Fellow riders -
Im ashamed to say Im going to have to exit the 2 wheel world for a while. On a trip back from Airport in early December I laid her down on the freeway while crossing an overpass..I got pretty banged up ( thank god for my gear only a broken ankle, road rash and some carpal tunnel damage in my right hand), im recovering but unfortunately I have to sell the girl as condition of my parole (just kidding my wife did threaten to leave if I keep riding as she never wants to have to go through the trauma experience again)..Long short of it is the bike is in decent shape considering ...Bags and rack are gone, valve cover cracked but have another to replace , tank has slight dent on right side and some scratches on the fairing. Back wheel rim is bent and will either need replacement or trued up by qualified shop. otherwise she starts up no issues (leak compression on valve cover) ..In any case I may keep her and just rehab and continue my tinkering hobby by fixing her back up but wanted to throw this out there if anyone was looking for a bike to part or spend a few hundred on to get back in full working order..(Note these things are built like tanks)...Anyway Ill be around reading but living vicarious through your experiences..Stay safe!!!
Raymond
Down and out in Atlanta
Moderator: Moderators
Re: Down and out in Atlanta
hey... youre still with us. AND you seem to have humor about it, thats always an ok outcome, in the long run. heal fast man!
not sure I TOTALLY agree with ditching the bike...especially since your wife tells you to. That could breed resentment later on. :/
FYI, thats a joke with a serious undertone. Ask me how I know.
if the frame and guts are good, I say rebuild. Unless you KNOW you wont want to ride for a LOOONG time.
GOOD LUCK!
not sure I TOTALLY agree with ditching the bike...especially since your wife tells you to. That could breed resentment later on. :/
FYI, thats a joke with a serious undertone. Ask me how I know.
if the frame and guts are good, I say rebuild. Unless you KNOW you wont want to ride for a LOOONG time.
GOOD LUCK!
2002 R1150R. Helmets save more lives than loud pipes.
Re: Down and out in Atlanta
@peels -
Im feelin ya man...I have the same thought but I am do the due-diligence to say i tried
...My thought is Ill bring it with me (we are moving in the summer) to Fla and work on it slowly..Of course Ill have to test ride it to be sure its safe as well..And well you know eventually Ill be back out there..I just need to humble myself a little and realize 1. It aint a super bike, 2. I aint 20 and invincible...Time heals it all ..Thanks for the advice and well wishes...
Im feelin ya man...I have the same thought but I am do the due-diligence to say i tried
...My thought is Ill bring it with me (we are moving in the summer) to Fla and work on it slowly..Of course Ill have to test ride it to be sure its safe as well..And well you know eventually Ill be back out there..I just need to humble myself a little and realize 1. It aint a super bike, 2. I aint 20 and invincible...Time heals it all ..Thanks for the advice and well wishes...-
towerworker
- Lifer
- Posts: 2369
- Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2006 8:11 pm
- Location: Staunton Virginia
Re: Down and out in Atlanta
I understand what you're feeling and going thru. 4 years ago when I was going thru my illness (Guillian Barre Syndrome) my wife wanted my bike gone in the worst kind of way. I promised I would try to sell it. I did try the first year and had a great offer but at the last moment I backed out on the buyer. He understood and was very gracious about it. Not so my wife but eventually she got over it.
I understand you wanting and needing to take care of her. It's a tough spot. A good wife is a gift from God. Follow your heart.
Wayne
I understand you wanting and needing to take care of her. It's a tough spot. A good wife is a gift from God. Follow your heart.
Wayne
The Older I Get, The Less I know. (in honor of MikeCam
'05 RT
'04 R
'03 R
CB750
KZ750
HD 350 Sprint
'05 RT
'04 R
'03 R
CB750
KZ750
HD 350 Sprint
Re: Down and out in Atlanta
well said tower.towerworker wrote:I understand what you're feeling and going thru. 4 years ago when I was going thru my illness (Guillian Barre Syndrome) my wife wanted my bike gone in the worst kind of way. I promised I would try to sell it. I did try the first year and had a great offer but at the last moment I backed out on the buyer. He understood and was very gracious about it. Not so my wife but eventually she got over it.
I understand you wanting and needing to take care of her. It's a tough spot. A good wife is a gift from God. Follow your heart.
Wayne
my point is to be honest. Not obey then resent. I lucked out, and have an understanding wife. In fact, it was her that found this bike in a quick search, and said "just go for it" SHe knew I wanted one back when they came out.I did get rid of my FZ1 because of scares, , then someone else crashing it. Also a corrupt right hand, then having two young children helped, but regret bubbled to the surface the next summer. I should have been honest. It would have been a LOT smoother transition process.
