Born again...

[PaNDeM1C]

I have been riding sport road bikes from about 1996-2000 and then from 06-06(present). Before, I never looked at any riding/bike sites. I just rode my Katana and didn't care. I rode it and used that bike to get great gas mileage and to cut in traffic in LA. Well, it's now 06. I bought a Busa. I rode that thing like a bat out of hell and rode it without a care in the world... but safe... only went over 150 when no other cars were around! Isn't that considered safe? HAHA!

Well... since then, I moved to Los Angeles( again.. from Alabama). I live right in the center of Hollywood... less than 1 mile away from the Chinese Theater. If you name a hot spot, I'm near that spot! Anyway...

I rode my busa around this town, splitting lanes, doing what I do, having fun, etc.... I rode my bike. Period.

Until Friday morning Nov. 17th.

I went down hard on Sunset.



The post has already been made. Most know the story. So... I just want to tell any new riders or ANYONE who doesn't want to wear full gear... wear that SH|T! Jeans will not do it if you go down! I had jeans on, and right now I still cannot walk more than .05mph! Imagine if I'd gone down at more than 40mph! It would really not be pretty!

Yes, I'm born again, hard!!! I will NOT go on my bike in heavy traffic or at high speeds EVER AGAIN without full gear on!!!

My small 35mph crash showed me what can happen! I learned! Anybody who rides a bike without a full face helmet on is a total ****--g idiot!!! And I told my father that! He has a Yamaha Roadstar and I told him he needs to invest in a full face helmet!!!! My full face helmet saved my face on Friday!!! It's all scratched up from my crash!!!

I love everyone here for always pushing me to wear full gear at all times. I sometimes did wear my armor jacket and gloves.... too bad I didn't do it on Friday!!!

The members on this site are the best! To anybody who thinks gear is not important....

Well....

Take a digger...

You'll learn...

... just like I did!

Charlie




About the SoCal ride...

I still feel so destroyed for missing it all... and I was totally looking forward to it! I just moved out here on Nov. 3 or so... and I need to meet new people, especially guys out here who ride! All because of a woman in a Lexus and a slick street... I'm stuck in my apartment nursing wounds to both myself and my bike!

It looked like a great ride! I wish I could have been there! But sometimes things happen we just cannot avoid...

And, yes, I am totally a supporter of the 'gear factor'!!! I went down at around 30-40mph and got extremely lucky! I am sure that if I had on my Joe Rocket jacket and gloves, my arm/hand damage would have been less. But... since I don't even own a pair of riding pants, my leg damage would have been the same.

 

[PaNDeM1C]

... and I'm guessing 35-40mph!!! I seriously do not know!! I just went down hard... and it hurt!!!

 

[Hy_Rolr]

Does this mean your going to keep your Busa, buy the gear you don't have and stay with us here at the .org? Hope so...get yourself healed up friend.

 

[PaNDeM1C]

... or... I could just ride the busa like a car and not split lanes.... and not ride it fast... or... not ride it at all!!!

Right now, I just wanna get the bike fixed... and yes, I'm still thinking about "staying ON the bike" because of member support, here... namely NINJA KILLER (and brendanp!)....

And many thanks to Trip for the talks on the phone!!!

For all I really know, I could have been doing over 60mph... but I think 35mph is about right because I hit the brakes before I slid out... who knows...

I just don't know exactly what happened... the bike just went down! Hard! Fast! Ouch!

Thanks!

 

[Aquaman]

I will NOT go on my bike in heavy traffic or at high speeds EVER AGAIN without full gear on!!![/Quote]
Bad,bad Pan....You still dont get it.
Now go back to the chalkboard,and write it 1000 times!

"I will not ride my bike witout full gear PERIOD!"

 

[nitrousjunkie]

(brendanp @ Nov. 20 2006,16:42) I will NOT go on my bike in heavy traffic or at high speeds EVER AGAIN without full gear on!!!

Bad,bad Pan....You still dont get it.
Now go back to the chalkboard,and write it 1000 times!

"I will not ride my bike witout full gear PERIOD!"[/Quote]

Owned!

 

[Cuffee]

I am glad that you are ok...Lessoned learned. I always ride with gear and even under amor under my heavy jeans. I have had to many close calls (none of which were my fault---stupid cars).

