Crash Tested: A 12-Meter Fall, Broken Bones, and Gear That Saved a Life
September 17, 2025
When you ride a motorcycle, you learn to respect the road. But sometimes, the road reminds you of who is in charge. For a Dutch rider Thijs, what started as a perfect backroad ride turned into a painful lesson and a powerful reminder of how essential protective gear truly is.
A Ride That Took a Turn
It was a beautiful day for riding. Thijs and his best friend were cruising fast and free along the winding Dutch dykes, hitting speeds of up to 130 km/h. Thijs, leading the way on his Yamaha MT-07, approached a left-hand turn that changed everything.
The road had just been mowed, leaving behind loose grass and gravel. Suddenly, his bike lost traction. At about 60–70 km/h, he went down skidding along the asphalt before flying off the dike, a fall estimated to be at least 12 meters.
The Aftermath
Thijs lost consciousness for about a minute. When he came back to consciousness, his friend was already at his side. His left foot was twisted up against his chest. The paramedics quickly arrived and rushed him to the hospital. The damage was severe: a broken femur, a fractured forearm, and several broken fingers. And yet, no major bleeding, no open wounds, no skin damage.
“They cut all my gear open on the spot,” Thijs recalls. “But my skin was fully intact. Just a few bruises.”
The Gear That Made All the Difference
Thijs had been wearing the Pando Moto Shell UH 03 armored base layer shirt and Skin UH 03 protective leggings, both CE-certified as protective motorcycle garments and equipped with CE-approved impact protectors. Despite the violent crash, the motorcycle gear held up impressively with only minor damage from the impact—no major tears or fabric failure. The garments were cut open solely by paramedics for immediate medical treatment.
“I’ve always ridden with gear, even in the heat. This proves anything can happen – sometimes it’s not even your fault. Without that base layer set, things could have ended much worse.”Pando Moto base layers are made from BALISTEX® fabric – a high-performance power-stretch material 15 times stronger than steel. The motorcycle riding gear is breathable, flexible, and engineered for maximum abrasion resistance. Combined with CE-approved armor in the shoulders, elbows, back, hips, and knees, these layers act like a second skin – ready to take the hit so you don’t have to.
The Recovery
Thijs underwent surgery two days later. Doctors inserted a titanium plate and screws to stabilize his leg. Just five weeks post-accident, he was already back on his feet, making one step at a time, and getting his bike repaired.
Today, he sends a clear message to other riders:
“I’m grateful to be alive. This gear didn’t just perform – it protected me when I needed it the most. I’ll never ride without Pando Moto again.”
Thijs’s gear choice:
