Gaurdrail + FZ6 = Ouch!

[Kamloops]

Guardrail + FZ6 = Ouch!

I hit the gravel on the shoulder doing 50mph of an 30mph outside corner and low-sided into a metal guardrail on Hwy 20 in WA. Bike went under guardrail and then hit one of the wood supporting posts. My friend that was with me said bike then bounced out and I proceeded to" Ragdoll" down the highway. Bike ended up on top of my head. I was trapped under the bike. I remember the whole accident, never blacked out at all. When It was over my head was trapped under the bike and I could not move it for the life of me. All I could think of what if a car comes around the corner, I am toast. Or what if the bike catches on fire. I undid my helmet and slid out from under it. I then lifted my bike upright and did that with ease like it did not weigh a thing!

I actually rode the bike to the hospital in Republic WA. and was treated for some very very minor injuries. I was wearing full gear. My gear is all destroyed as well. Spent the night in Republic and then rode 300 miles to home yesterday. Cant believe the bike was still working!

My gear did its job! Helmet took a beating and did what it is suppose to as well. Without frame sliders bike would have been done!

I wore right through the butt of my textile pants but the odd thing was I just was wearing some light summer shorts under them and not a mark on them or my butt!

I think I must have target fixated on something, I was not going to fast for the corner, in fact my buddy doing the same speed right behind me made the corner with me crashing in front of him. I feel real bad for him, we are very close friends and he thought I was done. It was really hard on him.

Not sure about riding now??? This accident was pretty bad, people were amazed I walked away from it. No road rash to speak off, few bruises and I am very sore. Small mark on my elbow that required a few stitches. I hit that guardrail at 50mph! I am one lucky guy! A guy hit the same guardrail at low speed the day before me and was not so lucky! Broken neck, ribs, internal injuries....

Before this my FZ6 was still like new , not a mark on it, I babied it.

Not sure if insurance will write it off or not, it is insured for 7K CAD

 

[Kamloops]

Re: Guardrail + FZ6 = Ouch!

 

[zmeiaspas]

Holy ****! Glad you're ok dude. Your guardian angel was on your shoulder that day. Bike doesn't look bad at all. Actually it looks better than my viffer after my guardrail encounter (never cared to fix her up and just ride her all rashed up ... guardrails build character ).

As for not being sure about motorcycling any more - just think about it and figure out if you love it enough or not. It's a risk-management trade off. Is the gain big enough to justify the risk?

:iconbeer:

 

[Geoff]

FIRST OFF!

We are glad you are ok.

That had to been scary. It's a good thing you were wearing protective gear too! Doesn't look like any major mechanical damages to the bike just scuffs and scratches. I image hitting a guard rail must of been scary. Angels are among us.

About riding....You can quit or keep riding but, after this incident I guaranteed you will be 10x better rider then ever before (not saying you were bad, but its a lesson) Its kind of cliche but No Pain No Gain. Take your time for sure though.

 

[Wavex]

Scary crash... good to hear you're good.

Let your insurance deal with it (something ran out of the side of the road and under your front tire) and you'll be back on there soon! Probably a total loss due to scratches on the frame...

Good luck with it all!

 

[VEGASRIDER]

Wearing the proper safety gear pretty much sums it up in this thread.

For those who don't think wearing a helmet is a life saver, read this thread again!

Glad you're okay. Most people who encounter guardrails are not as fortunate as you.

Kudo's to you for riding back! I think that I'm more shocked that the bike was even rideable after the crash scenario that was just described.

 

[Kamloops]

Scratches on the frame will make it a total loss? I was wondering about that as to repaint or replace the frame that would be a big job.

 

[lonesoldier84]

This is pretty insane. Guardrails = death-posts. You are lucky indeed.

Get back in the saddle. The nervousness will be there for a couple rides, but will fade away. It's like in Top Gun after Goose died. The commander kept sending Maverick up, even though his head wasn't in it.

If it's something you love, it is worth the risk, provided you minimize that risk by riding safely and sensibly.


P.S. TEXTILE GEAR IS USELESSSS!!!! I've crashed at low speed and it gets shredded up and worn through very quickly. Sure 50mph it was okay, but would you trust your hide to it at 80mph? I wouldn't. Kevlar-denim Draggin Jeans or leather. That's where the smart money is.

 

[chuckfz6ryder]

I'm glad you're OK. From the description of the crash, I expected "woke up in the hospital", not "rode to the hospital". Not sure I'd have done the same. Heal fast.

 

[wolfe1down]

Glad to hear you're ok. Bike doesn't look all that bad, considering. You were lucky to be able to 'walk away' and even more fortunate that you're bike was drivable. Take your time making your decision as to weather or not to keep riding. It's a personal decision, and it'll take some guts to make it, either way. I will say that the fact that you rode home is a good sign... :thumbup:

 

[Kamloops]

I agree on the textile, I normally were Kevlar Jeans underneath but not on this day, the textile gear did save me from worst damage but not as good as leather.

More pictures, you can see where I would have ended up if not for the guardrail. Where the last bit of gravel is on the paved portion is there I ended up with the bike on my head. I am one very lucky sob! When I knew I was going into that guardrail I figured it was all over! Very scary moment. I know what usually happens when you hit this type of guardrail. I think my back wheel went under and hit the wood post and then bounced right out away from it!

 

[Kamloops]

I do believe the helmet saved my life! Always wear a helmet and a full face, not like all the idiots I saw in Idaho with no helmets! I may not have had my helmet tight enough as the chin got pushed up and I injured below my lower lip and the bridge of my nose a little bit. My Visor was also ripped off. I was spitting up gravel and my nostrils were full of it after.

 

[DefyInertia]

Smart man for wearing your gear.

I had an accident kinda sorta like this once. I thought about hanging it up. Somewhere along the way my skills improved and now I no longer worry about having an accident like this. I worry about hitting deer basically. Just something to think about when considering whether or not you want to keep riding.

 

[Have2BeFree]

Glad you are ok!!!!! Wow! I had a much minor incident last year and it took me months to be ok with riding again......it's your decision so take all the time you need, either way I think everyone would understand.

 

[lonesoldier84]

Your fly is open.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

Lone, of all the forum members, only you would notice something like that.

 

[Kamloops]

I wondered how long it would take for someone to point that out LOL! It busted in the accident, think I got so happy after the accident that I was ok that.......well you know!

 

[rchamberlain]

I am familiar with that highway. Some nice scenery there.

Smart to wear the gear. I always wonder when I see guys riding with sleeveless shirts and sandals. Good luck.

 

[Norbert]

wow!
glad you're ok.

damn you gravel!!!!!!

 

[sxty8goats]

Good to see you made it through. Amaizing that you rode away and home again...