Everyone who rides 2 wheels should read this

[kirill007]

Scorpion makes some really good helmets that are budget friendly, a bunch of guys I know that race wear them and for me if its good enough to race in then it's good for the street.

You should always buy the most expensive helmet you can afford because I mean after all you are protecting the most important part of your body with it.

i've got this one, has good ratings,I would recommend it.

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/testsratings/scorpion-exo-1000

I'm glad you are alright. Those are usually the kind of accidents with quite a bit of damage.

I see your helmet cracked, it looks to be a bit old. Maybe that's why it cracked instead of flexing. I don't see any speeds quoted so I assume it wasn't above 30mph.

I agree with the whole opening post, but are you sure this is a reason to stop riding (during rush hours)?

I wouldn't stop riding, but I've never had such a bad accident so I might change my mind when it eventually happens. I've only been riding for 3.5years with only 40k miles under my belt.

Did you have a good back protector in your jacket?(im not pointing fingers, I just want to know if the back protector did it's work)

The helmet was given to me for free from my father, I wouldn't have probably been able to afford such an expensive helmet. I would be lucky to wear some crappy HJC that sits at ever american motocycle store lol. The accident happened on a street with the speed limit set to 45mph. I on a daily basis drove passed cops doing 50 because it was a industrial park and never got pulled once, so I can only assume that was the speed I was going. As for driving less during peak driving hours, yes. I drove every single day I could, there where whole weeks my car wouldn't even start because I rode my bike so much. On a daily basis, I would swerve out of multiple people's way just to avoid near collisions or accidents because people pay more attention to other things than the road they should be paying attention to. This is my first REAL street bike, had it only for less than 10 months and put 5k miles on it on the time I had it. As far as a back protector, no I didn't. My father lost that as well as the warm inner linner for winter months when he gave me the jacket for free. I can't wait to get another bike, look forward so much to my midnight rides into the city of Chicago.

Edit: I noticed your are in Belgium as well. I don't know much about traffic patterns and the population sizes out their, but I live outside Chicago. The largest city in the entirety of North America, Before this crash, I actually thought about spending a few days paying attention to driving to make a total count of how many sit on their phones talking, texting, browsing or doing other things than actually driving. Literally on a daily basis, I counted at minimum 1-2 dozen drivers, alone, in the 10 miles from my mouse to work that just alone, had a phone planted in front of their face. I am not speaking of the slick people who move the device away at the right time to not seem like they are using it. I could probably have doubled the amount of people in that same 10 mile span of people who constantly pull GPS coords up, texts and all sorts of shit without pulling off the road, instead staying on it, and putting all those in danger around them.

HJC helmets are actually very good (from a safety aspect).

Population sizes is low but traffic jams are among the worst in Europe. Especially around Brussels (capital of Europe.), The average traffic jam around it is usually about 60-70miles long.

On the average drive I think I notice about the same amount of people using their cellphone,GPS,radio, tablet,laptop, read their newspaper, make some sandwiches, put on make-up,....

That's quite the speed, you are lucky to be relatively unharmed. I've known people run into a car at about 40mph, and let's just say it was a lot worse.

Will the hjc I was shown failed miserably in a test I was shown at least. I know a kid without a helmet hit a parked car going 30, he is not the same person at all anymore,no where near it.

Most helmets are only made for a head on collision at about 25mph.

Look at this site if you are serious about helmet safety:http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/testhelmetlist?sharp-make=99&sharp-model=&sharp-type=All&sharp-rating=1&sharp-price-from=0&sharp-price-to=9999&discontinued=1

The most important thing yet is that it has to fit really snug, not just in a few places. Usually it's about 1 size smaller then you think it is.

Helmets also have a lifespan and should be replaced every 5 years as well or after any sort of impact (even just dropping it)

5 Years for a thermoplastic helmet and about 7 years for glassfiber/carbon helmets.

Just dropping it shouldn't damage anything, as long as the helmet is empty. (it doesn't damage the foam on the inside, which is the part that only works once.)

