Dumped my GZ in traffic

[TXtwowheeler]

2006 GZ 250
Riding experience: Two months and one day. About 2000 miles. I commute every day.
Conditions: Moderately heavy traffic and dry streets riding in to work about 7:30 AM.
Factors leading to dumping it in traffic:
1) This morning it decided to have a hard shifting problem going into 3rd and sometimes 4th.
2) I got distracted and a little ticked off at the hard shifting.
3) While trying to fight it up into 4th, I looked up with about 20 feet to stop before hitting the back of a pick-up.
4) Panic breaking locked up the front and it dumped me. :skull:

I was in helmet, gloves, and bundled up pretty well against the morning chill, but not in leather or armor.

I flew over the bars thinking "Here comes the big slide", but instead I hit on my right knee and elbow and rolled a few times. I got up and heard tires screeching, so I jumped out of the lane to hug the barrier. Truck behind me screeched to a stop, hitting my bike to add insult to injury.

People behind us were honking at the guy who got out to help me because we were now temporarily blocking both lanes going over the overpass. Truck behind me was OK and I got the bike back up and rode it to work.

Damage to bike: Front fender scratched and cracked slightly. Headlight mount bent and light cocked to the side and scratched. Right handlebar bent. Mirrors turned into pretzels. Front break lever bent. Master cylinder scratched and banged up. Rear break lever bent. Tail pipe bent.

Damage to rider: Knee and elbow scratched slightly and bruised slightly. Thumb and hand and wrist sore and aching.

I learned some good lessons, and I feel pretty lucky the damage to bike and rider were only mild. HOWEVER, I feel unlucky that it decided to have trouble shifting at that time. After getting home, I took it for spins in the neighborhood 3 times and can't get it to stick again. Meanwhile, I straightened out all the bent stuff and I'm ready to ride to work tomorrow. I'm going to clean and grease the shift lever, and when my filters come in the mail, I'm going to change the oil and switch to synthetic.