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Hi all. I am a new motorcyclist. I believe I am a very good driver and of course, that egotistical thought has carried over into my new biking career. At one point, I rode my new bike down to the beach with board shorts and a t-shirt. Never will I do that again. After breaking 200k miles, a woman straight up cut me off the other day. I was expecting her to cut me off and when she did I was alert and ready, but still spilled. I pulled the brakes like I should have and felt like everything was going okay and then before I knew it, I was on the pavement. I think I must have made a stupid noob mistake like pulling the handlebars by accident, as it is a natural reaction. I don't believe I pulled in the clutch either, so that could have been the problem, but I'm not sure. Anyway, luckily, that day I had decided to wear full gear and I thank the stars I did. My jacket had not a single mark on it, but yet I pulled my arm out of it and it was cut severly. I am convicted that had I not worn my jacket that day, I would presently have no left elbow.


Anyway, moral of the story is: Never get too cocky and always wear full gear. I know I am still a noob and should not yet be preaching, but this incident has opened my eyes to the dangers of road rash and I thought I should share it with other new motorcyclists.

btw, I have a frank thomas moto jacket and it is absolutely wonderful. Not at all hindersome while riding, only a pain when you're not on your bike (like when down at the beach.)

Ride safe and always wear your gear, at least in the first year but all the time if you can.

Glad to hear you're okay and thanks for sharing. Posts like these serve as a good reminder to everyone, new or experienced, about what can happen when riding.

Thanks for sharing, also good reminder for all the gears all the time.

One point I'd like to make, tho, please take no offence, why you waited until the car cut you off then applied brakes?. if you already expected that you should slow way down to avoid the cut off or panic brake.

JukeboxHero wrote:My jacket had not a single mark on it, but yet I pulled my arm out of it and it was cut severly...I am convicted that had I not worn my jacket that day, I would presently have no left elbow...I have a frank thomas moto jacket and it is absolutely wonderful.

Sorry if I sound crass, but no crash jacket is "wonderful" if it allows a laceration to the elbow. My Joe Rocket Meteor 4.0 has armor in various places, including the elbow, and I would not expect any sort of skin damage after a crash, save for some bruising. If you still feel you're a "noob" and are prone to falling over, you might want to look into something similar.

I am not sure why I didn't begin breaking earlier. I was expecting her to cut out in front of me, but didn't think for sure she would, it was like a hazard scaning type thing. Even when she did though, I think I had the breaking down alright and I just panicked or something, I really don't know why I fell. That's the part that has given me the most grief is not knowing what happened.

Also the cut on my elbow was caused by it brushing against the jacket, which had elbow armor. I don't know what you call that....an abrasion? I was saying if it weren't for the armor my elbow would have been completely screwedd up. I think in any armored jacket I still would have gotten cut in the same manner.[/quote]

your jacket is probally too big thats why you got the injuries. the leather will twist and move around on impact if its not a tight enough fit. it should be as close to a second skin as you can get it other wise youll get nasty burns and stuff like you have cause the sleeve twists around.

About the fall, if there was gravel or sand on the road, that may have done it. When I ate road, it was because I braked and the front tire lost traction in this red cinder stuff they put on the roads to keep cagers safe . It didn't even lock up, just lost traction. I was down instantly. So it's possible you could have been doing everything right and just been unlucky to have hit a patch of loose material in the road.

Glad you were wearing the jacket!

If you haven't done this already, ice your bruises 15 mins on, 15 mins off as this will reduce your swelling and promote faster recovery. If you hit your head you'll need to replace your helmet. You really should get checked out by a doc if you feel any other unusual symptoms. It sounds like you hit your elbow hard and you have a friction burn from the inside of your jacket.

ATGATT

Glad the only injury you have is to your elbow. Thanks for the reminder.

i agree with you dude! however, in addition to wearing full gear you must check your motorcycle accessories. choose something that's already proven and tested - something that's durable to keep you away from injuries.