Hit and run

[OstOgBajer]

I've been thinking about it... and while I knew and accepted the risks of riding before, how close I came to getting seriously injured made an impression. There are just too many terrible drivers here in San Antonio. I hear that we have one of the highest hit and run rates too. I considered getting a new bike, and riding a little less, or even just riding recreationaly once or twice a week to reduce the odds of a worse accident but I don't think that would help. I mean, I had the Monster for three months, I have been riding for four months, and already I get hit by some moron. Sure riding less reduces the odds, but those are just statistics. I could very well get my new bike, go ride this weekend and still happen to be on the road with another jackass not paying attention and smashing me into another car or under an 18 wheeler.

I really hate to say it, and it is really pissing me off, but I think I may put an end to my two wheeled days. I freaking love to ride, but I don't know if it's worth having my body dismembered and paralyzed. I haven't made my final decision yet... but I think I already know what it's going to be and it makes me sad. Maybe when I'm 50 and have lived a good life and don't mind the consequences, I'll start riding again without a helmet. That way if I do get hit, It'll hopefully end quick... 

I got into riding the safest way I could, started on a tiny bike, moved to a moderate one, wore all the gear all the time, didn't [always] ride like a maniac, but what does that matter when my safety is in the hands of a drunk or preoccupied driver?

And it's not just my pain and suffering I'm concerned about, but I've got a lot of loved ones that would be affected. I don't know if it's worth the risk.

And I knew all this before I started riding... but seeing is believing I guess...

[needtorque]

Well if you feel it is time for a break then it certainly is.  You will always be hesitant if you are not sure that you want to be riding and that hesitation can cause more danger to yourself and others.  Just remember drunk drivers and otherwise moronic people still kill people in cars not just bikes and anything you do can ultimately lead to death.  Putting aside anything you deem to be dangerous does not mean that you wont get killed in a terrible accident (just stating the truth) but if you are not feeling comfortable with riding then stopping is the best thing you can do.

[swampduc]

After 2 wrecks a year apart from each other, I gave up riding. I didn't say "forever", I left it kind of open-ended. I was pretty unhappy about it, though. I bought a Honda s2000 which was the closest thing I could get to a moto with 4 wheels. That was fun, but it wasn't the same. I lasted a year and a half before buying the Monster. I do ride differently now, though. I don't ride in town much, just do mostly back roads. I also don't ride to work; I find it's too distracting, plus the traffic's a lot worse.
Anyway, man, I hope you give it time. If you don't want to ride again for now, just leave it open-ended. Hope you're happy which ever way you go.

[erkishhorde]

At some point we all face that decision. No one will think any less of you regardless of which way you turn. I've talked to countless people that shake their heads in disbelief when they find out that I ride. Either they've had a friend that ate it and was seriously injured or killed or they've heard stories of how dangerous it is. When I tell them that I've had one accident a year they can't understand why I continue to ride. My first answer is simple: I love to ride. But why do you continue to ride when the chance of you being seriously injured or dying is so high? Because I'm not dead yet. I've been pretty lucky and I'll continue to ride on my good luck. Don't get me wrong, I think I'll die on the bike eventually (knock on wood) but I'll keep riding until then and I ask that my friends and family not hold the bike responsible for it. It'll either be my fault or some other driver's fault. Hopefully not my fault.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.   Remember that nothing is definite until you're dead. There's always another chance for you get back in the saddle later. 

[Spidey]

I really hate to say it, and it is really pissing me off, but I think I may put an end to my two wheeled days. I freaking love to ride, but I don't know if it's worth having my body dismembered and paralyzed. I haven't made my final decision yet... but I think I already know what it's going to be and it makes me sad. Maybe when I'm 50 and have lived a good life and don't mind the consequences, I'll start riding again without a helmet. That way if I do get hit, It'll hopefully end quick... 

I got into riding the safest way I could, started on a tiny bike, moved to a moderate one, wore all the gear all the time, didn't [always] ride like a maniac, but what does that matter when my safety is in the hands of a drunk or preoccupied driver?

And it's not just my pain and suffering I'm concerned about, but I've got a lot of loved ones that would be affected. I don't know if it's worth the risk.

And I knew all this before I started riding... but seeing is believing I guess...

