Goodbye to an old friend

Joystick · Post by **Joystick** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:37 pm

I'm not a hard core bike rider, I have a car for general transport needs and daily commuting but I ride a bike purely for enjoyment. Over the years I've grown to enjoy a beer at the end of ride and the chance to sit back and reflect on the ride completed. It has become a ritual for me.

Yesterday I had that 'end of ride' beer for a ride that I started on Friday.
I'm a lot more reflective and emotional than usual as I've now said goodbye to my old Kawasaki friend. Temperamental as it was, my zx7r took me on the best riding experiences I've had. Dented, scratched and multi coloured as it had become it was my bike and loved riding it. Unforgiving and unyielding it taught me how to respect and trust it as my own skill developed and improved. I will miss you my old friend.

My Kawasaki zx7r was killed by a Honda on the old road on Friday the 25th April. The CBR2500RR slid out on a wet right hand corner north of Cowan. It mounted and climbed a rock cutting wall before being deflected back onto the road in my immediate path. It hit my bike whilst still airborne and initially impacted against my left headlight. I took part of the impact on my left arm, shoulder, head and neck and I was thrown off to the right. I slid across the oncoming lane and came to a stop tangled in the guard rail.

I spent 4 nights in hospital and I'm very lucky to have only minimal injuries. A broken left ulna (lower bone in forearm), a suspected broken Scaphoid in my right wrist, bruising all over my left shoulder & upper arm, some scratches on my neck and a small puncture hole on my right shin.

The other rider broke all 3 bones connecting his right elbow and hopefully he will be released from hospital today. I wish you a quick recovery mate and hold no hard feelings against you.

As a rider I grew a lot in the last 5 days.

Andre
'97 Kawasaki Zx7r RIP

PS I am still green at heart.

Strika · Post by **Strika** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:45 pm

Glad to hear you came out of it OK! Bikes are replaceable, people arn't as they say!!!

Sorry to hear the 7 has gone to god though!! But, look on the bright side, at least you get the insurance (I hope) to buy another of your choice!

Hope you heal quickly! Watch that Scaphoid, they are a bastard!

red_dave · Post by **red_dave** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:45 pm

Mate, I'm glad you're here to tell the tale...

We take risks everytime we set out on our bikes, If it wasnt this way, i dont think i'd be doing it.

Hope to see you out and about.

badinov · Post by **badinov** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:09 pm

OUCH, As long as you are still in one piece.. May the replacement serve you as faithfully as your 7 !

ducati_paul · Post by **ducati_paul** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:11 pm

Serves ya right for letting a 250 overtake ya!

just kidding Andre!

Sean told me about your stack at work on Monday, glad to see you are fit enough to type! I guess you wont be going to the Dinner Thursday night now?

mick_dundee · Post by **mick_dundee** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:22 pm

From the sounds of it you've come out of it not too badly at all, good luck with the self repair and replacement of another bike (if that's what you choose to do)

Valheru70 · Post by **Valheru70** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:45 pm

Sorry about the bike mate , it's what we all hope won't happen to us and it goes to show that no matter how carefull you are freaky things can happen.

Get Well Soon...

VaLheru70

Glen · Post by **Glen** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:00 pm

Geez mate that's shit luck but thankfully you're still in one piece.

Chin up eh and start looking for a new "old friend"

aggerz · Post by **aggerz** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:10 pm

argh not the 7..noo anthing but a 7...

oh wait wait... Glad to hear your alive and healing..

oh no.. a 7!

Heal up up mate you'll be back on board in no time..

Cath · Post by **Cath** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:16 pm

What a shit.
Sorry about your bike but happy to hear you're ok. Hope you're out and about again soon!

Neka79 · Post by **Neka79** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:19 pm

yea.. glad ur ok mate....

as for the bike.. sad day it is... ill be sure to have a drink for ya old mate!!

Slow and wobbly · Post by **Slow and wobbly** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:26 pm

I know where your at right now. Happened to me last year. Must be something about us mellowed out Kawasaki riders. Hard to hate or proportion blame against another even though it wasn't your fault, and apathetic about crying over spilt milk. When you heal - and you will - you will grow from it and move on. All the best.

the kid · Post by **the kid** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:28 pm

Sad post Mate , but you are OK and the other rider too by the sound of it . Good Luck sorting all the post accident bullshit and heal up quick .

Jonno · Post by **Jonno** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:36 pm

Those bikes flying at you are not good!

Hopefully you fully recover to ride another day.

SoundGuy · Post by **SoundGuy** » Thu May 01, 2008 1:16 am

Glad to hear your ok mate,

I heard about this on Saturday and rode past the accident scene many times throughout the day.

For the life of me , i still cant work out what the hell that rider was doing

Get better soon mate

Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

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