they told me it would happen and now i believe

Discussion in 'New Riders' started by 2000ex, May 1, 2007.

  1. WVFR

    WVFR New Member

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    I've been riding street for 28 years and have not gone down (yet) while moving. I wear full gear all the time. That being said, I fell over in a parking lot last summer which pinned my ankle between a curb and the weight of my bike and me. It crushed the ankle armor in my boot and split the leather but I escaped with only a bruised ankle. If I would have been wearing tennis shoes I seriously think I would have broken and cut up my ankle. A good set of riding boots are definately worth the money.
     
  2. 2000ex

    2000ex New Member

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    well i posted not too long ago that i did take the course and now hold my endorsement..... but before that yea i had a permit. it is legal in indiana to have only a permit. the only "rules" are you have to wear a helmet, cannot have a passenger, and cannot ride at night. does anyone follow these rules??? NO. in fact i was surprised to find out how many guys in my area only have a permit. especially the harley guys. WTF. but i have my endorsement now and all my gear so there is less worry for me to get pulled over. i'm not really a crazy rider or take a lot of risks so i should be fine.
     
  3. tbones86

    tbones86 New Member

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    For those of you that have the mind set that you will "never" have a crash or go down, that is a very nieve way of thinking. I've had three on road accidents in 19 yrs of street riding & went down twice 1st on a new tire a mile from the shop in the middle of a four lane full gear, bruised ego, ripped jeans & a cut up knee. 2nd deer ran into me riding two up, full gear did'nt go down $4500 worth of damage to the bike. 3rd Drunk(yes I was an idiot going through a self destructive phase) going home to get the cage & more money for the pole show@ the all female firehouse. Deer ran out in front put the bike down hard no helmet, broken ribs, broken thumb & some nasty scalp abrasions $5000 in damage to the bike. Lesson learned & revered never ever have more than one beer during a riding day & only if it is going to be an extended stop of more than an hour & always wear full gear.
    The best defense is a good offense, you alway need to be mindful that you could go down @ any moment for any number of reasons. You need to have a plan for the best way to put the bike down in the event it becomes neccesary(after low siding under a barb wire fence @ 80+ mph that magically appeared overnight on a dirt bike I've feel I've master the art & have practiced it many times off road, high siding sucks, hurts more & has no perceived control or direction if you choose to low side you can generally put it where you want to if you plan for it).
     
  4. Rwortman

    Rwortman New Member

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    I don't give a rat's behind if anyone thinks wearing protective gear is "cool". I'm damn near 50. Cool is irrelevant. I know otherwise sensible people who won't wear helmet unless the law requires it and then they wear one that won't do any good anyway. Why? They can't explain it, it's just part of the HD experience. Anyone that thinks helmets are dumb and loud exhausts are a safety device is too stupid to be cool and certainly shouldn't be a role model. I wear helmet/jacket/gloves/boots as a minimum no matter the temperature or ride distance. When I commute to work I have some mesh overpants that have a zip out wind and waterproof liner. When I am riding on the weekend I wear my recently acquired draggin' jeans which I can recommend as being fairly stylish and quite comfortable. Not as protective as leather but not bad and I am not going to spend an entire summer day sweating in a pair of black leather drawers. I have never had an incident where my gear was necessary but that doesn't mean I won't. No matter how careful you are it is possible for another driver to do something so incredible stupid and unpredictable that you are helpless to counter it.
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2007
  5. Moby

    Moby New Member

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    It's weird to read about people having a choice as whether to wear a helmet or not. Here in the UK it's compulsory and the law is very strict about it. You never see anyone riding without a helmet here- and a good thing too!

    Just the thought of it scares the bejeezus out of me. My first (and only, so far) spill involved me coming off in the middle of the road at speed, careering along for a distance and ending with the bike across my legs and my head hitting the asphalt hard. My (admittedly cheap) leathers were shredded and the bike was totalled (on one side anyway) but thanks to my helmet I didn't even have a slight headache.

    I'd never ride without a helmet and decent protective gear!
     
  6. pontiac_banshee

    pontiac_banshee New Member

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    A helmet saved my life when I was 16 in a snowmobile accident. Still cant figure out why intelligent people ride with out. See a 20 year old buy in girl in shorts and tank tops and no helmet and cringe. You go down even at low speeds you will be wearing bandages not shorts.
     
  7. dbleyepatches

    dbleyepatches New Member

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    The number of replies to this post show just how much the people of this site care about one another and that says a lot for VRF World. I too has an accident about 10 years ago. I went down on a 2 lane highway and totalled my bike and a near new tow truck that pulled out in front of me. I was wearing my helmet (which never touched the ground or anything) but was not wearing any other protection. It took about 3 months for the road rash on my left hand to heal and I also broke my right wrist and pinky finger (which is still not straight today).

