I've been down twice.....

The first time was 100% my fault as I had no business taking a corner as fast as I did....I was young, cocky and stupid!!! I started to drift to the outside at about 90 mph, scared myself and I over corrected. By the time I came to a complete stop I had went over the curb, down a grass hill into a mall parking lot, over two cement parking blocks and up another curb onto a grass island where I was finally ejected. Luckily, all I did was tore my t-shirt and near **** myself.

The second was not my fault. I was riding home one day when an unsecured box full of old rags flew out of the back of a pick up truck. He had swerved into my lane to avoid the car infront of him. When I realized what was about the happen, I put both arms up infront of my face, forearms out, and was able to deflect it. Unfortunately this also caused me to roll backwards off the bike. Sliding 100 feet down the pavement on my stomach wondering when the car behind me is going to run me over is not an experience I wish to repeat anytime soon.

 

16yrs old... brake wheel cyl went out in my 52 *****'s Jeep and rear ended another student's car on the way to school.

20yrs old... Went end for end about 4 times into a field in my '73 260z, woke up in the ER, told my BAC .33 4hrs after the wreck... NO COMMENT!

21st B'Day, Rear ended at 60mph by a drunk doing 90(or so) on freeway, sober driver, 2 buddies went thru the windshield, I was passed out in the truck bed and thrown onto the shoulder as it lost control and rolled. Sober driver was the only one wearing a seatbelt. Again woke up in the ER. I DON'T condone it, but 2nd time alchohol saved my life, as well as risked it???

DRUNKS BOUNCE!

36yrs old... commuting home on the 'Hawk on the freeway, 2mos riding and 1wk after getting CA M1 license, checking lane beside me to move over... it wasn't clear... looked up and I was already in someones back seat! Locked up front brake, not sure, BUT think I only had one hand on the bars, and fell down in rush hour traffic at 10mph. How F'ing embarrassing. I did NOT hit the car in front of me. Driver behind me was stopped, well behind, and shaking his head at me as I picked up my bike... I'll take that luck!

I wear a stout heavy armoured riding jacket, usually some kelvar re-inforced jeans(I know but I feel better), and steel toe boots/gloves. It gets hot here and IF I zip to the store in shorts and a tank top, I ride scared... knowing 35mph road rash WILL jack my old *** up for weeks!

I'm now 9k mi in and almost two years, have much to learn about the riding the 'Hawk but enjoy every minute.

Ride smart guys!