[SVixxer]

Well, here are the details of what happened. I decided to go for a solo run into western Massachusetts last Sunday around 2pm. When I got about 20 minutes into the ride it got very foggy so I turned around and went to my uncle’s house. It was very clear when I got there. At around 6pm I went outside to start the bike and saw that the fog rolled in something fierce. My uncle lives by a lake and he told me that it will clear when I get by the mountain passed. They gave me some paper towels and off I went.

The visibility was very limited at best. I drove no faster than 25mph while going through the pass. This was only about five miles long so I got through pretty quickly. When I came out of the pass, I stopped and cleaned my shield so I could see better. I then proceeded at about 40mph. Visibility was much better so I ran with my high beams on.

Now here comes the accident part. The road is very straight and flat at this point. This area is sparsely populated with only a few side roads and houses. As I was coming up to a Catholic Church I noticed a couple of cars coming in the opposite direction. I shut my high beams off and continued at speed. When the car got close, it turned left to go into the church. I hit the brakes to scrub off as much speed as possible and to assess what I need to do. Traction was limited due to the moisture on the road from the fog. The car appeared to continue moving so I veered to the left towards the middle of the road. There was an oncoming car so the other lane was not an option. As I turned to get behind the minivan it seemed to just stop in its tracks. At that point I was too close to go anywhere else. I actually twisted my body and braced for impact. I ended up slamming into the rear pillar with my upper body and the front corner of the bike. The hit swung my bike around to where I was facing the right side of the road. It then fell to the left in a small high side and slid for a few feet. The bike came to a stop at the edge of the road with me on top of it.

I immediately crawled off my bike and went to the grass on the edge. My back hurt profusely and I could not breathe. I rolled over and while try to breathe I did a limb check and moved my head around. My helmet never hit during the collision or the bike drop so I took it off. The couple came running over and the wife was flipping out and apologizing. Someone called 911 and they showed literally within five minutes. By then I could talk and breathe. I thought for sure that my ribs were broken. I kept a good attitude and made jokes just to keep myself at ease. The paramedics and the cops were amazed at the gear I was wearing. I had my full two piece race suit on with boots and gloves.

I went to the hospital and was put in the trauma area. Everyone who took care of me were motorcycle riders. It was great. The Ambulance driver owns the same exact bike as mine. The doctor and his wife ride BMW’s. The nurse owned a CBR 600 and the lady who pushed me in the wheel chair raced dirtbikes. They kept me overnight because of the blood in my urine but they released me the next day and feel that I will heal on my own.

My injuries are as follows. I have heavy bruising and swelling on my right oblique. My right kidney is swollen but there no lacerations. My hip is very sore. I have several small tears in my right latimus (back muscles). This hurts the most. I am very limited on my movements because of the back. The doctor said that my gear kept me together and was very impressed at the quality. The nurses were amazed also. They said that they never see people come in with the right protection.

I am very lucky considering how hard I hit the minivan. I am also amazing that I was able to control myself and think about my options in the seconds it took for the accident to happen. Even though I still crash I had control over myself and the bike. I was able to brace for the impact and I controlled how I fell when the bike went down. This is a big learning experience for me and it will not deter me from riding again. I don’t know of the bike will be totaled until later this week. My friend’s body shop has the bike and they feel it should be totaled. Think I might have an Aprilia Tuono in my future.

[FazerChic]

Here's a pic of him in the ER on Sunday night.

[Half Squid]

I am:
1. Amaized you came out of the crash in as good a shape as you did! Awesome gear!!!! Thats is great!
2. Amaized that you had time to think, and remember what happened exactly! Ussually it all happens so fast you cant recollect what occured.

Sounds to me as your bike has no chance of survival! On live the Touno!!! Nice Choice!

It's a misfortune of yours, but you are a fine example of "Shit happening even to the best of us." You are a responsible rider, cautious, and appropriately dressed for the incedent - just in case shit happens.
& Unfortunately it did. Nobody can ever say that will never happen to them, because it very easily could. You had no control over the situation but brace for impact and reduce the impact speed. Always dress for the "what if."

Kudos to you for being prepaired. You were dressed right and reacted as best you could in as little time allowed. I dont think there is a better way to react.

Now heal up fast, and go bike shopping so you can be ready first thing for the 2006 season!

[bump909]

wow, talk about an experience. glad you're here to tell us today and you've got only yourself to thank for that.

[Currently]

Every time I read a story like this, it helps me deal with the crap I get from everyone about wearing my gear all the time.

My wife works in a hospital and when I got the bike I promised her that I would wear my gear.

The robocop jokes wear on you after a while. Thanks for sharing!

Joe

[bump909]

dude, whoever is giving you crap about wearing gear is probably on darwin's most wanted list.

[OreoGitorio]

Originally posted by Half Squid
I am:
1. Amaized you came out of the crash in as good a shape as you did! Awesome gear!!!! Thats is great!
2. Amaized that you had time to think, and remember what happened exactly! Ussually it all happens so fast you cant recollect what occured.

Sounds to me as your bike has no chance of survival! On live the Touno!!! Nice Choice!

It's a misfortune of yours, but you are a fine example of "Shit happening even to the best of us." You are a responsible rider, cautious, and appropriately dressed for the incedent - just in case shit happens.
& Unfortunately it did. Nobody can ever say that will never happen to them, because it very easily could. You had no control over the situation but brace for impact and reduce the impact speed. Always dress for the "what if."

Kudos to you for being prepaired. You were dressed right and reacted as best you could in as little time allowed. I dont think there is a better way to react.

Now heal up fast, and go bike shopping so you can be ready first thing for the 2006 season!

Well said bro, I'm w/ you on that.

