Finally went down

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Oct 29, 2014 | 07:28 AM

#31

gonenomad

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Joined: May 2013

Posts: 93

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From: Las Vegas

The last time I went down was in the early 90s. I still remember picking gravel out of my skin. I was a young, dumb teenager riding to close to a friend. His front wheel met my back wheel, and down we went. Lesson learned: leave enough space between other riders! Hope you heal quickly and that the insurance company doesn't try to shaft you.

Oct 29, 2014 | 07:47 AM

#32

Twistnride

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 7,855

Likes: 11

From: Oroville,Washington.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOGNOT

Interesting. I always leave the garage thinking this could be the day. Have had plenty of close calls over the 100K miles I've ridden over the past 40 years or so. I'm still a nervous rider to some extent. Wish I could be like you.....maybe.

VR

This cracks me up. I love it when these people talk about knowing "lifelong riders" that have never been down. 100k miles? That ain't riding,especially in 40 years.Put 42,000 miles on the Road King in 2 years.Been down 4 times in 600,000 miles. A span of 47 years. 2 of the wrecks,people died,including my 15 yr old brother. I never even give a thought to the possibility I might go down,waste of time. Pull up the big boy pants,and ride like you mean it. Nervous Nellies shouldn't be on two wheels,they're a danger to all of us.

Oct 29, 2014 | 11:10 AM

#33

theCoach

Tourer

Joined: Apr 2014

Posts: 267

Likes: 19

From: south

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowcountry Joe

" bike started to wobble so i put it down" ....so you forced the crash? Just dont understand that logic, but i wasn't there either.

Not sure I'd know when to "force the crash" myself. I laid my Shovel down back in '76, slid on the primary side some 240 feet on wet pavement. I was making tracks for home as rain started, barely wet roads covered with oil, perfect recipe for trouble, a car just fakes a move out of a driveway, I touch the rear brakes-way before ABS

- and the rear tire just breaks free. I didn't lay it down, but fought that bitch hard til the fishtailin and physics won out and I went down. Came to rest in the middle of a intersection, at a red light, with a po-po waiting. Two brothers in a pickup pulled to the side and helped me out. Just road rash for me, a new primary case-didn't even break a mirror- and a new respect for how quickly things can change on two wheels. Knock on wood.

Oct 29, 2014 | 11:24 AM

#34

kkinderen

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 1,016

Likes: 1

From: Front Royal, VA

On my old 2003 FB I wasn't as smart as you. I tried to control it and was thrown off the front of the bike. That was years ago and no lasting injuries but I will say the bike survived! As twisted as it looked (from my angle in the prone position) it came back better than ever with a lot of TLC and cooperative insurance. For me, it was an opportunity to go deep into customizing.

I sold that bike a couple of years ago and still miss it.

Glad you are OK. Get back on that horse.

Oct 29, 2014 | 11:46 AM

#35

sfcmo357

Road Warrior

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 1,739

Likes: 153

From: Fayetteville, NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOGNOT

Trust me---there are alot of ppl like him. I just couldn't imagine being like you--and I bet you're a great, outstanding guy. I couldn't imagine saying, today may be the day I die in combat or the day my parachute wont open, the day a drunk driver hits me, the day I may have an intruder, etc

I don't know man....I tell my wife often...there is a difference between being cautious, alert, aware, and prayerful......versus......just being scared. I'm not a nervous rider---but I'm cautious and I try to keep my head on a swivel

Last edited by sfcmo357; Oct 29, 2014 at 11:51 AM.

Oct 29, 2014 | 11:50 AM

#36

AnotherBlackSG

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 2,979

Likes: 57

From: PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfcmo357

I don't know man....I tell my wife often...there is a difference between being cautious, alert, and aware......versus......just being scared. I'm not a nervous rider---but I'm cautious and I try to keep my head on a swivel

Bingo. Nervous riders are their own worst enemy.

Oct 29, 2014 | 02:48 PM

#37

cficole

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 3,133

Likes: 504

From: Lake County, IL

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnotherBlackSG

Glad you're OK, but I completely disagree with that mindset/old wives tale. I know PLENTY of life long riders who have never gone down. I also know guys who have gone down multiple times, but the fact remains, not everyone who rides, eventually goes down. Not wondering if, but when, just seems like a defeatist way to think. Personally, I put that **** right outta my mind. I don't pull out of the garage thinking, is this the day I'm gonna crash?

Anyway, again, glad you're OK.

I agree with your attitude. I always thought the point of that saying was not to feel superior, i.e., "That would never happen to me".