 

[Copperone]

Don't be so hard on yourself. Everybody has to ride their own ride. You were just doing your own thing. I am a firm believer in a full face helmet, especially after seeing some of crashes members of this board have had. The reality of riding a motorcycle is that everyone has had a mishap of some sort or if they haven't yet they probably will. We just have to be as careful and safe as we can, and not go overboard with it. As far as riding with full gear everytime you get on your bike, that is totally a personal decision we all have to make. Hang in there bro, don't let one incident chase you away from doing something you love. We can try and shelter ourselfes from the possibilities of danger which life presents, but that doesn't mean that something will never happen.

 

[CAT3]

Pan, sometimes it takes a moment like this to wake up, glad your eyes are open. Although I do travel to the store about 3blocks away w/o gear, I am aware of the risk. Other than that, I wear my gear....slow learner?

Also, not sure how many have had to test the reliability of the mesh type jackets, but in the past 2 months, 3 buddies have gone down, each wearing mesh Joe Rocket jackets, and each have failed. The wrist retention has ripped away from the jackets, allowing the sleeve to ride up the arm. One had minor cuts on the tender side of the forearm, one with a few more scrapes and cuts, and this last Sat. the most recent, a friend had to have 13stiches and 4 staples to try and close a gap. He hit the ground, sleeve rode up, rock met flesh and rock won. I wear a textile Alpinestar now, but have 2pc leathers being shipped now.

Speedy recovery Pan...

Charlie

 

[MPH 200]

The "hard way" is never an easy way to learn a lesson.

My Wife low sided at 30mph - hit a piece of plastic while turning - helmet saved her life.
She had on all gear, but was wearing jeans - it worked.

 

[semi]

it sounds like you have been thinking, my friend...i have never told you to wear your gear because you remind me of the way i was at one time...bound and determined to do "my own thing"...no one was going to tell me what i should or shouldn't do

then, i hit the road one day in the blink of an eye...i never saw it coming and didn't know what had happened until i realized i was laying on the ground in a lot of pain

i managed to drag myself home, fixed my bike back up, and crawled back on several days later...now, years later, i have a 'Busa and love every day i am able to split the wind aboard the #1 bike in the world

i'm glad you didn't get seriously injured learning your lesson and i hope you don't make any major decisions until you give yourself a little time to heal and think...hopefully, one of these years when i can get out to the west coast, we can split the breeze together

 

[Warputer]

Congrats on the growth of a few new brain cells Pan !

I had to learn the hard way too .

<span style='font-size:17pt;line-height:100%'>Gear.....the only way to ride !</span>

 

[Red05]

Great news that you're reconsidering keeping the bike, Pan

. I don't always wear my leather pants when riding in town, but l'm going to learn from your lesson and change that. Thanks

 

[Aquaman]

I wear full leather duds,gloves and helmet.
Coming from a Hardley,I had a lotta bad habits. I realized just how fast you can get 'Bit' by a sportbike.
Or some dumbass cager.

 

[Ruben]

Sorry to hear this Pan... Glad you're ok ...

I remember the thread about your take on wearing leathers / riding gear. Either way I'm glad you learned in a good way where you got up healed up and will ride again....

How hurt is she..?? Might be able to help out.

 

[SAMBUSA]

 

[Charlesbusa]

Glad to hear you've turned to the "good" side of the force

I think we all need to clarify gear terms. I'm always hearing form people that they were wearing "full" gear and jeans

OK;

No helmet = negative gear
Helmet only = zero gear
helmet and jacket = 1/4 gear
helmet/jacket/gloves = 1/2 gear
helmet/jacket/gloves/boots= 3/4 gear
helmet/jacket/gloves/boots/pants or helmet/one peice/boots/gloves= FULL gear.

There is no such thing as full gear and jeans...

 

[dadofthree]

Sorry Pan, hope you're up to 1 MPH by now. Get well soon.

 

[TALYN]

You cannot be reborn if you had not been born in the first place.... I think you might mean you are a convert? Damn glad either way....

 

[PDBusa]

I feel nekkid without gear. Usually all leather. Heck, I just bought my daughter some Alpinestar Bat leather pants. I mean Santa will be bringing...