I Got Spooked This Year!
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 210
Likes: 12
From: Colorado
all I could think about when I rode was crashing
I quit in 1985 after about a dozen guys died in our town in one summer. One was a guy on a chopper at a red light who got rear-ended less than a block from my business. I just quit riding my Honda, and then sold it.
Now, I'm even more careful, being older and on a much bigger bike. But, the only thing that will make me stop riding this time will be my own health, and even when that day comes, I'll think of changing to a trike.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 160
Likes: 1
From: Washington State
I nailed a deer at 70 mph in February that came out of the median. 6 of them altogether I think. I was in my Ford Escape and it died on the spot so did the deer. Luckily we were fine but it sure made me think I was glad I wasn't on the bike. It all happened in an instant. We need to all keep our eyes open all the time.
Supporter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 13,870
Likes: 4,083
From: Taylortucky, MI
especially after your first crash... been there done that, and still here to 'Live to Ride & Ride to Live'.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,415
Likes: 8
From: virginia
The part that i seem to think about more then anything is not the dying part its the part i get fu%ked up and the wife has to take care of me for the rest of our life that really mess's with my head!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 242
From: Glen Mills, PA
I work in insurance claims and see tore up bikers on a daily basis. Mostly our cager customers with their heads up their *** but a lot of bikers making poor decisions. I just try and learn from their mistakes.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 212
Likes: 4
From: South Carolina
You have to weigh this in your mind with input from your heart. If it stays with you to the point of interferring with your joy while riding, then it's probably time to give up on two wheels and go to a GT Mustang, an SS Camero or something similar for your kicks.
I quit riding 25+ years ago because I was loving the damn juice too much and my natural inclination was to mount up when I was in no condition to do so. Problem solved many years ago now and I made it back to the ranks of riders this last June against the advice of many. I told my brother and son if something happened to me while on the bike to be sure and tell my friends and aquaintances that I died doing something I love. I have experienced more joy while riding again since mid June than I did the whole time I was without a bike, a quarter of a century.
This has to be a personal decision and it certainly derserves some thought and honesty with self. The dangers are real and need to be something we are aware of. This awareness serves to help keep us safe . One thing I do firmily believe is when my numbers falls, I'm going no matter what I am doing at the time.
Give it some serious thought. Make a decision you can live with without regrets.
CJ
I quit riding 25+ years ago because I was loving the damn juice too much and my natural inclination was to mount up when I was in no condition to do so. Problem solved many years ago now and I made it back to the ranks of riders this last June against the advice of many. I told my brother and son if something happened to me while on the bike to be sure and tell my friends and aquaintances that I died doing something I love. I have experienced more joy while riding again since mid June than I did the whole time I was without a bike, a quarter of a century.
This has to be a personal decision and it certainly derserves some thought and honesty with self. The dangers are real and need to be something we are aware of. This awareness serves to help keep us safe . One thing I do firmily believe is when my numbers falls, I'm going no matter what I am doing at the time.
Give it some serious thought. Make a decision you can live with without regrets.
CJ
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
That's healthy, I think. My situational awareness is always way up there when I'm riding. ...Now, I'm even more careful, being older and on a much bigger bike. But, the only thing that will make me stop riding this time will be my own health, and even when that day comes, I'll think of changing to a trike.
RE: situational awareness ...At first, after getting back on a bike after being without one for so many years, I found I was enjoying the ride, maybe a little too much - to the point where I might not have been paying as close attention as I should be.
Now that the original "thrill" of being back on two wheels has toned down a bit I now feel as though I can do both a little better...
And without a doubt, being back on a bike has made me a more attentive driver when I'm on 4 wheels.
This H-D was at the top of my "bucket list" once the house was paid off, the kids were out of college and retirement.
I'm not giving it up.
I'm fine heading OUT of the city, away from traffic and just putting along on two-lane country roads where on any given weekday afternoon I might not see another car for a half hour at a time...
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I lost 2 friends last year to motorcycle accidents and in total more then I care to think about at this point in my life.
I have been riding about as long as I could walk, do I get spooked? Absolutely but not enough to give it up. Its a way of life for me.
When my number is up ill be pulling up to the pearly gates not on two feet, but on two wheels.
Ride safe to all.
I have been riding about as long as I could walk, do I get spooked? Absolutely but not enough to give it up. Its a way of life for me.
When my number is up ill be pulling up to the pearly gates not on two feet, but on two wheels.
Ride safe to all.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 92
From:
I've been riding all my life (now 47) and been lucky both for myself and my friends survived all the riding. Some didn't survive other stuff... When I was around 40, I knew several guys who dropped dead from heart attacks, one sitting at his desk at work. They were 39-40 yrs old. That will mess with your head too, but in an opposite way than the conversation in this thread. It makes you want to live life while you can.