[appi]

my new helmet

kirill007 van waar ben jij ?

[Mtnbikecrazy55]

After my 5th or 6th time of being told " i'm sorry i didn't see you" comments, i ride with my high beams on full time, i'm sorry to those that have to deal with it, but unlike a car my life depends on it. I have logged over 30k miles in the last 2+ years i have had my bike, and since i have had my brights on, i have not had one single incident where i was not seen by someone.

Same here. Did I piss you off? That's okay, at least you didn't kill me.

Wishing you a safe recovery OP, if I lived in Chicago I don't know if I'd play those odds everyday. Happy to cruise through from time to time, but everyday? Probs not lol.

[Broke_Audio_Addict]

I had mine lit all the around with led's and you couldn't miss the red glow, driving with high beams on is a big ticket here.

[RooTxBeeR]

A nice brand new helmet will be afforded after this case is settled lmfao. Time to upgrade from the old and get that bad ass new helmets hahahahahahaha

[Dan2427]

I hit a deer 3 years ago no gear at all at 65 ish. I had zero time to react to the second deer after I missed the first one. I stayed conscious the whole time. I broke 9 bones in my left hand, right collar bone, my skull, my left foot, and of course bad road rash every where but mostly my back arms and legs. Had to stay in hospital for 10 days had skin grafting done so I know how you're feeling. My bike was in like 2 pieces and flew into a tree. I bought another bike and it just wasn't the same for me I was always paranoid even those I was geared with gloves helmet jacket and boots I felt I was more dangerous being that paranoid. I hope your recovery is fast and easy! Stay safe

[RooTxBeeR]

I hit a deer 3 years ago no gear at all at 65 ish. I had zero time to react to the second deer after I missed the first one. I stayed conscious the whole time. I broke 9 bones in my left hand, right collar bone, my skull, my left foot, and of course bad road rash every where but mostly my back arms and legs. Had to stay in hospital for 10 days had skin grafting done so I know how you're feeling. My bike was in like 2 pieces and flew into a tree. I bought another bike and it just wasn't the same for me I was always paranoid even those I was geared with gloves helmet jacket and boots I felt I was more dangerous being that paranoid. I hope your recovery is fast and easy! Stay safe

Damn that's a intense one right there. Was that a road bike and on street or was that dirt bike and side roads? I still have a dirtbike in my garage and have almost collided with deer and moose in Michigan a few times, glad I have only had near misses so far and no real hits as of yet.

[Deeznutz]

Glad to hear you're ok RootxBeer!

Not going to lecture you on how to ride, but you're going to have to ride like someone is out to hit you.

I've been riding since 2007. After having cars pull out in front of me several times, I no longer keep the gas on as I approach any side street. My 2 fingers on the front lever, right big toe on the rear brake---- just in case. My thumb on the brights if I see a car approaching the end of the side street. Boy do I hate those a$$holes that lurch to the edge of the road, stop abruptly. I shake my head at them. They look at me "What I stopped the vehicle". Well to me it looked like you were going to pull out.... If you driver's are reading this, and you know you do this sort of sh!t, quit doing it! Your bumper should not be anywhere near the white line on the side of the road!!!! Who cares if you did stop the vehicle, the other driver's do not know your intention!

Once I had some black guy with some homeboys in the car chase me because he pulled out- lurched coming out of an apartment complex close to my house. I shook my head and pointed at my eyes and pointed at him and mouthed "Look where the f*ck you're going!". This thug(s) proceeded to chase me down a few roads. I lane split a few times. They followed me again, going around cars to get to me. lol. I eventually saw a cop at an intersection that was turning. I STOPPED right in front of her and hopped off the bike and pointed at the car that was following me. Days later I kept seeing the car the followed me in the apt. parking lot- through the fence as I rode by. Man, I wanted to walk into the apt complex and key that dude's car, or flatten his tires soooooo bad.

Even when driving, I make it a point to look for the one centered head light that signifies a motorcycle. I have to tell you, on the road that I live on when approaching the road from the side street, dark colored,bikes, jackets and helmets- namely the color black, with the over hanging trees, and trees casting shadows on the road, except for the head light, the rider really blends into the scenery. lol. So from the driver's perspective, they really do not see us. lol.

Didn't mean to jack your thread, but being an ER Nurse, working in a Level 2 ER, I see what happens when people do not wear gear. It's a shame. Seriously, glad a fellow SMD member is well and threading after this sort of accident!

God Speed Man!

-Frank

[Dan2427]

I was on highway 9 in Iowa by spirit lake on my first R1, then got life flight to Sioux Falls, SD. My off road toys I still have as well (2 660 raptors) but they are more cruise toys/trail ride machines now. And that would be scary as shit almost hitting a moose lol.

[RooTxBeeR]

Glad to hear you're ok RootxBeer!

Not going to lecture you on how to ride, but you're going to have to ride like someone is out to hit you.

I've been riding since 2007. After having cars pull out in front of me several times, I no longer keep the gas on as I approach any side street. My 2 fingers on the front lever, right big toe on the rear brake---- just in case. My thumb on the brights if I see a car approaching the end of the side street. Boy do I hate those a$$holes that lurch to the edge of the road, stop abruptly. I shake my head at them. They look at me "What I stopped the vehicle". Well to me it looked like you were going to pull out.... If you driver's are reading this, and you know you do this sort of sh!t, quit doing it! Your bumper should not be anywhere near the white line on the side of the road!!!! Who cares if you did stop the vehicle, the other driver's do not know your intention!

Once I had some black guy with some homeboys in the car chase me because he pulled out- lurched coming out of an apartment complex close to my house. I shook my head and pointed at my eyes and pointed at him and mouthed "Loud where the f*ck you're going!". This thug(s) proceeded to chase me down a few roads. I lane split a few times. They followed me again, going around cars to get to me. lol. I eventually saw a cop at an intersection that was turning. I STOPPED right in front of her and hopped off the bike and pointed at the car that was following me. Days later I kept seeing the car the followed me in the apt. parking lot- through the fence as I rode by. Man, I wanted to walk into the apt complex and key that dude's car, or flatten his tires soooooo bad.

Even when driving, I make it a point to look for the one centered head light that signifies a motorcycle. I have to tell you, on the road that I live on when approaching the road from the side street, dark colored,bikes, jackets and helmets- namely the color black, with the over hanging trees, and trees casting shadows on the road, except for the head light, the rider really blends into the scenery. lol. So from the driver's perspective, they really do not see us. lol.

Didn't mean to jack your thread, but being an ER Nurse, working in a Level 2 ER, I see what happens when people do not wear gear. It's a shame. Seriously, glad a fellow SMD member is well and threading after this sort of accident!

God Speed Man!

-Frank

I already know a few kids that are no longer than person or who have passed away because they didn't wear gear. And believe me, I am a SUPER CAUTIOUS driver. I look for anything that could possibly do damage to me, I think this incident she just cut me off and I had no time to react what so ever. I have had many near misses while going even faster than I was on that street. One of my buddies who used to ride daily is a ER nurse now, he sold his bike. He rode good and geared, just seen to many people to make him not want to ride anymore lmfao Just to toss it out there aswell lol, I was wearing a big bright yellow jacket bahahahhahaha. I had planned on painting the bike red and having everything red/black down the road but we will see if that can still happen.

I was on highway 9 in Iowa by spirit lake on my first R1, then got life flight to Sioux Falls, SD. My off road toys I still have as well (2 660 raptors) but they are more cruise toys/trail ride machines now. And that would be scary as shit almost hitting a moose lol.

Damn that is nuts then! But damn right it was scary, I wasn't that close but the thing that scared me the most. He was about a few feet off the trail into the woods, I was scared the most about if anyone was following him that would jump out last second lol