Some 17 year old girl pulled out in front of me, I chose to lay it down rather than fly over her car. :mad:
No room to swerve? :icon_confused:
No, a 3 lane road, I was in the left and she came from the right about 15 feet in front of me. Oh yeah, and it was wet out, forgot to mention it. I think I'm lucky enough to have had enough time to bail rather than fly, even though I ended up smashing in her door and rocker panel with my body. :o
laying a bike down is how you can get killed, stay on the brakes longer and hit head on, you may fly over but wont go under and be drug around by hot exhust(spell)
msf should have covered this.
but in any case glad your not hurt more than you were. good luck with the rebuild
I agree, riding on your brakes till the biter end dose makes more sense. Even though you bail out at let's say 40mph. If you ride out your brakes till impact, you may have reduced your speed to about 20mph if not lower. But if you were to bail out and let it slide, your speed remains about the same especially when the gound is wet.
my two cents.
I don't think we won't be able to fully comment on this accident since we didn't see it. Mabye bailing was the only choice he had
Glad your ok :thumb:
hows the bike looking?
Well, for anyone who's been in an accident, you know there's no time to think. You may have missed my second comment saying it was extremely wet out. I hit both brakes, but they instantly locked up, and 15 feet isn't much time to pump them. :icon_confused:
The bike doesn't look too bad to the untrained eye, but when you get close up, looks like some frame damage. Looks like I might be going through the whole break-in process again, oh well. :dunno_white:
Quote from: babypumpkinhead on September 20, 2006, 08:22:52 PM
Well, for anyone who's been in an accident, you know there's no time to think. You may have missed my second comment saying it was extremely wet out. I hit both brakes, but they instantly locked up, and 15 feet isn't much time to pump them. :icon_confused:
The bike doesn't look too bad to the untrained eye, but when you get close up, looks like some frame damage. Looks like I might be going through the whole break-in process again, oh well. :dunno_white:
If you had time to think about dumping it you had time to brake.
"I hit both brakes, but they instantly locked up, and 15 feet isn't much time to pump them."
I did, just like my previous post says, they locked up, it was wet out.
If you had time to think about and actively lay down your bike you had time to release your brakes.
This is a good example of why we should all practice emergency stops, even in incliment weather.
I understand what both parties are saying.
but!
as it happens so fast, I think it is hard to tell ones self they are better to hit an object head on ather than lay the bike down (which is a natural survival instinct).
Thats why as Alfasaid, you need to practice practice practice till it becomes second nature, so when presented with a situation like this, you don't react on instinct, but on trained process.
Quote from: Mr.7 on September 20, 2006, 06:46:27 PM
I don't think we won't be able to fully comment on this accident since we didn't see it. Mabye bailing was the only choice he had
actually, it never should be a choice. bailing means you've resigned yourself to a collision. always stay on the brakes as long as possible. it IS the best solution, and "laying it down" isnt really a valid option.
Sometimes "choosing" to lay the bike down is a result of overdosed rear brake.
I practice to press rear brake at a constant force, which doesn't depend how much front brake is used. Also i practice to turn a little bit while braking hard. It helps if you need couple of feet to the side in 15 yard stopping range to avoid the crash.
Hey everybody, LAY THE FU*K OFF :flipoff:
He crashed his bike, let's have a little sympathy for the guy and thank god he's alright. In an accident hopefully we learn something but it dosen't do pumpkin head any good for us all to criticise him when we weren't there.
So sorry man, that really sucks. I hope you get that dumb b*tch to buy you a brand new bike, as well as cover your medical expenses, car rental, and buy you all new gear.
Really stick it to her :flipoff:
Ride safe :cheers:
so what was the injury count?
I was in the same situation. Laid her down as well (and proceeded to finish a 5000 mile round trip around Germany; 't wasn't all that bad).
Never pretended it was intentional. It's just what happens to an inexperienced rider in an emergency stop in the wet.
Nobody wants to lay down a bike. Nobody wants to crash. Nobody wants poor drivers to make the road more unsafe for those of us on 2 wheels. We're here to give advice, console, ridicule, critique, rebuild, and patch up. Good job on not getting yourself killed. Sounds like it could have been much worse. I have some stock handle bars for free if you need them. I'll cover shipping if you do. Thanks for sharing your story and giving us all a heads up to be safe and ride like everyone is out to get us.
