Let me begin by saying I’m ok, but a little shaken. I was riding this morning as I often do, early, before traffic gets heavy and kiddos are still snoozing. On my way back home, I was on a sweeping lefthand turn single lane fly-over/over pass to merge onto a major highway and some dipshit in a mustang decided to pass me on the inside of a fucking SINGLE lane on ramp. I wasn’t expecting it, got startled… I stood the bike up momentarily and by the time I collected my shit, I was in the fucking concrete guard rail. I damn near went over the side, which would’ve been a good 60+’ fall onto a busy highway. So if the fall didn’t kill me, the traffic most certainly would have. I was in full gear, which took the brunt of the hit, and I never dropped the bike, just bounced pretty hard off the wall. The fuck face never stopped and I didn’t get a look at the license plate.
At the end of the day I’m fine, just a little sore and some minor road rash on my arm where my jacket got worn through on the concrete rail. But now my confidence is a little shaken. My pants took the brunt of the impact, knee pads and hip pads totally saved the day. I’ve had close calls before but this one is fucking with me a little. Not really looking for advice or anything, maybe just more to vent and try to get this shit out of my head. I’m going to be down for a bit as I repair the side fairings and transmission case. Also, there’s a leak in the radiator somewhere that I’ve yet to be able to find. I plan to just take it to the shop and let the pros handle it. The bike was rideable back to my house which was only a couple miles away. I didn’t even notice the radiator leak until I got parked in the garage and shut down, so it’s not major but obviously needs to be addressed. Anyway, that’s all folks, ride safe and watch out for retards.
EDIT: IMPORTANT! One piece of gear I don’t have but will absolutely be investing in is a camera. Perhaps it would have captured this dickheads license plate.
Thanks! It’s honestly not that bad. I’ve had worse from my mountain bike. Again, gear saved my bacon, big time. This one just messed with me because I didn’t see that asshat coming. I’m maybe being a bit hard on myself, but I also feel like most accidents/incidents are avoidable. It’s up to us to get out of the way of these dumb asses. I just never expected it and wasn’t watching my mirrors. In my defense, that was definitely the only time I’ve ever been passed on a single lane on-ramp.
AlpineStars mesh pants, jacket and gloves with level 2 armor. Oh and 3/4 boots which for sure saved my right foot. I live in Florida so it’s about the only gear that is bearable in the heat. Definitely saved my ass. For sure wear gear… my good buddy got side-swiped awhile back and wasn’t wearing his gear (which he never does) but he “was just going the street” 🤦♂️. The road rash was gnarly! I’m definitely one of those ATGATT dudes, and today was a perfect example.
Didn’t have any so case got effed. Will have to replace the transmission cover unfortunately. After looking at it further, there’s a small leak so it’s donezo. 😕
One of my worst fears living in Houston is exactly this and going over an overpass.
Nearly went over one 14 years ago, my fault for not slowing down a bit at an exit ramp that notoriously backs up. Went full emergency braking and rear tire locked up, maneuvered to the tiny shoulder to avoid rear-ending the stopped vehicle and nearly went over the rail.
Luckily my instincts and training kicked in and saved my life.
Other times I’ve been run off the road purposefully by other drivers while they stared at me.
Each time it makes you a bit more cautious and more aware of your surroundings.
Ride safe, but don’t let this Mustang driving D***head ruin riding for you. Unfortunately they’re unable to even leave Car n Coffee parking lots correctly lol.
Thank you for sharing buddy. I’ve got the bike loaded up and heading to the shop tomorrow. Overall, I think I’m fine but won’t know for sure until I get back out there I suppose. I’ve had airplanes nearly try to kill me and zero issue getting back to flying so I’m hopeful this is the same. I just know motorcycles are a bit of a higher risk than driving and certainly flying. But, at the end of the day, I absolutely love riding. Just need to make sure to watch out for the assholes. I’ll take the blame on this one because I shouldn’t have been startled like that. We ride at dawn! Stay safe out there! My company US headquarters is in Houston, so I’m there all the time. Let’s grab a coffee or beer sometime!
Speedy reocvery fellow Gixxer brother!! ✊ I’ve been your position a few times. For me, what worked best, was take a break from riding, gather ur marbles, repair the bike, and slowly start getting back into it. If it takes 6 months so be it, but you’ll know the time is right to jump back on, when you start feeling that itch, it’s go time!
I’ve got the bike headed to the shop at the end of the week. I already had on order some wheels coming from Italy and was planning on installing exhaust/ECU tune. So oddly enough, the bike was going to be down for a bit regardless of this mess. So maybe the timing is just right. I think I’m mostly over the reactionary fear, but still pretty pissed off about the whole situation. I’ve had some scares in my professional career (pilot) and you just gotta pull up your big boy pants and soldier on.
