Rock the Gear a/k/a it happend

At least it wasn't me, but this time it was a close friend. It was one of the two that got me started riding, 24 years ago. Hard to believe it's been that long ago, but time keeps marching on. As I sit at my computer, watching the big flakes of snow come down outside, I think about all the close calls I've had, the stupid tip-overs, the others that have gone down that I really didn't know quite well. But the tree of us, we were decent riders. Yeah, we all went down at one time or another. Car pulled out in front of one guy, motor seized up on the other causing him to fish tail before he pulled the clutch in. Scary.

This happened in Mt. Juliet, TN, East of Nashville. State law requires a helmet, otherwise...no chance. Slick roads, speeding, we will never know what happened. He certainly doesn't. Remembers when he left earlier that the back tire broke free on his ZX-10. Was in a hurry to get home to get the cage so he could go get his daughter from school. Running late, better hurry. Never made it. Without the helmet he wouldn't be here.

Mailbox he hit (1) & (2) Lifeflight - beat the ambulance (3) and what is left of his bike (4) (5) (6) - notice the parts & pieces scattered about? How abut the front tire & triple tree..


The back of his helmet had been worn through the shell. Hard to think what would of happened without it. His bike was in three major pieces. Gas tank was found over 1200 feet away. Police think he was doing about 90 when he hit the mailbox. Speeding may have been a cause, but the outcome could of been much worse.

this happened two days before thanksgiving. He spent the next day, or at least 10 1/2 hours of it in surgery. Removing his left arm below the elbow ("it looked like hamburger meat"). Left shoulder, hip, knee, and upper leg were worked on, as well as his right thumb. He's alive, no spinal injury or brain injury. There is a looooong road to recovery ahead of him, but he's here to do it. e' bounces between crutches & a wheelchair, and can't pick up anything heaver than a spoon. I asked him how he went to the bathroom, wiped, etc, but just laughed.

I'm just lucky that he's still around for me to call him. I've known him since Jr. High - or middle school - 8th grade.

so let this be a lesson, one that hopefully we won't have to go through. Put on that lid. Get that jacket. I know I'm worth it.

 

Prayers to your buddy, he had an Angle wathing over him to survive such a vicious crash. He needs friends and family to stay strong......sorry

 

:hss: No doubt he's lucky to be alive. I got that he was wearing a helmet but what about other gear i.e. Jacket, Gloves, Armor, etc.? Definitely looks like a long road to recovery. Wishing him a speedy recovery!

 

That is one twisted pile of metal; I suspect your buddy looks the same way. Lots can be said about gear, but I'll forgo that. I hope your buddy has as quick of a recovery as possible! Best wishes to him

 

That is ugly. Send along our best wish's please.

 

I hate seeing stuff like this. It reminds me that I am human like the rest of us and this can happen at any time - even if it is not caused by your own doing. It sounds like your buddy has the right frame of mind for recovering. Best wishes to him.

 

Hope he has a speedy recovery. eace:

 

Only my most sincere wishes for his recovery. He needs loved ones and very good friends to recover the best he can.

 

Lucky to be alive. I hope he recovers as quickly as possible.

 

One nasty crash. Hope he has a good recovery.

 

Hey Keager, hows your bud doing, scarey images fer sure. Was woundering why he was doing 90 in a residential area? not trying to be nothing but respectful for a fallen motorcyclist , but it has crossed my mind your friend being a Dad and all. Hitting a brick mailbox, holy shit...lucky there was no rebar in the construction.
Give him all our best, will ya?

 

He's getting along. Had to go back for surgery on his hand. Was told to pick up nothing heavier than a spoon, but over stressed the rod in his thumb and pulled it out. Another buddy and I are heading down to see him in Febuary. He lives close to his dad, and his mom has gone to see him a few times. It was more of a rural area, and he's always been a speedster. Lost his DL a couple if times, and it finally caught up to him.

His is spirits remain high, and I think he's improving because of his attitude. I will pass along the thoughts and wishes for a speedy recovery.

Thanks to all!

 

So sorry to hear about that accident on your original post, glad his spirits are not down. I had a rod in my thumb too, they used the same type of vice-grips I have in my tool box to pull it out after they took the cast off. :loco:

Keep us posted on his recovery, peace

 

Looks like maybe he blew a turn ? Sweeper ?

And back tire looks slick at the center ?

 

I went to see him over the weekend. Saw X-Rays. left arm - stump - is a jigsaw puzzle. About ripped his right thumb off. It's healing after two surgeries. Broke the ball joint off for his left hip. He at least had a leather jacket on. Road was a bit too slick to be out, but there he was anyway. in the very first picture, the tree in the background is where they found the tank. it's about 1400 feet away. he flew and stopped about 800 feet away. Arm picture was gross.