MADE OF SCARS - STONE SOUR

Click Here to go straight to the ER pictures taken by the Doctor.
Never seen before. Just scanned, 02-14-06

New Pictures of what the grafts look like 10 months later!!! 3-11-04

& click here for the Pictures of 10-7-04

Click here for a pic from July 2009. Summer tan and the scars look fine.

This 1998 TL-R has been sold

My name is Chris Young and I live in Auburn, Alabama.  I have been riding motorcycles for almost 19 years.  Sport bikes for just over 10 years, I have been on the track at Roebling Road, GA. with both of my bikes, CBR900rr and the TL-R.  I consider myself a good rider with a good head on my shoulders.  I have wrecked many times, well maybe three or four, two times with full gear and two times without.  The time I went down in 1992, and I was new to sport bikes and had no gear and someone wrecked me then took off to leave me.  Luckily, many people stopped and took me home with a broken ankle and a little road rash, no hospital.  Now for my new wreck and story that will hopefully make many of you think before going for a ride.

I had been to talk with a friend briefly after midnight that evening.  I was getting gas in my Montero-Sport. And after filling up, I had realized that I left my money at home.  So I exchanged my cell phone to the cashier for minutes for me to leave and go home to get some money for the store.  While at home, I thought about how nice the evening was and figured I would ride the bike to pay the gas station. (In shorts and t-shirt!!!)  I made it to pay the lady but never made it home.  Well, not until 26 days later.  The cause of the wreck is still a blur to me, but not the crash and the aftermath.

I think I was traveling around 100 mph on the interstate, because I told the police I was doing 70 - 90 mph to make it sound better, but you know how us "BAD SPORT BIKER'S" are, and had only passed two vehicles, one car and one trucker.  The trucker did notice my high rate of speed, according to the police report and he was also the one who saved me.  He was the one who stopped and pulled over to help, actually, he stopped his rig in the middle of the interstate.  Most people get run over on the interstate late at night while lying on the dotted white line.  Like I said, I remember sliding and rolling and tumbling and flipping down the highway on my SKIN!!! But not the cause, I slid 300 feet, while the bike kept going to the 600-foot mark.  I joke about Bo Jackson, (I am in Auburn, War Eagle!) running the 100 yard dash and lots of other track stars running the 100 yards in just a matter of seconds, but I SPANKED all of them on my back.  Believe me, I do not take any of this lightly.  This experience has changed my life.  While I was in the ER, My blood pressure got down to 60/30, average is 120/80, and I was put on lots of pain meds that night and they continued for almost 3 weeks.  I shook like crazy all the time for three weeks, some from pain of my skin and some because coming off the pain meds towards the end.  I had 600 cubic centimeters of skin grafts, taken from my left thigh and a broken collarbone.  25 days in the hospital and 7 surgeries.  Most of the surgeries were to change the dressings on my arms and legs.  Due to the pain of the cleaning of my skin, I had to be put to sleep.  One surgery was to cut away the dead skin, and one more was to graft and the last one was too take all the staples out of the grafted skin.  My collarbone was never really looked at, it is healing ok, I guess. They wanted to fix my skin before they could do anything to my collarbone.

I know what I did wrong that night.  It is not the motorcycle's fault!!!  I got complacent and "IRRESPONSIBLE".  Never ride with out leathers, especially while trying to break some kind of speed record at night on the "PUBLIC HIGHWAYS".

   Hospital bill has been totaled to $45,892.66, (Maybe More) I did have insurance, but wearing leathers would have been a lot better and cheaper.  

Keep my accident in your mind so everyone will wear their protective gear, and save the big speed for the track.  Many people all over the world have emailed me and told me that I have helped them change their mind about leathers, that's my main goal, always ride prepared, we never know what may happen to us, even if I was the one acting irresponsible. 

Thanks to everyone who visited me and called, and certainly the prayers from everyone.  I could not have made it with out you.

Letters from other riders can be read at the bottom.

Caution!! There is some graphic pictures below

These wheelie pictures are from a few years ago, SEE I AM WEARING LEATHERS! 
 I wrecked the TL-R on may 7th and sold the CBR a few years ago.

 May 7th 2003 @ 1:00AM

This is 8 hours after accident, going to my first surgery on 5-07-03.

After my first surgery, but before my first dressing change by the nurses.  I look dead here.

This is during my first dressing change, less than 24 hours after accident.  Later, that dark stuff will be cut off, it is dead skin and highway burn.

The four above pictures are of the day before I got out of the hospital.  Notice the checker board looking skin.  That is the skin grafts from my right thigh.  A few dissolvable stitches and staples held the skin in place for about 5 days.  Here the skin can almost be pealed off or flakes off a little by itself.  Click on the Picture for a larger view.

This is the day I was released, 5-31-03, (25 days after wreck) with the shoe on that I was wearing at the time of the accident.  Adidas saved my feet.  I sent the shoe back to Adidas with this picture and the story of the shoe's helping my feet, THEY SENT ME TWO NEW PAIR!!!!  Great Company!!!!  The scab looking stuff is the skin grafts trying to heal.  You will see below that the scabs are now gone, but some grafts remain. 

6-16-03
Right leg. Remember the picture above, with my shoe on?  Two weeks later is this picture.  The red area on my thigh is not grafted.

8-19-03
Still trying to heal, and still hurts a little on the hands and knees and shoulders.  Feels like a bad sunburn that will not go away.  redness should go away, and I hope the puffiness will go, even wearing burn garments and knee pads.

6-16-03
Left leg, Thigh is where they took the skin from.

6-16-03
This is the arm with the broken collar bone, the worst arm and shoulder.  EMT guys on the scene that night, told me that they could see my tendons moving around when I tried to move my shoulder on the interstate. Notice the hand as well, it is the same hand that was twice that size in the bed the day after the wreck.

8-19-03
Same arm and shoulder as above, but different angle, making it appear the be my left arm, like below, but it is my right, like above.

6-16-03
This arm and shoulder is healing very well.

06-21-03   

8-19-03
Still red, but not as bad.  Like the other picture, this mirror image is just reversed, and it is my left arm and shoulder like the above picture, not the right arm.  Sorry about the dirty mirror.

New Pictures 10 months later 3-11-04


Compare these to the few pictures above

6-16-03
My back and stomach did not need any skin grafts, just three time a day changing and cleaning from the nurses.  My shoulder blade is chipped as well, I believe. It pokes out in one area and doesn't on the other shoulder.

8-19-03
Dirty mirror again, but my back looks very good, remember no skin grafts were done on my back.  Picture is also reversed.

July 2009. only pic I could find with my shirt off, look at my shoulders, they look fine...

This really saved my life, Thanks SHOEI

This wrecked  TL-R 
Is Sold!!!!

Click here for the pictures of the motorcycle

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EMAIL

since 6-16-03 11:00pm CST

Letters from you.

07/31/2011 01:48:47 PM

(I am posting all letters, not just the nice one's.  People need to learn from my mistake, SPEED ON PUBLIC ROADS and NOT WEARING MY LEATHERS)

Hey Chris,

    I was searching for something on Google and came across your page. I just wanted to say those are some nasty scars! I'm going to be riding a motorcycle  summer of '09 (beginner rider) and I was always planning to get a jacket and a helmet, but after seeing your page I'm thinking of going with an entire race suit. I know those pics are from 2003, so I hope you are doing fine!

-Jake from Chicago

Hey Chris, I have a similar story to the other guys out there. I wear my helmet (sometimes) and my leather jacket (when it's not too hot out) but holy shit from now on dude... Im not even going to take my bike out without the proper gear. I think I've already been way too lucky riding my 07 gixxer 1000 to be honest. I low sided it once and got a small raspberry on my hip. But if I was wearing the gear I would have got nothing. I guess the shit is expensive but wow I don't really want the alternative. Thanks for opening my eyes and sharing your story with us.  

Semper fi,
 
Nate L.

Chris,

Thanks for your graphic reminder about the need for protective gear.
I've only been riding for 11 months. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation basic riders course convinced me to never get on the bike without full face helmet, gloves, armored jacket and pants and over
the ankle boots. Two weeks ago I dropped my SV-650 at about 50 MPH.
All of that protective gear was destroyed while saving my skin. All I got was a small road rash on my forearm where the mesh jacket ground through, a few nicks on my wrists, and a good grinding on my knee where the zipper for the armor pocket tore open and stopped
being protective. Three other places on the jacket, as well as the
gloves and one of the boots, were severely shredded, and the helmet was scarred from the three times my head hit the pavement, but they all kept their integrity.

Thanks again for using yourself for Exhibit A on what could have happened to me without protective gear.

Randy

Hey man,
I don't know what to say! I just was simply searching for Hayabusa 2008 photos in google when I noticed some strange images of burned skin which led me to your comprehensive report of your terrifying and unfortunate incident. I have a Suzuki Hayabusa for almost 2 years now which is my first bike by the way!! I'm a motorhead man so I got used to its power and behavior fast. I live in United arab emirates-Dubai that is very hot and humid during the summer-7 months a year between 40C to 50C. I'm a big Bike enthusiast and ride all summer long. Now here is the point: In hot summer I used to ride without any gear just a helmet and a t-shirt and jeans and somehow I've been lucky to be blessed so far! After going through what happened to you, I'm sure there won't be a single day that I go for a ride without gear. Period.

