I wasn't going to post this, but Destro talked me into it.
I crashed last night.
There is a pretty busy street here called "Southwest Trafficway". I was heading home on it last night when I crashed. It is three lanes, curbs on each side. The speed limit is 40. It was 10 o'clock at night. The roads were dry.
I was in the center lane, riding well behind a car. There was another car in front of me, too, but in the left lane. There was no car in the right lane, and no cars (I thought) behind me.
All of the sudden, there was a gold four door car flying up on my left. She cut into my lane right on top of me and before I could swerve or slow down, I was off the bike.
I remember all of the thoughts I had, in order, as it happened. I thought, "Is this really happening? There goes my bike. It is going to be f*cked up. Oh, crap, I'm sliding right next to that car. Okay, good. The car is gone now. Where are the cars behind me. I see lights, but they are pretty far back. I hope they are stopping. My head is sliding on the ground. Wow, this helmet is awsome! (HJC AC-14, brand new). Okay, I'm stopped now. I feel fine."
I hopped up. Looked behind me on the road. All the cars behind me had come to a stop, three abreast. I jogged over to my bike. Picked it up. I pushed it off to a side road, sort of up on the side walk. The shifter was bent. Right turn signal was hanging by wires. I sat on it. The "FI" (fuel injection) light was blinking. I tried to start it and it wouldn't start. I took my helmet off and set it on the road. I was trying to start the SV when the girl that wiped me out pulled up beside me on 31st street. She asked if I was okay, and if my leg was hurt. I noticed a tear in my left pant leg, over my knee and my right pant leg (blue jeans was torn from the cuff up to mid calf. I told her I was fine, but my bike wouldn't start. Two latino guys across the street were yelling to ask if I was okay. I told them I was fine. The girl asked if she could help, I told her I was fine, unhurt, and that there was nothing she could do. I got my bike started and she left. I put my helmet back on and rode away. I could still shift the bike easy enough with the side of my foot and rode home. The bike runs great. Still pulls hard, idles smooth, and handles like normal.
My bike: crack in rear tail section (which was brand new). Broken turn signal but I'll be able to repair it. Shift is taco'd but I already bought a new one this morning ($61.00 at the dealer). Otherwise, the Motoslider frame slider saved the bike.
My gear: jeans are torn, but will still look really cool. Helmet is rashed on the left side and back. Seems to be fine, but will get replaced. Jacket is still good. Joe Rocket gets a bum wrap, but this thing did great. There are scuffs up the left sleeve and a slight tear mid forearm. The patch on the left shoulder is torn away a little but I'll sew it back down. The left shoulder on the back above my shoulder blade has a oily stain on it where I slid. I was going at least 40 mph when I started to slid. Probably slid 50 + feet. All things considered, not too shabby.
Jake D: I have a rash the size of a quarter on top of my left knee cap. Bandaged. I have a rash about 5 or 6 inches long by 2 inches on my left forearm. Bandaged. By back hurts where it impacted the ground and my ribs are sore and strained. My left pec is either partially torn or strained and it is swollen. My right tumb is strained and swollen. Sore all over, like I have a fever. But all things being equal, I am pretty good. I have a photo I may post of my arm.
I am in good spirits. I am bummed about the bike because it was so damn sexy before, but I can fix it no problem. I am excited to get back out there. I'm not scared to ride, I just need to be more aware of what is going on around me. My mirrors don't really show much behind me, so I have to be more aware of who is coming up on me.
Helmet was awsome. Didn't even feel a thing. The impact was about like a hard football hit, which you don't feel right away. I've had much worse snowboarding accidents. The sliding was the thing that did the most damage. I am glad I didn't get hit by a car, a sign or a curb, but in all, not that big of a deal.
As you all know, I am very tough, very brave, and very macho. So if anybody wants to do a group ride this weekend, I'm game!
Before she pulled away, the girl that nearly hit me said, "I'm scared." I smiled and said, "Don't be. It is okay."
Glad to hear you are ok and still macho. :thumb:
Can you tell a little more about how you went down? Did she clip you or did you panic and dump it?
WTF? You didn't get any of her info? You came out that clean?! Man, I'm glad you're ok, but I can't believe you elt her go like that. I mean... really?
It happened really fast. She didn't hit me.
What can I say? It was right there. So fast. But I'm not sure how I dumped it. I know, thinking back, that if I hadn't gone down, I would have hit the side of her car. I did the best I could.
I probably could have saved it somehow but I dunno. I did my best with the split second I had. My body may have bounced off her rear quarter panel as I went down. Now sure. I got a good look at the back of her tail pipe and tire as I slid, so she was pretty much in my lane. A better rider could have avoided it but by time I saw her, there was no time to swerve.
Quote from: roguegeek on May 18, 2006, 11:35:20 AM
WTF? You didn't get any of her info? You came out that clean?! Man, I'm glad you're ok, but I can't believe you elt her go like that. I mean... really?
I felt like it was pretty much my fault as much as hers. So I don't want to hold her responsible.
Not the thinking of your typical lawyer, huh?
Glad to hear you are OK. What Joe Rocket jacket was it? Maybe we should "group ride" to Cafe Racer or Motorcycle closeouts for some new gear.
Quote from: Jake D on May 18, 2006, 11:40:24 AM
It happened really fast. She didn't hit me.
What can I say? It was right there. So fast. But I'm not sure how I dumped it. I know, thinking back, that if I hadn't gone down, I would have hit the side of her car. I did the best I could.
I probably could have saved it somehow but I dunno. I did my best with the split second I had. My body may have bounced off her rear quarter panel as I went down. Now sure. I got a good look at the back of her tail pipe and tire as I slid, so she was pretty much in my lane. A better rider could have avoided it but by time I saw her, there was no time to swerve.
I wasn't questioning your abilities, I was honestly curious how/why you went down. I'm a total noobie so I'm learning as much as possible from others mistakes. Thanks for posting.
JAKE!!!!!!! We were just talking about your puinisher tank : ( I am so sorry honey - glad that you are okay! That's two of my friends who have crashed in the last few days! Can I make you a pony to make you feel better?
Can you please post the pics - I know they're icky, but if they even help one person wear their gear then it's worth it.
Dude I am so sorry. Let me know if I can do antyhing to help.
Destro, I suppose I need a new helmet. $100 at Cafe Racer. Big ups for the CL-14.
I'll post pics, I left my camera at home.
Hey, Miranda: that pony pic I told you about is in this month's Motor Cyclist. Sorry for the misleading info.
Dude, I know you weren't questioning my riding ability. I question it myself.
Edit: it is a Joe Rocket Pheonix jacket. My gloves are Icon Purist gloves. HJC helmet.
Oh man. I thought she actually hit you. My bad. Still glad you're doing well. :thumb:
WORST!
I think I would have filed an accident report... If she was that inattentive, she's probably done similar things to other people. :icon_confused:
Jake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Im glad you are ok. I would have told that girl not to be such a dumdass Buddha Loves You!!!!!!
Quote from: RVertigo on May 18, 2006, 12:16:55 PM
WORST!
I think I would have filed an accident report... If she was that inattentive, she's probably done similar things to other people. :icon_confused:
+1
Quote from: ajgs500 on May 18, 2006, 12:19:58 PM
Jake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Im glad you are ok. I would have told that girl not to be such a dumdass Buddha Loves You!!!!!!
+1
Yikes! :o Thanks for wearing your gear.
One thing I think I could be a little more clear about is the fact that when it happened, I was in the right side of the center lane. This road is really oily in the center of each lane. I was in the right side and was moving to the left side of the center lane, within my lane. She was coming into my lane at the same time. When I reacted the bike just went down. It could be because of my super sweet Dunlop tires, or it could be because of the oil. Or it could be because I suck.
Yeah but lane sharing isnt legal there so it is her fault you already occupied that lane. She is just a dumb bitchwho doesnt know how to drive!!!!!
Dude... I don't see how it was your fault... Maybe is was your reaction that made you go down, but you had to react to the stupid shaZam! she was doing.
I mean... There's no way you would have randomly crashed without someone trying to drive through you. :dunno_white:
Well, it's too late now.
Destro said he heard that a motorcycle rider crashed and got a broken leg in the same area last night.
I think at this point, I'm just happy I'm not hurt.
But I sneezed today while I was driving and my body felt like it was on fire!!! Ouchy mama!
Quote from: Jake D on May 18, 2006, 01:05:06 PM
But I sneezed today while I was driving and my body felt like it was on fire!!! Ouchy mama!
At least you didn't crash then too! :laugh:
Glad you're alright, though bummer about not getting her information.