Those are all legitimate--and normal--thoughts, especially after a crash which came out of nowhere and could have been brutal (thankfully it wasn't).  Any crash is likely to provoke an emotional response and prompt some serious thinking about the role of motorcyling in your life.  Crashes are supposed to make the beast with two backs with your head.  Think of it as God slapping you in the face and telling you to look around.  What you take from it is all your own.  None of us can tell you what to do or what is right.  But many of us will tell you that we've been there--exactly where you are right now.  Here's a couple pieces of advice from grizzled riders that I've found helpful in dealing with the issue you raise.

1)  Take some time before making any decisions.  We all make our own decisions about the risk with which we are comfortable, but our comfort level changes.  Make that decision when you have some distance. 

2)  Don't think you're bound by anything you tell us now or even in a week or two.  It's easy to announce a decision and then in a coupla weeks regret it, but feel like you said something so you need to stick with it. 

3)  Remember that motorcycles aren't going anywhere.  They'll still be there if you want to come back in a month, in a year or a decade.  In 2000, my brother ended up paralyzed from a moto accident.  I gave up riding for four years, telling myself that if I really wanted to ride or needed to ride, my brain would tell me.  For the first few years, I didn't miss it that much.  But after a while, that nagging feeling--the one that tells me that I *need* to ride--grew stronger and stronger.  Eventually, I gave in, pulled my bike out of storage and started my love affair anew.  You may wait a few weeks and decide you dont' want to stop riding.  Or you might give it up and want to come back in a week. Or it may be a year.  Or it may be never and you'll be just happy with that. 

Just give it some time and keep talking through it with friends, with family and with us, if it helps.  Good luck.   

[amcloud]

I've been thinking about it... and while I knew and accepted the risks of riding before, how close I came to getting seriously injured made an impression. There are just too many terrible drivers here in San Antonio. I hear that we have one of the highest hit and run rates too. I considered getting a new bike, and riding a little less, or even just riding recreationaly once or twice a week to reduce the odds of a worse accident but I don't think that would help. I mean, I had the Monster for three months, I have been riding for four months, and already I get hit by some moron. Sure riding less reduces the odds, but those are just statistics. I could very well get my new bike, go ride this weekend and still happen to be on the road with another jackass not paying attention and smashing me into another car or under an 18 wheeler.

I really hate to say it, and it is really pissing me off, but I think I may put an end to my two wheeled days. I freaking love to ride, but I don't know if it's worth having my body dismembered and paralyzed. I haven't made my final decision yet... but I think I already know what it's going to be and it makes me sad. Maybe when I'm 50 and have lived a good life and don't mind the consequences, I'll start riding again without a helmet. That way if I do get hit, It'll hopefully end quick... 

I got into riding the safest way I could, started on a tiny bike, moved to a moderate one, wore all the gear all the time, didn't [always] ride like a maniac, but what does that matter when my safety is in the hands of a drunk or preoccupied driver?

And it's not just my pain and suffering I'm concerned about, but I've got a lot of loved ones that would be affected. I don't know if it's worth the risk.

And I knew all this before I started riding... but seeing is believing I guess...

I was rear-ended not long after I began riding.  I had no cars in front of my, but luckily the light had just turned red, because I went rolling through that intersection in front of me.  Adrenaline took over and I was out of the intersection before I new what happened.  Witnesses said it looked like one fluid motion, flip, roll, run.  All wrecks are scary, but if you do decide to get back on a bike, go ahead and do it.  It can just be a couple times a week during non busy times.  Just get back on so you can beat your newly realized fear. 

A side note, for a long time I said "I was rear-ended, there was nothing I could do, it wasn't my fault."  Yes, according to the law, rear-endings are always the fault of the driver behind you.  And when I'm in a cage, I stop, glance at my rear view and then go about my business until the light turns green or the cars in front of my take off, and then I drive away.  On a bike though, I have learned to keep my bike in gear, watch my mirrors, and sit ready to take off until the car behind me stops...then I relax a little.  I have also gotten in the habit of stopping half way up beside cars or between them.  This way if someone decides to stop paying attention I might get bumped by the side of the car, but I am not getting smashed between them.

There are always more precautions you can take and riding will always be dangerous, but so is driving to work in the morning, or flying, or crossing the street.  Do what you love, take every precaution you can, and enjoy life.  I have decided that worrying is useless.