Thank you very much as you might have saved my skin that one day would get peeled off!
Now, click on the link below and watch me being stupid!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIICUbHSq9k
Well done for all you've done to warn others.
Salute

Hi Chis,

I found your website when doing a search on 'healed skin graphs'. I have a similar story, on 9/2/07 I wiped out my Ducati Monster, and slid 220 ft. I was wearing jeans and a summer riding jacket, though, but also suffered 2nd degree burns as my bike caught on fire during the crash, and sprayed gas on my lower legs and set them on fire as well.
Pics are at www.dropshots.com/l2fly

Anyway, I was wondering how skin graphs heal? How bad is this really going to look? See, I'm female... a few scars don't bother me, but they took skin from my entire left thigh, and part of my right, to graph over my right shoulder and lower legs... are my days of shorts & skirts without nylons pretty much done?

Hope I'm not bothering you with my questions... I figured, no one better to ask than someone who has been there!

Thanks!

~DJ

Hi Chris,

Thanks for posting your experiences, you made a mistake and paid the price, but more than that you are trying to make something positive out of a very negative incident. If just one person gets saved by reading your site then it would have accomplished something amazing. As to those who post "could not have been doing 100mph" what the blazes does it matter, Chris is trying to show that by not wearing the proper safety gear you get hurt bad, that goes whether its 20mph or 120mph.

As a big person, I currently don't wear leather trousers, but I do wear a properly designed motorcycle armored jacket and gloves, as well as strong boots, getting leathers if your not the normal shape is a right pain, but having seen this website I'm guessing not as much pain as not wearing them!

Starts looking to get leathers custom made!

Here's Hoping your recovery is full and that you can achieve whatever goals you set yourself.

Regards.

Ian

South Wales, UK.

Hi Chris,

I've just read your page and was amazed at your luck that night and your positive attitude since. Well done for putting this out there on the web to try and educate others, though some it seems will never get the message.

For those that doubt your speed that night because of your 'lack' of injuries, I can only say that they obviously have never had experience of motorcycle wrecks at 'any' speed! I ride a motorcycle (cruiser) and luckily have not had an accident since I was learning (more years ago than I care to remember), but my first crash happened when I was doing only 20mph down a country lane with no protective gear, just jeans and a thin jacket. The road rash on my knees and arms lasted months and was incredibly painful, and that was from only a very short distance kissing the tarmac cos I tumbled off the road and into the woods! My ex-husband was also a biker and has had two accidents. The first happened when he was doing about 40mph and a bus pulled out in front of him at the brow of a hill. He slammed straight into the side with no time to break and although the bike was a write-off, he walked away with only a broken collar bone and sprained muscles. His second happened when he was doing less than 10mph while white-lining. A car turned out in front of him and he hit the side of the car and flew over the handlebars (again). This time he didn't walk away so easily. He had numerous cuts and bruises and several broken bones (despite wearing the right gear). He still has the scar on his face, 15 years later, from where he hit his screen on the way over it which sliced his nose and forehead open. His visor was open at the time. This just proves that speed is not relative to the severity of injuries received, it's all in the luck of the draw!

These doubters are also missing the whole point of your story. It's not about what speed you were doing, what speed is safe or not, or indeed being after sympathy, it's all about wearing the right gear.

I hope you all the best for the future and that you're riding again.

Take care,

Marie

UK 

I'm 21 and getting ready to buy my first street bike. I wasn't even thinking of getting leathers but now after reading your story I'm going to check out some prices right after I send this. Hope you're all healed up now. Hope you're still riding too.
 

Chris,

Thanks for trying to do what you are. I have been riding for about 20 years, I have to make some comments myself and hope through your site it reaches out to others.

Gear is great, wear it all the time but Training is another important tool that not many people get. I have read some comments from people and one specifically... There is a guy saying he is getting a Hyabusa for his first street bike. Someone needs to mentor that fellow and show him the error of his ways. There is no way in hell that someone needs more than a 500cc bike for a first ride. I just don't understand why folks go out and get the biggest bike for a first bike. Even cruiser riders need to get smaller bikes so they can pick the things up when they tip over.

I commend you for getting this out there, I see too many people riding around in shorts and t-shirts and no gloves. It boggles my mind. I ride dirt, on the street and I even road race I ALWAYS wear the gear.

You have done a great service my man. If you have changed one persons mind it is all worth it and it looks like you have done more than that.

Thanks.

"Doc"
SSG
President Chapter 23 (VT)
Green Knights Military Motorcycle Club

P.S.
For all the people saying this couldn't have been a 100mph crash...

Mechanism of injury is s freak thing. Sure this SHOULD have been A LOT worse. Thankfully something happened and Chris was able to slow down and not hit anything.

I had a similar accident at about 65, I was wearing gear and got some rash to my knees, shoulders and hands. I tumbled 280ft according to police but I didn't hit anything and I must have rolled just right. I got up and walked away. Everyone was amazed I wasn't worse, including myself.

I have seen worse wrecks with less damage and wrecks that are not so bad with worse consequences (Paramedic).

For all the doubters... Just wear the gear and STFU already!

I would like to thank you for your page because it has really helped me. I have a 2002 TLR and it is also yellow and black like yours. I use to do up to 185mp/h in jeans and a t shirt but that is over now. We’ve only had the bike for about 5 months and it is the first super bike that I have ridden. Thanks for the great content
Benito

Hey Chris,
     I have a life changing story that happened 9 days after your horrific night. I was out for a ride on my '97 YZFZ600R, it was about 7:30pm. I had on my riding helmet, jacket and gloves with some blue jeans. Just cruising along at approx. 50mph when out of this side road comes an '88 Honda Civic Wagon doing 90+(according to the CHP report) At a "T" intersection he skid 150ft to the stop sign 50ft past the stop sign and into my left side. My body crushed his windshield and hood, my bike flipped a few times straight up in the air. After we skid a few more feet the car hit the curb, my body flew 5ft off the hood head first into a cinder-block wall. I laid there 45min unable to move, while he was to drunk to get out of his car. When the paramedics had finally shown up i was blacking in and out of consciences.     I was in a coma for 7days, I broke my left leg in two places, left arm in two places, hip in for places shattered the left side of my face (cheek bone, eye socket, etc..) Had a skull fracture. After 5 weeks and 7 surgeries i made it home. Rehabbed for 10 months. All the while, being drug in and out of court. In the end I'm about 90% ok, and he got a DUI!!! ( 60yr old, retired professor at a major university)     I never wanted to wear full leathers just a jacket and gloves, but i learned first hand you need the protection, safety first!!! Thank god for helmets that's the second time a helmet has saved my life!   Thanks for your time, Jimmy-, California

Hi Chris,
I am a Road Safety Officer from London and feel like I should join the queue in congratulating you (a) in your remarkable recovery and (b) in your brave decision to try to help others.  In the last 18 months I have spent a lot of time working with young riders (16-19 yrs) who are riding Mopeds and Scooters badly and have had loads of crashes, some of them fatal.  I know that you ride bigger bikes (faster) but at least you had some decent clothing.  Our lads wear 'shorts t-shirts and flip flops' as a regular occurrence and many don't even buy a pair of gloves because they don't HAVE to!  It is also seen to be cool NOT to do their helmets up! I know you were riding really fast when you crashed but I'd like to tell your story to demonstrate 2 things.  Firstly, crashes always happen when you are not expecting them, and secondly the need to wear decent clothing, just in case it does go wrong.  I do school talks to around 3,000 youngsters a year and am in the process of doing some posters and writing a workbook, I'd really like to use some of your photos. Please let me know if that is OK, good luck with your recovery and keep up the good work.
Elaine 

Chris,
Well I happened across your site from GSXR.com. I recently bought a GSXR 750, my first street bike. I know its a rather large bike to start on so I am selling it already for a 600. I just got my license and I signed up for the CHP Motorcycle Safety Course. Your site just re-assured to me that I need to wear full protective gear. Regardless of what rational I was using, mainly just saying to myself, I wont need to today I'm just riding in the city, or I'm just going  to a friends house a couple miles away. From now on I'm riding in my jeans and my armored leather jacket. Never again will I ride in shorts and a t-shirt. I hope you are doing well and I hope you are on a speedy road to recovery. I also hope this hasn't put a damper on your want to ride. Hope this letter reaches you well. Later  - Dan

Hi Chris,
I'm sorry to hear/see about your accident. well by now maybe your all healed up and feeling much better, I hope.   I'm glad i stumbled onto your website and read your story.  I'm currently rebuilding a 1995 CBR900RR... it too was previously wrecked.  I definitely will be wearing full protective gear when ridding!   I'm also going to take a ridding course.   It's good that I saw your pictures after the wreck, woke me up a bit more to putting safety first.  And i have to say... man I have to say.. you poor guy and that poor TLR!   Thanks for the website... and man those girls on bikes!! 
Take care,   David

Just saw your website on the V-rod owners group on Yahoo.  I know you must get lots of messages about it but I got to say that it is one convincing site and that all riders should be required to look at.  I am signing up this week for an advanced safety course and beginning to research on safety gear.  I at least have a full helmet, Shoei.
 Thanks,   Anthony

