Nighthawk down

Had to change my profile, gal cut me off and braked hard. I grabbed the brakes but knew right away that the anemic POS Nighthawk brakes weren't up to it. It was hit her van or the curb (which had a lot of grass on the other side) so I curbed it. Best laid plans and all, I bounced straight back onto the asphalt. Bike's totaled and I have four broken ribs, the bottom rib sticking thru my right lung. Also a separated shoulder. Coulda been worse...I was wearing Dianese under armor under a Spidy Jacket, Knee/shin guards, an Arai helmet, GP Pro gloves, and Honda riding boots. The jacket, gloves, and helmet are trashed, but they did their job. I could be a salesman for Arai, damned thing saved my noggin for sure.

Cause: Idiot cage driver. But I believe the VFR would have stopped me in time. I hadn't driven the Nighthawk in a while and figure that I didn't respond as fast or well on the piece of crap I was riding. Now I know what a Nighthawk looks like upside down and airborn (it flew in formation with me for a moment), and I also know what one of my own lungs tastes like.

Advice: Wear all your gear! I was going 1 1/2 miles to Harbor Freight Tools. My neighbor razzed me for all the time it took me to get dressed for a few minutes drive to get a 32mm wrench (we were working on his car), but it sure came in handy kissing concrete at 35mph. Be careful when you drive more than one kind of bike, and don't drive a Nighthawk...ever. POS

That was three months ago & every time I walked by the VFR it whispered, "Ride me you little bitch". Took me two months till I was ready, but I'm happily riding again. Take care all.

 

Sounds like you bounced back ok, at least you are here to write about it. Scary, though. And the good advice on ATGATT is certainly right on. Saddle up the VFR and get out and ride!

 

Thanks for the advice, I'm sorry you had to serve as a good lesson about gear and good brakes though.

 

Glad you survived it.

I went down less than 2 blocks from my house at about 20-25 mph a couple of years ago. It is interesting how these relatively "low speed" crashes can really hurt you and your bike. I always wear my gear or I don't ridet and it's paid off more than I will ever (thankfully) know.

 

My dad told me once, "When you're on a bike, there's nothing between you and the rest of the world but God and air. Air doesn't stop shit and God's only really concerned after the wreck." He also told me "If you got a $10 dollar head, buy a $10 helmet." I miss the old fart. He never got tired of being right...

 

I helmet tested an Arai once :smile: talk about a head-ache the next day!!! the worst!!! I only wear Arai.

Glad your ok! gear and bikes can be replaced, unlike a missing body part or a permanant injury.

 

logic behind a slow speed crash is your body is not skimming the tarmac as fast as a race track get off. So there is more weight associated with the scraping and grinding of your gear/skin/body...Nasty either way...

 

Yeah, my dad also explained to me about low speed crashes, " Just run into a brick wall as fast as you can run. That's what, about 14mph? Think it'll hurt? Riding a bike is like sitting on a couch at 30mph."