Well...crashed my Rushmore
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 158
From: East Coast
Why bike riders generally give a low wave when possible when meeting or passing each other, they like the feel and pleasure of riding but deep down they know and appreciate the danger that could be waiting around the bend. This sport is not for the faint of heart or the dare devil, it for the mature, responsible and trained.
Considering the circumstances you both fared pretty well.
I'm glad you decided to wear some safety equipment on that ride.
When complacency sets in the risk goes up. The other day i said i'll take the bike to check the mail, 4 miles to the Post Office on a country road, Temp 90 degrees, just finished cutting some grass, i'll be right back, Short Sleeve Shirt, jeans, old running shoes. F........K, i was hot, lazy, and upping my risk.
Your story is sobering and will cause me to put my new mesh with armor, boots, gloves etc. on or take the freakin truck.
Get well.
Considering the circumstances you both fared pretty well.
I'm glad you decided to wear some safety equipment on that ride.
When complacency sets in the risk goes up. The other day i said i'll take the bike to check the mail, 4 miles to the Post Office on a country road, Temp 90 degrees, just finished cutting some grass, i'll be right back, Short Sleeve Shirt, jeans, old running shoes. F........K, i was hot, lazy, and upping my risk.
Your story is sobering and will cause me to put my new mesh with armor, boots, gloves etc. on or take the freakin truck.
Get well.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
Your accident brings chills to my spine. Last year on the way back from Sturgis were riding along a two lane road with the cruse set to 75 MPH, on the side of the road ahead was what appeared to be a disabled RV; kids run all over the place. Coming up on them I canceled the cruise, moved to the center line and was starting to slow when their dog decided to run across the road, directly in front of us. I swerved, just missing the dog by just a couple of feet. Way too close for comfort! My luck didnt last long, a month later riding at 25 MPH a kid riding a bike along the curb decided to turn in front of me. I swerved to miss him, but unfortunately drove directly into the beginning of a divider in the road. The road king did good when the front wheel hit the curb head-on, but when the back wheel hit the curb I went one way the bike went the other. My poor bike looked much like yours. My body fared much better, some skin missing from palms of my hands, scraped elbow and a torn boot. My bike was repaired, looked better then ever; gave me a chance to do some mods to the bike, that I probably wouldn't have done before the accident. Here's wishing that all goes well with your and your girlfriends recovery.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,105
Likes: 16
From: Blaine, WA
A couple of years ago while out for a ride around a local lake, came around a corner doing 35-40mph and there sitting in the middle of my lane is a mountain lion. Since the cat looked like it was going to stay put, and stopping seemed like a bad I idea - I went around in the opposing lane. Just about the time the cat changed its mind and went the same way. I braked and swerved back to my lane but came very very close, hit the cats tail with my front wheel as it ran off into the woods.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 150
Likes: 19
From: Colorado
Actually swerving to avoid hitting a child is a very good practice; perhaps your experience or suggestion is valid relative to driving a larger vehicle. In Colorado its actually part of your motorcycle driving test. I wonder, not enough time to stop, cant swerve, dont have wings, what? sorry kid!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
I've gone straight into an animal a couple or three times, but a kid... I'd do anything to miss him/her, no matter what it did to the bike. And me...
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, MO
Seriously guys, thank you for all the well wishes. It's nice to see the camaraderie on the forum. I'm posting on my phone from the hospital seeing my GF. The Alpinestars jacket was a textile jacket.. The nylon type, which is a lil bit stronger than just straight mesh... I still assumed it'd have done a better job of staying intact. But it did what it needed to do.
Unfortunately the dog was a stray, so no one to go after. Unless I try to go after MODOT for not having lighting lol... But that's a dead end.
Together poster that asked about my helmet, I was wearing a Shoei J-cruise helmet at the time. It did an awesome job during impact. I didn't even feel the impact. It's a super comfortable helmet with great fit and finish. I didn't wanna test the safety of it, but did anyways. Obviously it's ruined now that I had a fall, but I think I'll be buying another one to replace it. I definitely recommend it and accept the risk of no chin bar. The gf was wearing my Shoei RF-1000 Snell approved racing helmet. It did great, barely a mark. She is rashed up due to no jacket or gloves though.
Unfortunately the dog was a stray, so no one to go after. Unless I try to go after MODOT for not having lighting lol... But that's a dead end.
Together poster that asked about my helmet, I was wearing a Shoei J-cruise helmet at the time. It did an awesome job during impact. I didn't even feel the impact. It's a super comfortable helmet with great fit and finish. I didn't wanna test the safety of it, but did anyways. Obviously it's ruined now that I had a fall, but I think I'll be buying another one to replace it. I definitely recommend it and accept the risk of no chin bar. The gf was wearing my Shoei RF-1000 Snell approved racing helmet. It did great, barely a mark. She is rashed up due to no jacket or gloves though.
Last edited by HeroNtheShadows; Jul 6, 2014 at 05:47 PM.