Never jinx yourself before a ride.....

[bretsk2500]

Went for a short hour long ride on "Maine curvy loop #3", BUT, the last thing I said to Kawichic before I left was "Well, it's been a while since I crashed anyways...."

anywho,

about 30 mins into the ride I came to the last of 5 90 deg bends, it is completely blind and to the right. I delay apex the turn (at about 50) and *just* about begin my lean in when I see about 1/2 a pickup bed full of 3/4" rocks on the road... Yep, eyes like saucers... I get on the brakes, scrubbing speed, but too much rear brake and I felt the back end get slippery. I instantly let off the front binders as the back starts to go sideways. I'm screaming in my mind "stay on the rear! DON'T highside!" I run slightly into the opposite lane (zero traffic back road with good pavement, thank God) as the rear comes back in line... I released the rear brake and rolled back into my lane (probably doing 20 at this point) and hit the starter button (stalled it when I first locked the rear up), released the clutch and resumed my journey at a slower pace. I pull over at the first opportunity to check the rear.... no discernable flat spot, but I noticed the tire was barely above ambient temp (after 20 miles of twisties!). The rest of the ride was uneventful...

I guess I need to work on my colder weather panic stops... yeesh...

[Gatogonow]

And, carry a spare set of underwear!

Nice to know you made it through safely! Glad to still have you with us. If you believe jinx, you must also believe in Karma. THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO YOU AGAIN!

[bretsk2500]

Oh yeah, the turn in question is at 43deg35'00.91"N 70deg48'50.89"W if you want to see it via google earth...

[kawichic]

And what do I ALWAYS say before you head out for an evening run? "Ride carefully... ride safe..." Glad you're okay baby, but if you get into an accident, and you aren't dead... I will f*****g kill you!!!

[Gatogonow]

From now on, only good Karma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and no ifs please.

[Charlie Gary]

Originally Posted by bretsk2500

Went for a short hour long ride on "Maine curvy loop #3", BUT, the last thing I said to Kawichic before I left was "Well, it's been a while since I crashed anyways...."

anywho,

about 30 mins into the ride I came to the last of 5 90 deg bends, it is completely blind and to the right. I delay apex the turn (at about 50) and *just* about begin my lean in when I see about 1/2 a pickup bed full of 3/4" rocks on the road... Yep, eyes like saucers... I get on the brakes, scrubbing speed, but too much rear brake and I felt the back end get slippery. I instantly let off the front binders as the back starts to go sideways. I'm screaming in my mind "stay on the rear! DON'T highside!" I run slightly into the opposite lane (zero traffic back road with good pavement, thank God) as the rear comes back in line... I released the rear brake and rolled back into my lane (probably doing 20 at this point) and hit the starter button (stalled it when I first locked the rear up), released the clutch and resumed my journey at a slower pace. I pull over at the first opportunity to check the rear.... no discernable flat spot, but I noticed the tire was barely above ambient temp (after 20 miles of twisties!). The rest of the ride was uneventful...

I guess I need to work on my colder weather panic stops... yeesh...

Lowering the air pressures in cold weather will help the tires get up to operating temp, and the stops will go a whole lot better.

[airforce1]

Originally Posted by bretsk2500

Went for a short hour long ride on "Maine curvy loop #3", BUT, the last thing I said to Kawichic before I left was "Well, it's been a while since I crashed anyways...."

anywho,

about 30 mins into the ride I came to the last of 5 90 deg bends, it is completely blind and to the right. I delay apex the turn (at about 50) and *just* about begin my lean in when I see about 1/2 a pickup bed full of 3/4" rocks on the road... Yep, eyes like saucers... I get on the brakes, scrubbing speed, but too much rear brake and I felt the back end get slippery. I instantly let off the front binders as the back starts to go sideways. I'm screaming in my mind "stay on the rear! DON'T highside!" I run slightly into the opposite lane (zero traffic back road with good pavement, thank God) as the rear comes back in line... I released the rear brake and rolled back into my lane (probably doing 20 at this point) and hit the starter button (stalled it when I first locked the rear up), released the clutch and resumed my journey at a slower pace. I pull over at the first opportunity to check the rear.... no discernable flat spot, but I noticed the tire was barely above ambient temp (after 20 miles of twisties!). The rest of the ride was uneventful...

I guess I need to work on my colder weather panic stops... yeesh...

Haole!
Sounds like you got some practice on the panic stuff!
Wow.
So glad you didn't get a rock for dinner!
Just glad.
Don't let Kawichick beat you up, she obviously cares more than to Ki!! you and she wouldn't want to do the time!
I got one of those infrared thermometer "thingies" (yep, chick word) from Harbor "Fright" and am surprised at the info it gives me.
On a poker run yesterday, my hand temp registered 68.2F.
It's good for tire temp and I found a big difference between the front and rear cyls on the VTwin. Still not sure if that's typical or not.
Best wishes for good rides "down East", hope you have good Fall colors there!
We have too many black trees here in Calif. but stuff grows back!
Ride safe, there are not enough of us out here to lose any!
Grinn.

[ozyran440]

Glad you came through it unscathed, Bret!

Sounds like you've got some real skill and quick thinking ability to pull that off.

[Hilts]

Nice save!

[kawichic]

Originally Posted by ozyran440

Sounds like you've got some real skill and quick thinking ability to pull that off.

That he does... we've had a couple close calls on the Kawi before, with me on the back... I trust his ability 100%. But its still scary to come home and see that look on his face and hear him say, "So... um... wanna hear what happened on my ride?" Makes my heart come into my throat...