Why I wear my riding gear.

[ozyran]

I've posted this on other forums, and, given the number of riders on AW, thought I'd share here as well:

I'm a blessed man.

Let me say it again: I'm a blessed man.

On July 27th, 1:30PM EST, my bike went down. My wife was riding along as a passenger.

Here's how it went. I was riding up Cumberland Blvd in Smyrna, GA after a church service. I was making a legal u-turn to the left, an as I exited the u-turn, I started to accelerate to get up to speed with the traffic that was approaching. As I accelerated, the missus shifted rearward, and she instinctively held tight to me. My upper torso was pulled back with her, and, incidentally, my throttle hand was pulled as well - from 1/4 throttle to full throttle. The front wheel went up, and as soon as I realized it, I let go of the throttle. That's when things got really, really ugly.

The front wheel came down hard and fast - right on an empty sidewalk. Then the Versys slammed my wife and I over onto the sidewalk, where I somehow (thankfully) let go of the bike and it slid away from us. My wife landed on top of me (she was holding on tight) on impact and we slid on my left side initially for about 10 feet. She rolled off of me onto her back, and I continued to slide on my right side. Finally, I stopped, with her about 5 feet from me to my left.

I sat up, dazed, and then stood up, feeling light-headed and woozy. My wife was conscious as well. By this time someone had stopped and called the police, who responded within about 10 minutes, followed by the fire department. My left arm was in great pain and unmovable, but overall, aside from a broken arm, I was ok. My wife also came through ok, since she had me as a cushion. She had a pretty good-sized bruise on her left knee, but otherwise came out ok. No neck injuries and no head injuries, and we were both conscious as well. My wife has nothing broken anywhere.

So, here I sit typing this up with one hand, with no road rash and an intact body, giving thanks to Jesus that my wife came through almost unharmed and that all I have is a broken arm, scraped up bike, and a bruised ego.

So, here they are, the pictures of my gear:

Left knee panel ripped - (right knee had split open 2 weeks before the wreck):


Left shoulder and right breast:


Right breast close up:


Left glove (THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MY SKIN!!!):


Right glove:


Helmet (It's where 1/2 and 3/4 helmets DON'T protect - this could have meant a wired jaw):


Boots (These are $99.00 Belleville leather flight deck boots that come a good 4" above the ankle - flip flops, sneakers, or sandals protect wouldn't protect my feet like this):



I'm here today thanks to Jesus and my gear. Now, think about this: I was going maybe 20 mph when I landed. If I hadn't been wearing all the gear, I seriously doubt that I would have been able to type this all up the day after the crash, with no road rash and minimal pain. (I could have typed up the post the same day, but I had no computer access at the time)

I can't stress enough how important this gear is.

Also, here's some pics of the Versys









The wreck actually happened over a week ago now, the wife and I are both okay and recovering, except for my arm. Only time will heal that.

Thanks for your time.

[Schnugg]

BLUF (to use USAF lingo): So you tried to pop a wheely with your wife on board.

[ozyran]

BLUF (to use USAF lingo): So you tried to pop a wheely with your wife on board.

Not intentionally, sir.

[feddoc]

ozyran,

Good that you both made it ok.

Do you mind if I use your story, sanitized, to present to the bike safety classes I teach?

thanks

feddoc

[ozyran]

ozyran,

Good that you both made it ok.

Do you mind if I use your story, sanitized, to present to the bike safety classes I teach?

thanks

feddoc

Please do! I'm humbled and honored by your request.

Hopefully it will help educate anyone interested in the sport for the first time - or reinforce the idea with the experienced riders.

[ArkhamAsylum]

Thanks for sharing. Riders everywhere need the occassional reminder why we wear all the sexy riding gear.

[TopShot]

Wow I'm happy you two didn't get too banged up. Broken arms suck but be gentle with it and it will heal quick. Did you stop on the sidewalk or in the road? I know close around Cobb Pkwy traffic can be pretty bad, and it seems like everyone is in an extreme hurry in that area.

[AUtiger]

Wow glad to hear both of you came out relatively unharmed. I just was over that way the yesterday. Don't be afraid to share that story with all the OCs and Mids who have bikes at the unit. Might make them think twice before they forget any gear. Hearing stories like that make me glad I don't ride a bike.

[atrickpay]

Same reason I wear my gear, you just never know. This story could (would..) have had a much uglier ending if you weren't. Good to know you're both alright, and for once it wasn't the cagers taking us out! Was your wife geared or just in a helmet?

