• Welcome to the Yamaha FZ6 Forums. Member registration disables ads and allows you to post and share. Register Here.

Nightmare in slow motion last night

lordplayer

lordplayer

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2008
Messages
68
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Minnesota
Visit site
Well I am humbled as usual with my FZ6 with only 250 miles on it. God couldn't let me be happy as a noob. I stopped at a red light like I always do, concentrating on good braking technique, downshifting, and a well timed left foot plant.

Only one thing...

My left foot won't move. :confused:

Panic time. Jeans caught on gear shifter. Wrapped around it like a burrito.

Leg...won't...move. Bike falling. S--T! Bike down after about 10 seconds. She went down like I was putting a baby to sleep without trying to wake him up.

I lift it up as quickly as possible and now the damage...

A plastic scratch on edge of side mirror (1 centimeter maybe) and tippy tip corner of left front fairing - both imperceptible unless pointed out.

Left handle bar has a small 2 millimeter chip.

Engine cover that says YAMAHA has 1.5-2 x .5 inch scrape. What is this part and how much is it? If I replace that the bike will look perfect again (in my mind). Will some matte black paint do the trick instead?

Lesson learned...I will never wear those jeans again (way to baggy) and I recommend that all of you do the same regarding large cuffed-pants. I'm now paranoid about what I'm wearing around my left ankle and I check to to see if my leg is free before I plant it.
 
Why didn't you put your right foot down when you realized your left foot was stuck?

I can realize where you'd be paniced and not think clearly in that situation though.. luckily you're ok though.
 
Good question. There are two reasons and you touched on the first one.

1. I was thinking "oh crap why won't my left foot go down".

2. I'd already started the shift of weight to the left and I'm not sure I could've redirected the weight once that motion was set into action. Keep in mind I was at a dead stop.

Thanks for your reply man.
 
Lesson learned...I will never wear those jeans again (way to baggy) and I recommend that all of you do the same regarding large cuffed-pants. I'm now paranoid about what I'm wearing around my left ankle and I check to to see if my leg is free before I plant it.[/QUOTE]

Be prepared for some flaming for wearing the jeans.. although I don't have riding pants yet either. You could always tuck your pants into your boots, that is what I usually do to keep my jeans from flapping, and getting stuck on anything.

Glad you are okay, the bike is fine. As they say.. battle scars.

Deb
 
Good to hear you are ok. A few days back I lost my balance at the parking lot (in front of friends who are still mocking me for it) and I went down the same way, slow motion ...

The boot saved my ankle, the sliders saved ALL the plastics. Use some sliders, they are not too expensive, they worth the investment.
 
Last edited:
I keep saying that laces and cuffs are the "Silent Killers." I know exactly why you didn't switch to the right foot. You were comitted to dropping the left foot because it's what you do every time.... it's muscle memory. I have come so close to going down that way...

I keep meaning to to practice putting my right foot down (both planned and quick reactionary like.) I haven't done it yet. I will on my way home today. I'm on the XT though which I swear is so light I could just stick my arm out to keep it from hitting the ground.... ok, not really, but you get the idea.


Thought: What is the downside of trimming off the stem/ball thing on the peg? It seems like it would reduce the danger a bit..
 
Rocky529 said:
Why didn't you put your right foot down when you realized your left foot was stuck?

I can realize where you'd be paniced and not think clearly in that situation though.. luckily you're ok though.
Click to expand...
With all due respect mate, don't you think he would have if he could have lol.

I have done the same, once your weight is shifted its hard to counter and get it back again. Plus I am short lol.

Glad that the damage is minimal and you are ok.

Nelly
 
Baggy cuffs and laces will kill you! Glad to see you are ok. If you took the MSF course and the drilled put your left foot down then make sure you practice putting just the right or both feet down. There are a lot of situations where the left foot won't be the correct application.

We all get the dropsies :)
 
So sorry to hear about your experience. Although not life threatening, it still can make your heart jump up into your throat as you find yourself going into a mild panic. The complete and total helplessness feeling as you realize that there's just nothing you can do (even as you keep trying) as your bike slowly falls to the ground. :eek:

This has almost happened to me with the bike that I used to have. Luckily, I was able to get my pants leg free in time before the bike actually hit ground. At that point, I was doing the funky one-legged hop/jump thing to try to get my bike up to the standing position. It was quite a workout. And I felt foolish.

:D

X
 
I've had close the same thing happen just opposite. I was leaving a red light and when to put my foot up my workpants got caught on the bottom of the foot peg now the tangle my foot is somewear between peg and pavment and wont go either way so im in first gear holding up traffic trying to get my leg unstuck without falling off the bike.

Glad your ok anyway.
 
Nelly said:
With all due respect mate, don't you think he would have if he could have lol.

I have done the same, once your weight is shifted its hard to counter and get it back again. Plus I am short lol.

Glad that the damage is minimal and you are ok.

Nelly
Click to expand...
That is true, now that I think about it it would be pretty hard to shift back...
 
I plant both feet...when slowing down, at around 1-2mph i put both feet to the ground so that I won't tip either way. I can firmly plant my feet (being 6foot helps), but many a time do I do the 1 footed plant and have a weight shift to the other side

...plus you're "supposed to" put both feet down at a stop because "it's the law" lol, i feel more balanced with both feet ready to touch down because having one leg out tends to make me tilt that way...
 
ATGATT... and proper gear as well. I wear boots without laces and overpants that cinch around the ankle with velcro. I would have never even considered riding my FZ6 with laces dangling or pant cuffs flapping. I can only ask "Why?" to people who do!

Glad you're OK but please, get the proper gear and ride safer.
 
Thing is, I thought I was wearing proper gear. I had ankle high boots with laces tucked, thick riding gloves, face-shield snell-approved helmet and padded scorpion jacket.

I don't think I've ever been told at the MSF course or by freinds about large pant cuffs although in hindsight it is extremely obvious and I will never make the same mistake again.

Don't get me wrong - I take full responsibilty for this fall, but hopefully other riders can avoid this by reading this thread.
 
I wouldn't recommend trimming the peg feelers either. They are there for a reason and you should only take them off when you really need to (ie the track, when you are dragging a knee and need more lean angle).

Also, get some sliders! Would have made a scuff on the slider instead of a scuff on your engine case.
 
Which brings me to an important question...

How can I get the engine case fixed. If we're talking hundreds of dollars I will just touch it up, but if it's reasonable I'll buy a new engine case.

Has anyone ever replaced that part on your bike and do you have any suggestions? Thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Can’t find first? Am I in neutral ?
Replies
7
Views
3K
Spencahprewitt
S
TownsendsFJR1300
Solid, Crisp, Ortho shifts!
Replies
5
Views
2K
bigborer
B
ShoopCE
Newest MSF Rider Coaches in WV
Replies
2
Views
1K
Motogiro
Motogiro
FB400
2 helmet locks
Replies
0
Views
735
FB400
FB400
S
For Sale 2008 FZ6 $1,700 Firm, Tampa, FL
Replies
4
Views
2K
SAAVA
S
Back
Top