0.1 THE CRASH

6 months and 6700 miles into my journey of motorcycle riding, it happened. I've had a few near death experiences before, and in almost all of them, time seemed to slow to a near freeze. I would see multiple escape routes, plan my course, and act just in time. This time was not that way. I'm up riding, and a millisecond later I'm pitched over the bike, sliding and then rolling across the asphalt.

I picked up 3 broken fingers on my right (dominant) hand which required surgery and pins. Currently, I can move these fingers a few mm in either direction, and it's unclear how much movement I'll get back. As a lifelong guitar-player, builder and daily computer/CAD user, it'd be disingenuous to say it's not at least a tiny bit devastating. But alas, I am alive(with a working left hand) living in the greatest period in history for builders. The show must go on!

> FIG 01: SENA Outforce damage assessment. Impact focused on the right lateral quadrant.

> FIG 01B: Handlebar assembly damage. Primary impact point showing compression and lateral twist.

So, what happened? 4 things: 1. Cold tires 2. Too much lean 3. Too much throttle 4. A pothole. It was 40 degrees, at night, and at the beginning of a ride before tires had time to generate heat. While leaned over, I assume too tight of a throttle grip caused me to go WOT when I hit the pothole, breaking rear tire traction momentarily and then absolutely yeeting me.

Going forward, if I am able (and choose) to ride again, there are a few non-negtioable changes that I will be making to my riding style and risk management: reducing lean angle for the first 5-10 miles of every cold trip, reducing cold and nighttime miles, using a lighter throttle grip, and sticking to roads I know intimately when riding in the dark.

0.2 DAMAGE_ASSESSMENT

Upon initial inspection, the following parts will need to be replaced: dash mount, right handlebar, throttle assembly, master cylinder, front hand brake lever, rear foot brake lever, right foot peg, rear fairing, headlight, front right blinker, both rear blinkers.

0.3 RECOVERY_PLAN

Phase one involves sourcing OEM replacement parts for all damaged components except the headlight, which is a staggering $300. This seems like the perfect opportunity to design a new headlight.