Back on 5/25 at 1710 I was entering the Grand Parkway here in Spring heading east. I was traveling at 70mph when a tractor trailer mudflap was run over by the vehicle I was merging behind and it was kicked up 6-8". Had no choice but to ride over it.
The flap stuck to my front tire and it was sucked up on the back side of the fender and caused the front wheel to lock up. I am assuming the flap was hot and tacky from laying in the sun all day.
I heard it hit, and I was thrown from the bike in the slow lane, crossed the center and fast lane and slid/rolled on the concrete for 120'. Head never hit the pavement and I stopped face down in the median out of traffic, 20' short of the bridge abutment and about 2' short of the guard rail cables.
LOC never occurred. Off duty DPS officer was traveling west bound and saw it happen. Stopped and rendered aid. Was transported to a Trauma Center.
CT scan was clear and after the wonderful experience of having my road rash scrubbed. I was released and back home by midnight.
SG has 9k in damage and is at the dealer waiting on parts.
Road rash is mostly skinned over now and tender, I was wearing jeans, T-shirt and leather vest. Rash is on both forearms and biceps, left thigh and knee and lower back.
Lesson learned on the poor choice of riding gear.
SG ending up about 30' past me in the center lane.
I know I was very lucky to be able to walk away from this with minor injuries and Thankful that I am still above ground.
That is what you call a freak, unavoidable accident. Rare, but there is nothing you can do but ride it out. Road rash HURTS. And it hurts for a very long time and leaves nasty scars. 70 mph is a brutal speed to come off a bike and hit the pavement. Sorry, man.
I hate wearing gear - but I do it. I don't fit the "Harley Lifestyle" look at all - I'm dressed more like a BMW rider. I wear Kevlar and armored jeans by KILM, a variety of armored jackets depending on weather, a full face Shoei Neotec helmet and Held gloves, and of course - boots that are CE rated. There are days when its hot and I would like to strip down, but 48 years of riding experience make me stay in the gear. Most the riders wearing half helmets/t-shirt/jeans, etc have never kissed the blacktop - it only takes one time to make you a convert. Experience is a hard teacher.
Keep those scabs moisturized, don't let them dry out - they heal much quicker that way with less pain. Hopefully your bike is in good hands while you heal.
A truck mudflap sucked up in the front wheel causing an unintended locked wheel. Of all the crashes I took, I have never heard of anything like that.
Most roadway hazards are ridden over safely. But there are many aluminum ladders, busted up furniture, landscape crap and tire alligators that fly off trucks and just waiting to take out and kill riders. Just yesterday, a backpack was laying on I80 here in Reno, just waiting for a rider to hit it.
You are very fortunate and commended for sharing your experience. It could have had a very different outcome.
That is what you call a freak, unavoidable accident. Rare, but there is nothing you can do but ride it out. Road rash HURTS. And it hurts for a very long time and leaves nasty scars. 70 mph is a brutal speed to come off a bike and hit the pavement. Sorry, man.
I hate wearing gear - but I do it. I don't fit the "Harley Lifestyle" look at all - I'm dressed more like a BMW rider. I wear Kevlar and armored jeans by KILM, a variety of armored jackets depending on weather, a full face Shoei Neotec helmet and Held gloves, and of course - boots that are CE rated. There are days when its hot and I would like to strip down, but 48 years of riding experience make me stay in the gear. Most the riders wearing half helmets/t-shirt/jeans, etc have never kissed the blacktop - it only takes one time to make you a convert. Experience is a hard teacher.
Keep those scabs moisturized, don't let them dry out - they heal much quicker that way with less pain. Hopefully your bike is in good hands while you heal.
06-09-2017, 08:53 AM
Took a 70mph dive off my 16 SG
