What to do?
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Stage II
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 4
From: Georgia
What to do?
I need some help! I went down 2 years ago after someone on their phone plowed into me from behind. Being on the Electraglide probably saved my life and kept me from going under the car in front of me. So, broke some stuff in my back and nerve damage in my leg and limited feeling now but I survived and am doing really good. So, I bought another Electraglide a few months after my wreck because I wasn't going to let it stop me from riding. But..... here we are 2 years later, and I have some issues and tend to get pretty damn nervous riding around people and cars that get too close to me. Been riding for 30 years and this was my first wreck, how did or do you guys get past it to be comfortable again? I was stopped in traffic when I got hit and looked down fiddling with the radio or would have seen her coming. Not sure I could have avoided her but it's in the past I just need to get back in the saddle and ride. Let me know what you guys think.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 4,347
Likes: 3,392
From: Seattle
In december of 2019 I was riding my electric down to the store to get some Hot Cocoa and Summer Sausage, and woke up to an ambulance pulling up to me and my bike in the ditch.
I have no idea what happened, I have no memory of the accident, just that I was riding to the store then suddenly, the scene above.
Apparently, someone had saw my bike go down and I hit face first into the pavement at like 30mph.
Fire fighters took my bike back to the fire station and I was taken to the hospital. I had microfractures in my left wrist, and fullface helmet left me with just a bloody lip and memory loss.
After I was released from the hospital, I walked right back down to the fire station and rode my bike home.
How do you get over the fear? I guess I don't have the best answer because I've never developed any fear or hesitancy over
But it did make me more curious and motivated to find damage mitigation/harm reduction, reducing the chance I might get hit, and that if I do, I'm more protected.
Now days I wear an Airbag vest every time I ride, and I wear a fullface helmet that's usable at a race track.
I have Flashers on my rear tail lights. And I keep a watch on my mirrors.
I always try to stop in a position where a driver can see my rear lights flash on when they're coming up on me.
I also learned to lane filter, and lane split to keep myself out of the lane when I can. Legal or not, it's just safer to not be between 2 bumpers because bouncing off the side of a car is better than being squished between them.
I also have a helmet cam always running. If someone hits me, I want the evidence.
Take stock in, and confidence in having accident/harm reduction equipment when you ride, it helps.
And I look at it this way...
If I'm going to die, I'd much rather die riding a motorcycle than something tragic and boring like cancer, stroke, or suicide.
I have no idea what happened, I have no memory of the accident, just that I was riding to the store then suddenly, the scene above.
Apparently, someone had saw my bike go down and I hit face first into the pavement at like 30mph.
Fire fighters took my bike back to the fire station and I was taken to the hospital. I had microfractures in my left wrist, and fullface helmet left me with just a bloody lip and memory loss.
After I was released from the hospital, I walked right back down to the fire station and rode my bike home.
How do you get over the fear? I guess I don't have the best answer because I've never developed any fear or hesitancy over
But it did make me more curious and motivated to find damage mitigation/harm reduction, reducing the chance I might get hit, and that if I do, I'm more protected.
Now days I wear an Airbag vest every time I ride, and I wear a fullface helmet that's usable at a race track.
I have Flashers on my rear tail lights. And I keep a watch on my mirrors.
I always try to stop in a position where a driver can see my rear lights flash on when they're coming up on me.
I also learned to lane filter, and lane split to keep myself out of the lane when I can. Legal or not, it's just safer to not be between 2 bumpers because bouncing off the side of a car is better than being squished between them.
I also have a helmet cam always running. If someone hits me, I want the evidence.
Take stock in, and confidence in having accident/harm reduction equipment when you ride, it helps.
And I look at it this way...
If I'm going to die, I'd much rather die riding a motorcycle than something tragic and boring like cancer, stroke, or suicide.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 820
From: Moneta, Virginia
Im guessing the more you ride the weaker that feeling of danger will feel.
I went through a 5 year period where I couldnt do any riding When I got back to it. I felt like the oncoming cars were gonna take me out, really weird,
eventually my brain adjusted and that feeling, now, only occurs when I really am in actual danger.
Im sure youve done all the I coulda, shoulda done this or that keep my eyes on the mirrors at a stop, leave lots of room between me and the car in front etc etc. Dont beat yourself up.
Youve got this, it will get better with miles!
I went through a 5 year period where I couldnt do any riding When I got back to it. I felt like the oncoming cars were gonna take me out, really weird,
eventually my brain adjusted and that feeling, now, only occurs when I really am in actual danger.
Im sure youve done all the I coulda, shoulda done this or that keep my eyes on the mirrors at a stop, leave lots of room between me and the car in front etc etc. Dont beat yourself up.
