Afternoon all.
First the good news! My recent issues with starting appear to have been sorted. A new battery and a clean up of various connections has done the trick.
Now the bad news. As I haven't been out on the bike for a while, and the weather was so nice today, me and the missus decided to go for a gentle trundle out to nearby Southwold for a cuppa. On our way home we decided to go "the pretty way". That was not a good decision! We were slowly making our way down a country lane at about 10-15 mph (Thank goodness) when I realised we were on really thick mud that had been deposited during the recent floods. Before I could react the back wheel stepped off to the left and we were speared into the muddy bank on the right side. The next I know is we are lying on our left side with the bike on top of us. My missus was eventually able to slide off because the pannier held the bike off the ground, but I was pinned under the exhaust by my ankle. Thankfully both of us were unhurt but I couldn,t bloody move! After a couple of minutes a Range Rover turned up and the two gents lifted the bike off me whilst their ladies enquired after our health.
Once back on her wheels the right way up, the damaged was assessed. A broken indicator, clutch lever and a bent handlebar. There,s a couple of scratches in the fairing too. Our riding gear was covered in mud too! The bike covered in thick gooey mud. The people very kindly waited with us until we had gathered ourselves together and wiped the mud off us and the bike, and she started first press of the button. So we got home half an hour later under our own steam!
The mud in the road was nearly 6 inches deep!
I think the slow speed, and the fact that we crashed onto a very soft muddy verge saved a lot of damage to both us and the bike.
I have a spare indicator, and a handle bar lever, so I just need a handle bar and a good check over and we should be ready to go again.
This is only my second "off" in 40 years (the first that I have managed to do all on my own)! and my missus,s first! It happens so quickly doesn't it. One second bumbling along nicely, the next upside down covered in mud, but mercifully unhurt. I know we have been very lucky this time!
Keep safe guys.
Chip and Coral
Glad you all came out ok on this. Good reminder that even though the weather turned nice, the aftermath hasn't cleared up.
Glad your both ok - good the bike can be fixed :bugga:
Glad your both ok
I had a moment like this last year October time lost total control but luckily I didn't come off (nothing to do with me as I had no idea and was just waiting to hot a tree at 60mph)
It knocked my confidence for a few months.
Glad only minor damage and easily fixed .
We're there any signs to warn you ?
:cheers:
That's crap news and good on the other hand.
Hope the sore muscles stay away.
Glad to hear you are OK!
That's a bugger about the off, but glad you're both ok.
I've done a lowside off at slow speed as well, very similar damage as you mention. Some Renthals & new indicator & handles & you'll be good to go.
Thanks to you all for your good wishes.
To answer a few questions - no there weren't any signs. It was a very narrow country lane in the depths of darkest Suffolk, barely wide enough to get a car down. The mud was laid down during the very recent flooding. To be honest I had just said to my Coral, that I should get some town and country tyres fitted and that perhaps taking this route was not the brightest of my ideas! We had actually chosen this route, because I was following a Sunday afternoon dawdler on the main road who was reaching a staggering 30 mph down the middle of the road! I said to Coral that when we came to the next junction, I was going to go in the opposite direction - which we did!
I have already started with the aches! Coral has bruise on her hand which we think was caused by the hard plastic knuckle protector on her glove. I already have an existing frozen shoulder so that's shook that up again! None of our gear was damaged apart from covered in mud - least ways I think its mud! We both wear Helite auto inflating back protectors but as we didn't actually get ejected off the bike they didn't fire off.
I have a new indicator and clutch lever ready to fit, and I shall try a source a replacement handle bar tomorrow. I've already power washed the bike which left a bloody great pile of earth underneath!
Give me something to do tomorrow! :)
Sorry to hear about your spill Alan, but you seem to be taking it very well. Hope you are back on the road soon.
An 'off' is never good - glad you and er'in-doors are fine!
Stan
Sounds scary.
One minute your up and instantly your down. It happens that quickly.
Good luck and we can all feel your aches and pains right now. I think we've all been there. :cheers:
What a bummer, dumping your bike is never a good thing, glad you are both okay and there isn't too much damage to your bike, good luck with it.
Pleased you are both ok and damage to the bike and your pride is only minor.
Ride safe :cheers:
Sorry to hear the news, but glad you are both ok & the bike is easily repairable.
A bikers nighmare.....but really pleased that you and your wife are ok Alan, which at the end of the day is all that really matters.
All the very best for 2020.
Dave.
Hello again all.
Happy new year. Quick update. Bike is back together. I used genuine (read expensive) Suzuki Parts which I ordered through Orwells in Ipswich - and they came in the next day. Superb service as usual. I have checked the rest of the bike over and found that the belly pan has been cracked, so that will need either replacement or repair, probably replacement as it has quite a few pre-existing hairline cracks in the gel coat! It will do until I can get a new one.
I also found that my left boot has been damaged. The toe has been split. Looks like it was quite an impact, but my foot is fine.
I took her out for a test ride this morning and the bike ran really nicely, but I was surprisingly twitchy! :shocked:
Once again thanks to you all for your kind words.
Chip and Coral.