Dumped bike, to avoid buffalo.

This past Friday it was in the mid sixties, sunny and probably on of the last nice days before winter hits. So, I decided to ditch my afternoon class to go for an extended ride. I live in Rapid City, SD and have a goal to ride every paved road in the Black Hills before I graduate, i decided it would be a good day to hit the wildlife loop in Custer State Park. Round trip would be around 200miles of winding roads.

After arriving at the Park I stopped for a break to lay out in the sunshine and relax for a while. It was truly a beautiful day and there was absolutely no one around. I soaked it in before hoping on my bike, strapping on my helmet and setting out. About 15 minutes in I slowed down so I didn't spook some antelope that were grazing near the road. After passing them I rolled on the throttle and ran through the gears. I was nearing the top of a small hill when I saw a buffalo, or american bison if you prefer, standing in my lane. Quickly deciding that he would win in a game of chicken I began braking very hard. I scrubbed off a some speed, but after passing the crest of the hill, my bike lost traction, the front end washed out and it awkwardly low-sided on the right. I landed on my face and slid for a while before i could get rolled over onto my back. I made it about 70 yards on the great asphalt slip n' slide, and my bike slid to a stop on the shoulder about 30 yds past me. I was wearing my jacket, helmet, boots, and gloves so the only damage to me was a little road rash on my palm where it wore through the glove and a healthy bruise on my hip. My bike is mechanically all right but could use some new plastic and a mirror.

Oh well, lesson reinforced, wear your gear. I can't even imagine the amount of pain I would be in right now if I hadn't been wearing gloves.

Hopefully this link should bring you to some pictures.


http://sdsmt.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2006524&l=e2356&id=116400013

*edit*

Oh, and after pulling myself together I finished my ride, by driving through Custer, Hill City, and back to Rapid. All in all it really was a pretty nice ride. I'm glad I went out.

 

Shame about your beautiful VFR but good you got away from it reasonably intact. I had a similar low side a few years ago albeit no Buffalo involved, like you was wearing light ( Super Moto) gloves that very nearly wore through on the palms and was very thankful I was wearing them also...

 

Sorry to hear about your wreck but at least you're ok. Great reminder to keep the gear on!! Anyday you can walk away is much better than having to be carried away.

 

Glad you're OK. All things considered, you're lucky. When you see "motorcycle" and "buffalo" in the same sentence you know it can't be good but overall I'd say you came out way ahead of a typical result.

This is one situation where I've been trying to be more cautious, cresting hills. You have no chance with what you cannot see.

 

You slid 70 yards, and based on your description your bike slid 100 yards. Just how fast were you going?

 

Second Story

Sorry to hear about your wreck. Never fun.

That's the second recent story of a wreck resulting from coming over a hill and losing control due to something on the road which wasn't seen until it was too late. "They" used to call those things "blind" hills. There even used to be "blind" corners. I hope folks are reading these stories, and paying attention. Something to be said about caution and I think ABS too.

 

Quite honestly I don't know how fast I was going, too fast obviously. Maybe somewhere in the 50-75mph range when I hit the ground. So yes, I was traveling quite quickly through the park; because, unlike most of the Black Hills, it is relatively treeless reducing the number of blind corners. Additionally, in the off season, it is not patrolled by law enforcement. This all comes together to make it a haven for those who want to drive with excessive speed. If only they could keep all that wildlife out of the park it would be perfect.

 

Impossible to avoid Buffalo here; it's Buffalo everywhere....,........

 

Wow man glad your ok, i just put my bike down this week, besides some cracked ribs and a bruised lung i am fine. As you we all know wear your gear and we can walk away from alot of these.

 

Actually, the left side is scuffed up as well. So, I should really be replacing every single piece of plastic on the bike. I guess the good news is that I could pick a different color for my bike and just have a friend paint the tank. Hypothetically, what color would be the classiest?

On the topic of plastic, where can I get the best prices? I'm assuming it isn't my local Honda dealership.

 

Well I was on my way home from work, got tired of sucking in exhaust on the freeway so I jumped off and started to head through downtown Phoenix. I came to a stop sign and was waiting for the traffic to clear. A guy pulled up on the other side. I had my left turn signal on and he put his right on. We nodded like you do to let the other know it is ok go ahead, and after i started into the intersection he pulled out in front off me. It was a four lane road with two yellow lines. He pulled out wide and blocked both lanes, I had to make one of those choices. So I jeked to the left with the brakes to put it down, I don't know if I hit grease or just really put it down hard. I was slammed down on the ground with my hands still on the handlebars. So cracked some ribs and bruised my lung, The guy did not even stop F@@@er. Nor did anyone else, people just looked as I lay there trying to get a 560 pound bike off my leg in the middle of thestreet.
I was not sure when I bought the bike, if I could pick it up if ever put down. I weigh a buck ninety wet so maybe it was the adrenaline. But as the say wear your gear, use your head, you might keep it. Fixed most of the damage on the bike, minus farring and headlight damage. L8r Dj

 

Hi, my bike just hit a Water Buffalo, can I borrow your towel ?? Movie Trivia -