I wiped out on my birthday Wednesday night. A group of six bikes were on the way home from a bike night event at Quaker Steak & Lube in Pinellas Park, FL. I was the 5th bike that made it through an intersection. The 6th bike caught the light though. I slowed down and began to pull over to wait for him. As I pulled over towards the curb, I realized too late that there was a drop from the roadway to the gutter area due to several re-pavements of the road causing an uneven roadway. I fell into the gutter area and the front tire bounced back and forth from the pavement to the curb before I wiped out doing approximately 35 mph. I was violently thrown down onto the sidewalk head and shoulder first causing my collarbone to break in two places. I flopped down the sidewalk like a rag doll before coming to a complete stop. Beause I was wearing my helmet, gloves, and long pants, I came out practically scratch-free. I have three abrasions on my left knee, a bruise on my forehead and the broken collarbone. The bike needs a new master cylinder because a corner was shaved off, new turn signal cover, new crank case cover that was shaved down and leaks oil, and a new rear brake foot pedal. Everything else is just road rash like on the mirror, end bar, right side fairing, right side of rear fairing, lower fairing, and the muffler pipe and canister.
Now I have to wear a sling for 6 to 8 weeks before I can fix the bike and get riding again. I must tell you all that the helmet definitely saved my life.

Check out some pics on my shutterfly album at: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...qxask-&notag=1

Everyone please ride safe and always wear proper gear!
John