I got slapped by the motorcycle god this morning. It was rainy. I was just gonna fill up the tank because parking empty with the fuel lamp on (exposing the sensor to air) is bad. I decided to go around the block. Then the sun came out and I decided to ride around the neighborhood. Then I decided to get on hwy 237. Coming off the off ramp taking a right on Middlefield, I hit the white strip on the road and the bike went under me. I did a low side. The bike stopped about 30 feet from me sort of in the middle of the intersection. I did the cockroach thing. Good thing people are paying attention and also stopped. People were quite nice, helping me upright the bike and making sure i am ok. I am fine. The bike is ok. I rode it home. Scratched the engine guard, mirror, and exhaust . I like to blame the new Metzler tires, ort the strip on the road, But it is just me. I took my hand off the handle bar to signal (too lazy to use the blinker). This is the 3rd getoff on the roadstar since I got it in March 2006. Everytime it happened, I am not fully geared with my full face helmet, padded jackets, and overpants. I think the motorcycle god is telling me to be ATGATT or be slapped.
Low side this morning
- Thread starter Hank Wong
- Start date
Bassem
Well-known member
HappyHighwayman
Warning: Do Not Engage
So what safety gear were you wearing?
I had my lowside a couple weeks back in similar conditions and didn't have a scratch on me except for a bruised hand thanks to ATGATT
I had my lowside a couple weeks back in similar conditions and didn't have a scratch on me except for a bruised hand thanks to ATGATT
Yep, the cockroach and the squeegey. I squeegeyed a portion of that road dry with my jean and jacket. I am always ATGATT on the BMW and never had a getoff on the BMW. May be being ATGATT is more than just gear, may be being ATGATT affects your riding attitude and makes one safer? Just wondering.
HappyHighwayman
Warning: Do Not Engage
If anything wearing proper gear would probably make someone ride harder than they otherwise would. If you make it part of your routine it ceases to be any sort of hassle. It takes me under 5 minutes to throw on my overpants, jacket, boots and gloves.
I'm curious as to why on the BMW you would feel the need to gear up properly but on the cruiser you decide to dress like a squid.
1st of all, I am not hurt. Not a scratch on me. Just my ego. I may feel something on my right hip later today. Right now, I feel fine. May take an aspirin for good measure.
On the BMW, I typically ride up to the Santa Cruz for hours of riding. So I am more ATGATT, wear my Stich Roadcrafter or a padded leather jacket with padded riding pants (when it is too warm for the Roadcrafter), touring boots, full face helmet. When I just go around the neighborhood on the cruiser, I am lured into just open face helmet, jeans, jacket boots n gloves.
On the BMW, I typically ride up to the Santa Cruz for hours of riding. So I am more ATGATT, wear my Stich Roadcrafter or a padded leather jacket with padded riding pants (when it is too warm for the Roadcrafter), touring boots, full face helmet. When I just go around the neighborhood on the cruiser, I am lured into just open face helmet, jeans, jacket boots n gloves.
HappyHighwayman
Warning: Do Not Engage
Hey you can justify it to yourself all you want 
I'm not your mom.
I'm not your mom.
Gary856
Are we having fun yet?
Riding non-ATGATT is a pretty different experience. My only non-ATGATT experience is riding around the block after an oil change or a wash. It make me feel very vulnerable, but the added sensory input (sound, wind, temperature) and the total body freedom without the restrictive, protective gear feel amazing.
Gixxergirl1000
AFM #731
OK, so, you've been lucky THREE TIMES now. You've tossed a bike down the road THREE TIMES in less than 5 years... that's 3 strikes. You've been lucky... how long do you want to push it? Pay attention!! You could have been really hurt!
As an FYI, regarding open-face helmets... how much do you like being able to chew your food? Because roughly 40% of helmet impacts in a crash occur on the chin bar... and a broken jaw wired shut sucks ass. I still remember spoon-feeding Yoav pureed carrots when he was finally moved out of ICU... made me reeeeeally glad I had the ability to chew as I watched him suck the orange paste through the wires and broken teeth...
slower than...
Peets Coffee Junkie
Hank, I met you at Chuck's B-day party for his son. Sorry to hear of your get-off. When I first started to ride, I bought a POS Honda Rebel. I admit it looked stupid wearing leathers and a full face helmet on that thing, but it is just silly to think you need less protection on cruiser. And didn't your brother-in-law lose part of his tongue riding with an open face helmet?
Regardless, good to know you are okay. Fortunately the gods have protected you until now, but maybe you've run out of free passes.
Regardless, good to know you are okay. Fortunately the gods have protected you until now, but maybe you've run out of free passes.
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HappyHighwayman
Warning: Do Not Engage
I don't know why you'd say that. It never looks silly for someone on a motorcycle to be wearing leathers and a full face helmet.
Frankly I find the squid attire far more ridiculous looking.