And macho... you mean arrogant :flipoff:? Ahh, you're a lawyer, it comes with the territory I guess. As does alcoholism, so my sister tells me!
Quote from: Jake D on May 18, 2006, 01:05:06 PM
But I sneezed today while I was driving and my body felt like it was on fire!!! Ouchy mama!
Are you still planning on riding tonight? :cookoo:
If you must, take someone with you and take it real easy, you are going to be a sore dude. If you can't find anyone to ride let me know and I will PM you my number and we can ride for a bit tonight. My wife might be upset, but I would rather not let you kill yourself. Hell, I don't even know your real name!
Well, it's past and you didn't get her info. I'm just glad you're okay. Some people may think the big stock mirrors are dorky, but they may save your life. Peripheral vision!
I want to see if I can get that shifter changed out tonight. But we'll ride soon. My name really is Jake D! I have a last name too, however.
Scratch, I have the stock mirrors on my SV. They provide me with a wonderful view of my elbows. Like the man said, "Objects in mirror appear to be your elbows." Nice.
Edit: Alpha, I was joking about the macho thing. Make no mistake: I'm a squid. But I'm a lucky squid.
:o Glad you're ok! It MUST have been scary, cuz you didn't get her digits! :flipoff:
At least she stopped... My cynical self believes that not many would.
Ok, macho man, if you keep hurting, you get yourself to a doctor. And don't you dare ride unless you're feeling much better! You'd be a danger to yourself and others on the road if you can't ride due to pain/injury.
Ok. Nagging over (for now). :icon_mrgreen:
And :kiss3: get better FAST!
I feel fine. Thanks! I'll post pics tomorrow.
Quote from: pandy on May 18, 2006, 02:50:22 PM
:o Glad you're ok! It MUST have been scary, cuz you didn't get her digits! :flipoff:
Glad you are ok, Jake! :thumb:
You shoulda pulled a pity act and made the girl buy you dinner. Tell her how bad you hurt, talk her into giving you a back rub and what not. Yeah. That's what ya shoulda done :icon_razz:
Like they say, scars are just tattoos with more interesting stories. This will give you a war story! :thumb:
Good to here that you are OK. The ribs will loosen back up in a few weeks.
Over the next week, especially when you go through the crash zone, you will recollect the details. Then you can figure out if there was nothing more to avoid it.
Quote from: Jake D on May 18, 2006, 01:05:06 PM
But I sneezed today while I was driving and my body felt like it was on fire!!! Ouchy mama!
damn you jake. what the hell are you doing crashing. f'ing car. glad you're not hurt worse but you really should have taken her information. its not up to you to determine fault. its up to the police. at the very least you could have offered her the opportunity to buy you replacement gear.
how did you get your forearm messed up if you had a jacket on?
those ribs are delicate. I cracked/broke mine in my crash and then found out its common to at least bruise or crack them when you fall to the side, landing on your arm. be careful about them. I rebroke mine playing with my son and it hurt like hell.
get better.
pablo-
Speaking of rebruising ribs, I rebruised mine yelling a PA announcement because all of the Lilly emplyees are deaf and stupid. And to quote Pablo, it hurt like hell. :2guns: :2guns: :2guns: :2guns:
Quote from: Jake D on May 18, 2006, 11:45:06 AM
Quote from: roguegeek on May 18, 2006, 11:35:20 AM
WTF? You didn't get any of her info? You came out that clean?! Man, I'm glad you're ok, but I can't believe you elt her go like that. I mean... really?
I felt like it was pretty much my fault as much as hers. So I don't want to hold her responsible.
Not the thinking of your typical lawyer, huh?
prolly one of a very few times someone has an incident with a lawyer and gets away scot free too but least you made it out. somewhat scuffed, but alright though :thumb:
Quote from: ajgs500 on May 18, 2006, 12:46:24 PM
Yeah but lane sharing isnt legal there so it is her fault you already occupied that lane. She is just a dumb bitchwho doesnt know how to drive!!!!!
Once again... +1 :thumb:
damn Jake, hate to hear it, glad your OK :thumb:
pics pics! Gory pics :) Share the love eh Jake honey!
Good question about the road rash and jacket. You'll see both. Maybe you can figure it out.
