FZ6 crash ....

[VEGASRIDER]

Although I don't own a car, I belong to AAA PLUS, which covers motorcycle towing.........so they say. Hopefully, I won't need to find out.

 

[kerpal]

Thank you all for all your comments, support and encouraging words. It really helped me to regroup. I haven't answered all your questions individually but here is an attempt to get to some of them so this a little lengthy.

It was '05 FZ6 with ~14K miles on it.

It was insured only for liability - so bike wasnt covered. Thats OK, it was my choice and I take resposibility for it. I got a good deal on it and it was my traininig bike so I was thinking it will be dropped/trashed some day anyway - just didnt want it to happen so soon and this bad.

Yes, I will be looking at replacing the front with the Naked look if it is doable and reasonable. If you have any resources for parts, how to's list please let me know.

This is not my only mode of transportation. I have a car but I used FZ6 more frequently, sometimes even to go to HomeDepot !! ...

Question from someone in Southern CA - It was on La Jolla village dr, very close to the highway (first intersection west of I-5). I was East bound. Its in La Jolla (near San Diego)

Here is my final diagnosis and reflection on the event.
I went and checked the skid marks - I could see them coming around at least for over 30-40 feet going from one end of the lane (left end) to other side(right end). That is probably correct as I was thinking the lane on my right had less cars so I should try and swerve into that lane. I also saw the end of it where the bike went down, knicked the car in that lane and then the one in the next lane spinning away.

Its a busy thoroughfare and near the traffic light, so there are a lot of oil spots etc on the road. I'll howevere discount that because I had kept some time-space in front of me so possibly I could have come out of the skid.

So what could I have done differently to come out?
I point to two of my bad habits - I get lazy in up/down shifting. While upshifting I just go through shift-twist seq quickly and am in sometimes in 5th by the time I am at 30-35 going into 6th. With a 4 cylinder engine FZ6 has a wide powerband, it is forgiving and the engine does not complain much. While downshifting as well, I just coast down almost to the stop and do quick tap-tap-tap down to get to the 2nd or first just before stopping. Again if the light changes you can still move on because of the wider powerband. Not a good habit.
I am sure I was pulling the clutch in for emergency stop. But with a skid, I could have released it and if I was in lower enough gear there could have been a chance to catch traction on the rear.
So where would have I gone with a little throttle and traction - may be next lane with a little more space (I was attempting) or even between the lanes (Allowed in CA - but I didnt think that while slipping). But I needed to be in the right gear.
So if I was in the right gear and had relased the clutch, got off the brake, I could have possibly gained traction and tried to create some more time-space for myslef.
Also, I could have been watching the road a little better.
May be these would have helped and then may be not - hopefully it helps someone.
So here I am - waiting to get the bike back up again so I can stop being lazy and ride it the right gear.
Thank you again for all your coments.
Here are some other learning points -
The cops called AAA for tow. AAA said it would be there in 30 min, but never showed up. When I called they said they couldn't find it (a main road like La Jolla village drive - with ~4 lanes on each side right next to the highway exit?). Then AAA said I had not added the motorcycle towing to the membership so it will be cash (I didnt know there was a seperate add on to the basic roadside service). So I asked if I added it on can I use it today, the answer was no, not for ~7 days. AAA couldnt get me quote over the phone either (dont know why not they call them to dispatch anyway). Finally after 1.5 hrs when AAA truck part showed up they wanted $275 to take it back to my house (~20-25 miles) . So I said no thank you - called ASAP towing and they did it for less than 200 as a flat rate. I highly recommend them if anyone needs them in southern CA area.
I have been with AAA for over 12 years. I am not very happy with their reluctance to bend the 7 day rule or even to get a quote for me over the phone when i told her that i was in an accident. Not only that, she wanted to send me over to the membership to add on the motorcycle service after telling me that i cant use it for 7 days, while i was waiting there bythe roadside after the accident. Ironic? Didnt feel good at that moment though!

Thats the lamest excuse I've ever heard bro

 

[Wavex]

Yes, I will be looking at replacing the front with the Naked look if it is doable and reasonable. If you have any resources for parts, how to's list please let me know.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFtClwCZb0E"]YouTube - FZ6S to FZ6N Naked Conversion - PART I[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1Xx76c3ABY"]YouTube - FZ6S to FZ6N Naked Conversion - PART II[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf7MEpkc3GU"]YouTube - FZ6S to FZ6N - PART III - The Finale[/ame]

Let me know if you ever need any help :thumbup:

 

[DefyInertia]

Did you at any point release the brakes?

 

[FZ1inNH]

Nice to know you're OK. Bikes can be repaired and/or replaced. You cannot!

Check out ebay and some of the other FZ6 forums where people are doing mods and selling stuff. There's a lot of forks out there with those guys going to R6 forks. Or, maybe this is a good time to invest in R6 forks for yourself? Many parts to be had for little money.

Take care, heal fast and ride again soon!

 

[firsttimefz]

it's alot easier to parts for a bike than it is to get another shot at life so look at it as a learning experience and thank the gods you walked away.

 

[fast blue one]

It always breaks my heart to see bikes ending up like that.
At least you're in one piece which is the main thing.

It wouldnt surprise me to find that the other 2 crashes had something to do with people being too busy rubbernecking your predicament.

PS a few credits in your account for you.
Hope you're back riding soon. :thumbup: