engine revs a bit above idle (comfortable revs)
4. Combination of dragging back break (continuos but modulated) and clutch control

practice the above pulling at lights, and you'll soon be a pro at slow speed stuff 

Ever seen pushies at the lights balancing ? You can go close to that with (lots of) practice

[STeveo]

Don't worry JF, we've all been there. Glad your biggest hurt is embarrassment. 
Funny how a lot of ST's fall to the right. After my 'trip over' last year I rang lots of wreckers looking for right side fairing parts and all the ST's I found had all been damaged on the right side. Must be something to do with the rotation of the crankshaft, or phase of the moon or something.   

 

[Marcus]

All my drops have been on the right side as well.

[TAZZIEBAZ]

Yep, I forgot about not using the front brake, that's most important, I almost went down that way once when stopping to park outside the Swansea Bakery, fortunately with my super human strength I was able to hold it up.....whew!

While turning slowly in a carpark, don't use your front brake when steering is on full lock. Use the rear brake only, stops the front from sagging under brakes and there is less chance of the bike leaning too far over that you can no longer balance it.

Obviousley there are other reasons for falling like uneven road surface or slippery surface, but normal everyday U turns, don't use the front brake and if you have to, touch it softly.

Just my experience so someone may over ride this.

[saaz]

Welcome to the club of experience 

I try and practice low speed turns whenever I can.  Even just using the rear brake and balancing the throttle when leaving the driveway helps get you into the groove.  I have had a few moments over the years where the bike gets close to that **** point, but usually more throttle and clutch slip saves the day.

On bikes with linked brakes the technique seems to work just as well.  First time I tried a tight walking speed turn on a Goldwing demo ride, it was dead easy, but given its weight I would not want it to start going over!

I am sure Sarge will come in with some tips from his recent adventures 

[johnnyYTED]

 
my nephew caused my ST to fall to the right. unfortunatly it was on a slope and hit the mirror / blinker breaking both.  The fairing mountings  and others bits on the left were damaged,I discovered when I decided to pull the plastics off. I had to plastic weld about 10 areas that broke.Comparred to the right side, which suffered the impact, the left side had more fixing needed.

[jf3000]

Well I have learned my lesson from the gear side and as for the street, Brian when ever you're free next might get you to come and suss the street out and stand there as I turn and give me pointers. Where is the Thanks button, so many times I could of clicked Thanks on posts, everyone is helpful, thank you.

[bluehonda]

A couple of mantras (?) that a few might identify with

"Where you look is where you go"
     
         and

"Look down, fall down"

Like Dale said, set the clutch and throttle and control your speed with the rear brake.

[mikep]

I rode a CBx1000 for a while and dropped it several times - it was just too tall for me, with a high centre of gravity,  and i found on several occasions that having stopped on uneven ground i could not get a foot on the ground! I did eventually learn but my last drop was at a servo carpark when i got off the bike and realised as i did that i had not dropped the side stand - duuh!    I always dropped it on the left though.  My St1100 has been dropped twice. the first within minutes of getting the bike for the same reason as above and the motor wasn't even running, i was just moving it. The second time again in my driveway with a tight turn and lack of attention. 
I now need to remove the what-do-you-call-it triangular plastic bit near the rear of the front wheel to weld the plastic where it cracked. Looks like its held on with just one screw, can someone tell me if that's so? Dont want to break it more forcing it if there's a hidden fastener. 

[StinkyPete]

I now need to remove the what-do-you call-it triangular plastic bit  near the rear of the front wheel to weld the plastic where it cracked.   Looks like its held on with just one screw, can someone tell me if that's so? Dont want to break it more forcing it if there's a hidden fastener. 

Mikep.   You may be referring to the "Tip Over Covers" which are relatively cheap to replace, and yes, they are held in place by a single fastener.   Underneath them is a substantial bar which is part of the chassis.   If you are not referring to the tip-over-covers, post a photo of the bit you are referring to, and someone will provide instructions on how to remove it.

[mikep]

Hi Pete, thanks - "Tip Over Covers" sounds so much more technical than "what-do-you call-it triangular plastic bit". I've found them on-line at Bolton M/cycles, Vic. assuming they have one in stock.  Is there a SA place i could just pick one up from?

[Biggles]

Hi Pete, thanks - "Tip Over Covers" sounds so much more technical than "what-do-you call-it triangular plastic bit". I've found them on-line at Bolton M/cycles, Vic. assuming they have one in stock.  Is there a SA place i could just pick one up from?

You're probably aware they come in Left and Right versions.  Goodonya for buying locally.  If you're not in a hurry they're cheaper from the States or UK and they're light for postage.

[StinkyPete]

Hi Pete, thanks - "Tip Over Covers" sounds so much more technical than "what-do-you call-it triangular plastic bit". I've found them on-line at Bolton M/cycles, Vic. assuming they have one in stock.  Is there a SA place i could just pick one up from?

You will get them through Moto Adelaide (formerly Honda World) on South Road, Melrose Park, and ti may take a couple of days for them to get them in.  Ring for availability and price.    Here's the link.  http://www.motoadelaide.com.au/contact

I've always had very good advice and service from them, and have never felt they have "overserviced" my ST.  Les even sent me away once, when I went in to book for an overdue service.   Since I'd changed the oil, he said I'd be wasting my money booking it in, and should wait until the next scheduled service.

[mikep]

Thanks Pete and Biggles both.  I'll give motoadelaide a call when i'm next in adelaide.
mike