A Small Off - Whooops

Going home last night, approaching a T junction at the end of a small square. Theres a courier van parked on a yellow line obscuring left hand view - where I want to go. Didn't scrub off enough speed and pulled out beyond front of van only to find a on coming car coming up the road. Slight fright and unfortunatley grabbed a hand full of front and washed out it out. Down we went.

I had almost come to a stop except the front just went away. Rolled away from the bike, car stopped well in time and a guy on a black kwak ER6n behind me stopped as well. Bounced straight back up absolutely unscathed apart from my pride, courtesy of my Furygan leather and Hood jeans.

Both guys helped me pick up the bike and take it over to a safe place. After checking myself and bike I now need a new clutch lever and gear selection lever and thats it - no plastics damage at all...oh and a bar end sratch

Whilst checking the bike the van driver had come back from his delivery and gone.

Eventually got home via SOS Recovery and had chat with the recovery guy who was just a Suzuki nut and gave me the name of a place to try for spares.

I know some people are not that lucky but it will all go down in the experience locker for any future similar occasions. Crash and learn?

Incidently when does an off become an off and a drop become a drop?

Sorry to hear that Neil ... glad to hear that you are ok and not too much damage to bike.

As for "off v drop", my own personal distinction would be ...
Off = gear engaged (and bike moving with rider onboard)
Drop = gears not engaged (for instance, trying move the bike whilst holding bars/grab-rail, or stationary at traffic lights, put foot down and slip )

But I'm sure our more learned org'ers might have a better/different definition

Pete

[the_lone_wolf]

nah, if one or more wheels are turning when you think "OH S***" it's an off, otherwise it's a drop (the only exception being two wheel lockups, but they require some real determination)

Well that's one in the bank of experiance.

I prefer Pedros Drop / Off definition

Glad there's not too much damage, sounds like you were lucky not to have any plastic damage.

Originally Posted by Mogs

I prefer Pedros Drop / Off definition

I prefer the_lone_ wolf's definition 'cos that means I've only had 3 offs

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

nah, if one or more wheels are turning when you think "OH S***" it's an off, otherwise it's a drop (the only exception being two wheel lockups, but they require some real determination)

So by that definition ... if you were wheeling your bike out of the garage holding handle bar and grab rail (wheels in motion) and you accidentally let go of the bars (due to being unbalanced say), then that would be an "off" when you weren't even "on" it in the first place?!

I'd call that one a "drop"

Can feel a whole new thread/poll coming on ... where's hovis when ya need him LOL

Pete

These small offs are becoming fashionable....i might have to look into it

Glad the damage is minor.

Glad you're ok. A drop is what it says. An off is sliding down the road behind your pride and joy!

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Pedro68

So by that definition ... if you were wheeling your bike out of the garage holding handle bar and grab rail (wheels in motion) and you accidentally let go of the bars (due to being unbalanced say), then that would be an "off" when you weren't even "on" it in the first place?!

obviously you can't come off the bike when you're not on it - the confusion only arises when you're on it and you come off it, apply "TLW's law of wheel motion" in that case and you'll know if it was an off or a drop...

maybe...

good to hear your alright,and not too much damage to ya bike.

a drop is low speed to me, an off is serious ie higher speeds