Quote from: Jarrett on September 21, 2006, 12:37:23 AM
Nobody wants to lay down a bike. Nobody wants to crash. ... Thanks for sharing your story and giving us all a heads up to be safe and ride like everyone is out to get us.
Jarrett: You're going to be another voice of reason on this board, and I absolutely welcome that! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :thumb:
babypumpkinhead: Glad you're here to tell us the tale and help others not make the same mistakes. What sort of gear were you wearing? How's the body? Ok, I hope. You're braver than I. I don't think I rode in wet conditions for many moons after I started riding. Be safe out there, and.....
to paraphrase RVertigo: NO MORE CRASHING! NONE!! :kiss3:
Thanks to all that didn't critisize my split second decision, thankfully some appreciate the fact that I am here to tell the tale. For those of you who didn't recognize that and jumped down my throat about which brakes I used and how I didn't swerve into the car next to me........well.......... :flipoff:
The latest estimate on the bike was $5200, needless to say, it's totalled. :bowdown:
I suffered a compound leg fracture(both shin bones broke and came through the skin). I had 2 blood clots, bruised ribs, and black and blue on my stomach, lower back, and both legs. No head injuries. I just started walking again last Friday, the accident happened on 8/28. I now have a titanium rod and 4 screws in my leg that will be there forever. Blood clots are gone but I have to be monitored for 6 months, physical therapy starts tomorrow to get movement back in my knee and ankle as I can't currebtly move them much. :mad:
I wanted to post some pics, but call me stupid, I wasn't able to. When I click on "attach image" I don't get a browse option? Am I missing something??? :dunno_white:
Wow, that sounds like a major owie :cry: but better broken than dead. I'm suprised/glad that you aren't scared off from riding. Glad you're recovering and I hope the physical therapy helps and you make a full recovery. I hope the drugs are good, and if you have any extra..... :laugh: no I'm sure you need all you can get.
Take care man :kiss3: :cheers:
Wow!
by your initial post it sounded like you got off easily. Now we know you didn't!
Mate, sounds like you were a lucky fella!
So were the nurses kind to you?
Wow from your previous posts I had no idea the damage to your body & bike was that serious!
well, I'm glad you made it in one piece!
to post pics you will need to upload the image to a web host like www.photobucket.com
then click to view the picture as its full size on photobucket. right click the picture and go to properties. a window will come up, & hilight the address (URL) of the photo & copy it. then click the insert picture option in the reply on this website and this will come up:
(//) click between the ][ and right-click & paste. that should do it. if you have a bunch of pictures it's best to just post a link to your photobucket page than post a bunch of pics here. I say this because a lot of people on this site have stuff crammed up their....
well they'll complain... :icon_mrgreen:
you live & you learn; definitly get back on to a bike as soon as you can; sometimes this happens to people & they never ride again. Kudos for keeping a good attitude; maybe it's the painkillers? :laugh:. & dont get upset at people's need to point out exactly what you did wrong. some think they know everything about everything from taking the MSF & hanging out too much in motorcycle forums, except whin this happens to anybody there is no telling one's natural reactions & how the situation will unfold.
& get another GS! :cheers:
Yoooouuuuuuch!!!!!! ??? Dayim! Heal up! I'm betting P.T. is gonna be a beeeatch. :o
It takes courage to post about your ordeal. It also takes courage to learn from it and accept constructive advice. Ignore the know-it-alls, and learn from the wisdom here. We can ALL learn from the wisdom posted in the aftermath of getoffs.
Did you have gear failure, or lack of gear? Nope, I'm not asking to be critical. I like to know how gear holds up (or doesn't) when crash tested, and I like to know whether someone was seriously injured in spite of good gear or in part due to lack of it. :cry:
Looking back on the accident, what have you learned that you think might help the rest of us?
Glad you survived. What did you learn?