Chris,
     I was just told of your site and I wanted to also get in a comment or two.  I hope there is still a way to get this posted for all others to see.  This may be long winded, but believe me, this is the abridged version.
     I also was in a horrific accident 10/20/2000.  The Irony of my accident is that I was on the way home from visiting my best friend in the North Broward ICU who was run over and left for dead by a driver just 6 days earlier.  A driver who was actually running from the police and my buddy just happened to get in his way, and this person hit him and kept on going. In my accident, I was riding my (just purchased) 2002 Yellow GSXR-750.  I was about a half a mile from my home and an 18 year old kid decided to turn left in front of me and I hit him HEAD ON at 45+mph.  My bike had to be cut out of his car.  I was slammed into and then over the hood of the car landing in the middle of the road past the impact point. I stayed fully conscious throughout the entire ordeal and have 100% memory of the entire event.  My body was twisted beyond belief and my right arm was the only extremity that still was in its correct and functional position.    Instinctively, my left arm went out when the impact happened and my left elbow let lose sending my wrist bones and hand back to where my elbow should have been.  The elbow came out the backside of my shoulder and my radius bone (in the wrist) was crushed.  Repairs included reattaching the elbow, and then a titanium plate was placed along the radius and what remained of the bones was screwed to that in hopes that it would look like an arm when they were finished. 
    The gas tank split my pelvic bone in six separate pieces, five major separations in all requiring 2 MAJOR surgeries to get it back into workable placement.  I was in a pelvic-halo for 100+ days, and have two 9" rods placed side-to-side in the back of my pelvis.  My right leg was sent 4 inches through the hip socket and I was placed in traction for a month to get the leg back out of the socket.  Because of all damage, I was categorized as "zero-load-bearing" for nearly 6 months while the bones mended. My left foot was badly crushed and that was surgically repaired and placed into a cast as well. Being that this was a bike and my legs were wrapped around it, when I hit the car, the bike was slowed down dramatically, but my body was not.  Hence I was rammed into the gas tank and my balls placed a sizable dent in the tank, and ended up the sized of coconuts within a few days, black like tar, leaving me with a paranoia of their ability to function when this was all over. I was sent to North Broward Medical Center, where there was a trauma center, which took care of me for the first 7 days. 
     Then I was transferred to Jackson Memorial Hospital for 19 days where the two pelvic surgeries were performed. Once they realized that they were successful, I was sent to North Broward Rehab Center.  Rehab was the farthest thing from their agenda, it was more so a place where old people go to die, I was less than half the median age in that place. After a few faxes, phone calls and two attorneys, I was moved to Health South's Sunrise Rehab facility where all the sports professionals go.  What a gift that was.  I lived there for 4 months and actually left under my own power. During this time I was flat on my back for 100 days after the pelvic surgery, then wheelchair bound until I was able to learn how to walk again.  By the way, learning how to walk was not the only thing that had to be done.  Learning how to go to the bathroom on my own. 
     Being horizontal for that amount of time sucks!  Gravity sends everything against your kidneys and not downward as it should so once I was able to be up righted, bladder and bowl control were new items to master.  When asked if I would ever ride again, my standard reply was this:  "If you are my doctor or my mother, the answer is 'NO', but to anyone else, I'm sure I will ride again, once I am able". I was wearing only jeans and a t-shirt, tennis shoes and gloves.  Luckily the impact itself took the brunt of the force and broke bones as I had very little (if any) road rash.  My $500 helmet was unscathed and after having Shoei X-ray it, I still use it to this day. Even though I was not in the same type of accident as you, and had no where near the road rash issues, I still cannot recommend high enough the use of proper gear.  It will save your skin, as well as your life.  The cost of a good suit, boots and gloves is far less than the value placed on your life.  Not only by you but by the ones who love you most.  
    I am riding again, I now have another GSXR-750, this one a 2002, and I have just ordered my 2004 GSXR-750.  My riding as well as my skills had definitely diminished but I keep at it as often as possible.  The '02 is getting turned into a track bike so that I can get my testosterone overload our on the track instead of the streets.  My street riding is not necessarily timid, but my caution levels are 1000% higher than they have ever been since the big accident. 30 months after the big one, I had yet another, this time nowhere so severe but not good either.  I was out of work for 9 weeks while recovering.  Yes, it was the other person’s fault.  The driver of the car decided to make a right turn from the left lane.  Sadly, I was in the far right lane, and she turned directly into my path, and slammed into her car at 45 miles an hour.  Double collar bone break, 6 ribs broken, right thumb snapped backwards and my left elbow broken.  A puncture wound from the peg where it went through my left leg was also added to the list.  Both wrists were compression fractured as well. And as I write this to you, I am just minutes away from leaving my office, and I will be riding home as it is Friday, and the day that everyone here at my office rides to work.  Lets pray I make it home same. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason.  Explain that?  I cannot. But if these accidents hadn’t happened the way they did, I may have been killed walking across the street.
      I also believe that we all have a purpose here on this earth and that I have yet to find and or serve mine, that’s what keeps me around.  I also believe that our destiny is pre-chosen and we have no real control over where we will end up, so it is our job to make the trip as enjoyable as possible.  That’s why I still ride, that’s why I am still an adrenaline junkie, and will never change. Keep in touch with me as to your progress and projects...it looks like you have many!  I hope and pray that all stays well with you and that recover completely and you always continue to ride and in the proper gear.  This goes for all who read this. Take care,  Bill

Chris, 
My name is Jason Smith and I live in Rison Arkansas. I just got my first bike last Saturday,    GSX-R600.  I have rode bikes of my friends several times over the last couple of years but never had one of my own until now. When I was 7 almost 8 years old I fell out of the back of a pickup truck at about 50 mph. I come out of the hospital after 23 days and remained in bed for a few weeks after that. I had several skin graphs and the left side of my face was peeled off including my ear which was picked up by the car behind us. My ear was saved and I had plastic surgery to help the scars on my face. I tell you that to say this, I am now 19 years old and
haven't thought much of it since then... Until now. I am guilty of riding in shorts and stupid stuff like that but because of you it will not happen again. When I read your story and saw your pics I realize ed that I know how that feels and I don't want to go through it again. If I keep on like I was it will happen to me. I just want to thank you and ask you where is a good place to get some leathers?     
                   Thanks,          Jason S.

Well I read your story about your crash and that sux man, I'm only 19 and your story changed my mind about riding with out gear on, I've had a 1999 ZX-6r and my buddy wrecked that, he did 130 into a guard rail and only got 2 small scratches on him, he was wearing jean shorts and a T-shirt, I don't know how he only got that, he way lucky but now I've got a 96' YZF 600 and I'm turbo'ing it, at first I was like yeah I don't really need leathers cause I don't really do stupid things but speed and speed will kill I guess or leave ya with a 45,000 dollar bill.  I'd like to just say thanks for your story and let ya know that I'll be wearing leathers from now on.  Garth

Chris, looking good. Are you riding again? I hope so. You obviously are a skilled rider that just had a mishap. By the way, I wrote you that I never ride at night. Who am I kidding. I ride at night all the time, but I have yet to ride without my leather jacket, gloves and boots. I have leather pants, but I have a tendency not to wear them unless I'm going for a long ride. Note: I pulled up to a light the other day next to a guy with his girlfriend on a Gixxer 600. Both of them were in shorts and t-shirts. I said, "where's your gear"? They both laughed and took off. Maybe I should have given them your website.   Jeff

Chris, just seen your site and the pictures. More unfortunately I saw the comments from some, who evidentially didn't understand the reason for you posting and showing the results. Like you say, its a moments temptation which led to disaster. I ride bikes for a living, ( almost a living anyway,) and see more than my fair share of rider/tarmac interfaces. What's interesting for me in the UK is the bill for your treatment, and its about 39K sterling.....which is not usually considered by the public over here, since we don't pay as end users for our heal care. Perhaps, if we did then bikers over here would be more cautious when riding without leather kit...mind you, didn't stop you did it. Its not to condemn you, merely to comment, that I think you should be thanked for having the courage to stand up, ( slowly) and say to the entire world, I cocked up, I suffered the results, I hope no one else has the same. Well done. And... for those smart asses, you loose 1 mm. thickness of skin for every meter you slide, at 30 mph. and you only start off with 5-6mm in the first place. Let the cow take the strain.
Adrian

Chris
COME ON TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR CRASH???????
GO ON I DARE YOU??????
YOUR INJURIES COULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A 100 MPH CRASH, OTHERWISE YOU
WOULD BE MISSING A LIMB OR TWO.
I CRASHED AT AROUND 60-70 MPH WITH LEATHER JACKET, PROPER BOOTS, AND JEANS.
GOT SIMILAR INJURIES TO WHAT YOU HAVE SUFFERED TO YOUR LEGS, BUT WITH A
FEW MAJOR DIFFERENCES.
1. COMPOUND FRACTURE TO LOWER LEG (for those who don't know what it is then " sent the bone in my leg out the back of my calf muscle") 2. lots of road burn to legs, but most concerning was the fact that my knee
cap had been broken and worn down. needless to say not much injury to upper body except a few broken ribs.
sorry to be a bit blunt, but I hate bull shitters, who seem to revel in glory about such accidents.
face facts and the truth, your crash must have been at low speed???
if you were really wearing shorts and t shirt that is. I haven't got a problem with speed or stunting, if you are wearing the correct gear.  I regularly ride with AVERAGE speeds in excess of 100 mph and TOP speeds
around 165 mph and not on motorway either, (isn't the Isle of Man a wonderful
place, NO SPEED LIMITS YOU SEE) enough said,   get well soon and buy some proper gear before you ride again cheers
Chris,     Wales   UK

Chris,
Thanks for your website and info. As the summer season has been opening, I've had a nagging sense that I'm acting like a wimp, wearing my full leathers with pads, gloves, boots, back protector, and full-face helmet. What I see are many riders who wear the minimum of clothing, especially the young women on the backs of motorcycles in their muscle tees and holey Levi's and hair blowing in the wind. Your experience has reminded me why I bought these items in the first place. I enjoy riding, and have been down numerous times because I enjoy a moderately aggressive style of riding (and find gravel and diesel fuel in the most inopportune of places). Each time, I was wearing ALL the gear, and, I WALKED AWAY from each with NO INJURY (other than bruises that eventually fade).   Thanks again, man.
Patrick    Sonoma, CA.

Hi Chris. Fate had a cruel lesson in store for for you, but it may be a blessing in disguise as you have learned from your mistake.  I also hope that once the scars on your body and soul heal you will not give up on riding, just the kind of riding that brought you to this predicament.  I really can't understand why would some people give you s**t when you have obviously regretted your earlier practices and you simply want to share this lesson with more bikers. Let's enjoy our riding in the most responsible matter so we will not hurt ourselves and others. Unfortunately most types whom think they are invincible and put their lives and others on the line, are not very likely to be reading this site. I say each and everyone of us "adopt" one such rider and try to steer him/her to the path of responsibility. The seed we plant will surely one day pay dividends. Of course I do not talk from the high pedestal of infallibility as in my 14 years of riding despite dressing up for riding I do succumb once in a while to the urge to push the bike to its limits. Fortunately I haven't had any accident to speak of but biking is a calculated risk isn't it? We just try to tip to odds to our advantage with correct protective gear and attitude. And yes I come from the land of probably the highest percentage of utterly irresponsible bikers whom usually wear their leathers they were born with and don't even own a helmet. Myself and a few select carry a lonely crusade over here.
Get well soon.
Nick
Athens Greece
http://flyingbrick.freeyellow.com

Hi Chris!  I just read your story.  I really want to thank you for sharing it.  You know....people bitch and point fingers and say "you should have known better".  But the truth is, we have all done it.  "Oh its so damn hot today, Oh I'm just going to the store and back".  It's a numbers game in my opinion,  we will all go down eventually if we put enough miles on, whether it be our fault or someone else's.  We have all had that sick feeling in your stomach when the little old lady switches lanes right in front of you, or a pothole that wasn't there yesterday.  I am as much at fault for riding with shorts and a t-shirt than anyone.  But you know what, after this email is sent, I am going on ebay to start shopping for some good leathers.  Thank you again for your story.  I certainly wish you every
success in a full recovery.
Best wishes,
Mitch   Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Canada

Hi!
Just read your crash story, I hope you are recovering and feeling better, Its a good thing you get info like this out for people to read. Even though I always wear my full leather I need to be reminded why I do it from time to time, When the sun is shining its very easy to want to skip the gear. I see lots of movies from the states where guys most of the time only wear jeans and a t-shirt. I think about what would happen if they'd take a dive
every time I see it. Hope you and your family are doing ok
From Sweden / Håkan

Hey Chris
 This is a old friend in a weird way...James ...quickly; You was the first Person Online back in 98'99 when you had your Brand new TL in the Boxes at the Dealer .........I thought that was the coolest thing I have seen..........Well to make a long story short bro...........I am Sorry to hear about the Major Road Rash .........I just seen the pictures, major ouch.........I always wanted a TL but after riding a few of them..........Major wheelie bike........I will stick to my Gixxer......www.bikepics.com/Member search.....James .....of Novi, Mi...........peace out bro

Hi Chris
Thank you for sharing your experience with us and hope everything is going well with your recovery. One of our friends is a motorcycle instructor and often stops in at our house for a coffee break whilst doing CBT's. Consequently we meet a lot of young riders (16 + years old) who simple don't understand the need to wear good protective clothing. In view of this we are trying to put together a poster that will inform riders about the dangers and consequences of not wearing protective gear whilst riding - a nearly impossible task with teenagers who 'do not intend to crash'! My 16 year old daughter has been pointing some of her friends to your site, with the result that you have raised their consciousness to a new level and they are now starting to think about what they are wearing whilst on their bikes.
With regards to the poster we are putting together (which will be put up in schools, local bike shops and motorcycle instruction centers), we were wondering if you would be willing to allow us to use some of your pictures to highlight injuries that can be sustained in an accident when not wearing adequate protective clothing on a bike. In order to give you an idea of our intentions of use for the pictures, I have attached a draft (pdf file) of what we would like to put together.
I currently ride a CBR 600F and one of the reasons I have got involved with this project is that my own experience of coming off a bike has taught me a valuable lesson about wearing the right gear. My daughter is now thinking about getting a bike and, having spoken to her and many of her friends, realize that this generation simply do not seem to understand the necessity for adequate protective clothing whilst they are on bikes. Unfortunately, whereas I can lay down the law to my daughter (and she knows I learnt the hard way), there are many parents
out there who, not being bikers themselves, don't think about what their kids are wearing. The aim of the poster is to try to get these kids to think about their own vulnerability and what they can do to reduce it. 
If you would be willing to allow us to use some of your accident pictures for this project we would be very grateful to you. If you will give consent, please can you let me know at your earliest convenience so we can get this up and running.
Thank you again for sharing your experience and helping to raise awareness.
Take care, Kind regards
Philippa
Norfolk, UK

To all the people who say that Chris should have had a lot more damage done to himself for going 100 mph+, have you ever gone 100 mph or even 175 mph as my 900rr tops out at on the gps says. (on a back street)  I hit the back end of a car square on going 62 mph.  You probably are wondering how i know 62, I was being clocked by the police and got a ticket for speeding.  The other car stopped at a green light with her turn light on but did not turn.  The only thing I got was a broken right leg a lot of bills due to no insurance, and o ya nothing left of the bike.  So 100+mph and road rash that last for that long is understandable because mine went away in about 1 month.  Good luck with every thing and do not give up, this is my third fall and my fourth broken bone and 2nd surgery.

I just saw your page and read your story; it's really awesome you can share it in such a humble but helpful manner. If only more folks out there were interested in safety rather than blazing tricks and speeds, just minutes after purchasing their bikes. I was curious to know if the TLR was still up for grabs?

Hi sorry to hear about your unfortunate incident:(  The best thing about your experience is, your alive to tell about it, so that others may learn from you:) There is always a cause and effect to everything we do. Just imagine all the heart aches if you did not survive. You learned and it's time to move on and I hope you don't stop riding:) If you do, its OK:)

Chris,
Someone just posted a link to your site on www.foc-u.co.uk, and it really goes a long way to show how little protection you get from a pair of shorts, compared to pictures you see of quality leathers that have been crashed. I've had nightmares of sliding down tarmac without leathers, and now I know what the result looks like... scary! You should try to get those pictures used in campaigns, and get them shown in riding schools. I live in London, UK, and you see too many sportbike riders wearing shorts and t-shirts here in the summer, scares me. 
Oh, and don't take offence from the people criticizing you. You've learnt your lesson the hard way, and it's a good thing that you're doing what you can to let others learn from your mistake. 
Regards,
Linus

Chris,
            I saw your site from another site, www.sportbikes.net First; I want to express my condolences to you. I am an avid motorcyclist in DC and lately I have watched crash videos and seen many pictures from various sites on the consequences of being stupid on a bike. I have been to multiple motorcycle schools, including the MSF Experienced Rider Course, in order to reduce the chance of becoming a statistic myself. You site helps my education - thank you. My friend Scott is the type of rider who wants to perform wheelies and endos - all for the glory of looking cool. I recently compiled a list of what I told him was "Cool" stunt videos and burnt them to a CD. I gave him the disk. The CD actually contained some great footage of stunts, but ALSO all of the wrecks that occurred because of those stunts. Hopefully he is watching them this weekend and realizing some things about bikes. I want to help him get away from these acts of poor judgment and know when enough is enough. I commend you on your efforts to educate the riders of the world as I have tried to do with my fellow rider - Scott.

  Second; I briefly read over most of the letters sent in by other riders. Some of them were quite reassuring to you and others were quite rude. I feel that you obviously learned your lesson and shame on those who pour salt in the wounds. One day they may be in the same situation and maybe someone will pour salt in their wounds. I am very sorry to hear this happened to you, let alone ANY motorcyclist. I certainly hope that this email finds you well...and thank you for helping me hear another story that I can remember when I am riding.

 Good Luck, Don   Ex - U.S. Marine

Dear Chris..
I'm in Reykjavík Iceland and I'm new to this great lifestyle of biking, Glad that you survived the accident and I hope that people that views your website learn from your mistake.  Hope you get well and one thing  wanted to know is in the future will you be able to ride bikes??
Sincerely
Simon G.
Reykjavík Iceland

Just seen your site after link on MCN in England, I never go anywhere without my leathers, sometimes it is very tempting but your site will now stay with me always.  It's a shame that you had to suffer in such a way to prove to others the consequences of going without.  If you go onto the MCN website in the UK you will see threads at the moment about kids riding around in shorts etc and i see them every day. It's the it'll never happen to me syndrome.  Anyhow, from a biker in England to a biker in The US, hope your recovery is swift.
Regards
John M

Thank God you have the sense to wear a helmet. When I dropped my 91 GSXR 750 I had my Shoei on but just jeans and a sweat shirt. Left work , 10 blocks from home , when the front wheel flipped a loose sewer plate, I passed this plate every day but it always looked normal. It flipped the bike and sent me down the road,40 mph tore the jeans and sweat shirt off but the helmet was amazing. If it wasn't a full face I might look like the Phantom of the Opera now. It took all the punishment that my head and face would have. Totaled the bike but luckily no broken bones a lot of rash. But damned if I looked stupid standing in a helmed and boots in my underwear. Bob

hello Chris I just wanted to tell you that I read your story about your bike accident. all I can say is god was definitely with you. but as I read your story I got the chills because my fiancé of 7 years loves bikes and he has had over 3 different ones in the past 4 years. he is a crazy driver and also has had some accidents with all that road burn and everything. but needles to say unfortunately he is in jail right now and he still cant wait to come home to ride his tl 1000 s. I have always told him he needs to wear his leather also he is very stubborn. but anyway to make a long story short I just wanted to let you know that I am sending him all the pictures of you and the story you wrote and I'm praying to god that he will change his mind just about riding period!!! well god bless you sweetie and good luck if you still ride. I'm sure you stay with the leather now huh?? thanks again - Angelique~

Dear Chris,
I think that you have done a great service to other motorcycle riders.  It is terrible that you had to learn a lesson the "hard" way but it was something worth sharing.  I highly doubt that you will repeat the same mistakes!  I am glad that you did not leave your helmet at home that night.  I am sure the outcome would have been much worse.  Unfortunately I have seen many motorcycle accidents that ended in complete tragedy.  I hope that your recovery will be complete and that you will not suffer any lingering problems.  Despite your tremendous lack of judgment that night, I still think you are a responsible cyclist and I wish you all the best in your future.  Thank you again for sharing your story.  I think it just might save lives (and skin!!)
Regards,
Valerie F., M.D.
E.R./Trauma Specialist
P.S. "Howard" is a jerk.

Hi Chris,
Thank you for making this site. If it even saves one skin (and I think it probably already saved more than one) it is worth it. I started riding three years ago and I have never ridden my bike without helmet/leathers/boots/gloves because a friend of mine had a similar experience as you did and he told me about it in rather graphic terms. I haven't crashed so far but I have been hit by a rock on the freeway, on the padded shin part of my leathers and I am sure it would have broken my bone if it hadn't been for the armor in my leathers. Hope your healing process is going well
Chris

Hey Chris,
I was looking through the BeginnerBikes website http://www.beginnerbikes.com and came across a thread that discussed your crash.  My sincere thanks for sharing your experience, strength and hope. Judging from the postings, a few of us are a little wiser now, thanks to you.  A beginning rider, I wear a full face helmet, my mesh jacket (it's summertime), jeans and hiking boots.  After reading about what happened with you I no longer want to ride without a jacket like my friends do.  And another debate is settled - I'm getting leather, not synthetic, for the rest of the year, and I'm not going to delay getting the leather chaps a friend recommended - for year-around riding.  Denim's only good for roping cows! Again, many thanks for being man enough to tell all and help others.  Tony

Dear Chris
Just read your bike wreck piece, found while surfing the net for motorbike stuff. Glad your recovering. I've been riding for 20 years now, and would like to offer a couple of my own experiences. For a start, we're all human and make mistakes. I ride into central London, UK, to work so I'm very familiar with heavy traffic. When I started riding there, I got used to doing what the police call "defensive" riding. This doesn't mean driving slowly like wuss, but things like getting out towards the center of the road so that you can see cars coming out of side roads better, accelerating smoothly and generally paying attention to what other road users are doing around you. It's not always perfect though. I've been offed by a car reversing out of a parking space into the middle of the road just as I was passing. He clipped the back of my bike, knocking it out from under me. Not much damage and although my neck took a good shaking up, I walked away - I was wearing my usual boots (Sidi boots fit me like a dream and are very supportive, if rather hot after a while), gloves (good quality leather), jeans, leather jacket and helmet. I also had a nasty moment when I had to avoid a car being stupid in front of me. I locked up the wheels at about 30mph, went into a skid and held the bike up by kicking the ground. I kept the bike upright and controlled it (just about) to a stop, but managed to crack a bone in my leg in the process. I shouldn't have ridden for two months, but could I wait? Err... no. One bizarre incident happened on my way home from work a few years ago. It was a stormy night, really blowing hard and heavy rain, and I knew it was a bit dodgy riding a bike in that weather, but I really wanted to get home. Anyway, I got out of the city without any problems, but them I have a couple of miles of country to cross. As I came down one stretch the wind brought a tree down right across the road. It was a really odd feeling seeing the tree coming down, hard on the brakes I went right under it. The tree made a mess of my tank, handlebars and front fender, but I was wearing the gear and climbed out without a scratch on me. My fastest prang was again at night. I was going cross country, fast, on a narrow road when a car came around a corner ahead of me with it's lights on full beam, so I was blinded for a couple of seconds. I lost the bike when I went onto gravel at the side of the road - it just flipped out from under me at about 60mph. Luckily I didn't hit anything and walked away from that as well! My jeans were wrecked and jacket was worn through down the right sleeve, but I only had some bruises and very minor grazing on my right leg, so I didn't bother with hospital. Now, that lot sounds quite bad, and certainly my own riding contributed to the accidents to varying degrees, but in 20 years of riding I don't think it's that bad. It certainly has convinced me to always wear the gear, however hot it is. Another point is that I've been lucky enough to mature somewhat - the most stupid thing I ever did was 80 - 90 mph on a motorway in France wearing a tea-shirt, slacks and canvas deck shoes, nothing else, but that was a long time ago now. I also realized that the high speeds that today's bikes can do are just too tempting and easy to achieve, so I moved down onto less high performance bikes - I now ride Harleys (I've got two) and although they're tuned (I love the strong mid-range you can get from doing some relatively straightforward mods), you really feel like you're working hard and traveling fast when you get up to 90 or 100mph. CBR900RRs, Fireblades, etc, are only just getting moving at a ton. I know it's not everyone's thing, but it suits me. 
I don't tell anyone how they should ride, or what they should wear when they do it, but I just want to say that it can be a dangerous world out there. For everyone riding bikes: enjoy your biking, but once in a while think about the risks, decide what you're going to wear and keep your eyes open when you're out there.
Andy R.
Iver, Buckinghamshire, UK

 Matt H.
Perth, Western Australia.

 

Hi Chris, glad to hear you are alive to tell your story and are mending OK.  As you mentioned, you'll have lifelong reminders from this 'adventure' so I can't understand all the people who feel it's time to turn judgmental and lay into you.  We all make choices every day in our lives and we experience and deal with the consequences of those choices.  Hell, isn't that what freewill and living in America is all about?  At first I found it interesting, but after a while rather infuriating to read the e-mails from people about "why didn't you have your gear on", "why were you going 100 mph on the highway", etc.  I'm betting most of them don't even ride.  Yes, the bikes go fast (60-100mph is just a flip of the wrist, and 100 is nowhere near the top-end), yes, you had minimal safety equipment on, yes, it was night.  Not one of those things by itself cause your accident. Perhaps the important lesson here is that you should always try to have all the possible outcomes of your decisions in mind to help you make the best decisions you can, or perhaps it's just to minimize your risks (gear, speed, conditions) and live your life to the fullest.  Maybe this was just that one-in-a-million situation. I've only been riding for only a bit over 2 years now, but the first thing I do after suiting up and performing a walk-around is sit on the bike, remind myself that this thing could easily kill me, then turn over the ignition.  I'm as guilty as the next guy (you? :-)  Sorry.) of 1 or 2 'shirt and jeans' runs (always with helmet, glove, boots at least.)  It's not justification, but it gets damn hot here in Alabama.  There's no questions left in my mind whether or not I'll be doing that again.  My new rule: too hot for full gear, don't ride. Did you ever get any insight from anyone as to what caused the wreck?  Equipment failure, road hazard, etc?  You mention it was just a blur, just wondering if you've been able to piece anything else together. I'm not sure if you've still got your TL-R (thought I read that you sold it), or if you intend to keep riding, but if you are ever in the neighborhood (east Montgomery, AL) for a ride, drop me a line and we'll go for a spin sometime.  Keep up the good spirits during your recovery and thank you very much for sharing your story, it was an eye-opener.
David M.
2001 Ducati 748

Chris,
 Well done mate, you spanked and you walked. It's never pleasant meeting the Tarmac family whatever the speed. the scars don't always have to be physical. For those that brag that they've had bigger and better, what is there to brag about?
Don't let it haunt you mate. Get back on a bike, get on the open road and get back to enjoying life on two wheels. You have been made an Honorary member of the Roadbouncers MCC a worldwide virtual club for fallen bikers (www.roadbouncers.co.uk). Sign up to the mail group. 
Happy Riding Brother
SLOB

First off, I'm glad to know that you are on the road to recovery. Since I began riding in the early seventies, I have known many a rider who didn't make it.  During my 100,000 plus miles of riding, I have been involved in four accidents.  The first three times, I was in full leathers and a real helmet.  I emerged bruised and sore but not broken and bleeding.
     In the first accident, I was a passenger (ok, that doesn't really count)  on a Honda 550 Four that got rear ended and knocked out from under me.  I rode the hood of the Pontiac until the driver put on the brakes and launched me into the oncoming lane of traffic.  I don't remember much else about that one until after the ambulance arrived.  Basically, I pretty much walked away with a torn up pair of chaps & jacket and lots of aches & pains. My buddy, in jeans and a big puffy nylon Honda jacket,  rode the bike down and wound up on the shoulder in the grass.  He spent a day in the hospital getting bandaged and a cast.  He didn't ride after that.    
     In the second accident, a little old lady in the incoming lane turned left in front of me, crossed my path and then stopped when she finally saw me.  All I could do was jump the curb and fall over in a parking lot.  Curb jumping is not easy on an Electra Glide.  Falling down is.  This was a low speed affair, 15 mph at the most, so there wasn't a lot of sliding around. I did need help getting the bike off of me.  I sprained an ankle and got a mean burn from the exhaust.      In the third, A little old lady (not the same one) pulled out in front of me from a side road.  You guessed it, she stopped right in front of me when she saw me.  I left the road at about 30mph and cut a short trail into a tobacco field before the Electra Glide mired up to the foot boards in the dirt.  This was kind of weird because the bike came to a nice soft stop and never fell over.  I just stepped off of it and called a wrecker to pull it out of the field.  It needed new forks, a front fender and an oil line got torn loose.  I wasn't injured but he next day I was sore, probably from getting all tensed up. 
     In the first three accidents, the other drivers were at fault.  All three were on secondary roads. On a bike, driving defensively is a must. Knowing what is going on around you and being suspicious of that innocent looking granny at the stop sign should always be on you mind.  And yes, full leathers or some of the new high-zoot Kevlar stuff and a REAL helmet should always be worn.  My legs hurt when I see a potential organ donor  riding along in shorts, T-shirt and sneakers. 
     The fourth accident was entirely my fault.  I temporarily forgot years of experience (and in this case training) and did something stupid.  I don't count this as part of my riding mileage because I was on an ATV.  I was climbing a hill that was just too steep and I didn't stop when I first realized that I was in trouble.  I did get the 4 wheeler stopped and I got off of it but traction just wasn't working for me that day.  I lost my footing while trying to walk the scooter back down the hill.  On my trip down the hill, every time I landed on my back I got a glimpse of the big green machine trying to kill me.  It never did manage to fall on me.  I severely damaged the ATV.  I sustained a broken collar bone when my M9 holster dug into the ground and sharply yanked my LBE down across my right shoulder.  I don't remember this happening, but the Beretta pistol packed full of dirt and the bruise around the back of my neck and across my shoulder told the story.     
 I strongly recommend that all riders get some kind of training.  In the AF, it's a requirement.  The AF Motorcycle Safety Course not only measures your ability to control your bike, but can give you some insight into the handling characteristics of your machine.  A lot of young airmen get their first bike at their first base and have little experience in even basic handling & operation of the machine.   It's no wonder that we have lost so many to accidents over the years.       I have been fortunate enough to walk away from four serious accidents due to luck, lots of practice, a basic distrust of every one else on the road and because at an early age, I came very close to getting killed on a bicycle.  That was the closest I have ever come to death on two wheels and it clued me right in.  I won't go into details on this one.  PS:  Have your kids wear their bike helmets and other protective gear and only let them ride in safe areas.  they don't have as far to fall but they break just as easily.
John

Hey Chris,
saw your site; next time better wear leathers. I did and it saved my life, even if I did loose my right leg below the knee. I'm riding again, and last year a fool did not give me right of way; temp about 30 degrees Celsius, and again happy wearing leathers. Take care, all the best, 
Jan "Guzzi" 
The Netherlands

Hey Chris,
Just stumbled on your page since I just recently became the proud new owner of a 1998 low mileage yellow TLR and was looking for info on how-to change fork seals. The bike is the same as yours and I busted my fork seals on a big stupid New York City pot hole.
Its obvious the big guy still wants you around, good news for you... Wish you a good recovery.  I drive a stretched out '02 Caddy Escalade Limo during the spring and summer in NYC and it's surrounding area's based out of Brooklyn. During the start of the season I log about thirty to forty-thousand miles in three months at all times of the day and night driving proms weddings or just a night out on the town. In the time I spend on the road I've witnessed plenty of stupid and just plain bizarre accidents on our parkways and expressways from tractor trailers running over little jap imports to drunk drivers splitting there 100,000 dollar Mercedes' on a telephone pole doing 100 down a side street. The only time my heart stops is when I see a bike laying on its side. There are good riders bad riders and smart riders and of course stupid riders as the same applies to car drivers. Unfortunately accidents happen no matter what. There is a time and a place to speed, wheelie and endo regardless if its on a public road or not. I regularly ride out to the Hamptons from Brooklyn on the weekends (about a hundred mile trek) I don't work and New York Traffic can get tricky. I've found myself in situations where had I not kicked down two gears and twisted the throttle I would have easily would be badly hurt or worse DEAD. I can safely say there are WAY more bad stupid inconsiderate car drivers on the road than fast riding motorcyclist's. One of main reasons motorcyclist do ride hard is because of these idiots that don't know how to drive. I see our local trick team performing all the time any where and every where but I also see the lone wolfs that think there supermen and travel @ 120 or better on one wheel on the Long Island Expressway. All in all, they don't do it in traffic and around blind curves and one must always wear protection, I wont get on a highway without at least a leather jacket even if its a hundred degrees outside.
By all means I am not condoning this behavior. BUT it is cool if you know what your doing and the conditions are proper and your properly protected. Everyone knows when and where to pull a stupid stunt it's just some times you see a girl and want to show off not realizing that the traffic light is against you.
By all means people that only drive cars are NOT PERFECT they them self blow lights and stop signs all the time if not more than any cyclist would and as far as speeding goes, woooo hooo... I'm sure any one alive in the US can attest to asshole drivers. As for the people that complain about any and ALL motorcyclist on the road, well hell, Go learn how to drive a car properly and stop complaining about something your jealous of....
Sincerely,
Big Dave
Brooklyn, New York
Wheelie Boyz Territory

Hey Chris,
I am very glad you survived the accident.  Don't worry too much about what Job's friends have to say about you.  You've paid your price.  God bless you for trying to turn your pain into others' gain.  I'm just very very glad that you survived the accident and can warn others about the dangers of riding motorcycles.  I bought a Honda Shadow 600 in 97 and enjoyed it thoroughly.  Within the first week of obtaining my permit, I had to do an emergency lane change at night to avoid a car entering my right-of-way.  I had that happen so many times, I stopped counting.  Eventually I sold the bike and came to two inescapable conclusions: 1) Bikes can handle higher speeds, faster accelerations, quicker, tighter turning, faster braking, and fit into smaller spaces than cars can - which means precisely nothing as far as safety goes, because the speed of your brain in processing problems doesn't increase one iota. 2) Bikes and cars are incompatible on the roads.  Period.  I was shocked when I read the actual stats from the Hurt report: 2/3 of all 2-vehicle accidents involving motorcycles are the driver's fault and 3/4 of those are from drivers entering the rider's right-of-way. You were blessed to have survived the accident and blessed that it was not a two-vehicle. God Bless,
 Brian J.  Capt USAF
Commander, Faculty Development Flight

Hey Chris,
Sorry it has taken me so long to respond. I am sending you a return thank you card in the mail but went to your website and wanted to email you as well to elaborated to your website visitors. I was one of the guys that stopped that night to help you. All I can say about the wreck was that I saw sparks coming over the hill of the highway as I was traveling in the opposite direction toward Opelika and was wondering what I was looking at as I passed a motorcycle flipping end over end into the median. I was worried about stopping because I thought all I would find is a corpse with brains splattered all over the place. I was amazed to find you in one piece. This just goes to show that as much as someone in an accident demands to get up and walk away you should keep them where they are and motionless. You were claiming to be ok and from the looks of it you might have been because the worst wound I could spot was your knee skinned to the bone. But I figured it might be worse
than it looked or that you were letting on to and made you stay right where you were until the ambulance arrived.  To the guy claiming you weren't going 100 mph-I can say that you were going at least 70 to 80 mph because that's what you kept saying while laying on the road ( I don't think you would have been boasting about speed at a time like that) and a motorcycle doesn't flip at least 500 yards away and gain that kind of air doing 10 mph. That motorcycle was flying at least 10 feet in the air and I saw that well before I got to you.  If you didn't believe in God before, I hope you believe in Him now. It's times like this that you find you need Him and He's certainly the reason I was even there to help. My prayers are with you. Thanks
James (Chris) M.

After ridin' 20+ years and 100k+ miles, I'd always successfully dodged bad situations. Figured I'z immune to ever goin' down. On a clear, sunny day was forced into brakin' hard to avoid a FORD Expedition. Front tire hit patch of residual sand leftover from the winter. Front brake locked and my 900+ lbs. dresser layed over in an instant. At 25 mph, I hit, rolled in t-shirt, jeans, 1/2 lid, boots and fingerless gloves. Road rash on elbows, forearms, knees.  Today I wear the Road Crafter by www.aerostich.com, a ballistic nylon jumpsuit that zips-up fast. It also has body armor. This is so easy to get on and off, there's no excuse to not wear it.
Hang tough, recover fast, see ya in the wind...
Barnacle Bill
U.S.M.C. '75-'79

Chris, hang in there dude.
We all have done at least one dumb thing in our life that we luckily lived through. You survived to tell your story so tell it well. Every time you tell it, you may be saving a life. Wisdom is the accumulation of what we experience. You are helping the inexperienced rider be come a little more wise, and possibly a little older. Keep it up.
Tom B.
Street and MX rider for 22 years

Chris,
  I hope all is well.
   I do have to agree with Mark S. from Pa. It's just not you and your bike on the road, but other folks trying to get home or out there making a living on the road.    MY STORY!! I hope the guys that did this stupid thing read this letter just so they know how lucky they were.   I saved a motorcycle riders life about two weeks ago and it has cost me a over $2000 in repairs to my trailer and to be determined in the cost of repairs to the boat. The
scenario.....late Saturday afternoon, clear and pretty warm by Alaska standards, the Glenn Highway North of Palmer. This is a one of the main, 2 lane roads, out of Alaska and heavily traveled by both cars and trucks. Now
the story; As I was approaching a curve in the road, I seen the 1st bike approaching, well above the 45 mph posted speed limit and at least 3 times the speed posted for the corner he was negotiating, he was wide in his lane
to make the corner, the second bike behind him was going just as fast but was already in the left turn lane, realizing that he was going too fast for the curve, started to brake and had locked up his rear tire. I thought he
was going down and had moved over to the shoulder of my lane. He saved it and continued but crossing the center line beyond my rig. The third bike is where it got ugly. Seeing the second bike losing it the third bike applied more brake and I proceeded further off the road as he was now in my lane. As I watched him thru my mirror I seen that he had less then 3 inches between him and my trailer and then he disappeared from sight behind the boat. He has to be the luckiest guy around, as this was the first time in the 150 miles that I had traveled, that I did not have someone following me. I see him reappear and off they go without a second thought. While traveling thru the ditch with my boat and trailer, I bent the three axles on the right side of the trailer and somewhere in that time I had thrown up a rock and put a big dent in my brand new fiberglass boat. Two times in the water and I have a piece of junk thanks to some folks that had a total disregard for anyone else on the road.    I had called the Troopers but Alaska has a lot of wide open spaces and they were having a bike rally to raise money for charity along this road. Like the Trooper who had taken my report the chances of finding them are slim to none without a license number. So next time that you are out on the road and want to pull that wheelie or go blasting around a car doing the SPEED LIMIT, ask yourself is it worth the pain, the agony or the cost, for the rest of your life ( which may be pretty short). Chris, again I hope you are well and I hope that this site is an eye opener before another tragedy strikes someone else. It has been a very bad year in the State of Alaska for motorcycle deaths. Yes not all accidents were the fault of riders but it goes to show how fast things can change in spilt second in our lives.
John
Chugiak, Ak