EDIT: oops turned a crashed motorcycle thread into a marriage therapy session. my bad.
moving on, get well FAST my friend! thats the key.
2002 R1150R. Helmets save more lives than loud pipes.
Re: Down and out in Atlanta
"Ran out of talent" is the expression I believe. You have to give us play by play here. You know, I did this and then the bike and.....
BTW where is Florida. I am in JAX
BTW where is Florida. I am in JAX
04 Rockster (non ABS, single spark)
91 K75RT
I want to be unique, just like everybody else.
91 K75RT
I want to be unique, just like everybody else.
Re: Down and out in Atlanta
Blow by Blow no pun intended
If you know anything about atlanta traffic it will provide some perspective..Essentially I was heading home from the Airport (this particular trip I chose jet engines vs combustion). Anyway it was a cold and drizzly night (forgive the pros) and I was moving from I85 north to I285 west on to an overpass that stands about 4 stories up. Right before the overpass the 2 lanes split into 4 with the outside splitting 2 to the right 1 to the left (I was going left) when cars started boxing me in had one on my left, one in front , one on my tail and left blind spot ..I decided to make a brake for it (note Im about 100yrds from the fork) between the guy on my left and the front..Enough room to cut left and then get back over .Well that was my first mistake (or should I say lack of good judgement) I goosed it got in front of the guy in front of me but went into the overpass on the outside at speed so had to lay over to cut into the apex. Problem is there is also a metal separator rail that connects the overpass to the embankment. I hit the rail at an angle and to best of my knowledge started the controlled slide..Since the overpass wall is only 4 feet high I made the second mistake of turning into the slide and and pulling the bike over more.(i didnt want to be high sided and thrown 4 stories down to oncoming traffic). Anyway bike went down ..I played superman across the lane and into the shoulder, hit the wall bounced a little and stopped ..Worst part about it if I had my boots on instead of my leather dress shoes Id probably be ok , just scratches on my legs (jeans were shredded) and a bum wrist and bruised ego..Dont get me wrong though I am truely grateful to be alive and further i can vouch for ATL EMT and trauma centers ..They were on the scene within minutes..All in all the experience, albiet humbling, was probably the best possible outcome considering the variables in play..God definitely had his hand in this one to save my A$$ for something..
If you know anything about atlanta traffic it will provide some perspective..Essentially I was heading home from the Airport (this particular trip I chose jet engines vs combustion). Anyway it was a cold and drizzly night (forgive the pros) and I was moving from I85 north to I285 west on to an overpass that stands about 4 stories up. Right before the overpass the 2 lanes split into 4 with the outside splitting 2 to the right 1 to the left (I was going left) when cars started boxing me in had one on my left, one in front , one on my tail and left blind spot ..I decided to make a brake for it (note Im about 100yrds from the fork) between the guy on my left and the front..Enough room to cut left and then get back over .Well that was my first mistake (or should I say lack of good judgement) I goosed it got in front of the guy in front of me but went into the overpass on the outside at speed so had to lay over to cut into the apex. Problem is there is also a metal separator rail that connects the overpass to the embankment. I hit the rail at an angle and to best of my knowledge started the controlled slide..Since the overpass wall is only 4 feet high I made the second mistake of turning into the slide and and pulling the bike over more.(i didnt want to be high sided and thrown 4 stories down to oncoming traffic). Anyway bike went down ..I played superman across the lane and into the shoulder, hit the wall bounced a little and stopped ..Worst part about it if I had my boots on instead of my leather dress shoes Id probably be ok , just scratches on my legs (jeans were shredded) and a bum wrist and bruised ego..Dont get me wrong though I am truely grateful to be alive and further i can vouch for ATL EMT and trauma centers ..They were on the scene within minutes..All in all the experience, albiet humbling, was probably the best possible outcome considering the variables in play..God definitely had his hand in this one to save my A$$ for something..
Re: Down and out in Atlanta
I often say that any motorcycle accident is always motorcycle riders fault. Essentially on the bike, you are always in danger , and must stay ahead of the situation , as well as you own ego. I am lucky so far, but if it happens it will be my fault.
04 Rockster (non ABS, single spark)
91 K75RT
I want to be unique, just like everybody else.
91 K75RT
I want to be unique, just like everybody else.
