ATGATT, first times, and rear window for a facebook age

In My Humble Opinion
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I’m mostly posting to remind the other riders here that ATGATT isn’t MTGSTT (most of the gear some of the time). It’s impossible to say I would have walked away if I’d been wearing my armored pants, but they at least would have eliminated the road rash and probably reduced the bruising.

I had my first real motorcycle spill yesterday. Fortunately it wasn’t my bike. I was doing a demo ride on Harley Sportsters, and I was disappointed in the brakes on the 1200, so I thought I’d give them a good squeeze on the 883. I managed to lockup the front tire at about 15-20mph, and the next thing I knew I was sliding along the ground. I don’t think I just grabbed as much brake as I could, but slowed from about 30 to 20 with progressive pressure. Once the front tire is sliding, there’s nothing to keep the bike up. It was a used bike, and the dealer said I only damaged bolt on pieces, so it won’t be that big of a deal to repair. I have insurance, so my financial liability is limited.

I was wearing proper boots, helmet, gloves, and jacket. Notice I didn’t say pants… Jeans are not safety gear. There are big scrapes on my boots, and a few scuffs on my jacket and gloves. My head never hit the ground, so the helmet doesn’t have any damage. Unfortunately my left leg didn’t do as well. I have a huge bruise on my hip, a bit of fairly minor road rash, and probably a tibial plateau fracture. That’s the first time I’ve ever broken a bone! I went about 38 years without ever needing stitches, so I suppose 42 with no broken bones isn’t too bad. My riding pants would certainly have prevented the road rash, and possibly the other leg damage. I know I slid on my shoulder, and my upper body isn’t even sore today. I don’t know if the knee damage was due to twisting, hyperextension, or impact.

So, today, and probably for several weeks, I’m sitting around with a splint on my leg running from mid thigh out past my toes. I can’t see any neighbors from the room with the couch, so I’m left browsing facebook and finding out lots of boring information about people I went to high school with. That isn’t terribly profound. I usually spend my weekends sitting on the couch and screwing around on the internet, but now because that’s all I can do, it seems extra boring.

A question, what can I do for my wife to express how much I appreciate everything she’s doing for me now while I’m mobility limited, considering that I can’t actually do much? Oh yeah, and she’s pregnant. Only about 21 weeks, so her mobility hasn’t been compromised at this point. I’ve certainly told her how thankful I am to have her around, but I can’t even straighten up the house while she’s out getting my pain meds.

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You’re breathing. You’re in one piece. I feel comfortable in scolding you now!

ALL THE GEAR. ALL THE TIME. There. I trust you feel sufficiently bad that I won’t have to tell you again.
You’ll try something with some fucking ABS next time, won’t ya? :smiley:

An ooold biker told me almost 40 years ago that there’s two kinds of riders. Them that’s been down, and them that’s going down. I didn’t believe him at the time, but I damn sure do now. It may be a slip like yours, or a semi hits you at an intersection. We don’t get to choose the hit, so choose the protection.

Jr. is off to college, and with the large, hilly campus, scooters are a popular way to get around and find a good parking spot. I got him a full-face helmet against his wishes, an armored riding jacket, and a leather jacket. Draggin Jeans and gloves complete the ensemble. Mrs. called me the other day, and says the following maddening sentence…
“Jr. is ok, but there’s been an accident…” Grrrrr.

He hit some leaves in a turn, and his front wheel went thataway. The faceplate is scratched, and his hands are hurt because he wasn’t wearing his gloves. Or jacket.:mad: We’ve had a little talk since then. ATFG, ATFT. Period.

To his credit he acknowledges that a half or 3/4 helmet would have done his teeth no good in this instance.

Now to the Mrs. I was lucky enough to have married an angel who takes care of me when I’m broken. It happens far too often.

A sincere letter of appreciation for all she does, along with some flowersor berries might be nice if she likes that sort of thing.

If you can’t clean up, how about a maid service? Even if it’s once or twice in the next 2-3 months, it would be a big help. And surely you’re capable of a nice foot rub, even if you’re stuck on the couch.

Use your imagination. You’ll come up with something. Until then, try one of these.
I’ve never fallen off mine yet!

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You will probably be offended, but I offer an honest answer to your question. Sell the bike. You’re 42 years old with a child on the way. You have other priorities now.

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Also good to remember that membership in the first group doesn’t disqualify you from the second one.