My crashed Ninja

[Rogue Hawk]

It happen in late September. It started raining and the temperature dropped fast. The street looked like glass. So I was turning through an intersection when the rear wheel started skidding. The traction control kicked and and set the bike upright. The problem with that is then my turn was too wide. I hit a curb and went flying. I broke four ribs and my ankle. MC jackets don't have rib protection. But it did save me from a broken arm. I had upgraded the elbow armor to level 2 Force Field. I also did not break my knee because I was wearing Dianese shin\knee guards. There was a huge gash on my visor. If I was wearing an open face helmet my face would be gone now. If I was not wearing an helmet, like so many HD riders in Illinois do, I would not be writing this.


The bike got the worst of it and was totaled.

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[Grandpot]

Let's be grateful you are still here to tell us about it. Get well soon.

[Bob Denman]

Sorry to hear about the bike: glad that you survived to tell the story!

[ARtraveler]

x 2

[Chupaca]

Wearing the right gear is major ... glad you had good protection and the damage was not critical... to you that is can't help the bike

[UtahPete]

It happen in late September. It started raining and the temperature dropped fast. The street looked like glass. So I was turning through an intersection when the rear wheel started skidding. The traction control kicked and and set the bike upright. The problem with that is then my turn was too wide. I hit a curb and went flying. I broke four ribs and my ankle. MC jackets don't have rib protection. But it did save me from a broken arm. I had upgraded the elbow armor to level 2 Force Field. I also did not break my knee because I was wearing Dianese shin\knee guards. There was a huge gash on my visor. If I was wearing an open face helmet my face would be gone now. If I was not wearing an helmet, like so many HD riders in Illinois do, I would not be writing this.


The bike got the worst of it and was totaled.

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Did you learn anything from this experience?

[Saluda]

Get well soon.

[Rogue Hawk]

Thanks for the support, guys. I am pretty much healed up. So what did I learn? Well, when I went at work the weather was fine. It turned ugly really fast just before I left. It was also not in the forecast for the day. So when I get a new two wheeler, I won't ride it to work. I will only take the Ryker. Also, I will avoid riding in the rain on two wheels in general. I also find I had a hole in my protection. My ribs are exposed. I was fortunate the bone did not puncture the lung, so it's a serious concern. So for the short term, I bought a stand alone back protector that has some rib protection. The long term solution is to buy a jacket with a built in air bag. Alpine Stars and Dianese have them.

Back protector
https://www.sportbiketrackgear.com/a...tor-black-red/

Dianese Air Bag
https://www.dainese.com/us/en/corporate/d-air/road/


Alpine Stars Air Bag
https://www.alpinestars.com/products/adventure-touring

[tibadoe]

Glad it wasn't any worse.

[wyliec]

Rogue Hawk,

First, I’ m glad that you are okay.

I have read most of your posts since you became a member. I believe in the past you have mentioned purchasing a back protector, chest protector, knee protectors, and elbow protectors, and one of those air bag jackets. I’m talking like earlier in the year when you mentioned those items, and I also remember you talking about high side crashes, and I thought you were kind of fixated on getting into an accident. Did you actually purchase all those items, or were you just thinking of purchasing at the time? In any case, like I said, I’m glad to hear you healed and are okay.

[Rogue Hawk]

Rogue Hawk,

First, I’ m glad that you are okay.

I have read most of your posts since you became a member. I believe in the past you have mentioned purchasing a back protector, chest protector, knee protectors, and elbow protectors, and one of those air bag jackets. I’m talking like earlier in the year when you mentioned those items, and I also remember you talking about high side crashes, and I thought you were kind of fixated on getting into an accident. Did you actually purchase all those items, or were you just thinking of purchasing at the time? In any case, like I said, I’m glad to hear you healed and are okay.

I was wearing all of it for the crash except the air bag vest. It's uncomfortable, it rides up and pushes against my neck. That is why I am looking at jackets with integrated air vests. For the jacket I was wearing, I upgraded the elbow, shoulder and back protector to CE level 2 and added a chest protector. It did save me from a broken arm. I landed arm first. I was also wearing a full faced helmet, race gloves, Dianese boots, Dianese shin\knee guards, and kevlar pants. I broke four ribs and got a hairline fracture to my ankle. I did not have rib protectors because I never heard anyone stress the need. But I will have it now with my new back protector.

[Bob Denman]

I like your research into the best safety gear: please keep us in the loop!

[UtahPete]

I was wearing all of it for the crash except the air bag vest. It's uncomfortable, it rides up and pushes against my neck. That is why I am looking at jackets with integrated air vests. For the jacket I was wearing, I upgraded the elbow, shoulder and back protector to CE level 2 and added a chest protector. It did save me from a broken arm. I landed arm first. I was also wearing a full faced helmet, race gloves, Dianese boots, Dianese shin\knee guards, and kevlar pants. I broke four ribs and got a hairline fracture to my ankle. I did not have rib protectors because I never heard anyone stress the need. But I will have it now with my new back protector.

