The Hodaka Club Forum

I know this is off subject, but, I wanted to remind all of the Hodaka Chat Group about the importance of riding gear. This morning at 2:30 a.m. I was on my way into work for overtime. (I have to ride thru a refuge where there is always the threat of deer or hogs running out in front of your motorcycle.) I was cruising along and the out of the ditch a black hog came running into my path. At 55 mph I hit him square, I went over the handlebars and onto the road summer-salting for about 40 feet. I got up realizing that I was alive and not really hurt, except for sore shoulder, wrist, pinky finger and a road rash knee. What I'm getting at is that my armored jacket, armored pants, helmet and gloves did the trick. They saved me from serious injury. So, please, where your equipment!! The hog and my Kawasaki KLX250 were not so lucky..Linc

So smart! So many riders here in Colorado don't wear helmets. The Harley clubs have kept it out of the law books. I just saw in the newspaper that we have had over 58 deaths already this year from motorcycle crashes and 34 of them were not wearing helmets.

I can't ride without protective gear. Too much to risk. Some will say they saw me do it in the video where I rode the Wombat in the street at my house. But that's private property and no traffic.

I couldn't agree with SuperRat more. Live to tell the tale by wearing good safety equipment! ; D Victor

My personal rule is: ALL GEAR. ALL THE TIME. PERIOD!! As a general surgeon, I see a lot of trauma and am here to tell you that the most frequent predictor of a lethal injury is a prehospital report from an EMT that begins with "unhelmeted motorcyclist..." Ditto for operators on any OHV and unrestrained automobile occupants. Tragic, avoidable, and unnecessary.

Glad to hear you are ok! That is the most important thing. I too live and commute in an area that is very busy with deer, no hogs but lots of black bear and at times, moose to deal with. The moose are worst at dawn and dusk. Rarely on the move through the day. The bears are pretty smart about the roadway or at least they always seem to be on a mission to get across in the quickest way possible. But the deer are the dumbest bunch and can't be trusted to move in any sort of predictable way. They will start to cross, see you and stop and then if you try to pass they'll jump; maybe away from you but just as likely into your path. For us, the only way to avoid them is to slow to a crawl or stop until they make up their minds.
Of course this only works if you can see them first.
Ken
ps- agree totally with all the gear comments above. Here in Ontario Canada helmets are law, but many wear the useless type that barely sit on top of your head. To each his own I suppose.

On a side note, Linc, are you going to be having a PIG ROAST???

As far as a pig roast, we went back after day break yesterday and the dang buzzards had already started on him. So, a pig roast was not to be. I can tell you this though...after hitting that pig yesterday morning, I am sore in places I didn't even know existed. My bike will probably be totaled, the good news is, maybe I will buy another Hodaka..........Linc

Helmets and safety gear is always a good discussion. Having had a few major head hits in my years of racing (two requiring helmet replacement), I am personally aware of the dangers involved. In my early motorcycle shop I sold two things; Hodakas and Bell Helmets. Bell for a time was the only helmet to pass the Snell Foundation requirements for racing helmets. I even had the Bell sign in the shop that said "If you have a ten dollar head, wear a ten dollar helmet." Wear a helmet and fasten your seat belt in cars is certainly good advice for a longer life.

Max's opinion!

Amen Max, I smacked my head pretty good on initial impact with the road. However, I was not concussed. Without a helmet, it would have probably been lethal. By the way, I will buy another "Speed and Strength" helmet. If it can take that kind of an impact with no ill effects to me, I want another one. Besides, mine is toast. Linc

I had a rather lengthy discussion years ago about this on the old Yahoo Hodaka owners group. I equated the lack of helmet wearing and proper gear with cigarette smokers and non-seat belt users. It seems one person in particular didn't get it. Your life is not your own. Lack of common sense costs us all money (insurance rates) and heartache for our friends and family.

You know, I'm leaving out an important part of this story. In addition, to the equipment that I already mentioned that I had on, I also always wear a motocross style neck brace. I have neck problems from past accidents and the brace supports the weight of the helmet. Anyways, I credit that brace to not having any additional neck issues from this wreck. I realize that a neck brace my be going overboard for most people but my point is...you can never have to much safety gear on, only to little. For years I have always worn armored jacket, armored pants, helmet, neck brace "just in case". At 0230 in the morning yesterday "just in case" came in the form of a hog and I guess I was prepared. I am sorry for rambling but I am excited about spreading the word about protective equipment while riding motorcycles. IT WORKS!!! Linc

One thing about being old is you realize that all your lectures about helmets, seat belts and smoking were right. All of my old smoking classmates along with many non-helmet motorcycle friends are long gone. Good friends children and grandchildren have been ejected from cars and have subsequently been killed. Throw in some texting while driving and bad life styles and you are doomed to die from stupidity. I hate to paint such a grim picture but most of these deaths were preventable. I still lecture people in hopes I might save someone. Scary huh?

Thanks for surviving Linc, that was smart of you.

Max

ATGATT is a very good way to live. I'm starting to assemble "lighter and cooler" gear for my off road Hodaka-ing.

Hey! I got one! ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time)

I am so glad this story ended well. While it is indeed arguable that I should wear more protective gear when I ride . . . I won't even start my scooters without my helmet on (and that means strapped on!)

Like they used to say on Hill Street Blues, "Let's be careful out there."

Ed

One additional thought worthy of mention in the helmet department: If your helmet sustains ANY impact during a crash, or from dropping it onto a hard surface accidentally, then smash it to bits with a hammer before throwing it away (so nobody finds and uses it) and buy another. Modern helmets are one-impact only. They are designed to dissipate impact energy throughout the shell and once this occurs, the structural integrity of the shell is destroyed.

Matt is certainly right on replacing helmets after impact. Bell helmets used to inspect and replace crushable liners and I don't know if that service is still available. Also the liners can become less effective as they age. Helmets don't last forever and should be replaced periodically. Most sanctioned events and track days require a helmet less than five years old. All good advice when you are trying to protect your well being.

Max

Indeed, Max! I forgot to mention the life expectancy factor. Very good point!

Helmets & tires. Use neither if over 5 years old. ; D Victor