Well, one time comes to mind and it's not like you described but it was a BAD situation.

I use to have a Suzuki GSF400. Watercooled inline 4, 6 speed, speedo went to 180mph. Tach redline started at 18,000rpm and ended at 20,000rpm. It had a 4 into 1 header with a DnD muffler, Stage 1 jets and Pirelli Demon Sport tires. For being a 400, this bike was FAST. After the exhaust it was rated around 67hp and could do the 1/4 mile in around 10-11secs according to the service manual.

I used to live in Ohio. I was driving down Dresden Ave doing about 45. I was approaching a bend and I knew the speed changed to 55 right after this bend so I opened her up to hit the bend hard.

As I leaned into the start of the bend I saw a small pile of gravel had accumulated in the center of the road. There was a side street turn out right there and it was a gravel road, I guess from traffic it slowly caused a small pile in the middle of the main road.

It all happened in like 2 seconds. I saw it but it was too late to do anything and I remembered my dad telling me in those situations to just hang on and push through. Suddenly braking, dropping throttle or trying to change directions that quickly will almost always result in a crash.

I hit the gravel and my rear end slide out to the right, caught traction, fish tailed and was back to normal all in a quick moment. I just remember my hands and head staying straight but my body sliding, then a sudden wobble and then everything was fine so quickly it was like it never happened.

I ain't gonna be macho and sit here and tell you I cruised on down the road like it was nothing. I pulled over, checked my pants, thanked God to be alive and waited for my heart rate and breathing to stabalize. It was one of the scariest 2 seconds I've ever experienced and I've never went flying into a corner ever since, even if I think I know the road well.

drums1 wrote on 07/08/11 at 15:59:59:



I worry about that here. In Idaho it seems every highway outside of town cuts through the mountains. Coming around a corner in the truck it's not uncommon to see softball size rocks in the road that fell off the mountain. It's even worse the further away from civilization you go.

Highway 55 runs from Boise, through Horsehoe Bend, Garden Valley and then a long twisty ride to Lowman, a population of like 200 town. I never go passed Garden Valley. Even though the road from there to Lowman would be an amazing ride, there is ALWAYS rocks in the road.

Just not safe enough so I don't go there.

drums1 wrote on 07/08/11 at 16:14:13:


They keep chip n sealing our roads! It's driving me nuts! Main highways and city roads. Right now if you go into Boise and jump on State St, which is one of the main roads through town, the speed limit is down to 45 and the roads are covered with gravel. The windshield in my Dodge is pissed!

And they just have a sign saying "Motorcycle Use Caution" and "Avoid Windshield Damage"....How the hell am I suppose to use caution?! I'm being pelted with rocks! If I slow down I get passed by everyone, more rocks! How the hell do you avoid windshield damage? Gravel is flying EVERYWHERE.

The speed drop from 55 to 45 is a joke, people drive 50 anyway. They should've made it like 25 or maybe 35 at most. Or if you ask me, they shouldn't be doing it at all!!!!

arteacher wrote on 07/08/11 at 16:39:36:


ha..hahahahahaha just you try and use that cell phone up here. Your better off walking and sticking out your thumb!  

There is a lot of farms and even Firebird Raceway so you'd probably have no trouble getting some help but between the town I live in and Boise my cell phone is nothing but an expensive clock.

stinger wrote on 07/08/11 at 18:36:25:


Ouch! That's hardcore man. Long trips are dangerous, lone bikers make easy targets simply because your usually in an unfamiliar place and if your plates are from a state far away you can bet he's got cash and lots of it.

Carry a gun. Legally of course but it could mean the difference between a story on a forum or a 8 minute bit on Unsolved Mysteries. Get training and know what to expect. You could even go with a tazer or mace but, I think those 3 guys would've been more intimidated by a 9mm than a can of pepper spray. As always just my opinion. I never travel across country without a pistol.

Okay,...  ridin' dirt bike, back when I was about 16... miles out from anywhere...

I got a little loose, my foot slipped of the peg and my left pant leg got caught in the chain, so I put my right foot out to stop, but the bike washed out and fell on me...
So,... I'm laying on the ground with my right leg pinned under the bike, and left left leg still caught in the chain...
Mufflers are hot!... ...

... once I managed to get the bike off my leg and get it upright, I still couldn't get my pants out of the chain, so I tried to to dismount... swinging my right leg over, but with the left one trapped, the bike fell again... this time on it's left side, pinning both my legs under it... and me facing backwards....
Well,...this struggle went on for a while... and I finally got the bike up enough to cut the bottom of my pant leg off with my pen knife...

... and you though I was gonna' take my pants off... didn't you?... ...

Remember Phelonius' story about getting attacked by a bear  while he was riding his dual sport?  

Darn I miss Phelonius!