06/30/2026
⚠️ Sometimes it's not the motorcycle that lets you down... it's the gear you add to it.
As I was leaving the Kickin Kountry 101 offices and heading toward Morganton on the V-Strom, my rear tire suddenly locked up. I managed to coast into the parking lot at Mariner Finance, but at less than 5 mph the wheel locked completely... and down I went, thankfully in the entrance and out of the road.
The good news? I was barely moving, so I walked away with nothing more than a bruised, road-rashed right knee, a broken right foot peg, and a bruised ego. Looking back, I'll take that trade any day.
Once we picked the bike up, something didn't make sense... the rear tire rolled freely. After looking everything over, I found what I believe most likely caused it. It appears the clip that holds one of my soft pannier bag straps may have been broken by my boot while riding, allowing the strap to fall into the rear wheel and lock it up.
💡 Lesson learned:
Soft pannier straps are no longer on my adventure bikes. From now on, it's hard, bolt-on cases only. Sometimes the best lessons are the ones that leave you with a story instead of a hospital bill.
Thank you to the person who stopped and helped me get the bike back on two wheels. Your kindness is greatly appreciated.
And before the keyboard mechanics arrive... 😄
I'm good. These things happen. If you'd like to leave a comment, make it something positive... or ask me to marry you. (Ladies only. 😂)
Ride safe, check your gear, and remember... sometimes it's not the motorcycle that fails—it's the equipment we add to it.