Thanks for the support everyone. :kiss3:
I was actually just wearing my work shirt(polo), Old Navy Cords, and skate shoes, and a vinyl windbreaker. No helmet, go ahead, let me have it!!! :2guns:
I think you learned more here than anyone could possibly teach you, and it was a hard lesson. So what gear are you GOING to wear when you're able to ride again? ;)
I probably won't change any gear I was wearing, with the exception of a decent jacket as the temps get cooler in hese parts. I'm a former ATV rider and a current snowmobiler, so I enjoy cool riding. I hope to ride into November, or until the flakes fall, whichever comes first!!!!!!!
I think I did learn that no matter how much you slow down in any type of whether, some accidents cannot be avoided, like this one, as much as many on this site think it was, they weren't there to validate their "theory". Judging by the details of the incident, I feel I made he right decision by laying the bike down. There was no other way to go, the street this happened on is the busiest, most hectic street in Milwaukee County.
Here's link to my photobucket album. There pics of me and the bike in there. The second pic of the bike actual shows where the frame was bent. The bracket that the footpeg attaches to appears to be bent, but it's not, we took the bracket and peg off and they are perfectly straight, however, the frame where it attaches to it bent, and the bolt holes are oblonged.
http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m281/jaseel/
Quote from: babypumpkinhead on September 21, 2006, 10:27:10 AM
I probably won't change any gear I was wearing, with the exception of a decent jacket as the temps get cooler in hese parts.
Are you f%$king kidding me? Ok, I wasn't gonna flame over how laying the bike down is a bad decision. (It is, but I'm not gonna harp). But you're seriously telling me that after this much damage to your body, you're not gonna wear MC boots, gloves, helmet, and a jacket? Man. That's f%$king stupid. You just said not all accidents are avoidable (which I more or less agree with. Given proper following distance, you can stop before you run into the back somone. If you hit them, you didn't have proper following distance. However, there are idiots out there who will rear end, tbone, sideswipe you, etc, and those I feel are mostly unavoidable.) But the fact that you admit that there is a possibility that something like this will happen to you again.. and yet you're not gonna buy gear. Man, that just rings dumb to me. Anyone else?
And yes, I know I will get flamed for this post. I might get "talked to" (i.e., threatened rather heavy handedly) again. But whatever. Cuz that's dumb.
/rant
*dons flame suit*
I appreciate your concern, but no boot would have stopped my leg from breaking(trust me!!!), in fact it may have wrecked my knee instead, hich doctors say would have been worse. Yeah I had some road rash, but barely enough to draw any blood, actually didn't even require bandages. When you run into a solid object such as a car at 30MPH, what jacket is going to prevent bruised ribs? :cookoo:
Seriously guys, I'm trying to be a team player here. If you ask me a question like what kind of gear I was/will be wearing, I'm going to be honst with you, and I was, but posts like this are pushing away from being social and sharing my experiences. Seriously, grow up. Even my own mother didn't give me that much crap about gear. :nono:
Later............. :icon_rolleyes:
Come on, at least get a helmet. It's $100 for a decent one, and it keeps your face warm too. Are those kids yours too? You'd hate to leave them growing up without a daddy.
Okay, I wont preach, but don't prove Darwin right.
They are not my kids, but thanks.
I have a helmet, and I wear it on the freeway or long drives, but in all honesty, I don't feel like I'm riding a cycle when I'm wearing it. I enjoy the ride more without it, and if that means that someday I will be dead instead of being a vegetable, then so be it. That's my choice.
I'm done with this topic. What started out as a cooperative information exchange is now a bashing session. Either many of the users on this site aren't old enough to ride, or they just act like it. My apologies to those of you who were mature enough to hold a conversation.
Quote from: babypumpkinhead on September 21, 2006, 11:31:21 AM
I enjoy the ride more without it, and if that means that someday I will be dead instead of being a vegetable, then so be it. That's my choice.
What about being perfectly okay vs. being EITHER a vegetable or dead? That's what a helmet can do for you.
No bashing intended though, just a friendly observation, and I think everyone else who's recommending you get gear is doing it for the same reason.
