Where the f*ck is the bike?

Good to hear you came out of this far better than could be expected after watching you lose control.:eek1

I agree..not covering the levers in technical sections is unwise.


I rode a Suzuki back in the 80s...probably the same suspension as yours. A KTM would have handled that drop no problem:)

Just saw spamalot! Go back and fight like a man!

Joe, you are a tough sum bitch. Fall off a cliff on the bike and only get bruises. I could not image riding with bruised ribs.

Glad you made it through OK.

Things can get out of control very quickly, glad you were not seriously injured.
Nice bunch of people and professionals who stepped up.

First and foremost, glad you are ok!

Like others, I literally gasped when you started going over and winced when you landed . I also chuckled at your comments and admired the scenery

Here's to better rides (at least the endings) in your future!


P.S. If you have a chance to comment on the gear you were wearing, that would be swell. Thanks!

So....


... Did you ever figure out what was wrong with the bike? I mean besides having been dropped off two 12 foot cliffs?

Thanks for sharing your story. It gave me food for thought.

Glad to hear your OK. I know how the rib thing is (if I remember right, I think you were on that trip).

Best from both of us,

Mark + Luanna

Joe, I'm really glad you were able to walk away from that.

The video about made me crap my pants, but luck was with you that day - landing in the sand, minimal injuries, competent riding partner, and help reasonably close at hand. And I completely understand the decision to abandon the TAT - it was the right call.

joe.....you Panay ass bastard

12' cliff my ass. That was no more than 12". Man the fook up and quit dramatizing a little scuff.





On a serious note. Joe, I am VERY happy to hear you are OK. Sorry to hear your ride turned out so adventurous. you clearly just had a snap of bad luck, followed by a leap of luck as the bike tumbled down.

Hope all goes well.

I'm kinda thinking that 'layin her down' was actually the only possible way out of that one. Even then you'd have had to have reacted damned fast.

Certainly impressive and congrats on coming out of that one so well.

Pete

Great story. Thanks for sharing.

Wow. That video really drives home how we need to be prepared for anything on these adventures.

Great advice on keeping the Spot on you rather than the bike.

I noticed your Neduro mirrors lived thru the crash too. A real testament to them! I am going to have to buy a couple of those.

I hope you are feeling better and hope to see more ride reports from you in the future!

You scared the shit out of me on that one Joe. Once I saw the step, I saw the crash coming a mile away. I knew you were out when you flopped over on your side right after.

Dude, I'm just glad you're OK. msbianca sends her warmest regards as well.

:huh
Glad you are still with us wow!

Thanks for all the comments folks. I really appreciate the feedback, well wishes and encouragement. BTW, I realize I probably haven't said it here yet, but believe me I am indeed a very lucky man.

FYI, its been 6 months since the crash and I'm fine. Still don't have the DR650 running properly, but I only recently started working on it. I soon be taking that issue up in the big DR650 thread.

This thread grew pretty fast, so my "rest of the story" posts got pretty spread out. I added an index to them in Post #1. I'm going to answer a few questions from some previous posts and then tomorrow I'll give my take on the crash.

Your comment fits perfectly with this one from youtube:

7:49 - "Hmm, nope, it's not under this piece of wood."
​

Hey Rod, don't let my crash turn you from trying dual sporting. You get to choose what type of terrain you ride in and you get to choose how conservative you want to ride.

Not going to make DV this year Greg, and yes the DR is a tank.

Thanks Paul. I plan to be there and hope I will be on the DR, otherwise it will be the wee-strom.

Yeah, Darrell told me it felt harder. He said whenever Sam had a choice between a dirt road and a goat path, he seemed to pick the goat path.

I do want to go back and complete the TAT, probably picking up the trail in Moab. I did the Eastern TAT solo on my wee-strom in 2009 and purposefully bought the DR650 for the Western TAT. That said, it won't happen in 2013. Stuff to do at home this year and need to rebuild trust in the DR.

Arai XD3 helmet. BMW Rallye gloves. BMW Rallye 2 jacket with standard back, shoulder and elbow pads. Klim Dakar pants with upgraded hip and knee pads. Sidi Crossfire boots. No pressure suit / chest protector type armor.