Jacket:
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y69/jaked1166/jacket.jpg)
Road rash:
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y69/jaked1166/eblow1.jpg)
helmet rash:
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y69/jaked1166/helmet.jpg)
I had some several spots of rash like that on me after i crashed that looked like rash that happened under my jacket, and a few that acually touched the road thru holes in the gear... the ones that happen under the jacket are much cleaner and will heal much quicker than the ones with road grime in them :thumb:
rash like that is beacause your jacket is too loose and the elbow armor shifts causing it to tear your skin. one of the many reasons to get a tight jacket. you didn't even give her a "blond breathilizer"?
not only did your jacket sleeve possibly move but that wouldnt cause that kind of rash-that looks like the seam ripped and exposed your flesh to the asphalt. its a jow rocket, known for seams ripping (from what I have heard many times). get leather for chrissake. you see, you could have gotten a proper leather jacket out of it if you would have just blamed her from the start? lol...
All that stuff looks worse in real life. I'm pretty impressed with how the jacket held up, considering.
I already replaced the shifter (the very next day) and went for a nice little ride. I still need to get a new helmet.
So I told my girlfriend the next day about what happened. I picked her up for dinner and told her what happened. I was talking while I was driving and she was silent. I looked over and she just had tears streaming down her face. She cried silently for like 20 minutes.
I disctracted her with some fried tofu, brased pork and shitake mushrooms, and some almond bubble tea with soy milk in it. Now all is right with the world. But if I live to be 100 years old, my mom doesn't need to no nothin' about this.
Aw man, that's freakin' terrible. :o
Glad you're okay though. Dude, buy a new jacket.
I got a new helmet on Saturday. A new HJC AC-11. It is blue chrome, black, silver, white and gold.
I like it a lot. I went to the same place I got my AC-14. The guy was like, "didn't you just buy one?"
I rode probably 300 miles this weekend and had a blast.
I really need somebody to ride with though. I gotta get you out of the house, Destro.
OK, this weekend... Right now I am meeting up with some newbs at 7 in the morning on Saturday to do some practice drills and a short cruise. I should be free after that, and Sunday or Monday, since it is a holiday or even some evening this week would work. Not tonight, it is my anniversary, but any other night. We are having a baby on June 7th as of right now. I need someone to ride with as well, it gets boring by yourself. Let's get a ride together!
Did calispec get your old bike up and running yet?
Did you go to Holt on Sunday?
A baby? Congrats! We better ride a lot before then!
I want to ride with newbs on Saturday!
Sunday, with my new helmet on, I rode up to Holt and didn't see anybody.
So I went back down south and took 210 all the way to Richmond. I was pretty cool.
I think there is a lot more good riding on the Kansas side, to be honest.
I may do the Hooters bike night tonight. I went to Fuel last week before my crash.
Fuel was okay, but I really didn't know anybody. We might want to check that out this week.
Quote from: Jake D on May 22, 2006, 08:50:16 AM
A baby? Congrats! We better ride a lot before then!
I want to ride with newbs on Saturday!
Sunday, with my new helmet on, I rode up to Holt and didn't see anybody.
So I went back down south and took 210 all the way to Richmond. I was pretty cool.
I think there is a lot more good riding on the Kansas side, to be honest.
I may do the Hooters bike night tonight. I went to Fuel last week before my crash.
Fuel was okay, but I really didn't know anybody. We might want to check that out this week.
Thanks, it will be our second girl. It will be nice b/c my mother will be here for the baby's birth and stay that week, I am taking the next week off, and my mother-in-law is staying with us for a week after that, so I should have free time to do other things. I think we can meet on Saturday at Grand Slam Liquors to go down to JoCo near 87th Street. I think that a trip to Fuel would be cool, I have never been and should be a big turnout this week as it is a holiday. Shaould we meet at Grand Slam then as well? :laugh:
BTW there is supposedly a nice loop off of 210 near Missouri City, I think it is H highway, EE and another one, checked it out on Goggle Earth and it look pretty twisty. Almost went out there on Saturday, but didn't have time.
Dude, we can meet at Grand Slam if you want. I usually go there to pick up soem pickled pigs feet anyway. It is less than a half mile from my loft.
I saw that turn off of 210 near Missouri City. I kept looking back at it as I rode by. Looked pretty cool.
We can go to Fuel on bike night. The waitresses there are so freakin' hot!
I'll PM you my number.
Ahhh, pickled pigs feet, the breakfast of champions. :laugh:
:cheers: to Grand Slam for the best breakfast in the KC Metro! :thumb: