Let me leave you with three thoughts:

1) Compound fractures from insufficient sheet metal around you

Yep, that sucks. Not much can be done about it, either.

2) Scrambled brains from no helmet

Always, always, ALWAYS wear a full-face helmet. Always.

3) Road rash from no leathers

Always, always, ALWAYS wear leather on tour. It sucks when it's hot,
but road rash hurts more than it sucks.

I've been down once, on a 1966 Honda 160 (this would've been in '86 or
so, so it was already an "antique"/beater) when I hit gravel. I was
wearing a leather coat, gloves and helmet. The ONLY unprotected part
of me was my wrist, between my glove and my sleeve -- and it looked
like hamburger when I got up.

The very first thing that hit the ground was my head -- there was no
time to even raise my arm to protect it, even though I was going pretty
slowly. The helmet saved the old brain box, for sure.

I have taken care of several suffering from 1, 2, and/or 3. It ain't pretty.
It ain't fun either... for either of us.

I hear what you're saying, but you can either live, or wait to die. I
do everything in my power to protect myself (and my riders -- who
include my children) from harm, but fully understand that the risks I'm
taking are very similar to flying.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"