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Atgatt I'm a believer now.

4K views 18 replies 13 participants last post by  DCinCT 
#1 ·
Hey, I'm new to the forum. Ive been a rider for about 8yrs. Never had my own bike though. Im a mover by trade and in October of last year i had a client who owned a 2002 Volusia sitting up in his garage. He sold it to me for $400.00. Two weeks later, with a new clutch, new fluids, and a check over from a master mechanic im a new Volusia rider. My first bike. Yeah me.
Bought my gear, gloves, helmet, jacket. Rode all winter. Georgia had a mild winter this year.
Todays weather was in the 80s. I had a move about 34 miles away and i wanted to ride instead of being in the truck with my crew. Job went well. No mistakes, no broken furniture, no scratches.
Im 1 mile from the customers house heading home. Then....
Coming to a shopping center on the right, two cars ahead and more on my left. First car takes the right into the plaza, i start slowing, second car begins to turn. First car stops mid turn. Second car stops with the ass of his car in the road. With no where to go i apply brakes, fish tail, and run into his right side. All that money on gear and im not wearing any. In fact im the dummy wearing shorts and a t shirt. My first crash. Luckily i didn't total it. I did hurt my right shoulder and cut my left hand really bad on his tail light. Heading to the hospital for stitches now.
 

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#5 ·
Welcome from Kennesaw GA!

Glad you came out no worse for the wear. Drivers around here are complete morons. I don't wear gear because I question my riding skills, I wear it because I question other people's driving skills.

It seems like you already figured it out, but the Volusia's rear disc brake only has two modes; useless and locked up. Once you heal up, find a parking lot and practice panic braking. Now that it's summer you can find a lot of empty parking lots at schools. As long as you keep the speed down around 20mph and there aren't any other cars in the lot the cops don't typically mind too much.

Heal fast my friend.
 
#8 ·
Any crash you walk away from and can post before hitting the hospital, is a good one relatively speaking. Glad you are OK, bike can be fixed/replaced.
 
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#10 ·
There are two types of people. Those who have gone down and those who will.

Yes, that is a rather fatalistic opinion, but one steeped in truth. There is a reason you will see me dressed like a power ranger in 90* summer days with a full face helmet on. Not just because it is fashionable, but because the gear saved my life - twice.

The first was in a similar situation to yours. I was on the interstate, riding north at about 60 mph. Traffic in front of me suddenly started to brake hard, so I panic braked on my C50. The useless rear drum instantly locked the rear wheel and I began to fishtail all over the highway, eventually low siding and tumbling/sliding across the pavement. I broke my wrist and suffered some minor road rash on my knees, but was otherwise fine. The helmet cracked where I hit the back of my head and the face shield was scratched beyond recognition. But I walked away.
 
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#11 ·
Thank goodness it wasn't any worse, and it was a great lesson for you and everyone on here reading your post. Looks like your crash bar did its job. I generally always wear my gear, but sometimes, like yesterday, I only had my helmet on because I thought it was too hot. It's posts like this that remind me that it shouldn't be optional. Thanks for the post and the reminder. Hope you heal fast. BTW- you got an awesome deal on a great bike.

If you haven't taken the MSF course yet, it is an excellent investment that will help you train your instincts and make you more aware that everyone out there thinks you are the invisible man. Well worth every penny you spend taking the class.
 
#12 ·
Glad you are OK! It doesn't take much speed to suffer really bad injuries. A friend of mine T-boned a car at 20-25 MPH, and will never be the same due to brain injury. He was wearing a cheap open face helmet... and no gear: broken leg, ribs, arm, face bones, scull... Say your prayers, fix the bike, and wear that gear all the time. I know it sucks riding in 90` weather in full body protection (I also wear an airbag west on top of my jackets...), but you still get to enjoy a motorcycle ride and increase your chances of walking away from an accident tremendously.
 
#13 ·
Thanks for posting and glad you walked away from the crash. Wish you a speedy recovery.

I am an ATGATT disciple and stories like your keep me focused, especially on hot days. All the gear in the world doesn't help if it's sitting on the shelf when you go down. I get tons for sh*t from other riders (usually HD guys) about all my gear. My response is that I'd rather sweat than bleed. Don't get a lot of remarks after that.

Keep the faith, heal quickly and take the MSF coarse.
 
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#14 ·
I have to say ty to all of the members for supporting each other with knowledge and stories. I know i was lucky beyond belief. My twin brother had been riding twice as long as me. He is a sport bike type of rider. In full gear he went down on his gsxr, totalling his bike and breaking his back. He can still ride but due to the accident he can't ride often.
I should have taken that as a warning but in the back of every rider's mind they think they are the safest rider and the most aware. I honestly thought that i would be safer on a cruiser. Im not a speed demon, just love the freedom.
In the short time ive owned and ridden ive come to realize the truth of just how invisible we are. Lights and loud pipes help, gear helps, msr course helps. But none of that is the answer. We have to stay aware from the start of the motor until that kick stand goes back down. My wife rides with me almost every where so for her and me it's ATGATT forever. (Wakanda Forever LOL)
Seven stitches and several contusions.

Btw i have a friend in a motorcycle club. The club members got together and got my bike off of the road, stored it over night. My mechanic just picked it up. I'll let everyone know whats happening with it soon. Let me know what your opinion is of MCs. They really came through and im thinking of joining.
 
#18 ·
I recently resurrected a mesh mc jacket, and plan to wear it religiously. Honestly, in the heat, the air flowing through the mesh is cooled and gives me greater comfort as well as protecting my fair skin from sunburn. I have not been good about ATGATT, BUT I am trying. Historically, I have had one major accident which left me out of work for 5 months, I really don't want to repeat it! Prayers for all who have gone down! ?
 
#19 ·
a few years back...changed my oil and decided to take a ride around the block and then come back and check the oil level...quiet country neighborhood...just going around the block...left the helmet on the shelf...just going around the block...right...first ride without a helmet...felt strange...first time...last time too.
 
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