So today [Sunday, April 12, 2009] at about 6PM it was a nice sunny day and 55F. So I was going over to a friend’s house for some cigars. I decided I wanted to take the motorcycle, the VFR. I then was debating what to wear, it is about 5 miles to my friend’s house. Jacket and Jeans? Aerostich Suit? Hmmm I decided it was ‘Stich weather. I am glad I did…. it did its job about three miles from home.

Damaged Riding Gear - Click for Larger Image

I was going straight and I thought that the SUV coming out to my right was not going to stop at the stop sign. I locked up the rear wheel trying to brake and it slid out and I slid down the road at about 40MPH. It was quite surreal I can remember pretty much the whole thing. I felt the rear end coming around to the left, did I turn to the right? I felt the road hit my right hip. I saw the road coming up and thought, I hope the flip up helmet holds. Make a fist so you don’t break your thumb like your brother did. The flip up held, The fist worked.

I slid down the road and watched the motorcycle keep going on its right hand side. I pick my self up and think am I okay? I think so, do inventory. Everything attached. Thumb there but a little skin scrapped away. People from the SUV come out and check if I am okay. I then notice that they have the spinner hubcaps, I wonder if that is why I thought they weren’t stopping. They call the police so I can file a report, even though it was just me – I figure I need it for insurance. A Yamaha Rider stops and helps me take the bike out of the road and over to the side. I call the L&T Jennifer to ask her to come and grab the camera. The Yamaha Rider helps me take inventory of the VFR. I found out the bike would start and shift. It is rideable. The police arrive and I say, “let me guess license, registration, insurance…” I get all that out. I hand it to the officer and he chuckles and says “I am going to assume that your insurance is good as this card doesn’t take effect until the 15th.” Yup, I swapped it too early. He also commented on how well the gear worked. So after the paperwork is done Jennifer follows me home.

So here is the list of injuries:

• Left Thumb
• Right forearm
• Blackberry imprint on the right leg
• Sore left knee
• Sore right shoulder
• Bruised palm
• Soreness all over
• Pride

My pride is injured as it was most likely preventable, I think I braked too hard.

Complete pictures on my SmugMug account.