Accident

[Brent McCabe]

Had my first accident on my bike (broken ankle, dislocated knee, and bruised shoulder). I was going a jump that stands 48" tall and, as I discovered to late, has a shear drop down the other side. I was moving along at about 10mph because I was riding up and down these jumps to get a feel for them. At the top of this jump I remember looking down and saying to myself, Oh crap, this is going to hurt. My question is this: I believe my bike (WR450) nose-dove into the bottom before coming to rest on my body. I don't see any obvious damage but I'm pretty worried about my bike having something wrong that I may not see. I got half-way back on my bike and pulled myself back to my truck so it runs good, I'm mainly worried about front suspension. How can I test it to be sure nothing was damaged?

[Alley Cat]

If it is not binding you are "usually" good to go. Just make sure they are alligned properly as sometimes they can twist in the clamps.

If you are really worried, take the fork tubes off the bike and see if they are bent.

You will be suprised at how strong the forks actually are.

Sorry to hear about your stack. I have nearly had that happen to me once. Now I get off the bike to have a look!

[Just_a_trail_rider]

Welcome to the "I busted my ass !" club. You immediately get full membership because, like most insanely obsessed riders, you sit there with a cast, crutches, etc... and are still worried about the bike!

btw... no 4 ft jump will hurt the front end on a wr.

I had a couple of bad crashes too. (broken arm, wrist, foot and sprained ankle). Membership list for this club is long and distinguished.

First bike, huh... If you don't mind, I'd like to give you a few pointers, from one member of the club to another member.

There are so many things to do when riding a dirtbike that its just plain scary. When you get better, do yourself a favor and take some lessons. it will be the best $200 that you spent.

After that, get the correct springs for the bike ($200). This will give you more control over the bike.

Then get yourself the correct tires ($150). What worked for me it to start with stickier tires. I have a dunlop 756 on the front and a trials tire on the rear. It is very confidence inspiring.

Reconnect your grey wire for now. When you need more power, then disconnect it again. You may want to slow things down just a little.

Stop twisting the throttle so much. Go slower and look at least 30-40 feet ahead of you when you ride. If you cannot see the ground, then slow down until you can. This is about learning to read the terrain and making the right decision. You will naturally get faster. Don't worry about others. There is not one good rider that I know of that doesn't ride at his own pace. Everyone will wait for you.

When you come across those "oh sh!t" moments, like we all do, lean back and gas it. Momentum and a light front end will benefit you 75% of the time. (You do ride standing up, right?)

Get better and good luck. We will see you out there in a few months.

[Dan_Lorenze]

Welcome to the club.. I just broke my left hand and clavical.

[MojaveThumper]

OW to both of you and may you heal well. My WR bit me too, broken wrist. Last time I get on a bike straight from the dealer. Check your torques people.

Heal well.

[Fullbore4]

Recently I caught the end of my fourth finger between handlebar and rocky road and smashed the bone and removed the nail. Rode 2 hours back to truck before taking off my glove. Didn't hurt to bad till the doc prematurly cleaned the nail bed before local anesthetic took effect......had the regular collateral road rash too.......dang I hate that.

[Dan_Lorenze]

Didn't hurt to bad till the doc prematurly cleaned the nail bed before local anesthetic took effect.

[StevePierson]

Welcome to the "I busted my ass !" club. You immediately get full membership because, like most insanely obsessed riders, you sit there with a cast, crutches, etc... and are still worried about the bike!

btw... no 4 ft jump will hurt the front end on a wr.

I had a couple of bad crashes too. (broken arm, wrist, foot and sprained ankle). Membership list for this club is long and distinguished.

First bike, huh... If you don't mind, I'd like to give you a few pointers, from one member of the club to another member.

There are so many things to do when riding a dirtbike that its just plain scary. When you get better, do yourself a favor and take some lessons. it will be the best $200 that you spent.

After that, get the correct springs for the bike ($200). This will give you more control over the bike.

Then get yourself the correct tires ($150). What worked for me it to start with stickier tires. I have a dunlop 756 on the front and a trials tire on the rear. It is very confidence inspiring.

Reconnect your grey wire for now. When you need more power, then disconnect it again. You may want to slow things down just a little.

Stop twisting the throttle so much. Go slower and look at least 30-40 feet ahead of you when you ride. If you cannot see the ground, then slow down until you can. This is about learning to read the terrain and making the right decision. You will naturally get faster. Don't worry about others. There is not one good rider that I know of that doesn't ride at his own pace. Everyone will wait for you.

When you come across those "oh sh!t" moments, like we all do, lean back and gas it. Momentum and a light front end will benefit you 75% of the time. (You do ride standing up, right?)

Get better and good luck. We will see you out there in a few months.

Maurrice is SOOOO very correct...

Slow it down a little, thats what I have learned,, look 20 to 30 feet out in front of you,,, thats HUGE,, probably the single most important thing.

And, when in doubt, unload the front end and twist the happy tube. you will be amazed at the trouble that will get you through.

As far as healing, take a multi - vitamin and a calcium suppliment. Right now your body is throwing everything it has towards healing and this will shave off a little time,,, but mainly it will mitigate those rainy morning aches that will be with you for the next few years.

Heal well bro,, and welcome to the club.

[Brent McCabe]

Yes, I was standing up. I have gone over this a million times in my head and came to the same conclusion that, had I had the experience, applying the throttle would have prevented this fall. Thanks for the advice.

[Beejay]

We call it a MLOT or MLOC, momentary loss of talent or momentary loss of concentration, it happens.

Heal quick!

[Just_a_trail_rider]

Yes, I was standing up. I have gone over this a million times in my head and came to the same conclusion that, had I had the experience, applying the throttle would have prevented this fall. Thanks for the advice.

that's half of the fun of it as far as I'm concerned. Riding off-road is like riding an obstacle course. Deciding what/when/how to do things based on what you see is quite a skill to obtain.

I personally have learned the hard way what not to do. I am continually learning what I should do. Reading the terrain and choosing the correct line is the first thing. Everything else falls into place after that.

I am no expert. I am still learning, just like most of the people here. We all know exactly how it is.