Riding is a calculated risk
A sobering video that at gives you something to consider when throwing a leg over and going for that fun ride.
I have had my motorcycle endorsement since I was 18 and still recall the rush I got ripping through the gears on my first "fast bike" (1980 Suzuki GS 750 with a 4 into 1 Kerker pipe and re-jetted carbs). That was one of the best feelings in the world but back then no one talked about gear, crashing, or any skills other than being able to weave around the cones and complete circle part of the riding test. I was very lucky since I never had any close calls or crashes from going fast.
Over the years I have had 4 crashes of which 3 were either all my fault or could have been prevented if I was riding slower or more conservatively.
1st one was too much front brake in the rain-lack of skill more than anything else-no injuries minor rash to the bike,
2nd time was a low side on a street corner that had had antifreeze spilled all over it. Slippery stuff on asphalt and hard to see at dusk!-rashed plastic and levers-I was fine.
3rd time was riding a twisty mountain road at a very brisk pace on my cruiser, dragging pegs until I dragged hard enough to unload the rear tire and low side. I didn't want my bike to slide off the road down the ravine so I held on, saved the bike and managed to break a rib (3 months to heal). Was in gear so no rash or other injuries but really scratched up my cruiser. Very dumb on my part since the cruisers are not meant to be ridden at a brisk pace on mountain roads.
The last crash was more along the lines of this video. I was on a group ride in Arizona, had pulled off to take some pics of the other riders coming down Hwy 89 (famous AZ twisty mountain road) and was about a mile behind the group. I was approaching a 4-way intersection with traffic lights where we were going to re-group and was slowing down from the 65mph speed limit. I noticed a car in the right turn lane ahead of me as I came up from behind. As I was slowing down this car starts to pull out of the right turn lane back into my lane and as I move over she just keeps coming, and I realize she is pulling an illegal U turn 100 yards in front of the traffic light and intersection right at me! By now I'm over in the left turn lane trying to avoid her and have about 10 feet before impact. She just keeps coming and I don't have enough time to brake or swerve out of the way. I was doing about 35 mph when she hit me. I impacted my fairing and the front of her car before flying up and over into the on coming lane. I wound up on the shoulder of the oncoming lane after flipping through the air and landing on my butt and heels. I then rolled a couple of times and came to a stop. Scuffed helmet, destroyed my Alpinestars gloves, ripped my kevlar riding jears and scuffed up my Alpinestars leather jacket. There was silver paint from the hood of her car embedding in my Sidi riding boots. No rash to me at all but did have friction burns to my shins.
My friends were at the gas station watching for me so we could group back up and witnessed the whole crash. They thought I was dead. The short story is the woman who hit me was cited for an illegal U-turn, my 2008 Triumph ST was destroyed, I got an ambulance ride and a stay at Wickenburg Community Hospital, my right knee has torn ligaments and both shins almost 3 months later are still swollen and sore. And I am still waiting for the settlement offer from her insurance company since she was found to be at fault.
The reason for her illegal U turn 100 yards in front of a 4 way intersection? She just realized she had forgotten her purse in at a coffee shop in the town 15 miles behind her.
I was almost killed because she was distracted, didn't see me and was in a hurry (all this is from her statement on the AZ highway patrol accident report).
This type of crash shows how easy it is to get taken out even if everything else is fine (clear weather, no traffic, obeying all the laws, wearing gear and so forth).
I am still riding but you can be damn sure I my head is on a swivel and am even more aware of the other drivers out there.
Everyone.....Please be attentive and safe!