Happy New Bike Day!
Motorcycles are an enormous amount of fun. Nothing beats a nice long scenic ride on a beautiful day on the back of a good bike. I've had more than my share, and way more than my share of injuries sustained while riding.
Despite how good a rider you are, how careful and attentive you are, you are ALWAYS at the mercy of the army of asshats in giant steel boxes that surround and outnumber on the road. Many of them are preoccupied, distracted, stupid, or simply not "aware" of the presence of bikes in their vicinity. It's a bit like Russian Roulette every time you turn the key and fire up your beautiful beast.
I've lost friends on Bikes... several. Most were being careful and responsible at the time. One, was not... and the scene was more horrific than words can describe.
Another friend, Ben. He was reckless and thought himself indestructible. No matter that in the span of six months he had two scary crashes that were entirely his fault, and which left him with a few good broken bones.
Ben never learned. Shortly after having a cast removed from one of his legs, he took his super-go-fast crotch rocket out for a midnight jaunt testing the limits of his Bike's performance, and his own ability to reign them in.
Ben hit the center median at an estimated speed of 160+ MPH. This launched him over the median, over the three traffic lanes on the other side, and into a guard rail. He lost his right leg above the knee, his left leg just below the knee, and his left arm at the shoulder right there at the scene. His right arm was so shattered that despite somehow surviving, his one remaining extremity hangs lifeless and useless at his side.
He spent nearly a year in hospital. He was in his early 20s with a beautiful kid and a bright future. Now he's a bitter, lonely recluse with a pair of prosthetic legs he refuses to use, hasn't seen his kid in years, rarely if ever goes outside...
Respect the Bike. There's enough shit out there on the roads to worry about already. Respect the Bike.
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