I kissed the guard rail

[Desmo Demon]

How fast were you going? You alright?

I was probably doing 50-60 mph, knee down in the curve, when the aftermarket inside footpeg came off the bike and I was sucked off the seat and onto the road. I was probably doing 25-30 by the time I hit the railing at about a 45-degree angle. "Fortunately", I caught the guardrail upright support across the lower back and that prevented me from shooting out under the railing and probably shattering my pelvis. I hit the upright support hard enough to permanently crease the hard-shell Dainese back protector I was wearing and caused a HUGE welt across my back that took about three weeks to heal. I got a helicopter flight out of it and walked out of the hospital a couple of hours later. I was at work the very next day. I was VERY lucky.

[glbrto]

Glad to hear you're alright!  Sounds like the back protector did its job.  I use the Knox back protector.  Never ride without it. 

[glbrto]

Here is a video of the Passo Penice, this site of the guard rail incident. 

 

As you can see, there's really no space between the lane marking and the guard rail.  Unlike the video posted above of the off on Mulholland Hwy, my incident was nowhere near as bad. While I do consider myself a novice, under 5 years riding, I don't think I was riding beyond my ability.  I think it was a brain fart.   

For more on the area, Oltrepo' Pavese,  and more videos please check out my blog http://narrowlanes.net/2012/05/20/ride-oltrepo-pavese/   

[ScBlacksunshine]

Can't view the video, marked private?

[glbrto]

Can't view the video, marked private?

Yep, private. Should be visible now. 

[RBX QB]

... As you can see, there's really no space between the lane marking and the guard rail.  ...  

Ahh... roads with no shoulders. Roads like this get the hairs on the back of my neck to stick up... no way out if something is in your lane.

Looks like a great riding road, tho. I like the sweeping curves and the "farm country" feel of them. At least you'll be able to go out there and ride it again.

[Blackout]

Sounds like you are keeping the bike in the lower rev range, 3-5K perhaps. Doing so robs you of one of the engine's great assets, that is engine braking. I regularly throw my bikes around the NC mountains (tight, twisty roads) and can assure you keeping the bike at around 6-7K is best for my riding style. Give it a try.
Glad you were not badly injured.

[glbrto]

Sounds like you are keeping the bike in the lower rev range, 3-5K perhaps. Doing so robs you of one of the engine's great assets, that is engine braking. I regularly throw my bikes around the NC mountains (tight, twisty roads) and can assure you keeping the bike at around 6-7K is best for my riding style. Give it a try.
Glad you were not badly injured.

I normally shift around 6-7k and from the video you can just make out that I'm not shifting up at that point but rather rolling off the throttle to advantage of the engine braking. 

I can't remember the exact corner of my incident but is was similar to the one at the 3:40 mark. 

[NorDog]

Classic target fixation

The guy in the video looked like he was all rear brake and no front.  The rear tire was doing the pogo routing; impossible to get traction like that.

Glad the OP made it through though.

[eric]

Glad you're okay man. Could have been a lot worse, but it was good that it wasn't.