But as you said, it's YOUR choice, and glad you're okay! :thumb:
My grandfather smoked for 40 years and never got lung cancer. Good for him. Some folks don't wear helmets and never have an accident after years of riding. Good for them. My luck isn't that good. I don't win scratch offs, I don't have any rich old women beating down my door, and the IRS is always looking further into my meager income. It's all about ORM, Operation Risk Management. If it's not worth the risk, don't do it. Pretty simple. This guys has a major accident and still doesn't think helmets are needed for short rides. Aint nothing we can say gonna change his mind. it's not like he's never been down and busted up in the hospital. He knows what the pavement feels like.
Quote from: babypumpkinhead on September 21, 2006, 11:21:41 AM
I appreciate your concern, but no boot would have stopped my leg from breaking(trust me!!!), in fact it may have wrecked my knee instead, hich doctors say would have been worse. Yeah I had some road rash, but barely enough to draw any blood, actually didn't even require bandages. When you run into a solid object such as a car at 30MPH, what jacket is going to prevent bruised ribs? :cookoo:
Seriously guys, I'm trying to be a team player here. If you ask me a question like what kind of gear I was/will be wearing, I'm going to be honst with you, and I was, but posts like this are pushing away from being social and sharing my experiences. Seriously, grow up. Even my own mother didn't give me that much crap about gear. :nono:
Later............. :icon_rolleyes:
I understand no boot would have stopped you from breaking your leg. How would it have made your knee worse? As for running into a solid object.. I ran my bike into the back of a car at roughly 30+mph a month ago. I flipped over the handlebars, landed on my back/ass and slid. The jacket saved my hide. The armor saved me from all but one bruise, and no roadrash. As for "growing up" or being "not old enough to ride"... Well, I'm probably a good bit younger than you. But at least I have a little bit of self preservation instinct. Riding is dangerous. I accept that. I even ride a little dangerously. But I dress for the crash. As for your observation that you wear your helmet on long rides.. ever hear the statistic that most accidents occur within close proximity to your home (roughly 5 miles)?
Man, I'm not trying to stop you from being social. I'm trying stop you from being dead.
Wow... I don't think I've ever heard of someone that crashed and still refused to wear gear.
Gotta be a first. :dunno_white:
Without a helmet, a low-side is probably better than a high-side or smacking into the side of the car head first... :dunno_white:
My last words are only that every situation is totally different from another. Bottom line being, nobody has any right to tell me what would have made things better or worse for me except myself. I was there, I saw it coming, I saw it happen, and I saw the result, NONE OF YOU did that, none!!!!!! Not even an eyewitness could give me advice on an accident, they weren't the one in control.
Keep bashing away, you are your own audience.
I wasn't trying to bash dude... I was just surprised that you don't want to wear gear after an accident... That's all really.
I'm not one to bash (any more)... I just thought it was odd that you still don't want to wear gear after an accident... But, I always wear my helmet and my seat belt, so I guess I just have a different point of view. :dunno_white:
I wear my seatbelt too.
But it's my opinion that you can get hit by a car crossing the street, struck by lightning in a storm, be in a plane crash flying somewhere, or simply get malled in a car accident going to the grocery store. Bad things can happen to anyone, anywhere, and anytime. Maybe I should start wearing a helmet and kneepads when I go to my mailbox to get the mail?
Quote from: babypumpkinhead on September 21, 2006, 01:23:43 PM
I wear my seatbelt too.
But it's my opinion that you can get hit by a car crossing the street, struck by lightning in a storm, be in a plane crash flying somewhere, or simply get malled in a car accident going to the grocery store. Bad things can happen to anyone, anywhere, and anytime. Maybe I should start wearing a helmet and kneepads when I go to my mailbox to get the mail?
Ok. So, by your logic, I might as well walk across the interstate here in Atlanta without looking. Because hey, I could get hit by a car. Or I might as well not look at the cars before I try to cross a street. Risk is inherent in the sport or riding a motorcycle, or hell, just in breathing. After all, life is always terminal. BUUUUUUT... I take measures to reduce the risk to myself. I look both ways before crossing a road. I don't try to run across 75. I don't run with scissors (ok, yeah, maybe I do sometimes.. it's kind of a rush! :laugh:)
soo..
