I got clipped this summer on my Triumph on I-5 doing about 65mph. Long story short, bike was totaled, I did a few tumbles and slid on my belly for 15 or 20 yards. The end result was the Trophy totaled, my JR Ballistic 4.0 scuffed all over and ground through on the right forearm., my Shoei RF900 scuffed and faceshield scratched, my Olypmpic sport gloves ground through in a few spots, my Sidi On Roads scuffed a little, and my OD green Old Navy Cargos ground through in a few spots, and me getting beat to sh*t.
"47 year old bodies arn't meant to hit the ground at high speed" the ER Doctor told me, though him and the State Patrol, first responders and mostly me were amazed that I got up and walked away from it. The bottom line is protective gear saved me from a major loss of soft tissue and blood, armor in my jacket saved my shoulder and elbow from major damage, and my helmet kept my mug lookin' good. As it was my elbow was swollen like a melon and my back still hurts.
At the risk of offending some people who I consider friends, if you're riding without a helmet and gear you're asking for it. It's that simple. I've got almost 40 years of riding experiance and I thought skill and awareness would keep me safe. Well I was wrong, sometimes physics and geometry take over and there ain't a f*cking thing you can do but ride it out and hope you survive.
In my case it was typical West Coast D.W.A., suspended license, no insurance car load of gang-bangers f*ckin' around in traffic and me and some other guy who was in a cage but got hurt worse than me pay the price.
Wear your gear. Someday you'll need it.