Motorbikes - The Bear and Badger

Matt_82

adored wrote:

I fell off. It hurts.

Sorry to hear that mate. What's the damage?

adored

Helmet saved my head, bike will need somene work.

Mod74

Oh noes!

Are you OK?

What did I say last time you were here? "at least you haven't fallen off yet". Feel free to blame me 100%

adored

Already have mate.

Nina

Well, they always told me there are two types of bikers, the one that have already fallen off, and the ones that haven't yet. That's why I had a proper crash exactly 3 weeks after picking up my license. Helmets and back protectors saved me.

It was a Vespa right? At least parts should be easy to get, although expensive.

Both of my bikes are at the garage, the one I crashed and the same one I bought after that. Sigh, it ain't easy to get those old ones fixed it seems ('85 Yamaha Maxim, one is water cooled, the other air).

What happened though? Other people falling asleep behind their wheel and too busy app-ing someone?

adored

Probably my fault tbh, was going a route I don't normally take, which happens to involve a sudden steep drop and quite tight turn at the same time. Was raining and there's a lot of leaves about.

Had left plenty of extra room to the car in front but was probably going a similar speed despite my lack of wheels or brakes, and couldn't get the speed down quick enough. With hindsight, I should have been going much slower and started braking a lot sooner, by the time I realised how steep and greasy the road was it was too late.

Had that split second where the wheels locked up and I knew what was coming but was powerless to prevent it. Somehow managed to damage the left side of the bike, inside of my left knee and left palm, but crack my right temple on the road / kerb. No idea what I was doing as I went over to manage that.

Just ridden it home this morning and it seems mainly cosmetic damage, but yes, my local Vepsa dealer will be taking me for every penny they can no doubt.

Nina

Yikes, leaves and rain aren't much fun, specially when it gets dark so early. I always try and go via the city center if I have to drive when it's dark. Loads of lamp posts there.

Sounds like you've been lucky though, guess some part of the frame hit the inside of the knee? Friend of ours also miscalculated a turn (which was with the Vespa we had then, and he has bought from us by now), he turned out to be lucky at first, nothing broken, just little fractures in his bones. Then he slipped over some water he dropped on the ground while giving it to his cat. Broke his knee in 3 places, it's been a year now I think, and he still feels it. Think all the pins etc are removed by now.

If the damage is cosmetic, you can decide to just leave it at that. No one wants to steal a Vespa with such clear features. Check your front fork as well, ours was bend a little, I was the only one that really noticed, but it was a bit of a wobbly steering. Had to go back to the garage a few times before they acknowledged that it wasn't as perfect as they told me before.

adored

Must admit, I do like a Vespa with all the paintwork taken off, the worn metal look. Maybe I should chuck it down the road a few more times.

Had a cracking headache and tootache (must've rattled a few loose) last night and this morning, now pretty much only my knee and shoulder I can feel (shoulder is just muscular, elbow and shoulder pads did their jobs as did the helmet).

Matt_82

Did you go to the hospital?

adored

No, the car 2 behind me had some guy in an NHS jacket. He gave me the once over and offered to take me to casualty but I declined.

Like every idiot in that situation I was more concerned about my precious treacherous bike which I'd just watched skid down the hill away from me.

Matt_82

If you've had a headache you should go. Helmet or no helmet, your head took a thump.

adored

Was more a pain thing than an inner ache thing, was gone by noon, as was the toothache.

You're absolutely right of course, but (potentially) tragically, I decided I'd rather risk being the guy that drops down dead a week later than the guy who spends 6 hours waiting to be seen in a Newcastle A&E just be be told they're fine.

Mod74

I think you'd know by now if you'd done serious damage. I was nearly in tears climbing the stairs after coming off mine. Went to A&E nest morning, took one look at the Sunday morning queue and went home again. It still gives me gyp.

Nina

adored wrote:

Like every idiot in that situation I was more concerned about my precious treacherous bike which I'd just watched skid down the hill away from me.

Heh, when I was on the asphalt after the accident, I heard everyone talking about my bike, but no one let me take a look. People were making comments about how all the gasoline was leaking out of it, and I could only pray no one was smoking. The most pain came when I actually saw a picture of the bike at the garage (took it away while I was escorted with the ambulance), and when I slowly started to realize that it was a pretty nice hit.

