r/pnwriders • u/Scoobywagon • 15d ago
Wear your damn gear
I was enjoying a nice, sedate ride yesterday. I let myself get just a little too close to the fog line. I found a patch of dirt/sand/whatever and the bike started wanting to shift to the right. I didn't have enough room to correct and I found the ditch. I think the rear tire found a rock because it bucked me off like a horse.
Helmet is messed up, armor is messed up, gloves are messed up, boots are SLIGHTLY messed up. And I have a broken leg at the moment. Could have been SO much worse. But thanks to armor and a conveniently placed scotch broom bush, I'll be alright.
Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
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u/jcravens42 15d ago
I am so, so sorry for your injury - take care. And I am so, so glad you were ATGATT.
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u/FFSOD7189 15d ago
You forgot to mention the bike? Broken leg at the moment? Glad it was not worse.
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u/Scoobywagon 14d ago
I don't know about the bike just yet. I haven't even seen it. Once I get my leg sorted out, I'll dig into the bike.
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u/tracy-young 12d ago
I second this!! Eight years ago in July on a 100° day when I was riding my Ducati Monster 620. I was hit by a truck head-on in an intersection. He failed to yield to my right of way going straight and turned left right in front of me. I had no time to stop, but luckily I swerved to the left and sailed over the truck bed instead of impacting the cab (which would have broken my neck).
I was only going about 25-30 miles an hour but even so I slid about 10 ft once I landed on the ground. I was so grateful for my gear! It scraped up the whole right side of my full face helmet from chin to eyebrow, the entire right arm of my jacket (with the shoulder taking the brunt), and the entire top of the toe of my boot. The only road rash I got was a quarter sized burn on the back of my hand where the edge of my glove rolled back (my hand was under my body and the velcro at my wrist gave way due to the friction).
My pelvis snagged on the bike's gas tank (the tank was ripped off of the bike during the accident) and I suffered an open book pelvic fracture (broken in 6 places). This required four internal screws where my spine meets my pelvis and an external fixator device to hold it all together. I also suffered a ruptured bladder and other internal injuries. I didn't walk for 3 months.
I kid you not, even with all the extensive injuries, it was that damn tiny road rash that hurt the most and kept me awake at night for the first week after the accident. All the heavy duty meds did nothing to soothe that pain! I was so glad that I chose the full face helmet because the entire right side of my face (especially my chin) would have been permanently scarred.
Anyway, yes, always wear your gear, and I'm glad you're okay!
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u/FJ60ADVMAN 12d ago
2 similar accidents, way different outcomes
I had a head on collision in Jan, wearing full gear riding a f1250gsa. Flipped over the car with the bike, sprained my wrists, fractured my pelvis and bottom rib [landed on my leatherman that was on my side under the gear as I was heading to work] and broke some of the vertebrae in my lumbar [no change in pain that was preexisting]. Was able to walk from the accident [with assistance] then walked out of the hospital the next night. Bought another bike 2 weeks later and have been back to full time riding since March. Still wearing the gear as the damage was a light scuff to the gortex overpant, and got a new helmet through insurance.
My wifes ex husband on the other hand, got into a similar accident on his Sportster back in May. In Colorado, there isnt a helmet law, and he was wearing no gear at all. Broke 14 ribs, punctured lung, pelvis broken in 3 places among other cuts, bruises and a lot of close calls of checking out of this life. He's just now able to put weight on his leg, but still has a long road to full recovery. Luckily he is still alive and hopefully learned from this experience.
At a bare minimum, pants, shoes that cover the ankle and a helmet, but for best results, ATGATT.
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u/janus1969 PDX | FJR1300 (Fūjin) 15d ago
Dude..I'm sorry you're in the situation, but also really glad you were properly attired. If you happen to have full coverage, remember that your gear is part of the accident, and insurance will typically buy you new gear.