I've Recovered My Crash. Now What?

[RTNewbie]

I crashed "Ole Blue" on May 29th and still dont know if i'll continue motorcycling. I have loved riding for over 15 years now and know there will be a big hole in me where motorcycling once was if i stop riding. I know i want to ride but one point keeps returning: The only way to ensure this (crash) never happens again is to never ride again. So "wanting to ride" isn't holding much water yet.

I dont remember ever thinking about anything so much and not making a decision. I'm thinking talking to experienced people will help. So far, I have talked to some people who have crashed and still ride like its not a big deal. I haven't talked to anyone who rode for any extended period in their life, crashed, and never rode again. I feel like others may have experienced this situation and have input would help either way.

I'm not in a hurry and i'm going to take my time deciding. I would really appreciate it if others would share their experiences.

Thanks in advance

[aaaaaa]

I crashed "Ole Blue" on May 29th and still dont know if i'll continue motorcycling. I have loved riding for over 15 years now and know there will be a big hole in me where motorcycling once was if i stop riding. I know i want to ride but one point keeps returning: The only way to ensure this (crash) never happens again is to never ride again. So "wanting to ride" isn't holding much water yet.

I dont remember ever thinking about anything so much and not making a decision. I'm thinking talking to experienced people will help. So far, I have talked to some people who have crashed and still ride like its not a big deal. I haven't talked to anyone who rode for any extended period in their life, crashed, and never rode again. I feel like others may have experienced this situation and have input would help either way.

I'm not in a hurry and i'm going to take my time deciding. I would really appreciate it if others would share their experiences.

Thanks in advance

Crashing is part of life. If the possibility of injury bothers you then stay inside your house. The rescue crews will never have to use the jaws of life to extract me from my bike. Are cars really safe? Didn't an Air France jetliner just disappear over the ocean? I'll bet there's more broken legs snow skiing than riding every year. Not to mention death by header into trees.

[tommcgee]

It's up to you. We're not all wired the same. I ride with one guy who has crashed many times over the years, including 4 months ago (broken clavicle). As long as he can ride, he will.

I gave it up for the better part of 30 years to raise my kids. Lots of folks do that. Some come back and some don't.

I read a forum story a year ago about a guy losing his best friend in a bike wreck. It caused him to hang up his helmet and sell the bike. You could say it wasn't even his crash, but then again, it was.

[kgadley01]

I t-boned a car in the 70's at high speed. I bought a dirt bike and stayed off the street a couple of years. then in 1980 I returned to the street. in 1982 I had another high speed crash, and got my first Helicopter ride. (life flight) I did not quit riding, but I learned to slow down and pay very close attention to every thing around me. the last 27 years have been pretty good. its a choice everyone needs to make for themselves...

[SheRidesABeemer]

Do you have a running bike at this point?
If you have one, then ride when you have the desire to do so.

If the garage is empty, then maybe this is the summer you take a time out.
Hopefully time will clear up the issues for you.

It's such a personal decision, I wish you luck.

[jeremell]

Keep riding! I totalled a bike (in October, in WI) but was basically unharmed physically. I got back to riding the next spring. Mentally, it took awhile to get back into it and feel comfortable and be smooth in the curves. But I did and I'm glad.

[jpberens43639]

No one can decide for you.
I've been riding for just over 30 years. Touched the rubber on my 81 R100RS in every state, cept AK & HI. Only crashes, three, were minor. One my bad, one bad other driver, the classic turn left without enough room, and one diesel fuel slosh from a tanker in a 45MPH sweeper. Each time I picked up, patched up, and rode on.
Last year, I went to the dark side. Stepped up to a 94 K1100RS. Low miles, nice bike. Bought it online, met the owner from GA. while on a spring vacation trip to FL. Bought it and rode it all the way back home, almost 1,000 miles. Was only home a couple weeks and got slammed from behind by an inattentive driver. Hit me so hard it left an imprint of my plate 2 ft up the hood of her car. Bike was launched out from under me and into the PU truck I had stopped behind. My bad here also. I was boxed in on the right by a high sharp curb. I just had a second to look to my left, big Ol' semi, then blammo. I wound up body slammed after being KO'd flat on my @$$ by the car an flying through the air! Bike was toast. Did not look bad, but parts came in at $9,200.00. I paid $4,800.00, got $5,200.00 from her insurance co. plus all my gear and minor damages. Yes, all the gear worked and I was riding my 81 R100RS the next week.
Week after that, I took a bus ride after I found another K1100RS online over in MN. Bought it and rode it back. I just love it.
Lots of bad stuff out there, don't let it steal your spirit. Convalesce as long as you thing you might need. It's an answer you'll feel in the marrow of your bones when your ready. Don't do it half baked though, as that's worse and more dangerous.
May your spirit heal and your MC mojo return with gusto!:clap

[Ted]

Here is my story (long :D)

After 10+ years riding I crashed on the Delaware Memorial Bridge on July 15, 1999 on my way up to the Rhinebeck Rally - almost exactly 10 years ago. I spent 5 months in various hospitals healing 28 broken bones and some major nerve damage. It is indeed a humbling experience to spend months having to rely on others to pee and wipe your ass. I still have reminders of that accident including a surgery last year and one hopefully at the end of this year.

It took me a few years to get over the mental aspect of it. After almost five years one day I just missed being broadsided by a speeding dump truck by inches - if I hadn't seen it out of the corner of my eye and floored it I'd probably not be here now. It got me thinking deep thoughts about fear and the dangers in life, and I began to get the itch to ride again. I called my old friend Bill Shaw and we talked about it. He reminded me of my first ride ever with others, almost exactly 10 years before with Bill and a few other friends. He agreed to let me borrow an old airhead of his and we set a date to repeat that ride.

My friend John Anderson owns a cigar shop called Drapers in DC. Right after my accident he came to see me and gave me an old and very rare cigar (a Partagas culebra, actually three cigars twisted together - the old handmade full-sized one wrapped and tied in tobacco that hasn't been available for decades) and made me promise that we would smoke it the first ride I took after the accident. I called and he was excited to be there too (whether it was to smoke the cigar or celebrate the ride is still a matter of Saturday morning cigar store debates to this very day...:D)

At the appointed time I showed up at Sky Meadows State Park in my BMW ragtop with a video camera to document the ride - John and Rick (the originally planned cameraman) followed me in. Bill then showed up on his brand-spanking new R1100S Boxer Cup, literally it had just over 400 miles on it. I was instantly dismayed that it looked like I wouldn't be riding that day, when he hopped off that beautiful bike and told me to take it. I slowly climbed on and was terrified - it was all so familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. Would I remember how to do this? Would I fall and wreck this incredible bike?

We lined up, Bill got in the convertible and started filming, and I fired up the bike. As I pulled away, it all came back to me quite suddenly. I remember the feeling intensely even to today, it was like stepping into a waterfall with everything flowing over and through me. I took it slow, not only because I was rusty but because the bike hadn't even begun to be broken in yet. I can't really explain except that all that I had loved about motorcycles came back in vivid waves. We made the ride without incident and broke out and truly enjoyed that Partagas Culebra.

Since then I had borrowed bikes occasionally but still had a lot of trouble with my left leg/ankle - I got much of that fixed with an amazingly talented Ortho (Dr. Ed Magur in DC - Awesome Doc!) and since then have ridden more often. I have been hot to get a K75 since, and am hoping to have one and ride to the MOA National this year (and actually make it this time!) I still have to have my right wrist "fixed", but Magur has an equally talented partner named Dr. Barth who just does wrists/hands and I hope to be on his schedule this Autumn.

Early on in the hospital days an old friend brought me a very old wooden plaque from above the threshold of an old Church that his crew was demolishing - it said, "Despair Not For This Too Shall Pass." Never have words been more true. I guess all of this has been a very long-winded way of saying, "relax and heal your body and your mind - it will work itself out in time."

One spring morning you will wake up with the itch and hopefully you will have a friend like Bill Shaw who will listen, encourage, and help make it happen.

Here (http://www.verrill.com/misc/ride/) is the webpage I did for the ride - the video starts right away so turn your speakers down :)

[E_Page]

Remember that you've already identified how you could have avoided this crash (drive slower on wet pavement). had you remembered that you would be going on 15+ years with no crash. And now you have a vivid reminder to make crash avoidance a priority as you ride, making another that much less likely.

I don't know if that helps at all, and I don't know quite what my thought process would be if I had crashed and broken bones, but I can relate to missing riding if you give it up. I went 10 years between bikes and that whole time, I'd find myself longinly watching other motorcycles as they went by while I was cooped up in a cage.

After a short while, your car will feel just like a cage too. Take your recuperation time to let that feeling of missing being on two wheels build, then start looking for your next bike in a few months.

[dbrick]

All of these are excellent and true responses.

My case is a bit different. I've had some close calls, but no big falls. But around 1990, in the period of a few weeks, three folks I knew died in motorcycle accidents; one I'd ridden with, another I'd met, and third was the spouse of one of my wife's coworkers.

I was shaken, and stopped riding. I thought, and felt, and talked...and some months later began to ride again. I couldn't tell, before I threw a leg over the bike and rode, that I'd do that: it was a mystery whether I'd ride again or not.

Because riding isn't something we have to do (I know we like to think that way, but it isn't true: we don't have to ride to put food on the table, for instance), I think the right approach is to take in everyone's comments, but wait until your own path is clear. After the experience you've had, or I had, some would not resume riding. That'd be OK. Others would start again; that'd be OK too.

So I think the answer to "what now?" is pretty mystical: don't force yourself to ride again, but if you're ready - like Ted was - go ahead.

[108625]

Gregory Peck got back on that horse in "The Big Country", over and over again

Everything we do in life carries with it risk; riding, driving, dating, you name it.
It's up to you to decide if they're worth it.

[35634]

Interesting thread. I went into motorcycling 30 years ago with my eyes wide open-
knowing & accepting the risks, including death. When I hit a deer in 05 (broken arm)
many suggested I hang it up. Never really considered it. We spent too much time
sheltered, insured and protected from anything that may do us harm. Exposing one's
self to risk has intangible rewards that I don't want to loose.

PS-those who give it up after a close call may not have realized the danger in the first place:dunno

[37071]

There is no getting past "this is a completely personal thing" Before you hang up your helmet remember: 1) how you felt on that first ride in the spring after a long winter of wishing you could ride. 2) What it felt like to get out and ride on that last miraculous warm day in November when you had given up hope of getting out again until spring.:heart

[osbornk]

It's a very personal thing that only you can answer.

It's a little like a failed marriage in that things impact people in different ways. My neighbor beside me on one side of my house divorced his wife and it hurt him so bad he will probably never marry again (been 10 years already). My neighbor on the other side of my house has been married 5 times so far and she would marry again in a heartbeat if something happened to her current marriage.

My good friend had a favorite son killed in a freak motorcycle accident (dirt road late at night with no helmet) a couple of years ago. He lingered for days before they removed life support. I was afraid he would quit riding with the grief he endured. He didn't quit riding and kept his son's Harley (not the bike he was killed on). He rides it frequently and will never sell it.

[TandemGeek]

Interesting subject.

I'm still riding after several wrecks but the most recent one -- which was absolutely a freak incident this past February when my rear wheel hit a patch of black ice just after I stopped at an intersection and was 1/2 way through a left turn -- left me with a broken ankle.

I've had several previous wrecks on the track and at last count I think there have been 4 on the road with one bike totalled. However, I always was able to jump up, dust myself off and that was that: soft tissue injuries and nothing else (yes, I wear full gear).

However, this stupid little incident has really made me rethink the bigger picture and ask myself: is it worth it? I'm actually more of a cyclist than a motorcyclist at heart and as you'd expect I was put off all bikes for 12 weeks and another 8 weeks later I'm still only at 70% on the bicycles and wearing what is essentially a brace (MX boot) so that I can ride my motorcycle without putting undo stress on the broken ankle.

Unlike a lot of folks who ride for recreation, pleasure and sport my use of a motorcycle for the past decade has been to go back and forth to work, a mundane task that is made far less mundane by riding the bike. Call it therapy, as there's just something about getting out there in the elements every day -- rain or shine, hot or cold -- and piloting a motorcycle that breaks up the feeling of being a drone that comes from commuting in a four-door steel cage.

