The first time I dropped my M696 Dark. Ferrrrrk. :'(
Thankfully it was low-speed, I didn't hit anybody else, and I was not injured. The bike came out with some minor damage: bent handlebars (right side), small crack in the plastic tank where it meets with the mesh faux air intake, throttle grip scraped at the end, front & rear brake levers bent, rider brake peg broke off, scratches to clutch cover, exhaust heat shield, and the tip of the right-side exhaust can. It was still in ride-able condition, so I took a sick day (yay) and rode it home to get parts & see a doc to make sure I didn't screw myself up more than I already am. I already replaced the front brake lever & peg. The handlebars and rear brake lever were bent back into shape as a temp fix. It's cheap for a new bar, which I'll be ordering once my new throttle body and rear brake lever come in. The scratches are an excuse to get a new clutch cover (need suggestions since the 696 is a wet clutch and I've not got the slightest idea what works) and upgrade to a Termignioni or maybe Two Brothers exhuast with some CF fittings. It looks like the Rizoma handlebar slider I had on there took most of the damage, but the screw that attaches it to the expander bent from the force.
I consider it to be my fault completely, but here's what went down. Getting off the 405 Northbound at Wilmington, I took the right left-turn lane (there are two) while my co-worker was in the left on his own bike. We had filtered up to the front since the light was red. After the light turned green and I made sure there were no cagers running the red (happens very often out there in Carson), I started off and on turn-in I lost traction. I'm assuming it was a combination of the semi-truck tire tracks, oil, and moisture (really foggy that morning), but for whatever reason I lost traction to the rear. I'm kicking myself for not being a better rider and correcting it properly. Hopefully you folks have some tips based on my description of the crash. I was only going about 15mph when the rear went out on me, but I as I let off the throttle and straightened the bars a bit (hardly any lean since I was just turning in), I highsided and slid down the road about 15 feet. The bike pretty much planted itself and only slid a foot or two. I didn't use either brake, so I'm pretty spooked about how easily my traction went out. I replaced the rear tire with a Diablo Rosso fairly recently and it's got a LOT of tread left. Surprisingly, I only have a little scratch on the shoulder of my jacket from impact -- the rest of the damage is on my backpack (Oakley Surf Pack 4.0).
I was pretty much only dazed and upset that I dropped the bike at first, but after I hit the kill switch and was picking the bike up from the middle of the street, some pregnant dog driving a Grand Cherokee rolled down her window and yelled, "Get the f*** out of the way!" at me as she was passing. I was still too dazed to really be that pissed off, but the frustration set in a few minutes later. This is why I despise the average cager, even when I'm in a cage myself. Is it me, or do motorcyclists (at least the folks not out trying to kill themselves by proving their street racing abilities to the world) care more about everyone else on the road? I've only been riding for about five years, but it seems that most people in cars have no regard for ANYTHING in the road and have a sense of entitlement that defies humanity (or just common decency).
Most of this post is idle pregnant doging and a means of catharsis through venting, but I would honestly appreciate some tips on how to recover from this type of traction loss as well as suggestions for upgrades. I'm looking at new levers, plastic tank covers (is there anything neat out there or just the colors that Ducati offers?), a clutch cover, and slip-ons that would be a good match for the 696 Dark.
Oh, and I've got a lone Rizoma bar-end if anybody wants it. I've also got some stock 696 mirrors I'm looking to sell for cheap. I fell off the forums for a while last time I posted a "for sale" on the things.
Pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Wang.M696/Crash10232009?authkey=Gv1sRgCIT-o7S2hJDZhgE#