    I didn't wear leathers because I didn't know that people did. No one that I knew or rode with ever wore anything like that. I saw a few of the Harley guys wearing the black leather chaps with the ass missing from them but I thought that was just ridiculois. I can say now that I will not be on a bike today without full gear, and no passengers unless they are geared up either.
     
  8. seattle86vf500f

    seattle86vf500f New Member

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    Hey 2000,

    Glad to hear you came out of your crash so well! as a suggestion, if you have already been down after ONLY 4-5 weeks (albeit from a situation many of us have delt with, gravel or sand, or debris in unexpected places), I would highly recommend a couple things...


    1> At a minimum go get your mc permit, they are pretty cheap in WA. not
    sure about there though. Here if the cops are involved and you don't
    have permit or lic for mc, they take our bike right then and there.

    2> If you can't get into a motorcycl safety course, then at least chech out
    msgroup.org , James puts together a hell of a site about mc saftey, there
    is a huge section on safety tips, and riding as well as loads of experience
    from riders all over the world. I am betting that several senior members
    are in your area, and they love to get together for parking lot practice.

    3> ALWAYS wear ALL the gear you own, even just for quick trip down the
    street. I have good armored jacket, good helmet, gloves, boots, & full
    raingear. I still fell kinda naked with just jeans on, but riding pants are
    my next buy.

    4> Helmets are cool! Brains on the pavement are not.

    5> If you get insurance, medical is not as bad in the event of an
    accident....and repairs are not all frm your wallet either....as well as if you
    are in an accident and hurt someone...... I would highly recommend
    insurance for you.

    Now that all that is out of the way, if you could paint us a picture so to speak of what happened before, during , and after (try and leave out emotion, and opinion just tell us what led up to and happened during and after) your incident. I am sure with a detailed account we can tell you if there was anything you could have done differently for a better outcome.

    Welcome to the site, and again glad you are ok!


    Will R Seattle, WA.
     
  9. stumpy

    stumpy New Member

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    Mate, a friend of mine died reversing his bike down his driveway because he had his helmet hanging over the handle bars rather than on his head. Another mate who was a motorcycle cop hit an oil patch while chasing some one. Unfortunately for him it was during the hot Aussie summer months (short sleeves and no jacket) and he came off. What a mess. He had gravel, road grime and debris embedded in his skin for months. Ended up needing skin grafts. In Australia it's illegal not to wear a helmet, not so however, with riding gear. I ride every day and see clowns riding with shorts,thongs and no gloves3. If only they knew what's awaiting them. Like death and taxes it's a sure thing that anyone riding on the road will drop it at some time, no matter how good you are.

    Wear you helmet,full leathers, proper boots and gloves every time you straddle your bike. Better to be the dullest looking bloke on earth than the coolest in the cemetary. Glad you're ok. Ride safely and enjoy.
     
  10. STEVE MANKIN

    STEVE MANKIN New Member

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    when i started riding in the early 70s i all of us florida riders wore jeans,shorts tee shirts etc..we didnt know better in those days..... we do now..learn from our experience.....i never ride ungeared.....and no helmet...you gotta be kidding.
     
  11. Nungboy

    Nungboy New Member

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    I want to echo the various statements made. It is cool of young 2000 to fess up and risk being flamed. It is cool that most of us take the time to respond to something we see as obvious: that it is reckless to ride without full gear and that anything can happen at any time. It is not enough to ride with some gear...you need it all. it is not enought to ride with all the gear...you need to ride with agressively-designed gear (the best helmet you can afford, leather, not textile, full HARD armor, not soft padding "armor", thick gloves with a gauntlet, not thin shorties, full boots, not something less). And yes, be mindful of what is in your pcokets as they become weapons when sliding. And it is not enough to have all of the gear on, you need to have the right ATTITUDE and mindfulness when riding. Watching out for the fools that are unaware, adjusting radios or texting, applying make-up, etc. You can still end up dead with full gear. And then, on top of that, I suggest you have the spiritual awareness that you might not come home even when you walk to the store, let alone drive a cage or ride a motorcycle or bicycle. That way, you'll live every minute as though it was your last, your loved ones will KNOW that you love them, and you'll have a peace of mind that escapes most people. This life is short. Be prepare, do your homework, and then LIVE each day to the fullest. See your crash as a wakeup call and a acceleration into the curve of wisdom. Now, take care of that rash and whatever you do, learn that it is cool to be wise, not to follow the crowd. Is it cool to wear a helmet and the gear? Hell yeah. It shows your style and individuality. It is cool to be ALIVE.
     
  12. jpja23

    jpja23 New Member

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    Uhh...you are in Indiana, and DON'T have you're endorsement?? You know you are required to wear a helmet until you get the endorsement right? Also riding after dark is illegal (until you get that endorsement).
     
