So the Like and I went down last night (were both ok)

[Jonnielights]

Two blocks away from arriving at work, driving on the west side highway next to the World Trade Center. 

A GMC Suburban attempted to make a right turn across two lanes, I happened to be in the one next to him, just off his bumper at about 20mph.

Roads were wet, with on and off rain when I noticed his move I broke hard, wheels locked up and right into the passenger side door. Luckily I mostly slid rear wheel toward the SUV

I bashed up my right elbow and hip but nothing serious as for the bike, broke some of the muffler shrouding plastic and some scratches on the side of the front fairing.

More then anything my nerves were shook up on the 10mi ride home after a hard overnight lighting gig at 9/11 museum, it was my first and hopefully last time experiencing a crash on public

streets.  I grew up on dirt bikes, but this one shook me up.  I gotta send out props the people of NYC at least 4 or 5 cars stopped in there respective lanes stopping traffic to check that I was ok. 

Ride Safe Everyone.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Wow, glad it was not any worse for you.
Do you wear helmet, armored jacket and gloves on your work commute into the City?

I can understand how something like that could shake one up. Glad you were able to ride home focussed and safely.
Might be sore after a day or two - when things in the body start to make themselves known to you?
Good to hear that about your fellow NewYorkers!

Thanks for sharing.
Pix of the damage if you have a chance.
Stig

[CROSSBOLT]

You were saved for a reason! This could have been, well, you know! Glad for you. You actually ride in NYC surface traffic? I been livin' in the sticks too long!

[Jonnielights]

Stig,

Generally I do wear an armored triple density jacket in the summer, and heavy leather in the winter and always a modular full face helmet (Nolan N104) and armored leather gloves, but I almost always wear standard pants (Black Dickies) and work shoes or boot's, last night I was also in a full hi-visibility rain suit.  I'll send a picture of the damage once the rain let's up, but let me tell you, that little Like is impressive, it's as if they designed it to not get too damaged when it goes down, I'm really impressed.

Crossbolt, all my miles are NYC and the surrounding region, smoke in the tunnels, wind on the bridges, road surfaces a nightmare and just general bedlem with the traffic.  I wish I was riding in the sticks!   

Thanks for the support guys, Jon

[Jonnielights]

Also, I think it is about time to change out the stock Kenda tires for Michelin City Grip's.  I have been planing to do it for a couple weeks now, just kept putting it off; but my timeline has been accelerated.

Haven't bought them yet, but they seem a good fit for year round NYC, let me know if you think otherwise, thanks.

[Jonnielights]

Some scratches on the right and left sides of the front fender and the ball on the tip of the rear break lever was broken off 

[Stig / Major Tom]

Yes, highly recommend the City Grips for a LIKE, only other tire I'd consider would be a Metzeler. But the Michelins cost less...and are great tires. Vespa puts them on their expensive models, like the 946.
Good prices on a set are easy to find online.
Stig

[Jonnielights]

Bought a set today, $111 from Revzlla. I'll take them to the dealer later this week for install, as unfortunately a project like that is a bit much for me do safely in a queens street parking space.
It makes me really uncomfortable to lay down on the fairly busy street I live on; despite my road cone, the first time I attempted a gear oil change in front of my place a guy not only ran over my fresh bottle of gear oil, but also my impact drill.  The drill survived but not the oil, clean-up was a nightmare still, I learned a lesson.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Bought a set today, $111 from Revzlla. I'll take them to the dealer later this week for install, as unfortunately a project like that is a bit much for me do safely in a queens street parking space.
It makes me really uncomfortable to lay down on the fairly busy street I live on; despite my road cone, the first time I attempted a gear oil change in front of my place a guy not only ran over my fresh bottle of gear oil, but also my impact drill.  The drill survived but not the oil, clean-up was a nightmare still, I learned a lesson.

Yeah, no more lying in the street!
Had a lady run over the cones by my ladder when I was 3 stories up painting. Picked up the cones and parked my county truck there before she came back out of the health dept. (Might have flicked a little barn red Dutch Boy on her Buick)
Good call on those tires!
Stig

[Jonnielights]

Wow, I do stage lights and often spend hours at a time on ladders. I would of been furious, she's lucky you didn't spill more then a few flicks!
 

[Viper254]

I'm glad you're alright. Doesn't look like too much damage, which is nice!

[PaulF]

Good to see you were not badly injured. 

[Jonnielights]

Thanks guys,

Hell of a bruise on my hip, but it's more ugly then it is painful.

I think by sliding in from the rear and impacting SUV fairly upright and sort of parallel may have saved both the bike and myself from worse damage.

-Jon

[EvilTessmacher]

Dang, man! Glad to hear that you're okay! Bruises are bad, but they do heal up faster than broken bones. And a lot faster than death.

I don't envy you one bit riding in NYC. I do envy you working at a museum.

Also, props for wearing high-viz gear!!

[Jonnielights]

Heyy EvilTessmacher,

Thanks for the support and yeah much better then broken bones and death.

As for the museum it was only for two nights, some ESPN thing about sport bringing people together after tragedy, the WTC is a really weird place for me as I watched it all happen in 2001! 

So kind of an ironic place to have my first street crash in nyc, considering I am all over this town in different places for work.

Anyway, good on yah, ride safe!

Jon