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.   

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.

WORST!

I think I would have filed an accident report...  If she was that inattentive, she's probably done similar things to other people.   

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.   

+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!        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.

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!

Glad you're alright, though bummer about not getting her information.

And macho... you mean arrogant  ? Ahh, you're a lawyer, it comes with the territory I guess. As does alcoholism, so my sister tells me!