Goodbye to an old friend
Posted: 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.
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.
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! 
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? 
