My first accident

[neodoc]

Today I experienced what it feels like to hit a guard rail...and live to tell about it. I am on vacation in Puerto Rico, where, as some of you know, I usually rent a HD ElectraGlide, as there aren't any BMWs to be had. I rode up to the rainforest called "El Yunque" and uphill everything was fine. Got up to the top of what I equate as the Puerto Rican version of the Tail of the Dragon and had a soda with my cousin, who was on his Suzuki (model???, but looks like a Boulevard.) Anyhow, on the way down, in first gear and going maybe 15-20 mph, the rear tire skidded, then the front and into the guardrail I went. I impacted with the front engine guard and slid down between the rail and the bike some 20 feet. My body I'm told draped over the guardrail and slid down with the bike. The bike ended up some 15 feet ahead of me, resting on its side on the guardrail. I'm thankful to God and the Fieldsheer jacket I always wear that I didn't cut myself open on the edge of the guardrail or the metal posts that hold it up. The jacket has a gash on the front leather and the mesh just behind the right pocket is torn off, but I'm okay...except for some bruises. I managed to bend the front engine guard back about a foot from its normal position, dented the front fender, broke the right turnsignal, and scraped some of the right saddlebag. What surprised me was that the sidestand was down as I saw the bike laying on its right side and there was no way to make it stay up. It had lost its spring. I'm wondering if that sidestand dragged on the road and somehow caused the front wheel to lose traction on the left-hand turn. Of what I am certain is that the lack of ABS played a significant role in the accident. I wasn't speeding but the road was like soap. Thankfully, we were able to get the sidestand off using my cousin's tool kit and rode home some 60 miles. Tomorrow will be another riding day, but I'm staying away from anything that remotely resembles a rainforest.

Although this accident took place on something other than my LT, I wanted to share this first experience with all of you. Thanks for listening...er reading.

[Dick]

Hey, Joe - I don't like that it happened, butt I do like how it turned out. You'll play that leetle get-off over and over - and know that we're all thankful that you're able to. Ride safe tomorrow.

[NCoe]

Glad you are relatively unscathed. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[KBandit]

wow ... scary. glad you made it through in one piece. didn't even ding the LT!

[motorman587]

You are OK that is main point and thank god for ABS. I rode a Harley at work for 6 years, hated and big seller to get our department was brakes. So what do I do with RTP. Crash it. I second guess myself from time to time, but it happend and live goes on. Learn from your mistake and drive on.

[Photoman]

Glad you are OK. A friend of mine played tag with a guardrail on his new HD V rod in AZ a few years and was not as lucky. He lost his leg below the knee and part of his hand. Glad you will get to ride again.

[ronjrieth]

Joe,
Glad you are ok...again, a testimonial for dressing safely. Ride Safe.
Ron

[messenger13]

As you've heard...there are two kinds of riders. The ones that have been down, and the ones that are GOING TO GO down. It's always a good thing when you can belong to the first group and live to ride another day. Glad to hear your gear "worked" in your time of need. I'm sure your angels also came in handy. ;)

Too bad that bike doesn't have ABS. Probably would've saved you from the whole experience. All the more reason to appreciate your baby. :)