Highside freeway tumble @ 55 mph

[Freemojo]

I wanted to share my recent experience with commuting in the wee hours of the morning. Cars cant see us in the day time let alone zipping around them in the fog headed early hours of the day.

I was south bound for San Jose and had a classic frustrated motorist who turned on a blinker the same time they began to merge into my line, and quickly. I figure their intent was to go across my lane, two over from where they started, pass traffic and get going.

I immediately started to lean away but realized there was no way to escape, so I hit the brakes. Only problem was the front brake didnt engage, the rear brake locked up and slide out under me. I felt it and tried to recover but it whipped to the opposite side, throwing me over the bars I figure between 45 and 55 mph.

Ive had problems with a sticky front brake piston and I knew it was getting close to needing some attention. I got lazy and now my bike is wrecked.

A motorist did stop, saying the bike hit his vehicle after I was down. He said it hit the right rear quarter panel, and the right front tire. Suspicious to me. There was another moto that was behind me that stopped, but all adrenaline pumped up I didnt think to get his info.

If anybody out there heard or saw the highside Monday december the 5th south bound Walnut Creek. Let me know, cause I blame the other driver and my front brake. But I could have it wrong

More importantly, do your maintenance and have a routine or check list for accidents and mishaps. Im on the losing side of this one.

Jon

 

[weasel]

Sorry about the bike and hope you're ok.

I'm sure you know this but always have an "out" if at all possible. I had a similar accident on South 880 when a car full of guys cut across a couple lanes of traffic and pulled in front of me. I locked up the front and it tucked causing a lowside. In retrospect, I probably could have avoided them if I hadn't grabbed a handful of brakes and looked for an out instead.

Was there a police report, and if so what did it say?

Good luck :thumbup

 

[Freemojo]

You are right about having an out. Couple that with faulty equipment and it became an accident instead of a near miss.

I was extremely lucky to only have minor injuries that I could walk off in a couple of days.
There is a police report, but I havent seen it yet.

Stay safe out there!

 

[Gawernator]

Glad to hear you weren't badly injured. That's the most important part. Are you sure the front brake didn't work? You must have used too much rear brake if you locked it that bad and lost control

 

[mean dad]

Jesus Christ, you knew your front brake was functioning improperly and you rode it anyway? :wtf
I'll ride some sketchy shit but brakes are pretty high on my list of priorities.

Glad you're ok. :thumbup

 

[tzrider]

Let me know, cause I blame the other driver and my front brake.

Jon,

Glad you came out OK. There are a few things to consider from this incident, but regarding the above, I'd suggest you not blame your equipment in any conversation about assigning fault. You and only you are responsible for the upkeep of your equipment and your decision to ride the bike. Insurance companies and cops will see it that way too.

Regarding the crash itself, leaning while braking carries some risk. It can be done, but in an emergency most riders are better off doing one or the other, but not both at the same time. Steering is often (not always) more effective than braking for avoiding a collision. It's important to know that there is space to steer into.

 

[EastBayDave]

Jesus Christ, you knew your front brake was functioning improperly and you rode it anyway? :wtf
I'll ride some sketchy shit but brakes are pretty high on my list of priorities.

Glad you're ok. :thumbup

I'm also glad you came thru; but as above, NEVER, EVER, ride w/a brake problem. Another lesson/tall tale f/the EBD library; I'm sure it's a repost but I can't find it in a quick search so:

I went for a ride knowing my front brake was iffy (bad master cylinder), & some bonehead un-needingly slammed on her ABS just as I pulled in behind her w/plenty of room. I hit the semi-bad front brake, but didn't slow down enough, & rear-ended her very lightly.

When I hit her 5-mph "collision proof bumper," I did a classic "Flying-W," legs straight up high in air, & somehow managed to not bail. However landing on the tank was oh, so much fun f/me cajones'. :wow

Now we pulled over, she got out of car furious; & claimed neck injury as-well-as "hurting my car." I found a small rubber mark on her bumper, apologized & removed it w/me fingernail right there. She seemed satisfied, but took my info, & never did anything about it.

I whimpered my way all the way home bent over tank in MASSIVE pain vowing never to ride w/bad brakes again, & I haven't to this day- decades later. I did not like my voice going up an octave, & singing soprano at all...:laughing

I fixed the bike immediately .........-ebd

 

[Archimedes]

I have a titanium rod running knee to hip holding my right femur together due to a gear box issue that I knew was a problem, but failed to address. Stupid, costly mistake and hard learned lesson.

 

[Freemojo]

Yea I hear ya, I big bone head move on my part, riding with a sticky front brake. Im pretty good on manuevering and hard braking, Ive had some good practice, im pretty sure if they were functioning right it would not have contributed to the accident. But, thats where accidents come from, an accumulation of errors that finally adds up to a failure.

I will say I was very clear to all parties, I was forced off the road at such a rate that it was get hit or lay it down. All of my thoughts on all the other bits comes from hindsight.

Im bike hunting another ride with ABS this time! Ive got some good reasons to not get seriously hurt. Besides, ive been riding long enough to know I dont have to be the fastest out there.

Thanks for the feedback!