Not "if", but "when"

msquared · #1 10-18-2008, 01:09 PM

After over two years of accident-free daily motorcycling, it finally happened: my first motorcycle wreck. I was out on a day trip on Thursday with a guitarist friend of mine. We were between cities and coming down an offramp when I hit the gravel on the side of the road and lowsided my bike.

It was totally my fault and I'm embarrassed to even be typing any of this. Thankfully, everything came out mostly okay. I messed up my shoulder a bit and got some scrapes on the bike. I was wearing a mesh jacket and pants as well as leather boots and gloves, and if I hadn't then I'm not sure I'd be walking without crutches or playing bass at the moment.

I just wanted to post this and remind everyone on two wheels to be safe out there, especially since we're going into the rainy season (at least around here).

iamlowsound · #2 10-18-2008, 01:19 PM

Glad that you are alive and well. I have lowsided on gravel before as well, and I was only wearing a helmet. Road rash, scrapes and a major concussion later, still alive though. I actually think it makes you a better rider, more aware of the things around you. Get back on and keep riding.

ps, I know a guy that has been riding for 23 or 24 years and hasn't had anything resembling an accident on his bike. I keep telling him "when".

lowsound

Croox · #3 10-18-2008, 01:23 PM

I handle motorcylce rentals and from what i saw last year to this year one one bike got damaged, and that was from guy who backed into it while it was in his garage I went down at a low speed taking a turn on a crotch rocked back in 06. i was fine the bike wasnt. It was the deciding point when i got fired from being a bike tech

kasanovakarl · #4 10-20-2008, 12:43 PM

I'm glad that you didn't have any major injuries.

My father-in-law who's been riding for years keeps telling me not to get too comfortable on a bike, that's usually when you won't be paying attention that you should be and it is when accidents. He lowsided on some gravel earlier in the summer. He was lucky he was able to walk away with very minor scratches.

Its unfortunately "when" these things happen, not "if"...

TheDarkReaver · #5 10-20-2008, 12:46 PM

When my dad rode a bike back in the 70s he ended up through a car windscreen. Pretty knarly stuff.

**Thor** · #6 10-20-2008, 12:59 PM

I never rode without leather gear and boots. Never.

Like you I took a few tumbles. Sometimes you can't prevent
them, but you can certainly lessen the damage inflicted.