Crap.....

So after a great day of throwing my bike around cones (click here for the read) and being very succesful about it I met up with a friend and we took off for the local bike accessory store.

Unfortunately I forgot about putting my hard bags on when I went to slide between a semi and guard rail following my friend at a stop light.

I stopped in one foot.

The truck driver felt my mistake, and he had to crank his wheels full right (Japan is left side of road) so I could get out. My buddy couldn't move me with both hands on the grab handles and one foot on the truck. After I was freed I did my best to observe customs with a very deep bow and apology, but he turned with a wave of his hand, hopped back in his truck and drove away before I came back up from my bow. The part I ran into is a side guard made of bars and I didn't damage it except scuff paint, which is pretty normal for Japan's trucks. I was actually pretty lucky because if he wanted to press the issue it's just bad news all around for me- lots of reports to fill out.

As for the damage, the bike does not have a scratch on her, and near as i can tell, nothing- not even the bag mounts are bent. The bags them selves are still intact and functionally sound. But they are really marred up with a couple of medium gouges and lots of paint transfer. One of the Logos is munched too.

After this incident I have decided that the bags are too wide for Japan and that I am just going to send them to my dad for repair and leave them with him until I return home.

Enjoy the pics and remember to learn from my lesson.

 

Sorry, that really does suck.
:frusty: *jealous over Cali's lanesplitting privileges...*

 

I am going to be getting a top box here shortly. The only part I don't like about top boxes is the very high price of buying the bag and the mount.

 

This is the reason that is keeping me from getting hard bags. They just stick out too damn far on the sides! I would never be able to split and would be stuck in traffic all the time.

 

Urhum................

You not talking about me are you boss?:biggrin:

 

hmmmm....have you considered a ventura system in stead of a top box?

this is what i use on my 6G, mainly because its cost effective, more versatile, and quick and easy to install.
heres a pic of them on both my 6G's. one has the main bag forward and one has it aft (alters C of G for the load) but is ultimately a personal taste issue.
i have a shorter inside leg than my buddy so i end up 'kung fu'ing the pack if i have it face the rider like it is on the red 6G.
the aero pack comes with this main pack (shown) and a smaller half size one that can zip to the back of this one. you can use either bag on the main frame or both, one on each side of the frame mount.
the frame brackets bolt straight to the grab handle mounts with all hard ware supplied. you can remove the actual frame piece in about 20 seconds
if you dont want it on at all (for track work or similar)

you also have the option to use a tank bag and or soft luggage as well (not as wide as hard bags) to maximise load carrying.


these are pretty common in NZ, and Ventura have a website if you wish to know more.

 

legal or not lane splitting is just dangerous and stupid,with texting and cell phones i would never lane split in heavy traffic just not worth it the cage wins everytime......