- Joined
- Feb 5, 2020
- Messages
- 871
- Age
- 59
- Location
- Deux-Montagnes, Quebec, Canada
- Bike
- 2000 ST1100Y
- STOC #
- 9063
01h30 AM.... back from work, it was nice riding in the cool temperature (68-70 F / 19 C), no traffic on highway... I arrived at my exit, but decided to extend the ride a bit before going home.
I went 15 minutes farther, in a provincial park, to have a look at the stars. The night sky is a bit more dark there. My other hobby is amateur astronomy since a very young age.
So, at my favorite spot, on the side of the road, there is a patch of compact tiny gravel. I didn't wanted to be parked too close of the road, So, I went a bit further, where the grass start.
I was really carefull not to drop my ST. So I decided to stop there, with both foot firmly on ground. I shut the engine off.
Just before I get off the bike, I realised the ground was slopping slightly, towards the right side. The road was on my left, parrallel to the bike, 20 feet away.
So, I lowered the side stand, leaned the bike on the left, get off the bike... still holding the handlebars, just in case.
Just as I stood beside the bike, and started to look up, to have a glance at the stars, I saw my beloved ST going on is right side, for a nap.
I think I sweared. Not sure, though. Sure I was upset. But in the same time, I stayed very calm. I took my gloves and helmet off, like nothing had just happend, make sure the side stand was still lowered (I was in complete darkness) went on the right side, and put it back on his wheel. Not sure how I did thatm with my injured back, But I did it.
Still not sure what happend. I guess the slope confused me. With both foot on ground, I probably had the feeling the bike was leaning on the side stand, but it was probably almost vertical, on the side stand. Or... Yeah, it was leaning, but probably not much, and when I got off the bike, I saw the fork extend a bit. It probably brought the bike almost vertical while I was getting off.
Anyway. The bike was smelling gas, like if I had pourred a gallon on the ground. So, I didn't wanted to set it on fire. It was probably wise to wait a bit until the strong gas smell was gone.
Stars... I was there for stars. Yes, they were there, all my longtime friends. I instantly recognise some prominent constellations : Cygnus, Lyrae, The Eagle, Pegasus, Andromeda, Perseus, Cassiopeia, Ursa Major, etc. A few planets also : Bright Jupiter in the south, Saturn, Mars. The milky way was barely visible.
So, after a while, I tried to start it, and it started right away, no hesitation. But it ran much better after 10 seconds. Like if the 2 other cylinder were finally waking up.
I took my cellphone to shed some light and inspect the damages. Dammit !
Not only the right mirror cover is in pieces...
... but also my right mirror,
the light bulb socket/connector,
the flasher plastic lens,
the plastic engine guard, etc.
Rest of the bike has no damage... that I saw. Will inspect it tomorrow in daylight.
Easily a few hundred dollars of damage, plus the challenge to find the parts, these days.
So, before I could get a new one, I will probably try to glue the miror cover with epoxy, fix the bulb connector.
Just the mirror alone, it's about $150.
Now.... Not even sure if it counts as a tip over, since I was not even on the bike anymore...
Yeah, OK. I dropped it.
I went 15 minutes farther, in a provincial park, to have a look at the stars. The night sky is a bit more dark there. My other hobby is amateur astronomy since a very young age.
So, at my favorite spot, on the side of the road, there is a patch of compact tiny gravel. I didn't wanted to be parked too close of the road, So, I went a bit further, where the grass start.
I was really carefull not to drop my ST. So I decided to stop there, with both foot firmly on ground. I shut the engine off.
Just before I get off the bike, I realised the ground was slopping slightly, towards the right side. The road was on my left, parrallel to the bike, 20 feet away.
So, I lowered the side stand, leaned the bike on the left, get off the bike... still holding the handlebars, just in case.
Just as I stood beside the bike, and started to look up, to have a glance at the stars, I saw my beloved ST going on is right side, for a nap.
I think I sweared. Not sure, though. Sure I was upset. But in the same time, I stayed very calm. I took my gloves and helmet off, like nothing had just happend, make sure the side stand was still lowered (I was in complete darkness) went on the right side, and put it back on his wheel. Not sure how I did thatm with my injured back, But I did it.
Still not sure what happend. I guess the slope confused me. With both foot on ground, I probably had the feeling the bike was leaning on the side stand, but it was probably almost vertical, on the side stand. Or... Yeah, it was leaning, but probably not much, and when I got off the bike, I saw the fork extend a bit. It probably brought the bike almost vertical while I was getting off.
Anyway. The bike was smelling gas, like if I had pourred a gallon on the ground. So, I didn't wanted to set it on fire. It was probably wise to wait a bit until the strong gas smell was gone.
Stars... I was there for stars. Yes, they were there, all my longtime friends. I instantly recognise some prominent constellations : Cygnus, Lyrae, The Eagle, Pegasus, Andromeda, Perseus, Cassiopeia, Ursa Major, etc. A few planets also : Bright Jupiter in the south, Saturn, Mars. The milky way was barely visible.
So, after a while, I tried to start it, and it started right away, no hesitation. But it ran much better after 10 seconds. Like if the 2 other cylinder were finally waking up.
I took my cellphone to shed some light and inspect the damages. Dammit !
Not only the right mirror cover is in pieces...
... but also my right mirror,
the light bulb socket/connector,
the flasher plastic lens,
the plastic engine guard, etc.
Rest of the bike has no damage... that I saw. Will inspect it tomorrow in daylight.
Easily a few hundred dollars of damage, plus the challenge to find the parts, these days.
So, before I could get a new one, I will probably try to glue the miror cover with epoxy, fix the bulb connector.
Just the mirror alone, it's about $150.
Now.... Not even sure if it counts as a tip over, since I was not even on the bike anymore...
Yeah, OK. I dropped it.
Last edited:
kickstand folded up on me during my SS1K... I couldn't pick her up, and had help by two big guys! 