Anyway, for whatever reason I've found myself contemplating the closure of my motorcycle riding chapter for good, selling off the bike and all of my gear (Geez, there's a ton of it) and simply giving into the cage as a more pragmatic way to get to work. After all, there are cars that now get as good as or better MPG than my R11S, so the economic rationale isn't even a compelling argument.

Strange how your priorities begin to change as you get older, eh? 50 is definitely a watershed point so it will be interesting to see what I decide. The ride into work this AM was actually quite wonderful. The air was moist, the temperature perfect, the sun still wasn't up and I felt like part of the bike as I rode through the wooded National Park and side roads that make up most of my daily ride to and from work. Ah, that's the allure and the prospect of giving up those brief, zen-like moments are what make these decisions so difficult.

[RTNewbie]

Hey everyone, Thanks for sharing such personal thoughts with me and the forum. I really appreciate the input, its just what i was looking for.

I'm thinking I'll come to the National anyway.

[mundobravo]

Hey RT, I hate to ask this , but whats become of "old blue's" body ? I've got a 123,000 miles on my 1996 " mighty blue one" and she sure could use some transplants.

[rab1957]

I use to teach the MSF course years ago and remember telling the students when we got to the part about what gear to wear, “It’s all about choices” Some people will choose to wear a tee shirts and jeans and some will be dressed out in full leather gear and armor. Riding is the same thing, it’s a choices. I’ve been hit twice from behind on different bikes. I am very careful at intersections when I have to stop and a little bit afraid, but I made the choice to ride. Your mind will go in what ever direction you let it. If you go down the path of fear you may scary yourself into not doing anything. If you accept that fact that there is a possibility of getting hurt or worse by what ever you choose to do then you will be able to get past your fear and enjoy what you choose to do.

There is a saying that I remember from the movie “Dune”, “Fear is the mind killer”.

It is part of a litany against fear

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

This is getting a bit deeper then I'd planned, but it express the point I wanted to make.

[RTNewbie]

Hey RT, I hate to ask this , but whats become of "old blue's" body ? I've got a 123,000 miles on my 1996 " mighty blue one" and she sure could use some transplants.

Blue's Sinus Blue tupperware is stashed amongst all the other detritus from the bike in my garage at the moment. I'm not sure she shouldn't be rebuilt yet but I'll reuse the semi-broken parts if i do. If i need to part her out i'll PM you to see if you're interested.

123k miles huh? Any significant repairs?

[mundobravo]

Blue's Sinus Blue tupperware is stashed amongst all the other detritus from the bike in my garage at the moment. I'm not sure she shouldn't be rebuilt yet but I'll reuse the semi-broken parts if i do. If i need to part her out i'll PM you to see if you're interested.

123k miles huh? Any significant repairs?

Hi , no massive failures yet , (kow) just rode her to the Arctic last month
http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=36853
I need stuff like heated grip main unit , gas gage unit ... I'll pm you with my address ... sorry to hear about your crash and the bike , I know it would rock the crap out of me also ... RIP , ride on peace

[108625]

I thought about it, and remembered Andrew Trevitt, a motorcycle journalist, was involved in a serious accident late last year (hit by a car while riding). Perhaps his blog would would be of interest to you:

http://getwelltrev.blogspot.com/

I've wiped out a couple times on road bikes and several on dirt, yet only once bad enough to really wreck one bike, and one knee. None involved other vehicles.
I'm fully aware of the risks, try to take them into account as best I can, and learn from my mistakes. Ultimately, I still ride. So does my wife, my son, my brother, and his son. My Dad used to but was stopped by a non-riding injury. My mother is a retired Registered Nurse, and she has never objected to any of us riding, as long as we're doing it responsibly. I think she knows the benefits to mental health outweigh the risks to physical.

[RTNewbie]

I'm going to fix Ole Blue. There, i said it.

It will take me a while and I might not start right away but I can't sell it off to be butchered and sold. Maybe fixin her up will be like therapy.

[sudani]

I'm going to fix Ole Blue. There, i said it.

