Oooohhhh nooooes! My first lowside.

[leonardc9]

I was going down Van Ness taking a left hand turn. There were some pedestrians talking on the sidewalk who appeared to be just talking. I saw a 1/2 block gap in traffic and decided to go only to see that suddenly the pedestrians had decided they were going to go afterwards. Too much front brake mid turn (a novice mistake) and me and duc were on the ground.  Of course, it just had to be the day that my girlfriend was following me in a car back to my house which did not win me any points as to my motorcycle habit.

The lowside was my fault -- I fixated on the cars coming in the opposite lane and didn't do a last minute head check to make sure the peds weren't just getting ready to run across the intersection to beat the red, just as I was about to do myself. Luckally I was wearing all the gear and came out unscathed just just some minor bruising to my body and ego. My poor baby made it out worse for wear, but not too poorly. The framesliders did their job.

The big pieces are the left handlebar is a bit bent in and the shifter lever was totally bent. There are also a few scratches on the tank as well as here and there.

So the big question: any suggestions on places to take it? I don't have much money right now. I'm wondering if I should take it in to Munroe or ride it (it seems completely ridable) to Nichols. Or can I just bend the bar back myself and replace the shifter lever myself? I don't have any experience doing so, but I'm totally willing to learn.

Any suggestions? I'd really like to get my ride back on the road but I'd also like not to break the bank.

Thanks,

Leonard

[leonardc9]

Almost forgot: does anybody have an extra cardboard helmet box? I'd like to mail my helmet into Shoei to have them check it out to get it inspected, but don't have any box to send it in.

Thanks again,

Leonard

[mattb]

That sucks dude -- I'd try to bend the bars back if they're not too bad.

How badly bent is the shifter?  You may be able to bend that back as well until you can replace it.  It's easy to replace, I did mine a while ago (~$70 as I recall; I believe it was in stock at Munroe's).

m

[Vindingo]

bend the lever back yourself.  You can pick up handlebars real cheap at cycle gear or similar if they are bad.  DONT buy ducati handlebars! it is a complete waste of money.

How fast were you going when you went down?  If you weren't going that fast I doubt the frame or forks are tweeked, so no need to take it to a shop.  

Consider the scratches as badges of honor!      

[somegirl]

Sorry to hear about your get-off, glad you didn't get hurt though.

Gear and frame-sliders were a good investment.

Good luck getting your bike fixed up.

[707soldier]

Leonard,
Sorry to hear about the down.
Glad you're ok, it's comes with the territory.
All you can do is fix your bike and learn from it.
Keep on riding, now I wanted to see the response of certain people on the board..

[duckwrench13]

I was going down Van Ness taking a left hand turn. There were some pedestrians talking on the sidewalk who appeared to be just talking. I saw a 1/2 block gap in traffic and decided to go only to see that suddenly the pedestrians had decided they were going to go afterwards...

 ...I was wearing all the gear and came out unscathed just just some minor bruising to my body and ego. My poor baby made it out worse for wear, but not too poorly. The frame sliders did their job...

So the big question: any suggestions on places to take it? I don't have much money right now...

 ...Or can I just bend the bar back myself and replace the shifter lever myself? I don't have any experience doing so, but I'm totally willing to learn.

That's known as the "Squirrel Scenario." It looks like the cute fluffy squirrel is just sitting on the side of the road, but then darts out in front of you at the last second. Average pedestrian has about the same brain power as the average squirrel...maybe less.

In defense of "your habit," you should point out, to your gf, that you were wearing the proper riding gear, and avoided serious injury. You can also explain to her what you did - cause & effect - and that it could have been far worse. Heck, anything you can think of to calm her down.

As far as low-buck repair, you can always bring it by the duckcave, and I can give it a thorough going over. 

It's increasing incidents like this that have convinced me to spend all my riding time at the track. Just too many goobs out on the roads... on two feet, two wheels & four wheels. And the track is just more fun! [moto]

PM me if you want to bring it by. I'm around all the time.

[desmoquattro]

Sorry to hear about the lowside, but very glad you were OK

I heartily recommend duckwrench13's mechanical skills  But if you need to pay for repairs, Desmotosport is usually your best bet.

And check the Parts for Sale board to get any items you need to replace.

[mostrobelle]

<snip> now I wanted to see the response of certain people on the board..

Sounds a tad like baiting, m'dear.  There's a time and a place and this ain't either.    We're all friends here. 

Leonard - bummer about the crash.  You were wearing gear and you know what you did wrong.  Aside from totally avoiding the crash in the first place, this is the best outcome of this type of situation. 

As a self-professed newbie I heartily suggest you let someone who has a bit more experience with motorcycles take a peek at your bike before riding it much.  Little tweaks to important parts can have bad outcomes at speed on only two wheels.  Duckwrench is a good start if you're short on $$$.  +1 to the Desmoto or Nichols recommendation. 

[leonardc9]

Thanks all for the kind support and suggestions! Ducwrench -- I'd love to take you up on the offer and buy you a beer. I'll send you a PM.

I got around to taking a few pics of the damage for those curious:









Leonard

[TCK!]

looks like you made out well.

[duckwrench13]

Nothing looks too bad, so it should all be a very easy fix. Just let me know when you want to bring'er by.

[b.]

That sucks dude -- I'd try to bend the bars back if they're not too bad.

How badly bent is the shifter?  You may be able to bend that back as well until you can replace it.  It's easy to replace, I did mine a while ago (~$70 as I recall; I believe it was in stock at Munroe's).

m

ouch...that's steep for a shift lever.  if duckwrench can't fix it or you want to replace it with a used one PM Chris (Motored-Sports) or post up here: http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=507.240.  i had to replace mine due to a tip-over in the garage and it was only $25 shipped.

b.

[Cynic]

1st let me join in on being glad your ok!!!  Riding these things can be damn tricky and I have had my fair share of learning lowsides 

2nd After looking at your pictures... I have to say... Um...  now your bike looks like mine    I really think all you need is a new bar end thing and they cost like what $2 or less (at least for my 620 they were) 

Good luck and I'm glad your ok.
Cheers!

[leonardc9]

1st let me join in on being glad your ok!!!  Riding these things can be damn tricky and I have had my fair share of learning lowsides 

2nd After looking at your pictures... I have to say... Um...  now your bike looks like mine    I really think all you need is a new bar end thing and they cost like what $2 or less (at least for my 620 they were) 

Good luck and I'm glad your ok.

Thanks! BTW -- what's the bar end thing?

Leonard