I was riding my first bike, 83 kz550 ltd, and I didnt realize that a car in front of me had busted their oil line. Im sure you can all see where this is headed. I was unknowingly running through oil, and was ok until I went to turn right into a parking lot. The bike went out from under me so fast I had no idea what happened. One minute Im turning into a parking lot the next minute Im laying on the pavement wondering what the hell just happened. The lady who's car had sprung a leak had pulled into the parking lot ahead of me, and she casually walks over to me and says, be careful I think I sprung an oil leak. No s**t, was my response, from the ground. Luckily I wasnt too banged up. I sold that bike shortly there after and took about a 9yr break from riding before buying my next bike, an 03 Vstar 650. Had that for about 2months and was riding home from work, the night shift, plus being held over for several hours, so had worked about 13hrs overnight, and I was coming around a bend in the road and the van in front of me pulled over to the curb, or so I thought, and I went to accelerate around them when they then turned left in front of me. I was committed, no way out, locked up the rear brake, slid it sideways, managed to stay upright but broadsided into the van and then fell over onto my left side. Nothing broken, just some bruises, and a banged up bike. The guy never put on a turn signal, nothing, just swung to the curb then turned left in front of me. Claims he was just swinging wide into his driveway. Bottom line, like you guys have said, trust no one, and be aware. Been riding ever since, with no problems, but then again Im older now, a bit more aware, and a bit more cautious. Always ride defensively is my advice. Some one once said there are two types of riders, those that have been down, and those that will be down. You ride long enough it happens, but if you ride smart you can minimize the damage.