Got left turned. Always wear your gear!!

Alright kids... it's lecture time! Consider this a shout-out to my gear and a warning to those who don't wear any!

I got "left turned" over the weekend. Collided with the front end of a 2003 Chevy work van (totally his fault) and tumbled over the bars and off of his hood. My foot got pinched between the bike and van and I have some other joint pains but overall, this does not seem as bad as it could have been. I don't have a single visible issue aside from a little foot swelling. Disclaimer; I do have some joint pain here and there and will be getting it looked at by an orthopedic professional ASAP.

ALWAYS WEAR YOUR GEAR. IF YOU DON'T HAVE PADDED RIDING PANTS AND GOOD BOOTS, BUY SOME AND WEAR THEM ALWAYS.

Only dipshits ride around in plain old jeans and tennis shoes. Your jacket and helmet are not enough!!! If good gear seems too expensive, you should probably re-consider your hobbies or your ownership of a fancy Italian bike.

I was rocking:

- Decent Arai Helmet
- Fully padded leather jacket - Roland Sands with good stitching
- BMW city pants (padded and tough as nails)
- Red Wing boots (not specifically for motorcycling but thick, tough-*** boots none-the-less) put it this way, I haven't seen many riding boots that look more durable, short of the "captain kirk" racing boots people wear on the track.
- Well stitched and padded leather gloves - don't recall the brand off-hand.

All of the above sustained some minimal visible damage but frankly it is barely noticeable. Aside from replacing the helmet, all other pieces I would absolutely retain and wear again to ride with.

The doc at the ER said there was another fellow a few rooms over who was in a similar incident who is basically a vegetable right now because all he was wearing was a t shirt and sunglasses. Apples and Oranges in a way...

The More You Know...

Thanks fellas.

The bike has seen better days. Lots of little scratches all over but I think it'll be rideable with some new bars/risers/shift & brake foot pegs.

Is anyone parting one out!?

I'm hoping it's totalled due to the cosmetics and I can buy it back and retain it as more of a beater.

I was heading East off the bridge at 8th/Mariposa.

The bike is over at Erico now, waiting to hear back on the estimate... And weighing the Multistrada vs Super Tenere vs Africa Twin vs 800 GS vs Tiger.

The HS has been a lot of fun and will make a great town beater but it's never been good off road

Hyp Noob said:

You're so lucky to not have sustained more serious injury! Left turners are the #1 MC killer. I read a Nick Ienatsch piece years ago about doing a little swerve as you approach a left turner ... or really anyone about to pull into the road in front of you. The little swerve really does HELP. Gets you noticed!

The bike becomes chump change once you consider medical costs, recovery time and possible long term disability.

I had a bad one in '97. Hit Armco barrier, compound Tib/Fib, continued on over
rail, fell 200 ft. (as measured by CHP) onto boulder creek bed. Somehow I survived with the compound, 4 broken ribs, mild concussion, minor ankle break. All toll cost just $220K back then. Today? Pros tell me ... 1 million.
How good is your insurance? (note to add, I had 2 major surgeries that were botched ... so added to the cost substantially)

6 operations and 2 years later .... almost good as new!

The Red Wing boots are great work boots ... but don't give adequate Tibia protection. Since I have a Titanium plate in both legs, so I take care in this area.

The Red Wings offer OK ankle, foot protection but your Tibia is left unprotected. Very common break for MC riders. Just a heads up.

Bikes are cheap compared to broken body parts and hospital time.

Click to expand...

I hear ya man.

Honestly, I'm weighing an STi or Miata against ever riding again too.