Just dumped my Seca...

Well, at the end of my second season of riding, my XJ650 Seca went out from under me on a sharp, slippery right-hander this morning. It was pretty misty after a dry spell, so I knew to be careful, but hit a slick spot (think a mossy patch) right around the apex, and I low-sided at about 10-15mph.

Fortunately I was wearing armored overpants and jacket, my helmet didn't hit, and other than an achy and torn up backpack back I'm fine. I had to drag the bike on it's side a couple feet to get out of the road around the blind corner, unfortunately, before a driver stopped and helped me pick her up. After a quick inspection and getting her started again, I was able to ride her carefully back home.

I haven't had a chance to do a full inspection, but it looks like the rear brake pedal took the brunt of the fall, and is a bit bent out of shape (and lost it's brake light switch), and the right grip is a bit mangled.

I certainly will get those fixed and and double check the front end feels tight before riding again. Is there anything non-obvious that you all would suggest checking before hitting the road again? Anything that happens from sitting on its side for a couple minutes?

Anyway, a bit spooked, but I was statistically due for a drop, and I came out fine. I certainly plan on getting back on the horse. I now add mossy roads onto my list of constant fears, along with cagers, wildlife and gravel. A bit of fear is what keeps this fun and us alive though, right?

 

Check your air filter. I had the same thing happen yet I hit gravel and grabbed my front brake. On my maxim x the oil overflows into the air box when it is either a. over filled or b. on its side. There is an overflow hose that goes from the air box out to under by the center stand (on the x hopefully yours is the same). I would just make sure yours is still good and not soaked in oil.

 

Your are absolutely right Thomas, using fear as a motivator along with being smart is the best way to avoid injury or worse. Most of these experiences I've had while riding off-road and also learned the in's and out's of accident avoidance that way, but I've had my share of on road wake up calls too.

Going to the ground and even at the slow speed it's enough force to bend your bars so check that as well. Basically anytime your bike goes down you need to double check all safety related items: straightness, bearings, brakes, frame, bars, battery fluid, etc. I doubt you will find much else that is wrong but better safe than sorry.

One thing to keep in mind is that when riding on public roads you must always be vigilant for unexpected road conditions. Even on a sunny day you could come around a blind curve and find unexpected obstacles in your path. Anytime there is any chance of moisture I ride much more 'straight up' and increase all my options for stopping and control-IE more distance between me and cagers, less speed, enter the low side of turns and use the lane to move through the turn as upright as possible, avoid the middle of the road and painted surfaces, and slightly less rear brake down inclines.

Glad your ok and not stopping your riding.

 

Now that you've experienced a crash, you now have a newfound respect (don't call it fear) for your bike. Glad you came out OK. Check out & repair any damage to the bike, & git right back on that thar horse!
Ride as if you are invisible to the cagers & they all want to run you over!

 

I'd say to look for bent or twisted forks. Laying a straight edge (I had a nice large level that I used after my accident, plate glass works too) across the forks so that it sits at 4 points (2 on each fork) to ensure that it's straight. Mine got all twisted (low side slide at much higher speed, but it just slid off the road into a ditch and didn't hit anything).

Also, second the oil thing. In fact, mine ended up leaking gas when my buddy tipped it over, smelled gas in the oil so I just changed the oil and filter too.

A bent brake pedal might contact the clutch cover, so don't try to ride without replacing or bending it back.

Glad you're ok and were wearing full gear (you didn't mention motorcycle boots or gloves but I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt ;-) )

 

Ya when I got my first bike I put it down TWICE the first season. It was a brand new 1972 Honda 550 Four. First time pulled out from a side street to fast while making a tun. Went down only scraped up the crash bar and exhaust a little, no injury to me. Second time came down off a ramp from the highway on to a city road and the bike went out from under me like it was on ice. Went down on the same time again and broke a mirror. The damn ramp was made of a combination of asphalt and crushed glass and just about as smooth. Both time I think I was up and back on the bike faster then I came off of it. I was right in front of a police station real incentive to get up fast and move along. Never wore any kind of protective gear back then. The only damage to my clothes was a black mark on my back pocket where I slid on my wallet. I've been lucky I have never sustained any bodily injuries, not even a scrape from pitting a bike down.

 

Thanks for the tips and stories guys. It's interesting how I feel both reassured that my first crash wasn't as bad as I could have feared and yet I also can see how it could have gone worse and what else I could have done. You really do learn with each close call.

And yeah, I was wearing motorcycle gloves and some heavy duty hiking boots (I bought some cheap motorcycle boots, but have found my hiking boots to be sturdier, more reinforced on the toe and better traction - next season I'll invest in some good proper boots though).

 

Glad your're okay. Fix your ride, be cautious and RIIIIIIIIIDE!

Gary

 

Looks like the muffler is a bit more scraped up than I'd originally thought, but not dented - will probably just leave it, she was never a show bike.

Also looks like the actual throttle control plastic is cracked - I wasn't finding OEM replacements in Chacals' catalogue, does anyone have any recommended aftermarket throttles for a 650 Seca?

 

I believe my 650 max throttle control plastic is okay, might be easier than going aftermarket. PM me if you're interested...

 

I like thr Icon Super Duty 4 Riding Boots. Many to choose from, however.

 

My first (and so far only) wreck was when a friend was showing off his new motorcycle, taking me for a ride with his new permit that didn't allow passengers. Left a flat spot in the borrowed helmet, wore through a cassete tape I happened to have in my back pocket but didn't get to skin. The cassette litereally saved my butt, or at least a portion of it.