It still hurts actually, that was in June and we still don't have it all sorted out with the insurance. Not that my bike can be fixed, but I want some cash, or otherwise I want the bike back for parts that I can use of my new one. It was some kind of first love that one, can't quite let it go yet.

Anyway, go see a doctor if any headaches return, and don't use your helmet anymore. Get a new one!

adored

Nina wrote:

Anyway, go see a doctor if any headaches return, and don't use your helmet anymore. Get a new one!

Will do, and already have.

Moto70

When I had an off I stumbled about and got the bike upright and carried on my journey, I thought I'd lost my rear brake as I could feel no pedal but I just wanted to get back home as my leg was hurting. Anyway I rode from not far outside Minehead back to Ilfracombe which is a bit of a ride (all hills and bends) and got back to work (which is where I kept my bike as it was indoors and fully alarmed). I had to get my missus to help get my leathers off and my leg had swollen quite nicely due to it being broken, my boots and leathers had kept me all in one piece with visible injuries (other than the swelling) and this is why I thought my pedal had gone, because my right foot was pointing slightly the wrong way!

I don't think I'll ever have a bike again (though I would have a scooter) as I simply ride too quickly, I ride close to the limit and there is just no way of knowing what can happen so seeing as I can't change my ways it is best just to remove the temptation.

Glad to hear you're OK Adored.

adored

Cheers fella, appreciate it.

Hope you come through your football match unscathed.

Moto70

adored wrote:

Cheers fella, appreciate it. Hope you come through your football match unscathed.

I don't think I quite know what I'm letting myself in for!

adored

I've played twice the last couple of weeks having 'retired' 3 years ago.

Put it this way, I'm glad I crashed as it gets me out of playing tomorrow.

Matt_82

Moto70

Just trying to decide on whether or not to pick up a '14 plate one of these on 1st March?

adored

Nah, that is fuck ugly, get the Vespa GT Sport 300 thing instead.

Moto70

It's for commuting on though otherwise I'd definitely get the Vespa.

Honda are also doing this at 1.6% and Bridge are doing a 1st owner Lifetime Warranty so tie this is with decent storage space and lockable glove box and it's a no brainer for me.

I think I will pick up a Vespa as well if my new business goes well...

adored

Moto70 wrote:

It's for commuting on though otherwise I'd definitely get the Vespa. Honda are also doing this at 1.6% and Bridge are doing a 1st owner Lifetime Warranty so it's a no brainer for me. I think I will pick up a Vespa as well if my new business goes well...

Other than the finance package, which is great, what's the advantage for commuting?

Moto70

Honda reliability.
Combined ABS.
More storage space.
Integrated security/immobiliser.

...and 1.6% inc Lifetime Warranty.

My head has to rule my heart when I'm buying something for a purpose.

adored

All very practical reasons for getting the Honda.

You should definitely get the Vespa.

Escape

That looks mighty comfy. Must be me age.

I still have my Honda (page 2). Not comfy.

Moto70

Escape wrote:

That looks mighty comfy. Must be me age. I still have my Honda (page 2). Not comfy.

I went and had a look and saw the picture of my old bike. :'(

I think I'm going to get that Honda, I've got to fill my car up again tomorrow. I am spending about £150-£180 a month on fuel so I can buy this bike and it not cost me that much. 25mpg v 85mpg means my fuel bill drops to around £50 per month which means that the £120 per month for the bike is covered, add on a bit of money for the insurance (£200 per year fully comp) and some fuel for my car means that I can get a brand new '14 plate bike with Lifetime Warranty for around £50 a month over 3 years. I'd be daft not to get it.

Which brings me onto muffs. I've been told to get some heated muffs (the bike has a 12v socket) as they are shit hot for winter/cold commuting but I don't know where to look?

Oh I've also got it priced with a tall screen and I might invest in a topbox!

adored

Aye, can't beat the mpg on a scooter.

I do about 40-50 miles per week commuting on my PX125 and spend about £8 a fortnight on petrol. The automatics are even more economical.

Escape

Moto70 wrote:

topbox!

He's turned.

Howdy, Stranger!

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