agree all round, riding smart is smart, but smart
is not enough sometimes..
4th road honda [cb750/4k6 front disc] second 4
years of regular experience of all sorts bar racing,
he turned from the curb, over double yellow lines
at end of traffic island, no blinkers, front wheels straight,
didnt look [a bushie in town].. police measured skid marks
said 'he had amazing reflexes [but] 'no chance'..
impact, flew over the ute, landed on road ahead
[not, speeding..] knocked unconscious, no memory..
depressed fracture left eye orbit, left cheekbone,
snapped left lower mandible [jaw].. open face helmet..
leather jacket, gloves, boots.. no other injury..
if i wore no helmet, i reckon death or rat5hit..
jaws wired shut 3 mths.. new nolan full face helmet..
until then had only a couple of controlled slide offs
hitting flattened road kill in a curve etc..
father a motorcyclist, ridden on road since 16..
reckon i was pretty 'smart' rider too..
anyway mate, something like that real event
can, happen, to anyone.. you could have
put casey on my seat and the bushie
would have gotten him too..
to each his own, and good luck to everyone,
whatever you choose to do.. but lets not
present experience and a good attitude
as if some sort of barrier to being in
the wrong place at the wrong time,
esp to novices..
that place and time could and can be
anywhere, at any time..
care and skill can and will help avoid
many potential dangers, of course..
but not, the ones you cant, avoid...