ATGATT

[Mike Green]

Friday evening was perfect for one of my stress reduction rides after work. The weather was nice with cool breezes. I rode to the Jasmine Hills area which has some thrilling curves and steep hills. Finally it was getting dark and I headed home. About 2 miles from home I decided to take a detour. (not ready to quit). Making a left turn onto the road home there she was. A big white tail doe ran out in front of me and froze. I squeezed both brake levers and the brakes locked. I flew over the handle bars and wind screen and scraped along the asphalt for about 12 feet. The impact at speed was excruciating and I thought I was a dead man. I lay in the dark, in the middle of a country road with the X500Ri about 15 feet in front of me. I started yelling for help but could not get a lung full of air. I finally managed to get to my feet and hobble to the side of the road. Everything hurt. Finally a wonderful man arrived in a P.U. truck and offered help. He said he lived on the road I had taken the detour on and had heard the crash and my faint screams.  I always carry my cell phone; in the scooter. His son took me home and the man drove the scoot home. Kymco is bullet proof. I could no longer stand the pain and next morning i went to the ER. After MRI and CT scan and multiple x-rays I came out of it with 5 broken ribs, torn cartilage in my right knee and broken bone in my right foot. I was wearing my G-MAX full face helmet.Had almost worn my open face. The face shield was crushed but no injuries to my face. I had on a Speed and Strength jacket with padded elbows and shoulders. At any point of contact the fabric was shredded. I had a pair of Icon Hooligan pants with padded knees. The knees are shredded out on the pants. Just saying that I am so lucky to come out of this with non-life threatening injuries. I know I would be at a funeral today without ATGATT. 

[streido]

Not really much more you could have done Mike to avoid coming off. Only thing i do myself in emergency braking situations is to pull a little harder on the rear than on the front brake, i figure i can lock up the rear and stay upright easier than if the front locks up. Not always easy to do in a panic but i think im in the habit of it now after losing my front wheel while braking a year or so ago.

Broken ribs suck, had some myself in the past, but like you say at least you made it thro. Imagine how you would be if you had no protection on 

Hopefully you heal quickly and can get back in the saddle soon. May be worth buying that good samaritan a bottle of something or a box of cigars for his help

[Mike Green]

Streido, thanks so much man. My wife went by the next day to thank him but he drives a transport truck and was out of town. When I get mobile that is number 1 on my to do list. I'm not religious but consider myself spiritual in the world of right and wrong and feel very sure that there was some divine intervention in my decision that afternoon to go with my full face helmet rather than the open face 3/4.
And for this man to be outside working on his lawnmower and hear everything. You don't know what a dark and terrifying night that was. I'm waiting on my insurance adjuster to come out and have a look at the bike. The only damage I can see is the exhaust shield has been torn up. The right side fairing is rubbed down smooth along the side, and the brake levers are bent. There may be some steering alignment issues because the handle bars took a lot of the force. The man who drove it home said it handled fine. That's what
I mean; those Kymco scoots are bullet proof.

[streido]

those Kymco scoots are bullet proof.

Just a pity us riders are not 

Stay safe 

[Vivo]

Sorry to hear about that Mike but very glad you're ok.... Maybe the Almighty really decided the world still needs people like you....

And a million thanks to those who helped you....

“In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.” ...

[Mike Green]

Thanks Vivo! I cannot describe the fear and desolation alone and injured in the dark. Lying out there and any minute someone could come speeding down on me and run over me. The arrival of the stranger and his son was truly a Godsend. Maybe I was becoming too arrogant and God wanted to provide me with a dose of humility and gratitude. From fear of dying out there in the dark to rescue what a wonderfull experience.

[Vivo]

He really works in mysterious ways...  

Maybe he thought he cannot send a flood or earthquake to wake you up...he sent the doe instead...


Followed by two Angels....

[ScooterWolf]

Hey Michael,

Glad to hear you're okay -- relatively speaking. You and I have the same helmet, so it's good to know it can take a beating and save the owners life.

Stay safe, and speedy recovery,

-Wolf

[Mike Green]

Thanks Wolf,
Is your helmet the GMAX that has the strobe lights on the back?, I had them on that night and damn it the deer did not look behind me. Yea, as far as I can remember the helmet was the first thing that hit the asphalt and the two shields were ravaged but the integrity of the helmet held together well. Head and face were the only places that were not injured. I know you never use a helmet after a crash but I am buying a new one identical.
Thanks for the kind thoughts,
Mike

[blue]

happy to here you are ok. its good to know you were wearing a helmet and gear. thats a good story to tell those that dont wear a helmet and gear.