Been down 3 times in 20years.
1st time 15 1/2 years old Brand new Honda Interceptor 500, canyon,gravel and speed dont mix. Took a corner too fast, turned into a hairpin with gravel. Rather than lay it down I straightened up and slammed on the brakes. Flew sideways off the road down a cliff at 45mph. Landed on wheels. My head busted out the entire dash gauges etc. Chest flattened out the gas tank like a pancake. Cracked my full face bell. Tore my hightop reboks. Leather jacket and levi\'s were fine. Walked 3miles with two stone bruised knees, foot. Dis-located sholder and 3 broken ribs and two holes in my forehead the size of quarters where you could see the skull before I got a ride. By the time I arrived at the hospital I was awake but couldnt move or talk. Could just listen and watch out of my non blinking eyes. Kinda wierd. My body went into shock so they say. 6month of therapy and I could walk again and use most of my right arm. Fully recovered like a year later I went out and bought an FZR600
(sholder and knees hurt when it gets cold)
2nd was about 25years old. Bought an abbandon Yamaha xs1100 from work for $200. Ran great with 11,000 miles on it. Looked brand new. Needed a rear tire. Pulled tire off took it to shop to get replaced. Put tire back on. Bike sat in sun all day and sweated the Armour All back out that the idiot put on at the shop. Pulled out of my driveway rear end whipped around and slung me right over into the asphault head first. Ruined anther Bell helmet. Cracked collar bone from helmet pushing into my sholder road rash on my road rashed knees.
3rd time 32years old.Honda Aero1100 Orange and cream gangster whitewalls, ohh so sweet. Noticed a car tail gating me so I sped up knowing there was a stop sign comming up. Stopped. Released the clutch to bail and POW! the dumb lady ran me right down and continued to drive pushing me and my bike in front and going under her car .She didnt even apply the brakes until she saw my hand come up to the top of her hood to hold on for dear life. She was looking down the side road to see if it was clear and not paying attention to what was in front of her. Smashed ankle broken pride and a few scratches on Nolan helmet. Bike was FUBAR
Needless to say I knew what car was running me over when it hit me. All I could think was "OH IT"S FREAKIN ON!" got up and saw a lady so I couldnt punch her in the face
Then she tries to leave the scene. I got up dove through her side window and pulled the keys. CHP got there and she gave em every name in the book til he went through her purse and found an ID with a different name. She was illegaly here from mexico.
What I learned is there\'s alot of dumb people out there that just plain can not drive. Some people arnt good in math or spelling, some people suck at driving.
Youth and horse power do not mix! (What where my parents thinking when they allowed me to buy that Interceptor at 15years old?) That\'s like giving the keys to the Corvette to your newly licensed 16year old and saying "dont drive fast son"
The best advice I can say is if your gonna go down learn how to fall so you survive. And if you ride thinking,"All these cars out there are out to get me" helps.
I do worry about going down on the scoot tho. It\'s not a 700lb bike like my Aero was so it\'s gonna be like getting hit on your bicycle. Wear good gear and ride smart. :wink:
