Back in May when I picked up my ride, my HS friend picked up the same bike as mine but in black and silver. Both bikes were flawless and were being sold by brothers who were looking to get out of the sport. His stayed flawless but mine took a little spill.

So, we are both ATGATT riders and we are consistantly at or below the speed limit. He rides like I do... defensively and he has a few years under his belt.

The other day on the way home from work he was traveling down a road he regularly uses at 55 mph (posted speed limit) and watches a car pull out from a stop sign on the left. No big deal as they were well enough ahead. The second car, however, stopped at the sign and gunned it to make it out onto the four lane road. My buddy said he saw them, hit the brakes and the horn as they entered his lane, and tried to stop. His tires were less than 2 weeks old and he either grabbed too much front or they were still slick because before he knew it his bike was out from under him and he hit on his left shoulder. His JR Supermoto leather jacket took a lot of the impact on his shoulder and slid along the armor in the forarms. He said he flipped a couple of times and his HJC CL something or other took a few hits on the left upper and right upper. He said he didn't feel any of the head hits. His gloves, some crappy textile ones with some knuckle padding, split all over and he got some rash on his left hand. They did save him from some injury on the hands because the plastic armor on them was very scraped up. I wouldn't use them b/c virtually all the seams split. He was wearing jeans but they were not riding jeans. His knees and shins were rashed up pretty well as the jeans failed. His combat boots kept his ankles and feet ok but his legs took it pretty bad. He's out walking and is out of his sling, but his bike is done for the season with bent handle bars, and rash all over the left side. His left frame slider broke the bolt that held it on but still did a fair job of keeping his bike off the ground. I told him to take pics yesterday with the gear and what not so I can show everyone.

He was lucky. Not only did the guy who pulled out stop to help, but his new, beautiful AGV helmet had not arrived yet so he wasn't wearing it. As soon as he stopped flipping, my friend said all he saw was red. After he ripped his helmet off he was about ready to heave it at the guy until common sense kicked in and he stood down. The guy took the citation for failure to yield and my buddy's insurance will be taking his insurance to court to pay for the damages. No deductible because he was not at fault.

So, after seeing his bike, I made some purchases because I ride more than he does. I purchased an Icon back protector and a set of knee/shin guards to go under my Icon jeans. I ride with the same jacket he does. If you don't have leg protection, get some. It's a necessity and if my buddy would have had some, he would have walked away almost unscathed from an accident at 55mph. I'll keep bugging him until he gives me the pictures.

Cover your brakes, guys. People aren't looking for us.

 

I've been looking at back protectors recently to use when I mess around and stuff. Do many guys wear them for regular riding? Glad to hear that your bud is okay.

 

I see riders with the Icon protector all the time. Some of them wear them on the outside of a shirt? Mine is always under the jacket. Feels good and will most likely do something for me in the event of a wreck. Kneedraggers.com has some reviews from customers.