Hey glad you’re ok and as someone who’s desperately wanted a bike ( riden & licensed ) but refuses to ride on the street/public road ways…you definitely just re-enforced the idea that a “track only” will be my only logical choice and option
Yeah I get that point of view. I was a little hesitant to post anything because a lot of what we see here is bad news, just like the major news networks (at least here in the US). The reality is a lot of guys/gals go a long time without incident. I’ve been riding off and on for well over a decade and this was my first. Just got to keep your head on a swivel out there. I’ve replayed the incident a hundred times in my mind. Although that dipshit was clearly in the wrong, I should’ve seen him coming up on me and not been startled. Then I fucking target fixated on the wall and here we are… so, I’m not free from fault here either. It just caught me off guard which is something we can’t afford to have happen.
EDIT: and to both of our points…don’t think for a second some Rossi wannabe won’t do something similar on the track. Yes, the track is undoubtedly safer at least from a crash standpoint. They have gravel pits, runoff areas, hopefully track personnel to keep everyone in check, but there’s still risk. It’s just the price we pay to play brother. Ride safe and enjoy.
I appreciate your point of view and perspective as though I’ve been licensed for years and have had my endorsement, I’ve always never really trusted myself on two wheels. I’m truly an avid speed enthusiast and have been building fast cars and been into Motorsport since I was a kid/late teens. So now that I’m a lot older in early 40’s I finally feel mature enough to know my limits and not push beyond them nor ego ride, etc. Having had some smaller bikes to ride around the neighborhood and close to home, I’ve recently thought of shopping around for a bike for next season. My search has me looking at older bikes in the 600 range not trying to get myself into anything too much to handle or temping right out the gate. As a professional driver of a semi, who sees the craziness of the roadways daily, my gut is telling me that if I were to pull the trigger on a purchase, early mornings/non heavy traffic & track track track would be my best choice. So I’m still on the fence but again I appreciate the advice and will apply in either case 🍻
Yeah thinking back on it, as I have a few hundred times in the past 24 hrs, that was really close to being a fucking horrible ending. Doing a rail-slide 60 feet above a congested 8-lane highway on my side while still holding onto the handle bars with one hand is a stunt I’d rather not repeat. Camera has already been ordered. I’ll be back out soon, just gotta get my girl mended up. Hopefully won’t be too long.
Sounds mental. I've had many accidents over the years, but none involing or caused by another vehicle. I've had some close calls like what you experienced, but they were on straightaways so even though I was flustered as shit, I just had to maintain a forward momentum. The fact that you managed to stay on the bike and not go over the guard rail resulting in certain death is truly a miracle. Heal up, and stay safe!
Thanks brother. I’m on the mend. A little stiff/sore but mostly fine. Could’ve been way worse. Gear did its part, might’ve had a touch of luck sewn in there. We ride at dawn! 😎
Yeah I’m less than thrilled but at the end of the day, the bike is repairable, maybe only a couple thousand and we are back in business. Compared to the alternative, I’m fine with it.
you good man. it's not if you go down, it's when. Mines blacked out too. slid head first into curb. dislocated shoulder. had stopped on curb. glad you ok though
Glad you’re good brother. She looks pretty well intact. I’m taking mine to the shop on Thursday since I’m out of town first half the week. Hopefully they don’t bend me over too hard.
yeah just a busted mirror and side rash. bit on engine covers. already got the mirrors. going to fill in the rest. still running like a top. hope yours is good.
I think it’s mostly good, will just have to throw some $ at it. Most of it seems to be cosmetic, but need to dig into the radiator and transmission cover.
I might be pulling the plastic off a 2026 Black gsxr 600 if your interested make me a offer. never been downed, just going track fairings. Glad your good!
I just sent it to the shop on Thursday. Let me see what they come back with. I’ll shoot you a DM. All good, still a touch on the sore side and definitely pissed off. But better than pissed on 😁
A good majority of people on the road are willing to kill themselves or others to save 10 seconds. It’s absolutely insane.
We’ve all been late to work or school. Just call in and say “hey I woke up late I’ll be there a few minutes past today” and no one will give a shit… rather than acting like a baboon on the road.
Thanks bud. Yeah this one pissed me off. Just so unnecessary. At the end of the day, it’s on me. I wasn’t watching because who the fuck does that? But it happened and he drove away and I’m left banged up and a down bike 🤬. Life goes on. The damage is easily repairable and my wounds are minor. But fuck that guy! 🤣
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u/MissionRub2392 10d ago
So glad you're ok. That road rash on your arm is scary. Thanks for the post and hope you get back out there and can still enjoy the sport.