Monica A
Junior Member
So yesterday, Hubby & I decided to play hooky from work. (I fibbed I had a medical appt - bad idea) It was our baby's 20th birthday. He doesn't have class on Friday this semester, so we decided to invite him along for a birthday ride. We were about 5 miles into the twisties. This is my son's and my 4th year riding street. I know this route really well. I've ridden it many times. This was my son's 2nd time. We warned him to watch the curves because they are deceptive. If it's labeled 15 go 20-25 max. Etc. Hubby riding in front, son next, then me. I came up to the 15mph curve and slowed to 20. As I came around the curve I saw a dirt cloud, then I saw my son's SV650 facing me on it's side on the shoulder. Found my son laying in the ditch. I screamed into intercom for my hubby but he was too far away. I figured he'd see we weren't behind him and turn around. Parked, took off my gloves, helmet, ear plugs - which seemed like it took an eternity to do. I could hear my son moaning so I knew he was conscious. We are out of cell range at this point. Some nice gentlemen that were out deer hunting stopped to see if we needed help. One was a retired EMT so that was great too. After a quick check from head to toe all the injuries we found were contusions to both knees and road rash on his wrist where his leathers had pulled free from his glove. Not a mark on his helmet. The shoulder was thick soft sand which helped in a way. Unfortunately, there was also some big boulders and a road marker.
He could walk (ish), so hubby parked the crashed bike safely out of the way, son jumped on back of hubby's bike, and rode to the closest town. Son and I hung out on the grass outside. I got a drink and ibruprofen for son. The proprietor was nice and gave me a bag of ice from soda machine. I made him as comfortable as possible, and hubby rode home to get our SUV and cargo trailer. At one point, I walked him over to the bathroom. Across the street some men were building a new barn. A man walked over and introduced himself as the local fire chief. He asked what happened, we explained, and he check my son said he was OK but needed to be seen my medical as soon as possible.
I had a discussion with my son to determine what happened as soon as drugs kicked in and he was comfortable.
Accident Analysis:
He came into the lefthand corner slowly (20-30mph) and felt he was too far into the inside of the corner so he accelerated. He hit gravel on shoulder at this point and front end washed out. He hit the soft sand and he was down. He kept sliding and the bike hit a boulder which sent my son over the handle bars (where he sustained his knee injuries). He remembers seeing his bike tumbling front over back next to him then flipping over him and landing next to him.
Gear Analysis:
Not a scratch on his helmet - anywhere.
Not a scratch on his Scorpion leather gloves - anywhere
Not a scuff on his leather jacekt (he was wearing a two-piece full-zip Alpinestarts leather suit)
Only scuff on the pants were where his knees hit the handlebars (we think)
So the moral to this story is ALWAYS WEAR FULL GEAR!!
ER doc confirmed if he wasn't wearing full gear he wouldn't have faired so well.
The patient is on crutches to keep weight off knees as they heal. He is wrapping them with ace bandages to keep swelling down and for support
Mom's condition:
Shakey but recovering. It's tough to come across your son laying in a ditch knowing he just crashed. It could have been much worse. The fire chief told me they pulled 6 guys off this same curve last year dead. Feeling blessed but still concerned. It was a record 1 hour 45 minute trip to ER. Usually you feel good if it's under 3 hours. They considered him a trauma so we got right in.
Bike's condition:
Totalled. Forks bent. Front tire is straight and handlebars are at a full-lock to the left. Front tire flat - rim probably bent. Muffler pulled lose from pipe. Many misc bits and pieces bent or busted. Tank has a huge bent on right side. Not sure about the frame yet. Hubby will look at it closer today. Miraculously the windscreen is untouched. Weird.
Overall this could have been much worse. I always cringe when I see people riding without gear. This is a good example of why we always wear gear.
He could walk (ish), so hubby parked the crashed bike safely out of the way, son jumped on back of hubby's bike, and rode to the closest town. Son and I hung out on the grass outside. I got a drink and ibruprofen for son. The proprietor was nice and gave me a bag of ice from soda machine. I made him as comfortable as possible, and hubby rode home to get our SUV and cargo trailer. At one point, I walked him over to the bathroom. Across the street some men were building a new barn. A man walked over and introduced himself as the local fire chief. He asked what happened, we explained, and he check my son said he was OK but needed to be seen my medical as soon as possible.
I had a discussion with my son to determine what happened as soon as drugs kicked in and he was comfortable.
Accident Analysis:
He came into the lefthand corner slowly (20-30mph) and felt he was too far into the inside of the corner so he accelerated. He hit gravel on shoulder at this point and front end washed out. He hit the soft sand and he was down. He kept sliding and the bike hit a boulder which sent my son over the handle bars (where he sustained his knee injuries). He remembers seeing his bike tumbling front over back next to him then flipping over him and landing next to him.
Gear Analysis:
Not a scratch on his helmet - anywhere.
Not a scratch on his Scorpion leather gloves - anywhere
Not a scuff on his leather jacekt (he was wearing a two-piece full-zip Alpinestarts leather suit)
Only scuff on the pants were where his knees hit the handlebars (we think)
So the moral to this story is ALWAYS WEAR FULL GEAR!!
ER doc confirmed if he wasn't wearing full gear he wouldn't have faired so well.
The patient is on crutches to keep weight off knees as they heal. He is wrapping them with ace bandages to keep swelling down and for support
Mom's condition:
Shakey but recovering. It's tough to come across your son laying in a ditch knowing he just crashed. It could have been much worse. The fire chief told me they pulled 6 guys off this same curve last year dead. Feeling blessed but still concerned. It was a record 1 hour 45 minute trip to ER. Usually you feel good if it's under 3 hours. They considered him a trauma so we got right in.
Bike's condition:
Totalled. Forks bent. Front tire is straight and handlebars are at a full-lock to the left. Front tire flat - rim probably bent. Muffler pulled lose from pipe. Many misc bits and pieces bent or busted. Tank has a huge bent on right side. Not sure about the frame yet. Hubby will look at it closer today. Miraculously the windscreen is untouched. Weird.
Overall this could have been much worse. I always cringe when I see people riding without gear. This is a good example of why we always wear gear.
