Guess It Was My Turn - went off today (crashed)!

Taking it easy, for once, and on a major, but curvy, highway and hit an oil spot in a turn this morning. Bam! I was sliding down the road before I even knew I was down.

Lots of people stopped to help- there are good people in this world! Good thing I was in a left turn and slid off the right side in my lane, or I would have had to deal with oncoming traffic. A couple went out of their way, almost 30 minutes, to drive me home so I could get my trailer and get back to recover "Roxy." Good people!

Roxy has some bruises (see pix) and so do I. I bruised my left rib pretty good, but know that I probably wouldn't be up for even writing this if I didn't have an air vest on. They're hot, they cost money, and people (maybe like you?) will scoff- ask me if I give a flying $h1t. I highly, highly, recommend you get one. "Ask me now how I know..."

As I said, I was riding fairly conservatively, but headed to do The Snake where, riding conservatively, is not my norm. I'm fortunate and now asking what I/you can learn from this. Feel free to jump in with your observations. From the video the crash looks so "mellow," like you're traveling vertically and now, for some reason, suddenly, horizontally- it's very gentle (my ribs disagree). What you'll see is the ever-present oil stripe (lot of trucks on this road) and then a weird small tire (motorcycle ?) skid shooting off hard to the right. I can't quite figure out what happened there. Anyway, about (or exactly) the time I hit that intersection is when I went down. Slick as "owl $h1t," as I was able to confirm when I went back there and dragged my boot across that area.

What have I learned? I sometimes "ride the edge." This was not one of those times- which is humbling. Early morning when the street is "dry," but not really, from dew, you need to be careful of the effect of residual oil. Staying outside that oil path is not really an option, as you're choosing the line from curve to curve, but I will be more aware of it. Don't talk to me about throttling on- as I said, I was down before I even knew I was in a skid. Finally, the air vest- screw anyone who shames you - order one right now, fu(k!ng, right, fu(k!ng, now!

I special ordered this one from Italy.
Homepage - Motoairbag - L'airbag per i motociclisti
I get nothing from that recommendation other than knowing I may have save you a major injury- you're welcome. Get that one, or another one- whatever.....

There are two main types- the electronic "brain" versions and the more analog tethered ones. I have this one from Italy that utilizes a lock mechanism like a seat belt- i think that's unique. With this one you don't have to come off the bike before it engages. Possibly, I hit the pavement before I extended enough to employ the bag, but even if that's the case I'm sticking with this design. It doesn't need to be charged, doesn't mind getting wet, and it employs earlier than other analog models.


The Damage Done... Wear ATHGATHT (All the Gear All The TIme)- did it's job!



Visor, left jacket sleeve, and left thigh area of my riding overpants....







No dent- just the logo







Be safe out there......

glad you are ok.
i dont think that they teach for stuff like that.
maybe ride way behind a couple of other riders.

D@mn.......Sorry to read this. These Rockets are heavy. When they go down, they really go down.
Good job you were wearing some good safety gear.

Good summary, great recommendations and the video shows how easily and quickly it all goes to crap. Hopefully your insurance gets you back on the road again quickly. Thanks for sharing Journeyman

Dang! Glad you were at least able to get back up a get her home.

Hate to hear this
But the important thing is that you wasn't hurt badly and able to walk away

Sorry about the mishap, but always good to see one return here afterward!

Nothing you or anyone could have done. We all make the best roadway assessment while riding our bikes. Looking down the road with a high visual horizon but also looking for any hazard on the roadway and possible animals shooting across the road in front of you. We have a ton more responsibility when it comes to our safety on a motorcycle than a car as our heads are always on a pivot. Not to mention the millions of potholes we have to look out for. You hit some oil or possibly Diesel fuel that you didn't see. Dark spots on the roadway are very seldom anything to worry about except due to the old ass, torn up roads we ride on. Glad you're good and I hate to say this but wrong place at the wrong time. Nothing you could have done. Wear that gear guys!

Glad youre good and able to twist on. You won! Atgatt, and speed limit roll, a few knicks but youre riding on and im glad to hear, Hey i hear of wrecks and normally we dont win or our friends dont, im glad you did. I have a vest and will keep this in my mind when i dont feel like wearing it. Cant wait to put it in the wind with you again.