-
CycleRob
- Honorary Lifer
- Posts: 2857
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 12:29 am
- Location: Enjoying retirement in Gainesville GA. USA
- Contact:
Re: Down and out in Atlanta
Raymond,
Glad you are in one piece after the "accident". After a few MC accidents in my 50 years of riding history I too have learned the hard way about the real meaning of the expression "Discretion is the better part of valor". In the traffic situation you described I always IGNORE the impatient, risky choice and go with the flow to the next exit and let the GPS take it from there. That last second quick scan you have to make is one you do NOT want to bet your life on, yet all too often the brain in less than a second says "it's OK, Go for it !"
---Temporary Topic Hijack--- Like peels and towerworker, I too have a wonderful wife. It has been over 27 happy years and she knows the bike is a necessity that was there since my late teens (about 21 years before her) and the dangers involved have long ago been dealt with and burned into memory. Sometimes the "I almost got killed" scare from the crash, lasting pain/scars/handicaps from injuries and $$,$$$ cost of it all will override that urge to ride a bike again and the wife's NO vote was actually not the deciding vote. Be grateful you have a wife that openly values your life enough that you are worth more alive to her than a large death benefit check. Either way, you will find it will work itself out the way it should. ---End of Topic Hijack---
About the bike, being about an hour away, it had a recent valve adjustment and TB synch last fall at my place and the motor sounded quieter than the normal symphony of tickity-ticks. Fixing it before or after the Florida move is also a good plan to increase its' selling value.
.
Glad you are in one piece after the "accident". After a few MC accidents in my 50 years of riding history I too have learned the hard way about the real meaning of the expression "Discretion is the better part of valor". In the traffic situation you described I always IGNORE the impatient, risky choice and go with the flow to the next exit and let the GPS take it from there. That last second quick scan you have to make is one you do NOT want to bet your life on, yet all too often the brain in less than a second says "it's OK, Go for it !"
---Temporary Topic Hijack--- Like peels and towerworker, I too have a wonderful wife. It has been over 27 happy years and she knows the bike is a necessity that was there since my late teens (about 21 years before her) and the dangers involved have long ago been dealt with and burned into memory. Sometimes the "I almost got killed" scare from the crash, lasting pain/scars/handicaps from injuries and $$,$$$ cost of it all will override that urge to ride a bike again and the wife's NO vote was actually not the deciding vote. Be grateful you have a wife that openly values your life enough that you are worth more alive to her than a large death benefit check. Either way, you will find it will work itself out the way it should. ---End of Topic Hijack---
About the bike, being about an hour away, it had a recent valve adjustment and TB synch last fall at my place and the motor sounded quieter than the normal symphony of tickity-ticks. Fixing it before or after the Florida move is also a good plan to increase its' selling value.
.
`09 F800ST
Member since Sept 10, 2001
"Talent, On Loan, From God" --Rush Limbaugh--
Member since Sept 10, 2001
"Talent, On Loan, From God" --Rush Limbaugh--
-
riceburner
- Basic User
- Posts: 3809
- Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2005 7:54 am
- Location: Hiding in your blind spot....
- Contact:
Re: Down and out in Atlanta
Glad you're in one piece, metal can be fixed or replaced, skin can't.
On the giving up bikes front.... the only comments I can really give are from my own experience, which is that no matter how bad an accident I've had, the positivity of biking has always pulled me back. As part of that - if biking is a part of your life, then to suddenly stop due to an accident (even if it was your own fault) is to, effectively, cut off your nose to spite your face. If biking is part of you, then you're not 'you' without it. A loving, understanding wife will get that. You need to get back on to be 'you' again. If you decide after a short while that, no, it's not worth it anymore, then that is a decision made, not a reaction to an incident. IE, you need to stay in control of your like and who you are - biking is currently part of that - if you need to stop, make it YOUR decision, not someone/something elses.
hope you're back on 2 wheels soon.
On the giving up bikes front.... the only comments I can really give are from my own experience, which is that no matter how bad an accident I've had, the positivity of biking has always pulled me back. As part of that - if biking is a part of your life, then to suddenly stop due to an accident (even if it was your own fault) is to, effectively, cut off your nose to spite your face. If biking is part of you, then you're not 'you' without it. A loving, understanding wife will get that. You need to get back on to be 'you' again. If you decide after a short while that, no, it's not worth it anymore, then that is a decision made, not a reaction to an incident. IE, you need to stay in control of your like and who you are - biking is currently part of that - if you need to stop, make it YOUR decision, not someone/something elses.
hope you're back on 2 wheels soon.