Sometimes even all the gear isn't quite enough: Difference between revisions

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I hadn't ridden the Yamaha 125 scooter regularly for some time, since getting my 'real' motorcycle. I took it out one day, though, and rediscovered how fun it was to ride. So I got some new suspension pieces for it, new tires, and an SS brake line up front. I really wanted to spend a lot more time on it, but instead I lost three months of riding.

To improve my riding ability on the scooter ~~in the safety of a controlled environment~~, I took it to a go-cart track about 45 minutes from home. I was just going to stay for a couple hours, do a few sessions, and get used to the new parts. Sometime early on in the first session, though, I high-sided (or, as it is on a scooter, mid-sided). I don't know what happened, and it's looking like I never will. I vaguely remember starting out, but I have no idea how many laps I'd run, if there were any other bikes on the track, or how I got back to the start/office area. I know I wasn't going more than 25-35 mph when I fell off, but none of the rest of that bit of time is clear. Or even fuzzy.

To improve my riding ability on the scooter, I took it to a go-cart track about 45 minutes from home. I was just going to stay for a couple hours, do a few sessions, and get used to the new parts. Sometime early on in the first session, though, I high-sided (or, as it is on a scooter, mid-sided). I don't know what happened, and it's looking like I never will. I vaguely remember starting out, but I have no idea how many laps I'd run, if there were any other bikes on the track, or how I got back to the start/office area. I know I wasn't going more than 25-35 mph when I fell off, but none of the rest of that bit of time is clear. Or even fuzzy.

After I got out of the hospital, I was surprised to find that I had pictures from the track on the camera.

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The CT scan showed a hematoma, or what is basically a bruise, on my brain. The swelling on my face showed that, although it had quit bleeding almost as soon as it started, the blood had to go somewhere. Again, the doctor wasn't that worried. The scan looked fine, but they kept me in a hospital room for two days to monitor me. Hospitals are never fun.

So, how did the wreck happen? I don't know. The bike landed left front first, and, being a scooter, received very little damage~~, just a few scrapes and a broken left (rear) brake lever~~. I~~'m pretty sure I~~ somehow lost the front~~. I'm also pretty sure I landed on my head and~~ left ~~hand. I can't say anything beyond that~~.

So, how did the wreck happen? I don't know. I'm pretty sure I landed on my head and left hand. I can't say anything beyond that. The bike landed left front first and, being a scooter, received very little damage. I either somehow lost the front or left the sidestand down.

What matters is that, without good gear, I:

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The point of all this? Yes, it can happen to you. Yes, you should be prepared. Yes, you should buy the best gear you can afford. Yes, motorcycling is still dangerous.

~~There are always those~~ who dwell on the dangers of motorcycling.

You know lots of people who dwell on the dangers of motorcycling.

I prefer to consider the joy.

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 I hadn't ridden the Yamaha 125 scooter regularly for some time, since getting my 'real' motorcycle. I took it out one day, though, and rediscovered how fun it was to ride. So I got some new suspension pieces for it, new tires, and an SS brake line up front. I really wanted to spend a lot more time on it, but instead I lost three months of riding.
-To improve my riding ability on the scooter in the safety of a controlled environment, I took it to a go-cart track about 45 minutes from home. I was just going to stay for a couple hours, do a few sessions, and get used to the new parts. Sometime early on in the first session, though, I high-sided (or, as it is on a scooter, mid-sided). I don't know what happened, and it's looking like I never will. I vaguely remember starting out, but I have no idea how many laps I'd run, if there were any other bikes on the track, or how I got back to the start/office area. I know I wasn't going more than 25-35 mph when I fell off, but none of the rest of that bit of time is clear. Or even fuzzy.
+To improve my riding ability on the scooter, I took it to a go-cart track about 45 minutes from home. I was just going to stay for a couple hours, do a few sessions, and get used to the new parts. Sometime early on in the first session, though, I high-sided (or, as it is on a scooter, mid-sided). I don't know what happened, and it's looking like I never will. I vaguely remember starting out, but I have no idea how many laps I'd run, if there were any other bikes on the track, or how I got back to the start/office area. I know I wasn't going more than 25-35 mph when I fell off, but none of the rest of that bit of time is clear. Or even fuzzy.
 After I got out of the hospital, I was surprised to find that I had pictures from the track on the camera.
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 The CT scan showed a hematoma, or what is basically a bruise, on my brain. The swelling on my face showed that, although it had quit bleeding almost as soon as it started, the blood had to go somewhere. Again, the doctor wasn't that worried. The scan looked fine, but they kept me in a hospital room for two days to monitor me. Hospitals are never fun.
-So, how did the wreck happen? I don't know. The bike landed left front first, and, being a scooter, received very little damage, just a few scrapes and a broken left (rear) brake lever. I'm pretty sure I somehow lost the front. I'm also pretty sure I landed on my head and left hand. I can't say anything beyond that.
+So, how did the wreck happen? I don't know. I'm pretty sure I landed on my head and left hand. I can't say anything beyond that. The bike landed left front first and, being a scooter, received very little damage. I either somehow lost the front or left the sidestand down.
 What matters is that, without good gear, I:
@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 The point of all this? Yes, it can happen to you. Yes, you should be prepared. Yes, you should buy the best gear you can afford. Yes, motorcycling is still dangerous.
-There are always those who dwell on the dangers of motorcycling.
+You know lots of people who dwell on the dangers of motorcycling.
 I prefer to consider the joy.