It will take me a while and I might not start right away but I can't sell it off to be butchered and sold. Maybe fixin her up will be like therapy.

:dance :thumb :clap

[Semper_Fi]

I'm going to fix Ole Blue. There, i said it.

It will take me a while and I might not start right away but I can't sell it off to be butchered and sold. Maybe fixin her up will be like therapy.

Good for you!

:clap

[thompsonr]

Time I am thinkin is what you need..........

[GlobalRider]

I'm not in a hurry and i'm going to take my time deciding. I would really appreciate it if others would share their experiences.

Look at it this way.

I've been riding the Alps ever summer since 1995. That makes this year my 15th year in a row riding here.

My 2009 tour ended in its third day while on my second day of riding after an 18 year old with a 17 day old driver's licence rammed into the back of my 2004 GS Adventure while I was stopped in traffic.

My GS was totalled, I was in the hospital for 12 days and still won't be on both feet for at least 2 months. The car in front of me that I got rammed into sustained quite a bit of damage as well, so did the car of the inattentive driver who hit me.

And all I can think about is my 2010 Alps tour and what bike I'll be shipping over next. I'll be over for at least 6 weeks next year.

[Visian]

One spring morning you will wake up with the itch and hopefully you will have a friend like Bill Shaw who will listen, encourage, and help make it happen.


http://www.visian.nu/images/ted_r69s.jpg

this is ted dreaming. (you can almost hear him thinking "vroom, vroom!")

aslo, he forgot to say in his story that this was how he earned the nickname: two-truck ted. :ha

ian

[Ted]

LoL - I'd forgotten about that picture - I got all fired up about that R69S and then you went and sold it before I even had a chance to borrow for a day (or a week, or three for that matter!)

two-truck ted

Yep - those big rigs still give me the willies.

[142445]

I'm 54 years young and just 2 years into my own motorcycling after riding with parents who owned Honda Goldwings. I encouraged my husband to purchase a bike and intended to ride on the back with him. He convinced me to learn to ride and last Oct we went off on our first overnight trip together. 25 minutes from home I lost focus, entered a tight curve too fast, and slid out. One broken shoulder, two broken ribs, and a broken thumb put an end to our first biking vacation. I waited until the next morning to call my Mom. I was afraid she would panic and blame me for being careless. Instead, she listened to my story and then said, "welcome to the broken bone club". She had lots of stories of accidents and broken bones that both she and dad experienced without my ever knowing. Mom has over 100,000 miles on her Goldwing! I guess I can't quit until I at least pass 10,000. Three months after the accident, I purchased my BMW F650GS and rode it home 150 miles the first day. I'll be riding solo to the rally in TN to join my husband, after I finish my daily radiation for the breast cancer that turned up this year. Not going to let any of this get me down! All life presents fears and challenges. Facing the fear of getting back on the bike can be done if that's what you want. Take it easy, don't rush, and build up renewed skill levels with each outing. Best of luck!

[jpberens43639]

Glad you recovered, I like your attitude.

I'd like to meet you and your husband and shake your hand.

This is me, I'll be around the rally site. You keep riding!
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm6/jpberens1993K1100RS/Picture008.jpg

[sudani]

I'll be riding solo to the rally in TN Take it easy, don't rush, and build up renewed skill levels with each outing. Best of luck!


I've got a few years on you but what you say is sound advice. This being my second year of riding...I'm riding solo to TN, too. Going to take it easy and meander my way down there. Going to hotel it there and back. I'll be doing the Sherpa Tent thing while at the rally. Each rally I've attended this year has given me another chance to learn and focus on the goal......getting to TN and back, safe and sound.

Ya'all just buzz on by......I'll see ya there. :wave

[mundobravo]

a beautiful heartfelt well writen post. Thank you.
ps, I'm the DRB who asked if he want to sell any parts .. lol ...