  13. 2000ex

    2000ex New Member

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    I'm aware... and its amazing how many people dont have their endorsement and break the rules. I got pulled over several times for various reasons and the IMPD did nothing about the no helmet and I had a passenger. They just dont enforce it however I have learned a lot and never go out without my helmet jacket gloves and jeans. even if I'm goin to the gas station! I still yet haven't gotten my endorsement however plan to sometime before summer. I just ride smart and safe and if you dont do stupid shit you have nothing to worry about. Police do not pull us over around here if you are just riding normal. So riding at night and with a pillion doesnt worry me. I am more worried about the other dumb ass drivers :thumbsup:
     
  14. H.C.D.

    H.C.D. New Member

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    I don't have any problem with some people riding without a helmet. Myself or someone in my family might need some kind of organ transplant one day, and those boys provide a ready supply. If anything is left of them thats fit to re-use after the crash, that is......

    Glad to hear you came out of your crash OK. You were lucky. I've crashed twice and was lucky enough to walk away both times, VERY lucky.

    Now, go buy you a nice full-face helmet and a decent jacket at the very least and wear them.
     
  15. H.C.D.

    H.C.D. New Member

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    And gloves. Can't forget those either.
     
  16. IA-Mike

    IA-Mike New Member

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    Well, I guess if sitting in a wheelchair for the rest of your life, head leaning on your shoulder and drool running down your front is cool, have at it! Don't forget having to be fed, your diaper cleaned and all the rest.
    It doesn't make any difference if you are going 15 on a bicycle or 35 on a motorcycle, if you hit your head the wrong way you are toast.
     
  17. Jaynen

    Jaynen New Member

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    Living in California I thought I was used to a high percentage of squid population. T-shirts and jeans, no gloves, tennis shoes, etc especially living near Camp Pendleton where a lot of the marines would feel they are too macho for the gear and would want a big sport bike right out of the bike too boot. (I have a lot of responsible military riding friends also)

    But I went to Indiana for work for one week and it blew me away. 1 in 6 maybe less people even wearing a helmet. Riding 2 up no helmets in tank tops and shorts even flip flops. It was unbelievable.
     
  18. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    Hey, the midwest has its share of the mentally deficient. :biggrin:
     
  19. Marley Davidson

    Marley Davidson New Member

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    Glad you survived the crash!
    Consider yourself a lucky guy...

    No helmet! Well, what can I say...you were asking for it!

    I never ride without my helmet! Some times, in the past I rode without a proper jacket (and i knew i was asking for it), but since I had my share of asphalt...nevermore! I even bought a leather suit, boots (already had the gloves) and back protector...My health worths more than the suit, helmet and the rest of the gear!

    I've learnd my lesson... and the question is, have you learnd yours? Hope so!



    As we often say (and probably someone well known said before) what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger...consider it a victory!

    Wish you a V.F.R. and in this case it stands for Very Fast Recovery!
     
  20. Seamus07

    Seamus07 New Member

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    No offense, 2000, but I love this kind of post. It happens here and other places quite a bit. It flushes a few different things to the surface:

    1) Riding a motorcycle defies logic. Nobody ever thinks they're the one who will become a statistic. Yet, people continue to give up their lives this way every year. Even those who gear up and mitigate their risk. This site does a wonderful job of lifiting up the lost among the riding population we know and looking at what caused the loss.
    2) Insurance statistics show that you're much more likely to give up your life or health in the first 6 months on a new bike than in the time you ride your bike after that. (I assume that's why my premium went down this year). I hope all our riders will take note. Ramp up to using your bike's capabilities with some care. Do it right, and there will be time to wring it out later. Just get a really good feel for it...the "easy" stuff and the more advanced skills, too.
    3) Look at bicycles. It is absolutely amazing how many people lose their lives every year riding bicycles. It is like motorcycling but at much lower speeds. Yet, it still demonstrates the risk we all take. For example, my wife and I ride bicycle as our principal hobby. In a triathlon training accident last year, she broke an elbow, got a concussion, got a road rash over a good portion of her body, and experienced staph infection in that road rash to boot. That accident occurred while fully geared and at only 26.5 mph. Without her helmet, I could be without a wife and my son without a mom. Translate this to motorcycling and the speeds we achieve -- just be smart, damn it. People are depending on you.

    Motorcyles are the most beautiful contraptions on the road today. I can't think of any transport that is better for the soul. Part of the attraction, I think, is the risk involved. We all want to be great at bike handling to diminish the risk. Unfortunately, our day jobs keep us from complete mastery (and maybe some natural talent). If we use the time available to the task, the tools available (including MSF courses...I'm a big fan), and a dose of realisitic self-assessment, we can improve ourselves over time without the big accident. Some small ones here and there aren't all bad, but let's avoid anything that causes a limp.

    Thanks for posting up, buddy. Its good to get this stuff in front of riders in snow country before they saddle up for the season. I hope your recovery goes well. Please work through the emotional stuff and come out a better rider. Most of us have.
     
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