BASH BASH BASH
BASH
I don't even see this as bashing. I honestly don't understand your thought process. But whatever. That's the beauty of life. (It's wasted on the living)
Sorry to hear about the accident. Glad you seem to be recovering well. look on the bright side, the titanium leg will be harder to break next time, gear or not.
Quote from: babypumpkinhead on September 21, 2006, 01:23:43 PMBad things can happen to anyone, anywhere, and anytime.
I agree... I could die in my sleep or any other way... If I was trying to live forever, I wouldn't smoke and I'd never ride my bike or drive a car... But, I try to be safe when I'm having fun.
I didn't used to turn off the power when I replaced sockets... One time I got my ass shocked to high heaven... And now I turn the power off.
I used to walk up to strange dogs and get all in their face for a kiss... Until one bit my face... Now I don't do that.
I could go on, but I know you know what I mean... Once bitten, twice shy. It's
your head, I just thought that people would get over that "It couldn't happen to me" syndrome after an accident.
Riding without gear is like f%$king the local my mama without a condom... And stunting without gear is like f%$king a drrty hooker without a condom... People do it, but I don't know why. :dunno_white:
It's because they are slow. Natural selection comes to mind.
Quote from: Jarrett on September 21, 2006, 01:34:00 PMNatural selection
Yeah... I guess that's why the AIDS epidemic continues... :dunno_white:
Denial or something... :cookoo:
Oh well... I'm not gonna convince babypumpkinhead to wear gear... So... I'm outta here.
Aaahhhhh....................Silence at last....... :laugh:
These people need hobbies.................... :cookoo:
Thanks to all those with a positive, supportive attitude. :cheers: Try to talk to you on a more positive thread, hopefully some of these nancy boys and a$$ clowns will focus on jerking off to Justin Timberlake videos instead of blowing up the forum with meaningless advice on subjects they can't even relate to!!!!! :icon_mrgreen:
Quote from: babypumpkinhead on September 21, 2006, 02:08:45 PMjerking off to Justin Timberlake videos
Were you in my house this morning? ???
Oh wait... I wasn't going to post in this any more... :oops: OK last one...
Maybe
all I can say is that i'm a amazed at baby's logic :icon_confused:
oh well, to each its own.
Some of us learn faster; some of us learn slower. Some of us never learn. I feel funny even riding without my gloves (sometimes I'll pull away and realize I've not put my gloves on...feels too weird, so I have to stop and pull them on). My way is the gear way. I hope I never have to crash test any of it. Conversely, I see many riders in our parts, and their helmet is their only gear. I don't look down on them; I send a prayer up to the Motocycle Goddesses that they NEVER have to find out how it feels to have gravel scrubbed out of their skin by an unsympathetic nurse...and that their loved ones never have to feel the pain of losing them or hoping that they survive....or helping them with their recovery.
When I see someone pass me on the freeway at a good clip (and I'm no slouch when I'm commuting), I hope that I'm not going to have to help hold the pieces together until the medics arrive when I get further down the road. But I will, whether they're wearing gear, not wearing gear, nekkid, whatever.
I guess it's within the motorcycling community that I'm *least* judgmental. I wave at all who ride, whether they're on cruisers, sportbikes, wearing gear, not wearing gear, nekkid, faired, gals, guys, doin' silly thangs... I wish I were so unjudgmental in ALL areas of my life. :laugh:
Maybe I'm just getting older and wiser. :P
Or maybe I'm just getting old. :flipoff:
my friend, i will tell you right now. in the past year on my gs500f i have done the following
20,000 miles. 3 drops, and one major wreck.
i wear my gear at all times, my arm would have snaped like a twig with out my reinforced jacket. my legs would have also been broken with out my boots.
now every one has there right to do what they will. thats your right. but please man for you self when you able to ride again, go and take the msf course and then any other course they may offer. and a big plus is that you will save $$$ a year by doing this.
also if you had these boots on
your shins would be fine. there are other types out there as well.
