It only takes a moment of inattention, usually by those whom bikers call ‘cage drivers’, and those on 2 wheels pay the price and the dent in the fender gets popped out by a paintless dent removal truck.
47 years of safe riding on my part…70-something cage driver runs a red light at strip mall exit and guess who was sprawled on the pavement? Luckily, only an ankle injury that took months to NOT hurt like the dickens when pressing on the clutch, a ruined bike, and decision that there are too many stupid people who should not be behind the wheel (and I was kitted in leathers, flourescent yellow-green riding jacket, high beams on, and wearing a helmet…no way the dolt could miss me…but she did).
I consider myself lucky. Sold what was left of the bike, gave away the riding kit. It was fun while it lasted, but don’t need to amplify the risk anymore.
Blue skies, Mr. Williams. You will be missed.