Do crashes count as close calls if you survive them? My first crash was on highway 33 between Ohai and Maricopa. Used to be able to make the 84 mile ride in an hour. Heading down the mountain toward Ohai one night I dove into a decreasing-radius right-hander way too hot. On the shoulder on the wrong side of the road, leaning hard, when front wheel hit a rut. Laid it down, skidded down the side of the road. Helmet and leathers did their job.
#2 crash: Oncoming old man in a van made a left turn in front of me on a 4-lane street, saw the car beside me in the slow lane but not me, and stopped in my lane, putting up the perfect road block. Left 60 feet of rubber before I hit the side doors on the van at about 30 mph. Helmet saved my head.
#3 crash: Riding at night between Taft and Bakersfield, California, at about 95 mph, when a Black Labrador ran across the road in front of me. Never even saw it coming. One second I was up, cruising, thinking life was a breeze, and then BAM, and I'm sliding down the road behind my Z1-R on its' side. Probably slid 75 yards. Protective gear saved my a** once again.
#4 crash: Riding at night near Mankato, Minnesota, when I went through a road construction area, got on pavement again, and just as I got up to speed I crested a rise to see mounds of dirt, rock, and gravel. Worst injuries of all.
#5 crash: Riding twisty highway 74 near Jasper, Arkansas, on 77 KZ-1000, when I ran it off a decreasing-radius left-hander, crashing into a culvert and boulders. Helmet did it's job.
Some people would question my sanity for still riding. I don't have the need for speed that I once did, and I use much more caution than in my young-and-dumb days. And I try not to ride at night if I don't have to. I always heard that there are two types of riders, those who have crashed, and those who are about to crash. Helmets and dumb luck are the reason I'm able to recount these events.