Hey guys,

Last Monday, while riding to town, i looked down at my speedo because the traffic in front of me was only going about 45 in the 55 mph zone that we were in. By the time i looked up, all i saw was brake lights, and while trying to slow , i ended up locking up my brakes and lost it, rolling at least 30 ft. on pavement! Lots of road rash, a few cracked ribs, and a sprained wrist later, I feel truly lucky. I made a rookie mistake and was fortunate not to have paid too great a price. I was wearing short sleeves and short pants. OUCH!!!!! The bike is ok, and ill be riding again soon.(with sleeves and jeans!!!!)

Ride safe!!

oh yea! i plan on buying a nice summer mesh type jacket and ofcourse my leather when it cools off some.

It can happen pretty quick. I've never been a fan of the spedo on the gas tank. I use a gps mounted on the handle bars.
Good to hear your are ok. Heal quick!!!!!

It is all a learning experience, but more importantly, it is how much of that experience we retain. I have had five mishaps over 40+ years of riding ... walked away from all because I saw them coming in time to get the speed down and, in all cases but one, leave the bike. From my road rash, I learned to wear mesh with armor. From the situation you describe (been there, done that), I learned to lay way off the cager ahead of me. Here's one that few people notice:
You are at a stop light. Cars (cagers) are lined up, bumper-to-bumper, waiting for the light to change. One car decides to enter traffic turning right on red (legal in a lot of states). The car behind him elects to follow out into traffic. You are on the bike behind the guy following the right turner. You pull ahead, but suddenly the follower decides he does not have enough space to get out into traffic and slams on brakes. At a stop light, everyone lines up close, never considering a safe interval. Therefore, you don't even have time to touch your brakes, and you eat some bumper. You aren't going fast, but the pavement is hard. Your pride is hurt, and your bike is scratched up (about those plastic turn signals). Lesson: At a stop light, whenever all the cars are ducks in a line, leave yourself some reaction space.

+1 on the GLAD YOU'RE OK message.

also +1 on the LEAVE ALL THE ROOM YOU CAN message.

I also use a GPS on the handle bars because it lets me see the speed only moving my eyes, not my whole head.

When your in traffic it doesn't matter how fast you are going go with the flow,Do the same in a car too.

Glad to hear that you were able to walk away. Heal fast. "Bag Balm" in the square green can at WalMart is great stuff for cuts and road rash.

Roger Miller said it so well in his song, " You can't roller-skate in a Buffalo herd"
                                                           
                                                                          Ride Safe
                                                                          Marine5317

thanks for all of the kind words!!  (and good advice)  im definitely looking into an alternative speedo. Things happen very quickly out there.