Chris,
I know this was a huge lesson learned.  My younger brother passed a truck in
my home town and left the road and managed to go through a pine tree forest (in
B'ham) ,he said his motor started vibrating as he passed a truck at 95mph
and he held on as long as he could, and was thrown into the woods.  He did
not get a broken bone, just bruised and sore.  He gave our Mom's prayers for
saving his life.  someone must have been looking out for you also. Glad you
made it and I would bet it changes your riding habits forever.
Loretta 
Goodfellow AFB, TX

Chris,

One of my readers sent me a link to your internet site, and, after reading your story, I was wondering if you'd be willing to let me use it in an upcoming issue of our Ashore magazine, a 32-page, full-color, quarterly magazine published by the Naval Safety Center. With so many photos, your story would make a great feature for our magazine, which deals mostly with safety around the home and in off-duty hours. You would get the byline and have final approval on the finished product. Let me know if you're interested.

Best regards,
Ken 
Editor, Ashore (Code 71A)
Naval Safety Center

Chris

        I appreciate what you're doing with your website and getting the word out to others about the proper protection to wear when riding a bike.  But I think as much as you stress the proper riding gear, you should also be stressing how stupid it was to ride the way you were riding. The kind of bike you were riding is exactly the type that goes fast and people get on them and zip down the highway, riding fast because that's what that bike was made for.  100 mph??  Even in a car that would have been stupid!  You should be stressing the importance of riding within the speed limits and not trying to be some kind of motocross or racing hero on a public highway.  It's called a "public highway" for a reason...because the PUBLIC uses it; it is not just there for your racing or show-off entertainment.  I have no problem with people endangering their own lives doing things, that's their choice...but on a public highway, you endanger everyone's life, and wearing leathers has nothing to do with it!!!        I work on an AFB in SC and all the recent motorcycle accidents have occurred on bikes like yours and with younger (less than 30 years old) riders. Gee, do you think there's a trend??  No kidding...I have been around bikes since I was a child and currently own a '77 Harley Shovelhead, so I am all for riding.  But please, don't encourage people to think they are safe just because they are wearing leathers......leathers don't protect you from your own stupidity and they don't protect you from other drivers.

        I hope you recover soon.

Jenyfer 

20 CES/CEV, Hazardous Waste Manager

Chris,
First off I would like to say that I am glad that you have recovered from
your accident and from the pain you experienced you wont forget it. Now what
gets me is all the people writing you and wishing you well. It seems that
most who have written you aren't getting the gist of your message. Nobody
can see the forest because of the trees. You brought this on yourself. You
endangered your own life and could have endangered someone innocent as well.
As an Air Force safety NCO as well as an MSF endorsed motorcycle safety
instructor for the Air Force I would like to use your information to pass on
to all of my students. Proper riding apparel or not safety starts with your
attitude first. I can only surmise that you have changed your attitude in
how you ride. Hopefully people will take this message to heart and learn
from it.
TSgt JW 
NCOIC Munitions Support

First let me say that I am glad that you are still here to show us your accident and I wish u a speedy and comfortable recovery.  I too have been recently riding without my gear and had been thinking about the consequences of not wearing it but this will and has changed my mind and I now will be wearing full gear from now on, thank you.  I mean that in a good way not to make light of your incident.
                                                                                           signed, raisednbklyn
                                                                                                 TL1000R owner

Good Morning Chris,
   I received an e-mail this morning that contained the story of your recent
accident.  I'm so glad you survived.   As you can tell from my e-mail address, I am with the Air Force at Tinker
Air Force Base in Oklahoma.  The major program that I manage as the Traffic Safety Program Manager is the Motorcycle Safety Education Program.  I would like to ask your permission to make copies of your story to use in my classes, and to forward to our Base Paper, to see if they will publish it, for those motorcyclists that have already attended one of my training classes.    I truly appreciate your candor in your story - and hope the use of your story will help some of our young airmen realize how easy it is for things
to go very wrong.    I look forward to hearing from you. 
         Mary
Base Traffic Safety Program Manager

Chris,
Love what you've done with your website.  People need to see what happens
when you don't take care to properly prepare yourself for the ride.  Any
sort of ride.  As an MSF instructor and a Motorcycle Safety Officer in the USAF I would
like to point people towards your website and have them see just what
happens to someone who isn't properly dressed.  Would you mind if I not only
gave out your web address, but use some of the images off your site as well?
Thanks,
Joe D.

A few years ago while I was looking for a blade and trying to get info you are one of the people I emailed and the first sites I found, sorry to hear of your crash but really glad you are ok, I did get a blade 96 rrt
(www.cbr900rrt.co.uk) and had a few great years on it, funnily enough I always fancied a TLR as
well, anyways just sold the cbr and bought a CCM supermoto half the speed twice the fun, just wanted to wish you well and hope you have a painless speedy recovery
Alan )UK(

Hi Chris,
just wanted to drop you a line to tell you how much I appreciate the way you've exposed your misfortune
online to encourage others to protect themselves.  as another recent response said, it takes a lot of
courage to admit one's mistakes.  I've been riding 22 years now... I started riding sport bikes in '99.  before then I rarely wore protective gear unless it was cold out.  after my 'conversion' though, I NEVER go out without helmet,
gloves, leather jacket, long pants, and boots.  (it really bothers me that I don't have full leathers, but I live alone and it's just taking a long time to save up for em!  I WILL have them as soon as possible
though.) I live in southern Mississippi and a lot of people, especially Harley riders, give me flak for gearing up
even in the heat.  they think I'm stupid.  heck, in my home state of Louisiana, they don't have to wear helmets anymore.  last weekend I was visiting my mom there and saw dozens of bikers out with no lids... I just have to shake my head.  oh, by the way, one of my friends there works for the company that procures organs for organ donation; she said that their donations skyrocketed after the helmet law was repealed.  DO YOU HEAR ME, PEOPLE???? HELLLLO!!! unfortunately, it's dangerous out there folks.  get dressed for the task at hand.  you don't do welding without a welding mask... you don't do surgery in jeans and a t-shirt... you don't jump out of a plane with no parachute!  with the new crop of perforated gear, even the summer heat is no excuse. thanks again, Chris, for encouraging others to gear up.  I'm glad that you were spared to tell your tale, and to live a long and happy life.  keep up the good work man, and get well-er soon!
Suzanne B.
Hattiesburg MS

Chris:
Wow, what a story!  Glad to hear you are going to make it out relatively OK. The reason I'm contacting you though is because I would like to use a few of your pictures in a safety lecture.  I'm currently stationed in Rota Spain with the US Navy and one of my duties is instructing Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses.  As a result I have been asked to provide training to a large group later this month since we have had quite a rash of motorcycle
accidents lately.  One of the biggest problems I see in my community is people getting hurt badly when they could have walked away unhurt if they had been wearing proper gear, a point illustrated very well by your
pictures. Hope your recovery continues positively and thanks for your time
AT1(AW/NAC) Tim
VQ-2 N75
MSF Rider Coach

Chris,
  It takes a lot of courage for us to share our experiences. Especially when they point out a weakness or mistake. It takes more to explain the pain and to admit the consequence was something within our control.   I know I have learned from your experience and I very much appreciate your willingness to share your experiences.    I hope this email finds you well. And that you are healing well.
  Thanks again for sharing. Your contributions do make a difference!
  Peace,
  Ian

Chris,
I know you dont know me, but i just read your story of the bike wreck and hospital ordeal..
first of all let me say i hope you are doing well, and are Healing, (healed).  Second, it was this story that made me decide to get a jacket and full finger gloves, as a minimum for protective gear.  I have been riding both cruisers and sportbikes for about 15 years off and on, and I never ever worried about going down.. and luckily the only time I have was in my front yard..forgot to put the kickstand down and just fell over... I know.. duh!   Now... Leather jacket, gloves, and always helmet at the least and never shorts.
I am sorry for your misfortune, and like I said, I hope you are doing well, and thanks for sharing your story with the rest of us.
Sincerely,
Waylon,

Thx for shearing your experience with your tremendous strength and courage. This is the reinforcement I needed with your testimonial!! I was almost debating if to ever ride without a jacket and gloves and the answer is now NO. The next time someone ask when its 90F aren't you hot with that jacket on your bike, I'll be polite!
Be Strong & All the Best
Todd

Hi Chris, I applaud your bravery and good intention to create a web site to show people what happens when you hit the black stuff without leather. I have been riding on the road only since February this year, I have always worn leathers, back protector, good boots and armour gloves. I know that on bikes its not if you come down but when. I have been fortunate enough to have survived the Auckland traffic with out anything but scares from reckless drivers, I only prey that my luck will continue.
It was unfortunate for you to have been through this trauma, I hope that your body recovers well and I thank you for showing people the possible dangers of riding unprepared for an accident. I cringe when I see riders here in NZ wearing t-shirts and shorts and believe it or not sandals on their feet. I hope your good work spreads its message.      Ride well and good luck     Ash

