Big Scare

Had a big scare on my bike this weekend. I was riding from the bay area to Sacramento on I-80 when my rear tire decided it didn't want to hold air anymore. I was cruising along at about 75mph when the bike started going sideways on me. The rear end all of a suddend veered to the right and the bike was crab walking. Luckily the right lanes were clear and I got it off the freeway and onto the shoulder without incident. I was scared the bike was going to go down on me though. When I stopped I got the bike on the center stand and found the reason. Somewhere inbetween San Jose and Vacaville I picked up a screw in the rear tire. I onl stopped once in Concord for a coffee at starbucks to warm up. After settling sown and changing my shorts:redface: I rode along the shoulder @ 10mph to get off the freeway. There was an exit just 1/4mile up the road. When I was safely off the freeway I stopped in a parking lot and looked online to find a motorcyle shop. Luck was with me as there was a Harley dealership just another 1/4 mile down the road. I managed to limp the bike over there, only to find out they don't stock a 180/55-17 tire:frown: They gave me the number to the Yamaha shop that was about 1 mile away. I called them up and they had plenty of tire in stock, but no way to get me there. The guys at the Harley shop then loaded up my bike in their truck and towed me over to the Yamaha shop for free! I could not believe how nice they were. Once at the Yamaha shop I had them replace both tires on my bike, the front was getting to the point it needed to be replaced too. Just thought I would share my riding adventure for you guys. And I wanted to let everyone know what great guys they are at the Harley Davidson dealership in Vacaville Ca. They really helped me out when I was in a jam:thumb:

 

I have never had a scare with a blow out, but I did find I was riding on a flat tire once. it is ia sesation I won't soon forget! good to hear there are some folks that have common decency in this world. and from a Harley Dealer no less.

 

I feel for you, a real insecure feeling ain't it? Now try one in a good left hander of all places. Guess for me I've had so many in the dirt I know what's going on, still doesn't make it feel any better. In one case I actually had no choice but to also limp back like 10 miles just to meet up with a truck. by then the tire was totally toast. Good to read not all HD establishments are for the birds.

 

Yeah I can only imagine what it would have been like if it happened in a curve. I though the rear wheel was falling off at first, images of me sliding down the freeway and getting run over by a semi flashed through my head. I'm glad that the tire held up okay riding on it flat and that the wheel didn't suffer any damage.
I was really supprised the HD people were so nice. Of course they did make a crack about me coming back when I was ready to buy a Real bike, but the guy was really just kidding. He was cool, he was a saftey instructor and he handled their rental fleet of bikes.

 

Glad that one worked out for you. Another case of individuals being cooler than the group they belong to. After reading this and seeing Stukas bald tire thread, I am soooooo much happier knowing I have a new set of tires on. I was asking for trouble for a few months prior to changing them.