I'm 54 years young and just 2 years into my own motorcycling after riding with parents who owned Honda Goldwings. I encouraged my husband to purchase a bike and intended to ride on the back with him. He convinced me to learn to ride and last Oct we went off on our first overnight trip together. 25 minutes from home I lost focus, entered a tight curve too fast, and slid out. One broken shoulder, two broken ribs, and a broken thumb put an end to our first biking vacation. I waited until the next morning to call my Mom. I was afraid she would panic and blame me for being careless. Instead, she listened to my story and then said, "welcome to the broken bone club". She had lots of stories of accidents and broken bones that both she and dad experienced without my ever knowing. Mom has over 100,000 miles on her Goldwing! I guess I can't quit until I at least pass 10,000. Three months after the accident, I purchased my BMW F650GS and rode it home 150 miles the first day. I'll be riding solo to the rally in TN to join my husband, after I finish my daily radiation for the breast cancer that turned up this year. Not going to let any of this get me down! All life presents fears and challenges. Facing the fear of getting back on the bike can be done if that's what you want. Take it easy, don't rush, and build up renewed skill levels with each outing. Best of luck!

[RTNewbie]

Here is a picture of Old Blue after the crash. Picture was taken by paramedic with PDA so picture quality is not so great but....

18403

[RTNewbie]

and another...

18405

[RTNewbie]

And the one i'll frame and keep on my desk...

18406

[RTNewbie]

And here's what she looks like 4 weeks later. My collar bone has healed up to the point that i can work on her a little at a time.

Tail section is lifted to remove transmission. Rear of the case is broken off...

18407

[142445]

Wow those pics tell a story. Working on the bike should be a great experience and you'll be so proud of the results. My husband insists that I do my bike work. He supervises and assists, of course, but I have changed oil, brake fluid, and coolant. Installed new rear brakes and a wire for my GPS. Next up will be remove the forks and take them to a shop due to an oil leak. Working on your bike provides wonderful bragging rights! Have fun!

[RTNewbie]

Wow those pics tell a story. Working on the bike should be a great experience and you'll be so proud of the results. My husband insists that I do my bike work. He supervises and assists, of course, but I have changed oil, brake fluid, and coolant. Installed new rear brakes and a wire for my GPS. Next up will be remove the forks and take them to a shop due to an oil leak. Working on your bike provides wonderful bragging rights! Have fun!

Glad to hear there are others who are unafraid to work on a bike. BMW's are actually pretty wrench friendly. This is the second time i've had mine looking like that in my garage but the first time was voluntary.

[88bmwJeff]

RTNewbie,
Glad you are doing well and that you will be rebuilding the bike. That at least will be somewhat therapeutic.

If and when you hop back on the bike will be up to you when you feel you have the right mind set. When you do, take it easy and work back into riding. Sometimes the fear of something will eat away at you, and you have to face your fear just to get your head screwed on straight again.

Anyway best of luck and post plenty pictures during the rebuild.

[RTNewbie]

I rode my other bike (1988 Honda NX 650) around some yesterday. First ride since the accident. It felt just OK and I was very cautious.

I also rebuilt (swapped cases) the R1100 transmission over the weekend. Pretty easy really...

[142445]

Glad you had a good ride on the Honda and the transmission installation went well. I took care of the forks over the weekend and rebuilt them myself. We decided "no guts no glory" and followed instructions found online. We also discovered the bearings were worn and replaced those. After that, I noticed my figure eights in the parking lot were a little smoother. Keep riding, keep wrenching, have fun.....

[Braddog]

Seems like working on your own broken bike will be fantastic therapy, plus you'll learn a lot as well.

I went head on with '64 Impala on a dirt road when I was 16. I was riding again, 6 months later, with a cast still on my lower leg.

In 2007, I did what I refer to as my "little circus act" on the way home from work. A guy in a van came to a dead stop in front of me, and my '77 R100 brakes didn't quite stop in time. There was probably a bit of target fixation going on as well. As I was flying through the air, my primary thought was, "Dammit! I do NOT want to die in a motorcycle accident. I've been there, done that once before!" Since I was fully geared, I ended up with some bruises, sore ribs, sore hip, but NO rash and no broken bones. I had my bike repaired (didn't do it myself). Luckily, I had a backup bike.

I will say it took me about 2 or 3 months and maybe a few thousand miles to get my "mojo" back. I took it slow, but one thing it doesn't take a person long to realize is that you shouldn't ride scared. It's not a good thing. Riding scared can cause issues. It wasn't until I was returning home from the 2007 West Bend national that I finally felt free and confident again. It was a great feeling.

