ORIGINAL: Werbeck

I lost control of the bike last night. I was coming home just around dusk and made an aggressive left turn into our neighborhood. Almost half way through the turn I went into a patch of landscaper's gravel and BOOM! Down I went. I know the gravel wasn't there when I left but no excuse, I was riding too fast for the road conditions, totally my fault and I feel like a fool.

The ironic thing is I had just taken the HD Experienced Rider's course last weekend, was the star student, and get this--I was actually coming home last night from PRACTICING at the junior college nearby that has the MSF course painted on the parking lot!! Additionally, I had ridden the previous two days out amongst the winding roads we have here in TN. So It's not like I wasn't proficient.

What makes me really feel like an idiot is that I fit all the stereotypes- an old guy, his first Harley (but not my first bike) and, of course, it was a Nightster.
Anyway, went to the hospital in an ambulance, had all the x-rays done, nothing broken but my shoulder and left arm are useless and I banged up my left ankle pretty good.
All the usual stuff on the left side of my bike will have to be replaced-mirrors, lights, clutch handle, etc. And the gas tank has a huge dent in it from the handlebars smacking it
.
I need to get the bike fixed ASAP and ride again before I lose my confidence. I swear I never thought I would be the cause of my own accident, thought it would be some cager that did me in. This really sucks.

One more thing-you don't realize how fast 30 mph is until you hit the pavement! Glad I had my helmet on, I really had my bell rung, saw stars and everything.