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[James Burleigh]

June 2006...

3PM Saturday afternoon...

85 degrees, sunny and clear....

Dressed in full leathers, boots, gloves, Arai helmet...

Pulled into a school parking lot to do an equipment check on the way home after a spirited ride....

Then, pulling back onto the main road...Down she goes!

I hit a patch of algae that had grown over the white turn arrow from water running over it constantly from a broken line. My brain said, "Sunny, warm, and dry. A quarter inch of water on the road? Must be a late sprinkler system. No problem...." But there would be tears before bedtime.

Results:

• Surprisingly sudden and violent accident.
• Massive head strike.
• Totaled helmet.
• Battle scars to leathers.
• $2,500 damage to FJR (photo).
• New Arai helmet.
• Filed claim against school; paid amount requested.
• Do a better job now of assessing my road surface.

A nice couple stopped after seeing me getting up off the ground. They helped me pick up the pieces. I knew I'd hit my head hard, but I could think clearly [the helmet saved my life--period!]. They then insisted on following me five miles home to be sure I got there all right. God bless them.

Jb

 

[jdog109socal]

I feel your pain my brother. see here https://youtube.com/watch?v=itPi7w3NJ4k

Glad your still with us... Plastic can be fixed, But you cant get another brian....

Although the dam Japs think plastic is made of gold...

3500.00 was my cost and no bike for 8 1/2 weeks..

Jdog

 

[Toecutter]

Ah yes, remember it well...The reason my Shoei sits in a box and I have a new ZRP on my head, at least until I can afford my next helmet, probably a Suomy. Thanks JB! :good:

I just hope I never find out how protective my helmet actually is.

 

[evil_henchman]

On the bright side....chicks dig scars. B)

And movie stars :lol:

 

[twowheelnut]

Jebus, you're a glutton for punishment! :lol:

 

[James Burleigh]

Ah yes, remember it well...The reason my Shoei sits in a box and I have a new ZRP on my head, at least until I can afford my next helmet, probably a Suomy.

Exactly so. And why I now wear a British-certified SUOMY (no SNELL sticker in sight)--but I'd better be careful lest this thread morph into a NEPRD!

 

[James Burleigh]

Jebus, you're a glutton for punishment! :lol:

It's a psychological experiment: Can JB handle it this time around? But no, wait. I haven't even mentioned that I had knee pucks on those leathers I was wearing. Oh ****! Now I've done it!

 

[V GER]

Your pain, our gain.

Thanks for the reminder of how quickly things can go wrong.

One of my constant ride thoughts now is "white and wet don't mix, slow down, rear brake"

I had never given them a second thought before joining this board. :dead:

THANKS

 

[Barabus]

JB,

Were you using front brake or just the linked back brakes at the time? Did the $2500 amount include your leathers and helmet? Stay Safe!

 

[mdisher]

It still hurts to watch that...

So are you saying the school bellied up for having a busted water line that caused that? That's awesome.

-MD

 

[evilmedic13]

I feel your pain my brother.
Glad your still with us... Plastic can be fixed, But you cant get another brian....

Jdog

Sure you can, I know of at least 4 Brians that are single, and looking!

 

[Barabus]

I feel your pain my brother.
Glad your still with us... Plastic can be fixed, But you cant get another brian....

Jdog

Sure you can, I know of at least 4 Brians that are single, and looking!

ROTFLMAO!! :jester:

 

[James Burleigh]

JB,
Were you using front brake or just the linked back brakes at the time? Did the $2500 amount include your leathers and helmet? Stay Safe!

No brakes at all, as I recall. I was in first gear, using engine braking. The $2,500 was for the bike. $500 Arai replaced also. The leathers just looked better with the scrapes.

To give you an idea of how hard I came down on my head and twisted my neck, one of the major scuffs to my jacket is on the TOP of my shoulder, right next to my neck. Ouch! My neck hurt for weeks.

Jb

It still hurts to watch that...
So are you saying the school bellied up for having a busted water line that caused that? That's awesome.

-MD

Yep. The reason I stated was "Failure to maintain a safe driving surface." The video along with the claim made it pretty much a no-brainer. But I didn't ask for the moon either. I asked for my $500 deductible, the cost of the V-Stream windscreen (since the factory stock was put back on), and a couple hundred bucks for insurance premium impact. About $800 altogether (since the insurance company had already made me whole). I also asked for evidence the problem was repaired.

BTW, Foremost was GREAT!

Jb

 

[TruWrecks]

The reason my SAh yes, remember it well...hoei sits in a box and I have a new ZRP on my head, at least until I can afford my next helmet, probably a Suomy. Thanks JB! :good:
I just hope I never find out how protective my helmet actually is.

I know two people that have been saved from major head trauma by an Arai helmet. A friend of mine named James, and myself. James hit a cargo van going about 35MPH (at point of impact). The EMT said his Arai saved his life. He was messed up pretty good, but still alive. He's doing much better now, BTW. I smacked my head on the ground when I wrecked my last bike. The helmet had a gash through three layers on the shell, and I was completely coherent the entire time. I tore three of the ligaments in my right shoulder, but my head was in good shape.

I would rather have the best if I need it, than need it and not have it. So far Arai has been the best. I wouldn't trust my brain to anything less!

Tru

 

[automag928]

WOW! Holy crap that made me cringe everytime I watched it!