FZRSupport: the FZROnline Archive

On a beautiful October day and what was to be the last ride of the season before I tucked the FZR away for my winter months at school, disaster struck.

I was preparing the bike for a nice, long ride with my buddy (SV650S) throughout the Buffalo area. It was 74 degrees today since we're at the tail end of our Indian Summer, so when I rode 2 miles to my bank and to the car wash, I figured I could get away with feeling the sweet autumn air on my bare arms. Yes, I know...stupid to leave the riding jacket at home.

Everything was going smoothly. The bike was running great as always, and I was eager to shine it up at the wash since it's been stuck at school under a cover for the past 2 months. I pulled it into the bay, and proceeded to wash the bike. It came out beautifully, and I walked it out of the bay into the sun. I let it sit for 15 minutes to dry while I also took my shirt off and dab dried other more damp areas. I inspected the tires to make sure they were dry, and gave the whole bike a once-over to be sure that I wasn't going to slip-up from any residual water.

I put my helmet and gloves on, and started up the bike...kicked up the stand, and began to pull away from my spot. Next thing I know, as I'm easing into a small turn in the parking lot, the rear tire lets loose, and as I go down on my right side, my hand accidentally twists the throttle - sending the bike into a harder spin. I fall hard onto the freshly-sealed black-top and so does my freshly-painted FZR.

I got up and walked over to the bike to turn it off, but realized that I was in a little more pain than anticipated, so I walked away towards a grassy area. A guy cleaning his car at the wash ran over to make sure everything was ok. After a minute's rest, we stand the bike back up to survey the damage - nice rash all down the right side (fiberglass, brake lever, and exhaust).

Pissed, I got on the bike, gently bent the brake lever back down and slowly drove around to dry the tire off. I turned on the road to drive 2 minutes home when I realized that my arm was stinging pretty badly. I looked down to see a lovely patch of road rash and fresh sealer embedded in my forearm.

Luckily, I made it safely home, where I walked inside and looked at the damage to myself. By this time, my pelvis had really started to get sore and my arm was stinging something furious. I ended up going to an ambulatory center where the staff told me to wash out the sealer on my own (with mayonnaise??? ). Then I waited for 3 hours for the doctor to tell me that I could get an x-ray if I wanted (for my pelvis), but that it was probably just sore since "it's such a strong bone." I'm no stranger to the medical field, and since I already had an idea that I was just sore, the doctor's indifference sent me out the door without waiting an extra 2 hours for an open x-ray machine.

So, here I sit with a glass of wine that I picked up at this weekend's Oktoberfest, medicating my ailments.

I realize I was stupid for not wearing my jacket. And the bike WAS dry, except for the retaining water in my airtech R1 bellypan (that just happens to come without a drain hole for just such instances). When I took off, the water must have sloshed to the back of the pan, and poured over right onto the unsuspecting rear tire. Water+fresh sealer+motorcycle tire=painful day.

I hope everyone can learn from my mistake. Now there's a little more to fix this winter. Cheers guys.

It's funny how those things come to bite ya when you least expect it.

Hope you heal up real soon. I hate to see anyone in pain.

darrin

damn dude, at least you are ok, a lot worse could have happened, even at really slow speeds. and your bike seems rideable, albeit a little scuffed, fiberglass and paint can be repaired. i have a solid belly pan on my bike, with no drain hole. first thing i am going to do is drill one in the front and back. i can always plug them for a track day.

man that sucks


last time I rode without gear I got home same

put my jacket on when I went back to work and went down on the way home

Thats a real shame. Coulda been worse. Glad the glass didn't crack.

Aw man that sucks donkey balls!

Dang that sucks, man. Glad to hear there were no broken bones or skin grafts in the near future.

Dang sorry to hear that, so what you're saying is despite the medical attention, your real concern was getting those panels back in time top shape! FZR to the BON !!

consider yourself lucky it wasn't any worse........

now, go have a beer.

Sorry to hear that dude, we're all glad your okay! Let's see some pictures of that badge of honer.

yep those airtech belly pans are great catch basins. I drilled mine after same thing happened to me. (I didnt go down but water/oil sloshed out onto back tire as I was pulling out adn she got squirrly.

Since your ok, how's the bike? LOL It could of been worse for you. Glad to hear your ok. Before you put it up for the winter you may want to ride it one last time, just wear your jacket!

You're in Buffalo and you're not wearing your jacket???

Damn dude... hard-ass lesson.

Thanks for all the kind words guys! Here are some pics of the personal damage... The bike still runs absolutely fine - in fact I think the spill freed up my front brakes a little because they've all but lost their sponginess!

Don't mind the pink phone (it's my girlfriend's...the software on mine stopped working)!!

I wish that I could put sliders on my bike, so fairing damage does not happen when the bike drops.
sliders = insurance


now someone find a way to mount them to the frame!