Youve got this, it will get better with miles!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
As we get older many of us have an increased fear of falling (on or off of a bike).
In the last year I have fallen TWICE down the steps from the house going into the garage!
In my case(s) it was simply a matter of not paying attention where I was placing my foot to far forward on the step as I was descending.
I'm much more cautious going down (and up) stairs now and it may be a form of PTSD.
I've been riding since '69 and I have never experienced a serious accident or injury on a motorcycle.
I got my Tri-Glide in '18 due to a knee issue but I still ride the bike(s) occasionally and on both and I ride much more careful than I once did.
In the last year I have fallen TWICE down the steps from the house going into the garage!
In my case(s) it was simply a matter of not paying attention where I was placing my foot to far forward on the step as I was descending.
I'm much more cautious going down (and up) stairs now and it may be a form of PTSD.
I've been riding since '69 and I have never experienced a serious accident or injury on a motorcycle.
I got my Tri-Glide in '18 due to a knee issue but I still ride the bike(s) occasionally and on both and I ride much more careful than I once did.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,299
Likes: 2,393
From: Florida
Same thing happened to me that happened to Fran Bunny, except I wasn't going for cocoa, I was coming out of a bar in Key West.
Never saw it coming. One moment I was riding along, next moment I was sort of trotting across the street, looking down and wondering whose blood that was that was dripping down on the pavement.
Turns out, a British tourist driving a van had rammed me from the side and slightly behind. It's easy to do there, it's crowded and seems like there's always something blocking intersections.
I was supposed to report for a new job the next day. I did, but my back was in so much pain I had to leave. I was lucky though, no permanent damage. You just have to be hyper-aware and not let it get to you. You'll get over it eventually.
Never saw it coming. One moment I was riding along, next moment I was sort of trotting across the street, looking down and wondering whose blood that was that was dripping down on the pavement.
Turns out, a British tourist driving a van had rammed me from the side and slightly behind. It's easy to do there, it's crowded and seems like there's always something blocking intersections.
I was supposed to report for a new job the next day. I did, but my back was in so much pain I had to leave. I was lucky though, no permanent damage. You just have to be hyper-aware and not let it get to you. You'll get over it eventually.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
I hit a car back in 1972..... slid into the bumper, gas tanks, and differential of a 1968 Chevy Impala. Broken ankle and many scrapes and bruises on my *** and back. I was young and fairly dumb at the time. Got the bike back couple days later and gave it test ride up and down the street. Back on and never looked back.
Now..... I am more aware of the idiots around me, my head is on a swivel, I'm always looking for the idiots that run lights and stop signs. I always keep an eye behind me at stop lights. I hit brake lights multiple times at stops. I never truly feel comfortable until I'm on a nice two lane and no traffic.
I got no answers for you. All I can say is do what you feel comfortable with. Probably find some nice country roads to ride and gain a little confidence/comfort. Avoid heavy traffic areas until you feel somewhat comfortable. This is all up to you and how much you enjoy riding. If you don't enjoy it, then it may not be worth it.
Good Luck on your decision. Watch out for the others....
Now..... I am more aware of the idiots around me, my head is on a swivel, I'm always looking for the idiots that run lights and stop signs. I always keep an eye behind me at stop lights. I hit brake lights multiple times at stops. I never truly feel comfortable until I'm on a nice two lane and no traffic.
I got no answers for you. All I can say is do what you feel comfortable with. Probably find some nice country roads to ride and gain a little confidence/comfort. Avoid heavy traffic areas until you feel somewhat comfortable. This is all up to you and how much you enjoy riding. If you don't enjoy it, then it may not be worth it.
Good Luck on your decision. Watch out for the others....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 35,239
Likes: 19,070
From: 40.2444° N, 75.6419° W
OP, can you pick a route that is low traffic back roads and go on a ride for fun daily or every other day after work etc? If you get out there and ride even 10 miles stress free regularly it may help you adapt.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,736
Likes: 17,577
From: Driftless Area
44 years before someone almost cost me a leg.
The fear wears off in time, but the heightened sense of awareness never does. I'm always looking for the next dumbass driver.
The fear wears off in time, but the heightened sense of awareness never does. I'm always looking for the next dumbass driver.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 160
Likes: 77
From: North Carolina
I've been lucky to avoid the couple of accidents I have almost been in so far so I can't relate. But just in case I added an amazon motorcycle dash cam with front and rear cameras. I know it's not going to protect me from damage if something occurs, but it does give me a little peace of mind that if someone does hit me out of negligence that hopefully it will prevent the additional financial burdens that come along if I survive. I wish you the best in getting back into riding, and hope if I ever endure those experiences that I don't allow it to deter me from riding again.