Hope things are going well for you Chris. It was your pictures that prompted
me to write. You've probably discovered that you're tougher than you
imagined you were, and you've been down lower than you've ever thought
possible. I sure hope you're well on your way out of that hole. Maybe
telling us the story is a necessary step in your emotional recovery. I think
that it probably will help a lot of others make some better choices.
Unfortunately I can directly relate to some of what you've been through. In
2001 I was bicycling home and got t-boned by a lifted Chevy Blazer. I ended
up skidding across 30 ft of pavement. There was no immediate pain during all
that (shock) but I vividly remember the bouncing. I got a few spots of road
rash but there were worse things. My hip was broken in 3 places. My left leg
was shattered and swelled up to the point where I was in danger of losing
it. Sparing the details, I ended up with a surgical wound that couldn't be
closed so that meant I needed skin grafts to cover the space.
Even compared to the physical therapy, the skin work was by far the most
difficult part of the recovery. Changing the wound dressings was pure hell.
And this was with only 2 clear-cut strips on my leg. My hat's off to you for
dealing with more.
During a very difficult first year of recovery, which was a totally lost
year in the point of view of my family, I spent a lot of time thinking about
how terrible it felt to be completely helpless. I was 100% reliant on others
for the simplest things I had never thought twice about. My turning point
was the realization that life is short so I'd better get on with the
business of doing what I really want to do. In psychological terms I
probably came out ahead for the experience. I'm bolder and have a broader
perspective. I'm doing things I used to love but had long ago left behind in
the rush of daily life, because they make me feel the opposite of how I felt
when I was flat on my back.
Bodies can heal remarkably well. The harder part is with the emotional side
of things. One way to look at it is that you're in a free 2nd life now. What
a gift!
- Tony
'04 BMW R1150GS

Your story hit home to me.  I wreck my racing TL-R warming up the engine
for a pre-Daytona race weekend oil change in Jan of 2002.  I was about 1/2
mile from my house.  Thankfully I was wearing jeans and a way too thin
nylon jacket, but I was doing about 60 when I got spit off in a violent
head shake.  My wife in particular cringed at the your pictures, she had to
do most of scrubbing and bandage changing of my rash, which was not as bad
as yours, but any rash is bad enough.  She used to call the yellow stuff
under my worse area (right upper side) "shoulder mustered"...:-)
In my case I ride less than 100 miles a year on public roads, all my racing
is with full protection.  I didn't bother wearing any because I was just
getting the engine hot to change the oil.  You'd think after 20 years of
street riding and 15 years of racing I would have known better.
Don't beat yourself up by thinking your a meathead, and don't quite riding.
Stephen H.
http://teamcharm.nova.org

Damn Chris,
I'm glad you survived that wreck!  Many are not as lucky as you, but I
think you know that.  Your story is pretty good.  I think you really should
put something in there about avoiding SPEEDING as well as wearing your
leathers.  Wearing protective gear would not have done you a bang bit of
good had that trucker not seen you.....
Course, I don't mean to lecture, but going well over 100 is pretty much a
big part of why you crashed, no?  Not wearing leathers is not illegal,
going over 100 is a bit on the non-legal side.  What is the saying...speed
kills?  Course I know one or two who are not with us today and they were
not breaking the law, they were wearing protective gear, and they got
killed anyway thanks to folks who pay no attention to bikes.   I guess
sometimes it doesn't matter how careful you may be.
 From now on, take it easy, what would Woods do without you?
Samm--just call me mama:-)

Hey Chris, I think my husband and I have met you before.  We are from the Phenix City area and I am full-time at Auburn (War Eagle!).  They need to have your story posted at the University Public Safety Division for all to read when they go in to get their motorcycle parking pass.  I shutter every time I see the guys who stand in their bikes to impress the girls in nothing but shorts and T-shirts.  My husband and I have always worn gear when riding, he had his eye-opener on X-Mas Eve.  He looped his 2002 954 wearing nothing but a pair of jeans (no helmet, jacket, shirt, shoes or even socks).  We was lucky, stepped off the back and pulled a "Fred Flintstone" running before going down on his arm.  He was playing around in front of the house and was only going about 30mph, but he totaled the bike and took most the skin off his left forearm and a good sized bit off his left calf.  Needless to say, we had just moved in 2 days prior and had nothing in the house for him and it was X-mas Eve.  Luckily the neighbor was a nurse at work and she brought him home some gauze and ointment.  His was nothing compared to what you went through, but he wined so much, he never leaves the house without full gear, regardless of just being in front of the house playing around.  If you plan on rebuilding your bike, send us an email, we help out some of the folks in Columbus with their wrecked bikes, maybe we could be of some assistance to you.  Glad to hear you are still here today to tell your story, being not but 20 miles away and as many riders as we know, we didn't hear about your story until browsing on a Dallas, TX forum.
Heather And Shaun

Thank you so much and God Bless you for sharing your experience to everyone.
I am a New Rider and I often wear Protective Gear.  Sometimes, just
sometimes, I would let my guard down or be lazy and not do it.   I have
seen from your valuable experience, what my mistakes was...... Thank you
and God Bless.
James B.

Hi! I just visited your TL-page and saw the pictures after your crash. After
I've seen your pics I will never ride without my protective clothes again,
no matter what! I'm very glad that you survived the crash! I hope your
wounds will heal as quick and as good as possible!
Sincerely: Sebastian (Sweden)

Hi Chris, I think what your doing is great! It's good to see you taking
an awful experience and turning it into a wake-up call for others with
your site. I hope your recovery is coming along well, body and soul. I
went down about a month ago, and although I did not receive a scratch
due to my leather's, I did hit hard enough to brake 5 bones, all because
I was going too fast. Speed may not always kill, but it will sure cause
a lot of pain, and shorten your riding season! I'm getting better every
day and my bike is fixed and waiting for me, and I hope your well enough
to ride again soon. Good luck and stay strong! -Bob- (Toronto, Canada)

Some crash you had there.  You've certainly changed my mind about taking short t shirt rides.  Let me tell you my story.  In the year 2000 I was just riding my first katana 750 sport bike and a good buddy of mine kept telling me, "Ian, get yourself some gloves!"  But oh no, I didn't listen. Later that summer, while waving at my girlfriend, I ran into the back of a car and severed my pinky and almost severed the one next to it.  I've since been riding my R1 with a very nice pair of Joe rocket gloves, leather jacket, and boots.  In the summer of 2001 I encountered a young man wobbling into a store with bandages on his knees.  Of course I asked and sure enough, motorcycle accident.  He told me never to ride without knee pads and so I spent $90 on some nice riding pants with knee and hip guards built in.  Moral of the story, learn from other's mistakes and enjoy your new 
R1!  :-)  Take it easy man.
Ian G.
www.redlinestands.com

Chris, I don't know how long your story has been on the web but this is the first time I saw it and am captivated. I do the same things you did. I think I'm just going to go to McDonalds's to get a coffee and don't even have any gear on or my cell phone. Your story probably have made people think twice and you have saved lives because of you publishing your story. I now show this to anyone who is getting into motorcycling or trying to decide what to get. Now I wear all my leathers and carry my cell phone even for a 5 minute ride! 
Parabellum 

I just ran across your page on "sportbikehype". I'm sorry to hear what happened. you have fully convinced me to wear leathers at all times. I hope you get well soon. you have probably saved my life.
Joe

Wow Chris. I rode in today in a t-shirt and pants. Yikes. I ride in
traffic every day to come to work and it has been 37 degrees Celsius
this week. I am sure a little heat suffering is better than what you
went thru. I have had one accident without a jacket on and I only
bruised ribs and tore my arm up. I am truly amazed that you lived thru
that and that the pain of the skin grafts didn't kill you. I burned my
leg on my exhaust only once and the pain of THAT was enough to make me
more careful. I am sending this to all my biker friends to make them
aware!! God speed your recovery and take care!
Micheline

Chris,
First of all I send my prayers and best wishes for your recovery.  Second, I thank you for being so brave as to put this out there for the rest of us that ride to see.
My husband and I both ride although he has been riding for almost 10 years I have only had my bike for 4 months.  I ride a new Yamaha 600r and he has just bought a new Hayabusa.  While we always ride with our safety gear, I have noticed that with the temperatures increasing to the 100 degree mark we have become somewhat lax in wearing the jackets.  I applaud you for making me aware of why there is safety gear.  I know I will not leave the house without it or if it is too hot that I will take the car.
I see all kinds of t-shirts with sayings of "I want to leave this world as I came in, bloody and screaming" and other such clever and catchy themes, but I think the most appropriate of late is one I saw the other day that said we should all dress to crash and not dress to ride.  Thanks for reminding me why I should take the few minutes extra to put all of the gear on.
Again, all my best to you for you recovery.
Best wishes to you and your family,
Sheila

Hey:
I'm a weekend warrior 35 with a wife 2 kids, 1 on the way a great wife, job, house etc.  I have been riding street for 12 years and dirt 31 years.
Just last weekend when my Dad met me on his bike to ride and was wearing Jeans and an armored jacket I had on Full leather, and boots and thought gee he looks more comfortable maybe I should lighten up?  5 days later your email came an set me straight again.  Even when I had no responsibility I always wore my leathers regardless of heat, comfort, etc.
Thank you for your initially unintentional example/reminder of why we dress like leather astronauts.
He well! Welcome back to your second chance at life!
Adam W.
1975 R90S BMW
2000 XR400
PS My Dad will receive your graphic and thorough email as well.