My first Accident

[djohnso]

I was involved in a small accident on the way to work this morning. I’ve had the bike for a couple of weeks and already have about 650 miles on the odometer. I ride it to and from work almost every day. This morning on the way to work I stopped for gas. The gas station is on a busy section of two-lane know as FM1314. It was about 06:10 AM and a crisp 45F. Road conditions were dry. I had just installed the Two Brothers pipe two days before. The traffic was heavy and I had to cross a lane to get back out after filling the tank. I was blessed in a few minutes with a gap in the traffic. I had plenty of time and room to spare. But, I guess I was just not thinking to clearly about controlling the bike and was instead concentrating on the other traffic. That was about to change in an instant as the bike suddenly demanded my full attention. It was a momentary laps of concentration at the time I accelerated out into traffic. It was over before I could fully comprehend what was going on. It has been a few years since I’ve actually ridden a wheelie and this was totally unintentional! But, it’s nice to know the bike knows how. Maybe I just need to respect the machine a little more from now on.

ps.. I never considered the C14 as a wheelie machine. Not sure I ever want to either.

[JIS]

Originally Posted by djohnso

the bike suddenly demanded my full attention. It was a momentary laps of concentration at the time I accelerated out into traffic. It was over before I could fully comprehend what was going on. It has been a few years since I’ve actually ridden a wheelie and this was totally unintentional! But, it’s nice to know the bike knows how. Maybe I just need to respect the machine a little more from now on.

David; an accident is always a sobering experience. But what exactly IS the lesson from this one? I wasn't clear what you did to cause the wheelie. I mean if you said that you had accidentally dropped the clutch at 4,000rpm; I'd have understood. But what did you do and what's the lesson?

Spotted the Avatar and then looked at the website; Good luck and God Bless!

[chi-gpz1100]

I always hate busy intersections like that. We have one here at the local mall, where I have to turn left (north bound traffic), while first crossing the south bound lanes. Traffic is usually heavy around the times I leave (rush hr). I'll usually make a right, then do two lefts. It may take a few min longer, but ultimately safer.

As for wheelies. I've yet to have the front end off the ground on this thing. I've accelerated hard a number of times too. Flies are out, and an areap pipe is installed. Perhaps the OP was just a tad overzealous with the throttle...

[reesedp]

For its its merging onto I64 after work. Its a 35 mph onramp, but most people cant even seem to go THAT fast as they attempt to merge with the 70 mph traffic! Now that I think about it, its the same getting on the interstate coming from home!

Thats why I am going to lobby for a new law: Your car automatically blows up when it takes more than a quarter mile to get up to speed!!!

[klb1122]

You had me worried for a minute David.

Glad to hear you came out of the "accident" ok.

[djohnso]

Originally Posted by JIS

David; an accident is always a sobering experience. But what exactly IS the lesson from this one? I wasn't clear what you did to cause the wheelie. I mean if you said that you had accidentally dropped the clutch at 4,000rpm; I'd have understood. But what did you do and what's the lesson?

Spotted the Avatar and then looked at the website; Good luck and God Bless!

JIS,

The lesson is two fold (for me):
1. You gotta respect the power of the bike.
2. Just because you can doesn't mean you always should.

Some day, in a stupid moment, I might have actually tried to get the front wheel off the ground. But, I was not straighted-up in the lane, there was lots of moving traffic around, I've had the bike less than a month and I was not even thinking about the possibility that the front wheel might come off the ground. I know how and have been riding a motorcycle most of my life (just not on one wheel and not sports bikes). For a few seconds, all I knew was something was wrong. I don't think the front wheel ever came more than six inches (if that) off the ground. Yes, it was an accident (un-intentional) and I will keep the wrist out of it while jumping out in to traffic from now on. It could be that the GIVI box on the back may have had something to do with it. I didn’t have much of anything in there at the time. But, the GIVI box does add a little weight on the tail-end.

[djohnso]

Originally Posted by chi-gpz1100

IAs for wheelies. I've yet to have the front end off the ground on this thing. I've accelerated hard a number of times too. Flies are out, and an areap pipe is installed. Perhaps the OP was just a tad overzealous with the throttle...

chi,

Yes, I confess, I am a little quick on the trigger. I'm not too bad at cruising speed (posted speed +5 or 10 mph is usually where I ride). But, I do enjoy getting up to speed and given the safe opportunity I'll pass a dump truck as fast as I can. The truth is that the TwoBrothers pipe hasn't helped me in that respect either. Some like stealth mode and that's cool. But, for me, Lord help me, I do like to hear the bike.

[stryder]

I had a similar experience while travelling two-up with my brother-in-law on the back. I opened the throttle a little too much whilst pulling away from lights just as my passenger decided to slide backwards on the pillion!! Front came up unexpectedly and I almost discovered the colour of adrenaline!!!

Martin C

[Rocklee]

Originally Posted by djohnso

ps.. I never considered the C14 as a wheelie machine. Not sure I ever want to either.

Please be aware, the C14 even likes to wheelie under decent acceleration even while leaned over. I've done it many times. No need to pop the clutch just accel progressively and it will come up an inch or two easy. Agreed this is not one of these looking at the sky wheelies but if you turn the bars before your front wheel sets down you could be in trouble. Note** all this happens as smooth as silk!

[GTRPete]

Originally Posted by Rocklee

Please be aware, the C14 even likes to wheelie under decent acceleration even while leaned over. I've done it many times. No need to pop the clutch just accel progressively and it will come up an inch or two easy. Agreed this is not one of these looking at the sky wheelies but if you turn the bars before your front wheel sets down you could be in trouble. Note** all this happens as smooth as silk!

This has happened to me on a number of occasions, usually in overtaking; I love a bit of fun, but mostly ride rather conservatively (sorry, a lie ); but... when I'm cruising happily in the countryside and come across a bunch of lesser roadblocks ahead I usually pep up my grin-factor and drop it down a few gears to enable a quick resumption of my ideal conditions (the road being all mine ), I'm told by accomplices that my front wheel often gets up about 6" and I do feel the lightness, but am too busy enjoying the rush, sh*t this bike is fun!!!
(ps, nothing more than an Area-P fitted, I think it's just a matter of handfuls at the right time (or the wrong time in some cases).
Hope you get over it, djohnso, and glad to hear you're OK

[Flying Kaw]

Accident?....accident?....keep having those little "accidents" and soon you'll find yourself having them intentionally... and often...