Good Luck to you and Ol' Blue.
:thumb

[kwillsey]

I've been riding a little over 30 years now, but lately I've been struggling a bit with a slightly different take on the confidence / fear thing. Early on, when I was much younger and somewhat stupider than I am now, I had a couple unplanned get-offs that left me laid up, including one that totaled both my bike and the car I hit and nearly sent me flying into low orbit. I managed to survive those early years, and haven't had even a close call in a long, long time, and though I am always alert and aware of the potential dangers when I get on the bike, I am also confident and really enjoy my rides.

Now, though, my daughter is starting to ride pillion, and though I enjoy having her along to share the sights and the experience, every time she gets on the bike I remember those early accidents and can't help thinking about what could happen to her. On the one hand, I know we can't avoid the fact that life is full of risks, on the other hand I wonder if I should be exposing her to quite that much risk. Not sure what to think.

[142445]

Now, though, my daughter is starting to ride pillion, and though I enjoy having her along to share the sights and the experience, every time she gets on the bike I remember those early accidents and can't help thinking about what could happen to her. On the one hand, I know we can't avoid the fact that life is full of risks, on the other hand I wonder if I should be exposing her to quite that much risk. Not sure what to think.

Some of my most cherrished memories with Dad are of riding on the back of his Honda Goldwing. One-on-one time with Dad is powerful in unexpected ways. Dad passed away about 6 years ago. I like to think of Dad watching over me when I'm on the bike.

[contractor]

Crashed my 2002 R1150R after riding only three years total. No broken bones but a sore shoulder and serious thoughts about getting back in the saddle. My son and I put the bike back together- cylinder head, valve covers, exhaust header, windshield, and assorted plastic bits. Working on the bike seemed to help. It cranked first time with no strange noises. I also have an antique R80. That girl is way to pristine to wreck so I am extra careful with her. I eventually got back on the 1150 and it is a really sweet bike. My motto is learn from your mistakes, the wreck was my fault. So I am riding the 1150 again, just more careful. I even rode it to the rally in JCT, a little over eight hundred miles round trip. Hope this helps.



Hank

[kentuvman]

Interesting thread - mortality. As I age (55) think more about a longer turnaround time to mend a broken bone or more. On the way back from Hannibal, MO towing our Airstream, traffic came to a screeching halt for a m/c down on the grass that divided the road. These were Harley guys - I read the report - either it was a deer running out or he just lost control of his bike - either way, he was down.

This visual had an impact on me and my wife riding shotgun said "KENNY" I don't want you getting hurt on your bike!!! I agreed and didn't say much but realized a buddy system is a good thing on a long ride. Solo riding is a confidence builder but when you're out in the middle of nowhere and break down or have a wreck and not Rambo it's comforting to have a support system. Sure, I still ride solo but am re thinking the longer rides = my biggest challenge is me - I'm not a real "group" guy. I like solo but self preservation is also a good thing.

Nonetheless, I realize I'm here for only a short while. Over the past year I lost my best friend to leukeumia, my cousin had a tumor removed from the stem of his brain and will require managed care for the rest of his life and a great guy and client was shot and killed in May by a disgruntled employee.

Bottom line - I"m not in charge of my destiny but while I'm here I'm gonna do my best to live in faith and not fear and do everything I can to enjoy safe m/cyling.
This means driving sober, generally not riding at night and when on trips not pushing it - stopping for breaks instead of pushing on - sorta like not taking that last ski run of the day.

I'm sorry you crashed your bike and sorry that accidents happen. But beyond motorcycles, like another member pointed out - airliners go down, cars crash, and **** happens. My approach is to take things one day at a time and when riding I like to go point to point and break my trip into little segments. And how cool is it to ride BMW motorcycles? I just love my K75S - what a sweet and smooth ride!

My 2 cents.

[Sailingfool]

I'm going to fix Ole Blue. There, i said it.

It will take me a while and I might not start right away but I can't sell it off to be butchered and sold. Maybe fixin her up will be like therapy.

Heal Ole Blue, and you will be healed Grasshopper!