Few days ago I was at an intersection and I saw a car pull out right in front of a biker, who had to lowside to avoid the collision. Thankfully he just rolled around and was alright, but the bike was destroyed. Riding is dangerous no doubt, but don't let it deter you from hopping back on the saddle when you're healed.

Ride safe

[ozyran]

Thanks for the thoughts guys. My wife and I ended up on the sidewalk, along with my bike

My recount is the best I've been able to figure out. In all honesty I'm still trying to figure out why I went from 1/4 throttle to full throttle, and I *think* it was because my wife pulled my arm back as she started sliding back.

My wife was wearing all the gear. I would not and will not let a passenger ride unless they were fully geared up.

[snake020]

On this subject, can anyone explain to me why I always see law enforcement on bikes skimping out on protective gear? They're always wearing short sleeved uniforms and open faced helmets.

[ozyran]

On this subject, can anyone explain to me why I always see law enforcement on bikes skimping out on protective gear? They're always wearing short sleeved uniforms and open faced helmets.

Good question. I've oft wondered that one myself a time or 3.

[raptor10]

Great post! It makes me sick watching folks ride off in a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals...

[H20man]

Thanks for the post. I wear those exact same gloves, good to know they hold up.

[feddoc]

Please do! I'm humbled and honored by your request.

Hopefully it will help educate anyone interested in the sport for the first time - or reinforce the idea with the experienced riders.

Thanks for the offer; I suspect it will help drive home a point. As a slightly related subject....A few weeks ago AN SMITH got a new bike. As he was riding through housing 'at a high rate of speed' he whacked a curb. Road rash only. At least he was wearing a helmet and gloves and boots....no license, no insurance and he WAS scheduled to take the BRC the following weekend.

I think big Navy is moving quickly towards a stricter policy regarding proper PPE and insurance, license, etc. My guess is that they will soon begin making adverse fit for duty exams for those who violate.

[fc2spyguy]

Thanks for the offer; I suspect it will help drive home a point. As a slightly related subject....A few weeks ago AN SMITH got a new bike. As he was riding through housing 'at a high rate of speed' he whacked a curb. Road rash only. At least he was wearing a helmet and gloves and boots....no license, no insurance and he WAS scheduled to take the BRC the following weekend.

I think big Navy is moving quickly towards a stricter policy regarding proper PPE and insurance, license, etc. My guess is that they will soon begin making adverse fit for duty exams for those who violate.

I'm betting the insurance is because AN smith can't afford a new rocket plus insurance on his pay.

[GroundPounder]

On this subject, can anyone explain to me why I always see law enforcement on bikes skimping out on protective gear? They're always wearing short sleeved uniforms and open faced helmets.

The reasons are many, mostly being that it is not practical to work in full leathers. It would be ok if all you had to do is ride, but the rest of what a motorman does just would not be able to be done wearing leathers. I work in Georgia, and we have an 8 months of summer with the other three seasons packed into the remaining 4 months. It is hot enough sitting on a HD all day without the gear that we really should be wearing but don't.

I don't ride them anymore at work, but I've always said that my time on motors was some of the most fun, as well as on a day to day basis most dangerous time I've spent policing.

It also seems that as if the wrecks we get into fall into two cats, minor slow speed accidents that result in a good story but little damage, or major snotslinging impacts that if you live through you have no story to tell because you remember going to work one day and waking up in the hospital and nothing inbetween.

I had one of both.

[C420sailor]

Few days ago I was at an intersection and I saw a car pull out right in front of a biker, who had to lowside to avoid the collision.
Ride safe

No such thing, unless you're sliding under a semi trailer.

I've heard so many people talk about "laying it down to avoid a collision" and it's all crap. Keeping the rubber side down wins 99.9% of the time. Brake hard, scrub off some speed, swerve, and brake some more. If you "lay her down" you'll end up sliding a lot further at a faster speed.

[Lights Out]

Glad to hear you and your wife are alright

A big ol' dodge 3500 half way pulled out in front of me yesterday when i was going around town. Also got complemented by harley guy when i was filling up "man thats a nice bike...good to see your wearing your helmet too"...as he rides off without a helmet...

[Tyler]

Who knew a Versys could do a wheelie?

But seriously, glad you two made it out. The really impacting points are the pics of the gloves and helmet. It doesn't take much speed at all to ruin your hands or face.