Flashpoint

I just want to say thanks for all of the support that's been pouring out of the community: So far I've received donations of a left exhaust canister w/ gasket and a left mirror, a couple of offers of help fixing the GSXR, and a whole lot of well wishes from everyone I talk to. It means a lot to me that this is such a tight community that everyone comes together to help out a fellow rider, and this is the reason I joined the forum here in the first place. to everyone.

That said - I am forcing myself to be realistic about what happened. Everyone knows what a dangerous sport we are involved in. It doesn't help matters when you're riding well outside the boundaries of what would normally be considered "safe riding", especially on the street. I found myself in a situation where I was pushing myself to ride faster in the curves because I believed, to a point, that I am expected to. While the road was not nearly as bad as some of the other roads I've ridden, it certainly wasn't the well-groomed track asphalt nor the controlled evironment that my riding should have been reserved for. I went down because I was going too fast on a less than perfect public road. No more, no less.

Before anyone asks, I am definitely NOT getting off the bike. I am, however, going to make an adjustment to my riding style. I have always tried to be relatively intelligent about my choices of where and what kind of riding I'm going to be doing, and I welcome the opportunity to ride with anyone, with the exception of those riders who are determined to hurt either themselves or those around them. It's just time for me to slow it down a notch or two before I end up being one of those riders I can't stand to ride with. For me, that means I'm probably not going to be running at the front of the pack, for at least a little while. It also means I'm going to be a little more vocal about my opinions, starting right now.

WEAR YOUR GEAR - I firmly believe my helmet saved my life. Short of the helmet, I would probably be sitting in a hospital eating dinner through a straw (if not a needle in my arm), rather than sitting here typing this. Not to mention the fact that I'd much rather spend $250 on a decent riding jacket, than $15,000 at the hospital for the doctor to transplant skin from my ass to my back, chest, or shoulders. I know it isn't the law that you have to wear a helmet. I'm actually against the idea of the State telling me I have to. That doesn't mean you're not an idiot if you don't. Do you honestly think your head can stand up to this?

RideMaster

Steve - thanks for that post. That's exactly what a LOT of people need to hear. I only hope they'll listen.

bigsexyr6

i am just glad your ok!!! and everyone .. come on look at that helmet, that can happen if your going 5-200mph.. it doesnt matter how cool you look when skin meets roadway, wear your gear!!!!

busa

nicely said, now we just have to follow the advice, we know how hard that is, but I have been riding a while and I know what my safe riding level is, some people it takes a crash to find out, I hope others never find out!

Tanman

Well said Steve. I think we all at some time fall victim to the same "need for speed". I understand that we need to push it a little past our comfort zone to get better but that's a fine line between getting better and riding beyond our limits. Just take it slow and make gradual changes when you learn new things to improve yourself. Don't always try to be the fastest just try to ride smart and have fun.

I think you need a new helmet Steve. Looks cracked.

CBR King

That took a lot of humility and swallowed pride to make this post and i envy you for it


i thank you greatly for your open opinion

CBRF2Old

Great post Steve!

Hozhead

I'll add to this with a similar incident of my own.

Last summer, as I became a more competent rider both on the street and on the track, I started riding faster and harder wherever I went. I too felt like I was either expected to be up front and pushing it and at other times, I just let my ego take charge and didn't want to see anyone else running faster/better than me.

On a nice enjoyable ride through Lowman (a ride I made at least every other week, sometimes twice a week) in the fall, as we were crossing the mountain between Lowman and Idaho City, I looked back to see that Brian was keeping up with me. Not wanting to accept that anyone could keep up, I decided to push a bit more and the next thing you know, I'm dragging my knee through a left hand turn with what was essentially a cliff to the right side.

The corner tightened up and, with me already having the bike near full lean, I wasn't left with anywhere to go. Luckily, I was able to stand it up and ride the gravel in the narrow shoulder while scrubbing off a bit of speed before low siding.
Full leathers, riding boots, gloves and a good helmet, along with a lot of luck, kept me from being injured though my bike sufferred a bit for it.

I got up and rode home that day since then have backed off on the street and just let the "faster" riders go on ahead and do what they will. I'm still tempted to ride up front (even on my SuperMoto) but realize that there's just nothing to prove and absolutely nothing to gain though there is a LOT to loose.

I still enjoy a spirited ride but keeping at or below 80% of your ability and realizing when 80% of your ability is still more than is called for on a given road at a given time, is something that I'm trying to keep in mind on every ride.

Tanman

That's ironic Dave because on that ride I felt obligated to keep up with you since I was on a bigger and newer bike and didn't want to get shown up by the Mighty. It was pride and I was lucky that I didn't fall too. Although I felt I was riding within my limits I was definately pushing it hard. At the same time I don't get to go on very many of the group rides so when I do I want it to be fast and furious cuz I really have fun doing it. The thrill and temptation of riding these bikes at high speed, high rpm's and fast corners just gets my blood pumping.

Matt

Thanks man! It is definately not worth dying over trying to look cool or just being prideful. I liked what Hozhead said about riding within about 80% of your ability, and realizing that 80% is still way more than the public roads can handle. And gear is so so important!! It also gets my blood boiling to get the RPMs up there and take corners at full lean, but I think it is important to take into account all of the hazards on the road, and the hazardous road surfaces themselves. All it takes is one little rock, or a little gravel...

celeste

just one riding jacket? but, they come in so many different colors and styles now. and then you have to buy matching boots, and gloves, and then there are the pants :)

I want to spend the whole $15,000 on riding gear.

Hozhead

At the moment, I have three sets of leathers:
- a one piece thats a bit small but works in a pinch (literally!)
- A red/black two piece Frank Thomas set that I use on the track. I had two inches taken from the knee area to get the knee pads and sliders in the right area for sport bike riding and dragging knees.
- A silver/black two piece Frank Thomas set that I wear on the Supermoto. This set is a size larger than the others and offer extra room for relaxed movement and SM style.

One Joe Rocket textile "Meteor 4.0" jacket with removable full liner for colder weather (though I'm dumb enough to wear my perf'ed leather lately).

One First Gear mesh jacket for blistering hot days and it only gets worn on short, slow rides around town for errands. The perforated leather jackets are great in the summer heat if I'm moving at least a bit.

Two pairs of boots:
- Gaerne road racing boots.
- Sidi dirt/SM boots with replaceable soles and a set of SM soles for dragging.

Three pairs of gloves full gauntlet, full leather gloves.
I also have a pair of leather/mesh Icon gloves that have been relegated to Mt. Bike use or the occasional one mile trip to the gas station.

Four helmets:
- 2 IDENTICAL HJC AC-12 helmets. One is dinged up from rolling off the crash truck at MMP (crap driver!) and the other is brand new and has been worn TWICE as of today.
- 1 HJC CL-14 helmet currently being used by a friend.
- 1 HJC dirt bike helmet of which I cannot remember the model number. I also have goggles to go with that helmet.

I'm currently also looking to get a pair of textile over-pants for commuting purposes.

djshwilly

More of the same from me. 2 wrecks 4 weeks ..... First one was caused by equiptment i didnt properly check. Bought a ninja last year and rode it for a few months all was well till i got real low in a corner doing about 30-35. The throttle cable was mis routed causing my bike to comtinue accelerating into an intersection. A blind intersection with no stop signs. Not good. To not get hit by a car i had to lock the brakes up.. long story short , back end slid out sideways and i went down hard. Wear your gear! I walked away with a fractured wrist and some missing skin. Round 2 a month later "after i had fixed my bike" i was heading down cole at night at 35mph when an unattentive young lady rolled through a stop sign and totalled my bike once and for all. Walked away again. First one was my fault second was hers neither felt good. WEAR YOUR GEAR

Be safe out there

theduckllr

Threads like this force man to invent the PACE ride. I certainly hope this is the last of these, but we all know better. Have a safe year guys (and gals)!!