There should be a smiley face option with tears on it, cause that's how I feel right now.
The worst part about it, besides the typically biased cop giving me a ticket for nothing in particular as I struggled to pick my bike up is the fact that I don't know what I did to trash it.
I wasn't speeding, wheelie-ing, leaning, or anything at all. I was doing 40mph in a VERY slight turn, as in no leaning involved, and I TOTALLY lost it. I think that somehow the front wheel lost contact with the ground for only a split second and when it came back in contact, it was slightly off-angle, causing it to go into the worst tank-slapper I've ever experienced in my 7 or 8 yrs. of riding. There was gravel in the turn and I believe that had a part in it all.
The tankslapper was so severe that I pulled muscles in both biceps trying to hold onto the bike and control it. That turned out to be impossible. I ended up being thrown from my beautiful machine. I slid across the blacktop for about 30-40 ft until I hit the curb and stopped. My bike continued down the road, hit the curb, flipped and hit a sign midair, effectively ending its life on the road...for now anyway. Every piece of plastic on the bike is shattered. The pipe is crushed, the front end is shattered and bent, and the gas tank is now concave. Also, the gauge-pod is twisted and almost upside-down.
The accident gave me second degree friction burns on the tips of all my fingers excluding my thumbs, making typing this quite difficult. Also, I pulled the afore-mentioned muscles, slammed my head on the concrete, although my helmet did its job there. I also got roadrash on the right side of my back and shoulder, down my right leg, pulled a muscle in my right ankle, and sliced both my wrists, with 2nd degree burns to go along with the cuts.
Sorry for the description, but now it's time for me to reach my point. All this happened with the proper gear on, except for my riding jacket, cause I was a dumbass. I had gloves on, although obviously they could've been better. I had thick denim on bottom, steel-toe ankle-high boots, and a full-face helmet, which now has a chunk missing thanks to Mr. Curb.
After all this, my bike will be getting repaired or replaced, at the insurance company's discretion. I just hope that those who read this will realize that the right gear is VITAL if you are riding, no matter what the weather. ESPECIALLY the helmet, but the right pants and top are almost as important. Please all, be careful out there, expect the unexpected while still keeping it enjoyable, and maybe I'll see ya' riding sometime when I get my bike back.
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~Nick
2000 CBR600F4
Piped, Jetted, totally trick...
Keep the Rubber side down
my Bruthas AND Sistas!!!
[This message has been edited by CBR Brutha (edited July 18, 2000).]