Would you say that, except for the helmet, none of the other STANDARD protective gear most riders wear really protected your body from serious injury in this particular instance?

[Rogue Hawk]

Would you say that, except for the helmet, none of the other STANDARD protective gear most riders wear really protected your body from serious injury in this particular instance?

What most riders wear would only be good in a slow speed crash, like under 20 mph. I broke my ankle while wearing $400 race boots. Imagine anything less? The Force Field armor is made to a higher standard. FF only does protectors, nothing else. That is why I try to replace the stock stuff with it. It generally exceeds level 2. I had on FF elbow, shoulder and back protector. No injuries in those areas. I also wear shin\knee guards. I think I am the only one in the state of IL that does that. I did impact my knee. So no damage there.

[stmike 1800]

The amount of armor you wear you should get a tank .You say you will not ride in the rain ,good luck with that .

[bscrive]

Glad to hear that you are healing up well.

I see so many riders with minimal to no protection. I cringe when I see someone ride past with shorts, T-shirt and running shoes. These people have obviously been lucky to never had a crash on their bikes. I had one just after I got my first bike over 30 years ago. I always ride with full gear, but just because someone has full gear does not make them invincible. No amount of gear will make you as safe a you would be in a car. We do a dangerous sport and all we can do is try to minimize the danger. I have always told my wife to ride like the other drivers are trying to kill her.
Obviously, your accident was due to road conditions and riding a little more cautiously may have prevented the accident, but that is in the past. Don't try to load up on safety gear to give yourself a sense of security. It won't help you if you get run over by a truck. You just need to be more aware of the surrounding and conditions. The extra gear is always good though. As long as it does not hinder you.

[Rogue Hawk]

Glad to hear that you are healing up well.

I see so many riders with minimal to no protection. I cringe when I see someone ride past with shorts, T-shirt and running shoes. These people have obviously been lucky to never had a crash on their bikes. I had one just after I got my first bike over 30 years ago. I always ride with full gear, but just because someone has full gear does not make them invincible. No amount of gear will make you as safe a you would be in a car. We do a dangerous sport and all we can do is try to minimize the danger. I have always told my wife to ride like the other drivers are trying to kill her.
Obviously, your accident was due to road conditions and riding a little more cautiously may have prevented the accident, but that is in the past. Don't try to load up on safety gear to give yourself a sense of security. It won't help you if you get run over by a truck. You just need to be more aware of the surrounding and conditions. The extra gear is always good though. As long as it does not hinder you.

Oh, I am well aware gear won't protect 100%. Crash dynamics can happen in a million different ways. One can't prepare for all of them. I accept the risks. If someone does not have the balls to deal with that, then stay home or take up badminton.

[UtahPete]

The amount of armor you wear you should get a tank .You say you will not ride in the rain ,good luck with that .

He rides a 2-wheeler, where road rash protection is far more important than for Spyder riders, I believe.

As he states, normal protective gear is of little use in a 'crash' at any speed above 20 mph.

[wyliec]

Oh, I am well aware gear won't protect 100%. Crash dynamics can happen in a million different ways. One can't prepare for all of them. I accept the risks. If someone does not have the balls to deal with that, then stay home or take up badminton.

So, does this mean the more gear you wear, the smaller the balls you have? Excuse me, let me restate another way: The more gear you wear, the less you are willing to accept the risks, and once again, the smaller the balls you have.

[Rogue Hawk]

So, does this mean the more gear you wear, the smaller the balls you have? Excuse me, let me restate another way: The more gear you wear, the less you are willing to accept the risks, and once again, the smaller the balls you have.

I am talking about risk acceptance in general, not how much gear one wears.

[stmike 1800]

I have also road two wheeler for 50 years and never wore that amount of armor .Good boots,jacket gloves and leather pants or slider jeans .

[UtahPete]

So, does this mean the more gear you wear, the smaller the balls you have? Excuse me, let me restate another way: The more gear you wear, the less you are willing to accept the risks, and once again, the smaller the balls you have.

It's all about risk tolerance and risk mitigation. Anything else is ignorant bravado. In my opinion, of course.

[wyliec]

It's all about risk tolerance and risk mitigation. Anything else is ignorant bravado. In my opinion, of course.

You are back to making sense again, finally.

[ARtraveler]

Regardless...I am a believer in a good helmet. My brother was involved in a major accident while driving his brand new HD. No helmet or major gear. He suffered a TBI and was in the hospital and close to death for months. He is living a "semi normal" life now--but the TBI is a known thing with some of his actions.

I have always and will continue to ride with a helmet and other gear. It has nothing to do about "testicles" IMO. Common sense comes to mind here.

[wyliec]

I have always and will continue to ride with a helmet and other gear. It has nothing to do about "testicles" IMO. Common sense comes to mind here.

You are correct, and it also has nothing to do with whether you ride a motorcycle or not; just inflated ego B.S.