(http://www.cyclegear.com/images/s-mx-plus-black_410x410.jpg)
this is what i wear every day
light weight, quite, and clean
(http://www.cyclegear.com/images/StreetHelmets/arai%20corsair%20race%20black_410x410.jpg)
this but in yellow, one twistys the whole thing, but normaly icon riding paints or frank T mesh paints
(http://www.cyclegear.com/images/ftl218219b_410x868.jpg)
(http://www.cyclegear.com/images/ft%20aqua%20pro%20sport%20boot_310x406.jpg)
and FT gontalnt gloves.
now i hope that you get a good penny on all this. now please use it toward this stuff, and your next bike. let the good times roll man and you can only enjoy life if you alive long enough to do it
Dear Pumpkinhead,
I feel really bad for what you've been though. 2 months ago I suffered a 40 mph lowside that, luckily, I was able to walk away from. However, it is my opinion that you are being foolish by refusing to accept the possiblity that gear might be a good idea in the future. AS you describe it, your crash was one of those 1 in a thousand where the gear didn't matter at all. I can't condemn you for thinking it wasn't useful at the time, but there are more statistics than I can dream of which prove that in most accidents, proper gear prevents injuries. I can almost promise you that you got lucky in this accident, if you have another you are exceedingly likely to scrape off skin or the bone of your skull. If you don't realize the danger in motorcycling, I have to say that you deserve the injuries you get from lack of equipment. It is unfortunate that forum members have no way of tracking which people they give advice to who end up ignoring it and killing/ maiming themselves. Since it seems like you are on your way out, let me say this- Please wear gear, in the future it will most likely help. 2)- please be careful. I dislike your attitude but I still hate to see bikers die, and your attitude towards gear, especially helmets, makes me think you are well on the road to a fatal head injury. Please don't die, and please use at helmet at the very least. Lighting may not strike twice, but you never know if your guardian angel has the day off.
PS I just checked your photos- your license had only been applied for when you crashed? I can f%$king guarantee that your next one will be worse. You might as well go buy a Hayabusa, since you're dead anyway you might as well enjoy your remaining moments.
Man chill with the gear comments!! Anyway...I was looking at your city: Racine.
That is pretty cool, My parents were born and raised in Racine, WI.
Don't know if you know any Chavez' or Alvarez' in town. Its a small world.
Hmm Raanger brown must shop at cycle gear :flipoff: I have the same jacket in silver and the pants in all black, I like em alot...
Ahem *sound of clearing throat* I wear gear when I ride so that getting that out of the way I see it like this. Helmet law's...should be a decision. I choose to wear mine, fact of the matter is a 5mph get off can kill you if your head strikes concrete. Saw it happen to a friend about 18 years ago he was gonna be cool and hood slide across a car went completely over the hood smacked his head on the curb DOA.
Everything else it's kinda like this, fella pulls up at a gas station where some of us are meeting for a group ride, got a lid on wearing jeans a t-shirt sneakers and gloves. Fella I'm riding with has had recent surgery so he hasn't been out in a while wearing all his gear myself and the other fella were wearing jackets, jeans, boots, gloves and of course lids. The consensus was if he was there to meet up for the ride he would be asked not to accompany us. Met a lot of really good riders in my time, you might be that good but if you're not I don't want to see the aftermath of it. So by all means feel free not to wear gear when you ride.
Glad you survived and heal up quick brother.
HELL I WORK THERE!! :thumb:
Crap Ranger I thought you did something aviation industry related. I aint been around this board much since I got the 954 Cool avatar picking the front up. Have you changed gear ratios on the 500? Done anything on the turbo project yet?
OK back on topic I guess I bought the FT pants since I was getting the new bike and just knew I was gonna be tempted to try pushing the new bike before I got familiar with it. Thankfully I still remember how to ride and handle a liter bike just kinda rusty, decided I liked the pants so much I just bought the strike jacket yesterday plus they zip together so ta da instatnt 2 piece track suit. The new bike came with race skins so I wont trash my street plastics in a get off and now I got race skin too.
That's something else to consider Pumpkin, with all the tracks around the states lotsa people are doing track day events lotsa go fast fun gonna do a few next year, you dont have to worry about cars your speedometer or cops and you have to have gear to go fast on a track...........wannna know why? because it works.
yea i have more than one job ha ha ha.
turbo is in holding till winter,
gear ratio is now 14f and stock rear, but may be changeing it a little like a 74 alum for some stunting pratice lol
74 :o
i know right. i am such a squid