did it go up under or did you have your sheild open? I've been using a NOJ Quiet rider for approx 8 years for a bee sting allergy. Actually on my second one since i got a new helmet. Would have more than paid for itself in this case huh?

 

I am fine, just a little sore, just amazed at how well my gear performed. My Suomy helmet took the brunt of the impact, and I will be replacing that. Thanks for all the good-will and positive comments, this is an awesome forum.

 

As Homer would say "DOH!"

 

You're are correct that not every rider will crash, but since we are the most vulnerable vehicles on roads biased toward larger vehicles in terms repair methods and debris, there is a high probability that we will crash. Add to this animals and other hazards that seldom cause injuries to occupants of larger vehicles that wreak havoc for motorcyclists.

You're also doing a good thing by checking your skills and your equipment religiously. However, we all ride for different reasons and consequently in different ways. While a rider who stays conservative(below 75% say) may get by unscathed, someone else who typically rides over this % is at significantly greater risk for what you call an incident, and I fall into the latter category. I ride to the beat of my own drum, i.e., aggression with discretion or something akin to what Keith Code once referred to as one who is willing to take calculated risks, so i expect that I am a good candidate for crashes. If I thought otherwise, i would be deluding myself and unaware of reality. I know what the risks are, and I'm willing to take them for the rush, much like skydivers, cliff climbers, or others who engage in life threatening pursuits.

 

Many years ago i had a wasp fly through the side window of my 74 Nova and sting me in the frigging eye of all places. Result i went in the ditch and broke the car up pretty good. So I have sympathy for your plight. Like i did, you fix your ride and it will just be a story to tell in the future. Really glad your OK.

 

so far this is the most legitimate crash of "not my fault". I guess one could argue to keep the shield down, noj'd helmet, and all, but I know I have lifted my shield to vent and got bugged. Tough break, good luck on finding the parts to fix it.

 

Yeah and i lifted my shield a block from the house and caught a bat which lodged between the shield and helmet and then fell between me and the tank. Fortunately the bat lived. hahahaha. Weird **** huh.

 

Risk is inherent in life by matters of degree. We as motorcyclists accept risk on a higher level than the norm.

I have taken more than my fare share of "unnecessary" risks while working (I hang off of buildings and towers as part of my job), rock climbing, hang gliding, flying planes and sailplanes, parachuting, crossing a street and of course motorcycling.

Some might say it is statistically inevitable that a motorcyclist will crash based on the law of averages. On the other hand, surviving risky experiences should minimize repeating mistakes you have made or observed others make, and thus partially offset the law of averages.

And then again, life is a matter of fractions of an inch and/or seconds; i.e., being in the wrong or right place at the wrong or right time. The speed at which you do things also determines how much reaction time is available to react. Which IS NOT to say speed kills. Stupidity does.

 

I am taking this as a huge opportunity to learn, and work harder at becoming a better rider. A majority of my rides, are in the Mt's, at about 75%, I have also taken MSF, and MSF advanced riders courses. I cannot afford mistakes in the High Country, seeing how there is little room for error. It seems that everytime I throw a leg over the S.H., I work hard at following my lines, running the Pace, a comfortable, yet Semi-aggresive riding style. I feel that I lost sight, even for a split second, of the nature of riding, preparing yourself mentally for any and every obstacle we encouter. Thats one of the reasons I started the thread, to share my slice of experience, and promote discussion on the topic of safety. All the input, and different points of view, can benifit all of us as riders. If certain things, help people prepare for a riding season, this is a great format to share it, and I enjoy learning something new everyday, because we all want to be better riders.

 

+10 I believe that too many focus on the bike, too little on their riding. let me say that your psychological state needs to be free from extraneous issues, anxiety, and conflicts if you want to be clearly focused on your riding. In other words, don't ride until you have your **** together. Also, even with a clear head, it's equally important to have a relaxed calmness in order to be able to think/react quickly to whatever presents itself, to be able to finess the controls, and to be sensitive to what the chassis/tires are telling you at any given moment. The info and links on the thread below can significantly enhance your skills if you are diligent enough to practice them to proficiency.

https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...=trail+braking