[Popeye the Sailor]

You can try looking at it from my perspective.


You got in a major accident and walked away unhurt.




Clearly, you're invincible. 

[OstOgBajer]

You can try looking at it from my perspective.


You got in a major accident and walked away unhurt.




Clearly, you're invincible. 

I like your thinking!

I'm still torn... just talked to the dealership and they want to start paperwork on the GT 1000... bah... I don't know what to do!!!

Anyway, for those who knocked Dairyland insurance, they actually did just fine in the end. A couple people were jerks, but the final guy handling my claim was cool and I'm getting my money. It's been stressful and I won't be completely relieved until the cash is in my hand, but everything is looking good.

[El Matador]

I like your thinking!

I'm still torn... just talked to the dealership and they want to start paperwork on the GT 1000... bah... I don't know what to do!!!

Anyway, for those who knocked Dairyland insurance, they actually did just fine in the end. A couple people were jerks, but the final guy handling my claim was cool and I'm getting my money. It's been stressful and I won't be completely relieved until the cash is in my hand, but everything is looking good.

There's also trackdays.

There are a bunch of riders that are track-only.

I know that after I started to ride on the track, everything else pales in comparison.

Whatever you decide, know that you have to think things through and re-examine what it is that you like about riding. See if you can get that elsewhere.

[GLantern]

There's also trackdays.

There are a bunch of riders that are track-only.

I know that after I started to ride on the track, everything else pales in comparison.

Whatever you decide, know that you have to think things through and re-examine what it is that you like about riding. See if you can get that elsewhere.

+1 to that i have my first track day in a month and i am already looking at ways to just do track only.

[erkishhorde]

I like your thinking!

I'm still torn... just talked to the dealership and they want to start paperwork on the GT 1000... bah... I don't know what to do!!!

Anyway, for those who knocked Dairyland insurance, they actually did just fine in the end. A couple people were jerks, but the final guy handling my claim was cool and I'm getting my money. It's been stressful and I won't be completely relieved until the cash is in my hand, but everything is looking good.

Don't let the dealer push you because they want to make a sale. That's practically the same as a dealer putting a new rider of a GSX1000. Make your own decision.

[Porsche Monkey]

I like your thinking!

I'm still torn... just talked to the dealership and they want to start paperwork on the GT 1000... bah... I don't know what to do!!!

Anyway, for those who knocked Dairyland insurance, they actually did just fine in the end. A couple people were jerks, but the final guy handling my claim was cool and I'm getting my money. It's been stressful and I won't be completely relieved until the cash is in my hand, but everything is looking good.

Be carefull dealing with KCI.  I know the owner on a personal level and refuse to give him any of my business anymore.  DO NOT let him pressure you into a bike.  I would much rather take a ride up to Austin to buy a new bike.  They probably have a better selection anyhow.  When you do decide to get back into it, then hit me up and lets do a hill country ride. [moto]

[OstOgBajer]

Be carefull dealing with KCI.  I know the owner on a personal level and refuse to give him any of my business anymore.  DO NOT let him pressure you into a bike.  I would much rather take a ride up to Austin to buy a new bike.  They probably have a better selection anyhow.  When you do decide to get back into it, then hit me up and lets do a hill country ride. [moto]

Really? I mean... I know he does tend to stretch the truth sometimes, but he seems like a nice guy.

Not letting anyone pressure me, it's my own inner struggle, heh. If I don't want to buy a bike, I'm certainly not going to change my mind because a guy who makes money off the deal wants me to.

[Porsche Monkey]

Perhaps I was too harsh. I guess if you keep it to bikes you will be okay. Just keep a good head on your shoulders if you do decide on a new bike. And then let's ride.

[gregrnel]

I'm just getting back into after a 3 year hiatus. I had a pretty good buddy of mine die riding, however he wasn't nearly as safety conscious as I am and I let him know it all the time, in fact what he did was downright stupid. RIP John.

I'm picking up a 2003 620 monster on Saturday, buying a new helmet (an Arai), also dropping $550 on a Hit Air airbag jacket, and some good cash on some protective pants that I have yet to decide on. I'm mainly going to be doing city commuting, low speed, higher collision risk. I just can't give it up yet, I don't want to get hurt and I think I'm taking every safety precaution possible. I never thought I'd ride again, but here I am.