Definitely glad you came out of it as well as you did. Heal up quick & let us know if we can do anything for ya to help cope w/ the recovery. Heal up quick, bro

[Nazo]

I hate reading these posts, but it happens.
Glad overall you will bounce back to good health and are already planning on getting back on.
Heal up bro.
Hope you feel better

[01YZF6]

great attitude considering........


let us know how the accident report ends up being filed and what the outcome is from your back injuries...

+1 on trying non evasive healing methods for muscle injuries...

once the swelling and associated injuries subside, get a few thorough evaluations...

[LiononaLeash]

Heal up soon.

3 cheers for gear!!

I was told by a friends daughter that I looked like a power ranger in my gear.


I don't have those abs though LOL

[MissTwisties]

Glad you got out with no serious injuries, now heal up and rest! Good luck with getting your Aprilia...

[stoinkythepig]

Originally posted by SVixxer
The nurses were amazed also. They said that they never see people come in with the right protection.

BINGO! That's cause most of the time we don't need to go to the hospital when we crash with gear on.

Heal well. Thanks for the good news.

[SVixxer]

Thanks for the reply's. I will keep you updated on how the investigation and insurance turns out. It should be a cut and dry case. We shall soon see.

[beet]

banged up but no rash
my first my fault street crash in 30 + years a street riding the only thing i can tell you is i happens fast
but in slowmo.

[sanfelice]

Best wishes. So, you are not needing any surgery? That would be a good thing....

[slaps76]

I hate to hear about those "car turned left in front of me" crashes....but glad to hear you're going to be ok! I was talking to someone who drives an ambulance, and he said "it's all what you wear," most people taken to the ER are those wearing squid gear.

Ugh. A car stopping in the middle of the lane after seeing you is the worst thing they can do.

Thoughts on this guys? I read somewhere that when approaching a car about to make a left turn across your lane, the reason they often perceive enough time to make it across your lane is because it's hard to judge distance/speed with an oncoming bike....mainly because from their perspective, the background is "fixed" with you coming straight on. If you swerve back and forth a little, it gets their attention, and changes your angle against the background so they can better judge your speed/distance. I know this isn't the best explanation, but when I read it, I thought it made sense and use it sometimes.

[FazerChic]

Originally posted by slaps76
Thoughts on this guys? I read somewhere that when approaching a car about to make a left turn across your lane, the reason they often perceive enough time to make it across your lane is because it's hard to judge distance/speed with an oncoming bike....mainly because from their perspective, the background is "fixed" with you coming straight on. If you swerve back and forth a little, it gets their attention, and changes your angle against the background so they can better judge your speed/distance. I know this isn't the best explanation, but when I read it, I thought it made sense and use it sometimes.

This is a good idea that I'm thinking I'll have to start putting into use. What the hell, anything to help a car see me.

[AndyC]

Originally posted by FazerChic
What the hell, anything to help a car see me.

If you get an 04-up R1 the headlights are so bright they'll see you. I got a little worried the other night when I came up on a cop, he turned, but the reflective tape on the back of the car sparkled for a little bit

[SVRACER01]

i changed one of my headlight bulbs to a yellow light(the SV has 2) and i noticed a significant DECREASE in people turning in front of me or pulling out in front of me. people get so used to WHITE lights, even during the daytime that when there is a YELLOW light it makes them look twice. i didnt notice any decrease in nightime visability either. the yellow is a little lower wattage than stock so i went a little higher in wattage on the other WHITE bulb

[SVixxer]

MY FZ has some of the brightest lights I have ever used. The fog screwed up the guys perceptions. I spoke with the officer doing the investigation last night and he put all of the blame on the car. He said that fog was no excuse. He told me that he expected me to have more injuries than I actually have. He was impressed with the gear I had a wished everyone rode that way.

I wll be buying a headlight modulator for my next bike. I hope it will help out some.

[BusaBoy]

Originally posted by slaps76
I hate to hear about those "car turned left in front of me" crashes....but glad to hear you're going to be ok! I was talking to someone who drives an ambulance, and he said "it's all what you wear," most people taken to the ER are those wearing squid gear.

Ugh. A car stopping in the middle of the lane after seeing you is the worst thing they can do.

Thoughts on this guys? I read somewhere that when approaching a car about to make a left turn across your lane, the reason they often perceive enough time to make it across your lane is because it's hard to judge distance/speed with an oncoming bike....mainly because from their perspective, the background is "fixed" with you coming straight on. If you swerve back and forth a little, it gets their attention, and changes your angle against the background so they can better judge your speed/distance. I know this isn't the best explanation, but when I read it, I thought it made sense and use it sometimes.

I took a defensive riding class one day and that's exactly what that suggested. Swerve back and fourth and make yourself seen.
Even if by doing this they think you're an ass hole, at least they see the ass hole!

[sanfelice]

Are yellow lights legal? If two headlights one light can be yellow? If a single headlight, can that alone be yellow?

[Hardcore]

glad to hear you're ok!!!

now go get a good bike lawyer and get some serious cash from those shitheads!
REMEMBER-you could be dead do to the stupid carelessness of those people + stupidity should be punished!

[MnM]

glad to hear you are ok....hopefully you have a fast recovery and a new bike soon.....

[SVixxer]

I have a hard time with the jumping on the sue people bandwagon. Accidents do happen and it was foggy out. I am more happy that I am alive and walking right now than anyhting else. When I was at the accident I was very happy after I realized that I can move all my parts and they were still on my body. The motorcycle angels were looking out for me and thats all I care about. My mother bought me a motor cycle angel pin for my jacket just before she got terminally ill last year. The other day I found the pin of the bike with the angel missing. I found that to be very ironic. Like it sacrificed itself for me.