Hi guys, just thought I would let everyone know about what happens when you try to upright one of these heavy weight adventure bikes in hopes that it makes all of you think twice before you make the mistake I did.
I met many of you at the tenOuray rally. I was the guy riding two up on the trails with a few other brave soles. I have been riding off road for many years and still like to ride my light bike at "a" rider pace to keep up with my almost pro offroading son. Anyway, I got the day off to attend an auction where they were selling a guys collection of old bikes and hot rods. You probably heard about this guy as he made national news when he let loose his collection of exotic animals before committing suicide. Anyway, the auction was a bust with news reporters and rednecks from everywhere. Garbage was going for huge amounts. I decided to leave and take advantage of my day off and take the 3 hr ride home on all back roads aboard my trusty Tenere. I was in the middle of nowhere when I decided to pull over to take a whiz. They just brush hogged the weeds next to the side of the road so it appeared to be level ground. Upon putting my foot down I was surprised it was a ditch filled with weeds and my yamaha got its first dirt nap. I rolled with the fall and was not hurt. The bike is now practically upside down as the handlebar is down in the ditch and the wheels are not. After realizing i was by myself and far from any homes i started to wonder what i was going to do. I tryed to lift it as I stood in the ditch and could not get it upright because of my stature and the funky position. On the third try I decided to unload my panniers and remove my tank bag to lighten it a bit. On the fifth try I lifted it by the pannier while I stood out of the ditch. I felt a pop and then a warm feeling in my lower back. The next day I started having leg and butt pains from my sciatic nerve. I went to a masotherapist/ chiropractic place referred to by a friend. The massage and physical therapy seemed to be helping until I met Helga on the fifth visit. She put me in major pain as she performed her version of massage. The next day my foot went numb so I went for an MRI. MRI revealed I had a herniated disk. After 3 different opinions it was unanimous that I have micro disectomy surgery to remove the blown disk material pressing on my nerves causing the numb foot and leg pain. I had surgery on Halloween day and start therapy next week. Pain is gone from my leg, but my foot numbness is worse. They tell me to give it time for my nerves to heel.
I wanted to tell everyone this story so all of you don't make the same mistake I did thinking you can lift these beasts by yourself. I also had a farmer come over the hill about 20 seconds after I lifted the bike. He saw all my gear scattered out and stopped to ask if I needed help. I asked where were you about a minute ago.
That new yamaha warn winch is starting to look not so expensive. I wonder if you could pound a tent stake in the ground and come off the side crash bars to help lift the blu beast. I hope to be on the bike by spring, but I will figure out a different way to lift future dirt naps.
Cheers
I met many of you at the tenOuray rally. I was the guy riding two up on the trails with a few other brave soles. I have been riding off road for many years and still like to ride my light bike at "a" rider pace to keep up with my almost pro offroading son. Anyway, I got the day off to attend an auction where they were selling a guys collection of old bikes and hot rods. You probably heard about this guy as he made national news when he let loose his collection of exotic animals before committing suicide. Anyway, the auction was a bust with news reporters and rednecks from everywhere. Garbage was going for huge amounts. I decided to leave and take advantage of my day off and take the 3 hr ride home on all back roads aboard my trusty Tenere. I was in the middle of nowhere when I decided to pull over to take a whiz. They just brush hogged the weeds next to the side of the road so it appeared to be level ground. Upon putting my foot down I was surprised it was a ditch filled with weeds and my yamaha got its first dirt nap. I rolled with the fall and was not hurt. The bike is now practically upside down as the handlebar is down in the ditch and the wheels are not. After realizing i was by myself and far from any homes i started to wonder what i was going to do. I tryed to lift it as I stood in the ditch and could not get it upright because of my stature and the funky position. On the third try I decided to unload my panniers and remove my tank bag to lighten it a bit. On the fifth try I lifted it by the pannier while I stood out of the ditch. I felt a pop and then a warm feeling in my lower back. The next day I started having leg and butt pains from my sciatic nerve. I went to a masotherapist/ chiropractic place referred to by a friend. The massage and physical therapy seemed to be helping until I met Helga on the fifth visit. She put me in major pain as she performed her version of massage. The next day my foot went numb so I went for an MRI. MRI revealed I had a herniated disk. After 3 different opinions it was unanimous that I have micro disectomy surgery to remove the blown disk material pressing on my nerves causing the numb foot and leg pain. I had surgery on Halloween day and start therapy next week. Pain is gone from my leg, but my foot numbness is worse. They tell me to give it time for my nerves to heel.
I wanted to tell everyone this story so all of you don't make the same mistake I did thinking you can lift these beasts by yourself. I also had a farmer come over the hill about 20 seconds after I lifted the bike. He saw all my gear scattered out and stopped to ask if I needed help. I asked where were you about a minute ago.
That new yamaha warn winch is starting to look not so expensive. I wonder if you could pound a tent stake in the ground and come off the side crash bars to help lift the blu beast. I hope to be on the bike by spring, but I will figure out a different way to lift future dirt naps.
Cheers
