On my first real ride I drove off the road in a tight turn and bent up the left floor board doing it. I pretty much rode the floor board until I left the road. It wasn't pretty but truth be told I was especially lucky. For one, I actually straightened up the bike before leaving the road. Keeping the bike up and level for as long as I could. The second was the fact that I ran down into a sandy ditch. It pretty much cushioned my landing. In the end, the front tire got buried (pretty much leaving the bike sitting up right) and me, on my back, wiping out like I was water skiing. No injury, no serious damage. Just a sad state of affairs for my poor floor board.
Looking back I made more mistakes than just going to fast for the turn. I had neglected to check my bike before going out. Both my tires were low, and the oil bolt was loose and, ever so slowly, leaking oil. I performed poorly and in return my bike gave back what I put in. I was lucky this time but for next time I think I'll make my own luck - by being a better rider!
Here are a few pictures of the floor board:
I'm glad you weren't injured. You're right though......accident prevention begins in the garage!
Google "Ron Ayers" and hit the parts fitch for replacement goodies. They're good folks with fair prices.
Thank you, I've already ordered the parts from "Ron" and they are on there way. ;D
Use your rear brakes to tighten up in a turn if you are going to fast. also remember where you are looking that is where you are going. your head should be up and your eyes looking into the turn ! A bike is balanced while in motion so in a turn slow before you get to it then roll on the throttle as you go in to it. good luck
Check in your area for a MSF course. All levels of riders benefit from these courses.
I know a fellow who ran his 2 hour old HD over a cliff on his way home from the dealer. He'd not been riding for years and decided to ride the bike home - which happen to be along an especially twisty area of road in east TN. Unfortunately, this was his last ride. So, you are lucky.
Cheers.
Who is parts fitch, need some parts?
Drifter