How not to start your SuperTen relationship!

[MICHAEL I]

Crickey, Sending best Brother ::008::

 

[dcstrom]

I was not paying much attention to those settings as I am so new to the bike. But a quick check reveals that I had the bike in TCS 1 and in the Sport mode.

Sounds like you were just unlucky that you'd initiated a turn while the rear tire was still on the slick part... When I first got my S10 I found a wet wooden bridge. Knowing how slick they can be - frozen or not doesn't make much difference - I figured it would be a good way to find out how well the traction control worked. So got on the bridge, about walking pace, and gave it a fistful. Normally I'd expect to be on my arse in an instant, but the rear tire just chirped for a split second, TCS cut in and I got across the bridge in perfect shape. So sounds like your main problem was that you already had some "angular moment" (I believe that's the right term?) and the TCS won't save you from that. (well actually it will - on dirt or something that has a modicum of traction - but not ice...)

Trevor

 

[Checkswrecks]

Bummer to hear.
We know that bridge well. The slightest dew or wind that gets the surface damp makes it slick as greased pig dung, and it's regularly wet at the bottom of the canyon.

I've been forced nearly off the road by cars running the access too fast. This and the view down to the people tubing on the river are why people go down there:

 

[STPanther]

Sorry to hear of your rough start getting to know your S10. I hope you heal quick and you will have many future miles of enjoyment.

 

[trikepilot]

yup... that's the bridge. I have had all week to think about it and re-run the events in my head. I live 2 miles from that bridge and have crossed it hundreds if not thousands of times by foot, car, or my KLR. I was being alert for snow and obvious ice. The only thing that I can think is that since I was in like 10th mile on my new-to-me SuperTen, I was so preoccupied with assessing all the minutiae of riding a new bike that my brain simply did not register the fact that a wet bridge plank in the shade in our current weather pattern would mean ice. After the wreck, I walked back to the spot which was no more than 10 feet wide and it was like walking on a skating rink.

But all is well considering what could have happened. I am a bit bruised but shoulder xrays reveal no fractures or dislocations. I will just need to rest, take some anti-inflammatories, and start rehab. The Super Ten looks no worse for wear from a distance. When you get up close, you can see all the scratches and cracks on the fairings on the right side. The impact broke some of the mounting tabs under the fairings so I have epoxied them all back together and have the fairings back in place. The factory crash guard was totalled. The forward mount was sheared off, the back mount was shoved to the rear and it is all augured up. But the bike is mechanically fine as near as I can tell.

It is going to be 65 degress here today and I am about to leave to go meet Spklbk fror a road ride that will hopefully get me back on the horse that threw me and help me get used to the bigger heavier bike in a more controlled environment. Sounds like a good many of ya'll have been in these parts so you know what the riding is all about. Look me up if you get back this way and I can show you some of the lesser known backroad exploration opportunities. The ride down into the Meadow River gorge to hit the old railbed that leads to the Confluence with the Gauley and then out to Woods Ferry is an amazing offroad ride that is really just a rough gravel road. But there are all kinds of side trails that branch off to reveal some serious off road excitement. I am not sure if I'll get good or comfortable enough to take the SuperTen on these trails like I do my KLR - but I sure hope so.

 

[spklbuk]

Dang funny way you have of "resting!" But from a rehab perspective... ::008::

Great adventure riding today. Fun, fun, fun. We gotta do some more ASAP.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

It is going to be 65 degress here today and I am about to leave to go meet Spklbk fror a road ride that will hopefully get me back on the horse that threw me and help me get used to the bigger heavier bike in a more controlled environment.

Sounds like you were in good hands.

You live in a great place. Like many others here I've crossed that bridge many times. Never done it in adverse weather. Good to have the warning.

 

[twinrider]

tThe Super Ten looks no worse for wear from a distance. When you get up close, you can see all the scratches and cracks on the fairings on the right side.

Have you considered coating the side panels with bedliner? It's a pretty common adv mod for bikes that have been dropped, hides the imperfections and looks sharp.