Took it back to the dealer for a quote... $3,200 :huh I'm just going to rebuild it myself. There was no frame damage- just lights and faring crap. I priced the parts out to be about $900 online. $3,200 Jeezus- I've bought 4 bikes from these guys- you'd think they'd try not to fuck me so hard! Wife's back to work today (we work in the same building). Her knee's black and blue and she's got a knot in her shoulders from gripping the bars so hard and tensing up before the dump. Her boss was joking with me yesterday- pointing out that most women "fall down the stairs"... mine has a "motorcycle accident". I've been calling her Evil Kenevil all weekend- her office made her a name plate for her door.. "Crash"
First of all, Infidel... very glad to hear Mrs Infidel is OK. BTDT and maybe getting her back on was the best thing that could have happened for her. I've never been a great rider... still have some anxiety on tight curves but I love motorcycling too much to give up. She'll have mixed emotions about riding after this. Bottom line is she'll ride her own if she misses the feeling of control. Best wishes to her what ever her decision! and IMHO this guy's a jerk left over from the 1950's ! "Wifey" ? WTF
Turn the $3200 in to the insurance, fix it yourself, save enough for a year and half of premiums on all 3 bikes!
Thanks, Pansy. I generally don't push her in any direction- but I figured making her get back on the bike was the best thing for her head. If she decides to keep riding, which I'm sure she will, we're going to take a Confidence Builder Course and get some track time in once the bike is back together. Her only mistake was breaking hard in the turn- pretty sure she won't be doing that again. If she decides not to ride solo anymore, I'll just take the lowering link out and give the bike to my son. He's been eying that bike since she brought it home.
With a bike like that, there is no real need to use the rear brake. I usually tell people (mainly my gf) not to touch it on the street because during a panic brake, it is way to easy to lock up. You can brake in turns, you just have to be smooth about it. That is a flaw in the MSF program that I see. We are not all at the limit of traction in the turn, there is room to brake. In MSF they teach you to stand up the bike to brake. Well sure that works alright in an empty parking lot, but in a canyon is makes you run into the dirt. This is just my opinion.
It's not just an opinion- it's true. I've come into many tight corners WAY too hot. Lightly dragging the back wheel just a bit to shift the weight and close in your radius works. MSF will fail you for it.
Well, I'm new myself. But, given the amount of experience, 4 years, and 1100 miles on her bike. I feel with more time on her bike and less challenging a road. She should stay with it. However, I've a few close calls myself. Not falling off of the bike, myself, so that's an experience I haven't had ever. So, not to judge, I feel more seat time would be a good thing, for your wife. Thank GOD she was wearing her gear.
Wow. Good thing it wasn't a $825 Shoei. Sorry but I found it interesting that you felt compelled to mention the price of the helmet. I hope she heals fast and well.
She's not exactly a noob, but if conditions are a bit much for another rider's experience level, then THE EXPERIENCED RIDER SHOULD GO FIRST. Otherwise all that would happen is that the experienced rider gets to see the noob rider crash in front of them, as happened here. The experienced rider's ability to read the corner is for naught if they are following, the noob can blow it before a warning can be effectively issued. The experienced rider can demonstrate a feasible speed for that corner which might be LOWER than the noob rider thinks. And no, the noob rider won't be any more encouraged to go too fast trying to keep up, than they would feel pressure to go fast because they think they are holding up the rider behind.
Wow - sorry to hear about your wife's "wipe out". Glad to hear she's not hurt too badly. Good for her for riding home. I can imagine how scary that must have been for her, she's one tuff cat. I ride with my wife all the time and I prefer she rides up front, she prefers to ride behind, says she feels safer with me in front. We take turns. Best wishes to you both - Kurt in Flag
I have the same problem. My wife's mishap not near as dangerous as what your wife wen through but I do know where your coming from. I have just recently started riding again. I got my first bike when I was 15 and had one off and on until I was 28 or so. I am now 50 but I finally got me another one. When I decided to ride again I went and took the MSF coarse so I could get my license. They provide the bike and as I didn't figure anyone would let me test drive without my endorsement this seemed like the best solution. A little pricey, but still. So when I am signing up I ask my wife if she wants to try as well, and to my surprise she says ok. She passed the coarse, but she was not very good, on her riding test she was deducted the most points possible and still allowed to get her license. She aced the written of coarse, but that really is nothing. A friend of hers says that she learned on a Suzuki GZ250 and she decided that she wants one. I figure if she feels comfortable then ok. We find a 2004 with only 500 miles on it and really good shape and inexpensive, so we get it. On her first ride when pulling back in the yard she doesn't stop in time goes off the driveway and lays the bike over in the grass. She breaks her toe and hurts her shoulder. She has not ridden the bike since and it's been about 3 months. The toe is ok now but she is still working on her shoulder. She likes riding with me, but I don't know if she is going to ride solo again. Maybe that is not a bad thing. Some people are just not cut out for it.
I'm always terrified that my wife might dump in front of me. She is always smarter than me and rides within her limits. I took her for her first motorcycle ride 6 years ago, and told her then, "If you enjoy it great. You'll need your own bike." (I loathe two up.) So as a wedding gift I bought her a Ninja 250. Now two kids later, (no idea how many miles, and four bikes) I have been advised she wants a Ninja 1000.
We usually switch off- I was afraid that if I was in front she would try to keep up. I was hanging back about 25 yards- but I can see your point. Maybe if she would have followed me through the curve she would have fixated on my bike instead of the t-wall.
I wasn't sure if I was going to make a claim (since I've never had to actually USE any of my insurance before- auto or bike), I called Geico to see what the repercussions of a claim on my rates would be.... An "informational" call automatically becomes a "claim" weather you use the funds or not!! WTF!!! So even though my wife had the accident- the claim goes against the policy and (per the Geico chick) I will see higher rates next year even if I drop her from the policy. I have decided to use the claim to the fullest extent possible (since they're going to be dicks about it). Fuckers!
Sierra...I assure you that there are MANY women out there riding their own that ride because they love it. I have been riding since I was 7. Grew up riding dirt and at 17 switched to a street bike. When hubby and I got married, we were both riding but gave of bikes to start a family with the plan being that when we got our boys outta the house, we'd get bikes again. In the interum, we had scooters and Trail 90's and 4-wheelers to play with. Fast forward and my boys are teenagers but not outta the house and I GOTTA have a street bike again. My hubby WAS NOT HAPPY. I went out and bought a Suzuki VL800 and went traveling with friends. I'd call the hubby from the road and tell him how much fun we were having and how I wished he was with us. Only took 2 years of me doing that and he broke down and bought his bike and now we ride everywhere together. I ride my own because I always have and ride for the same reasons you guys do...I absolutely LOVE riding. It's my escape, my stress reliever, my fun. In early October while on a group trip (8 bikes) to the Hill Country, my hubby was riding right in front of me and went down. It freaked me out but I am a very good rider and I kept my bike under control and stopped while missing the gravel patch he had hit when the road surface ended unexpectedly.:huh Anywho...he broke ribs, his leg in 4 places but was otherwise ok thanks to gear and a helmet. He's been riding 40 years and this was his first down. So I know it's scary to watch your SO go down right in front of you. Good for you and her for getting back on the bike and riding. I hope she gets back on and rides again after the bike is fixed. If anything, this down shoulda taught her that 1) Gear works so wear it and 2) that a crash is survivable AND no big injuries! That'd make me feel better about riding! Good Luck!