Gave it up
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
RE: Gave it up
i've lost a couple riding buds to accidents as well (in cars, on bikes and riding snowmobiles)... it sucks and certainly makes you look at your own riding to sort out whether or not its worth it... for me, i couldn't give it up... none of it, sleds, bikes or cars... my take? well, people die all the time for all kinds of reasons... i'm not gonna stop living just to keep from dyin... I refuse to tip-toe thru life only to arrive safely at death...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 2
From: South Fla.
RE: Gave it up
Sorry to hear about your friend. My prayers to all involved.
I have lost my Dad, A friend and several friends of friends to "CAR" accidents, not one has lost there lives or had a serious motorcycle accident. When it's our time to go I believe no matter what we drive or do we will go when our time is up.
On the same note, If my Dad or somebody close to me did die from a motorcycle accident I'm not sure what I'd do, for all I know I'd do the same as your are doing.
I have lost my Dad, A friend and several friends of friends to "CAR" accidents, not one has lost there lives or had a serious motorcycle accident. When it's our time to go I believe no matter what we drive or do we will go when our time is up.
On the same note, If my Dad or somebody close to me did die from a motorcycle accident I'm not sure what I'd do, for all I know I'd do the same as your are doing.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,945
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Gave it up
You've got to do what's right for you. As others have noted, the decision may change down the line, but if so you can always buy another. But don't blame the machine - it could have happened if they were in a car, as well. Should you stop driving on the road, since it was involved as well?
Right now you're hurting, and looking for a tangible "thing" to blame - and it became the motorcycle. That's cool - whatever it takes to help you regain your personal peace. Just keep an open mind and heart. In the meantime, know that our thoughts and prayers are with ALL of you!
Right now you're hurting, and looking for a tangible "thing" to blame - and it became the motorcycle. That's cool - whatever it takes to help you regain your personal peace. Just keep an open mind and heart. In the meantime, know that our thoughts and prayers are with ALL of you!
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 595
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Gave it up
ORIGINAL: lencap
Words fail to comfort at a time like this, but I lost a good friend from "rider error", his own. I had to identify the body for his wife, not something I'd care to do again. I too sold my bike, for reasons I'm sure you understand. At the funeral I was asked to say a few words, and all I could remember was my friend getting on me for owning a "crap" motorcycle and being too cheap to buy a Harley. As I looked up, everyone was laughing - that was Ed, he loved his Harley and didn't take kindly to any other bike, no matter how good a friend you were. His wife offered me his bike, but I couldn't get on it - too tough to take and too many memories.
Within a few months, as the weather got better, I missed the bike, but more importantly I missed my friend. Then it dawned on me - if I got back on the bike and lived every moment as if it were my last, I'd be living just as he did, and I'd be enjoying living again, instead of passing each day in fear of what chould happen.
Fact is, I've lost friends in car accidents, from disease, and from Vietnam. The result is always the same - a deep sense of loss. The difference is that now I refuse to let their death pass in vein - I honor them best by living my life to the fullest. In the end, we all die - it's more important to me now how I live.
Take care brother, and we're all here for you.
Words fail to comfort at a time like this, but I lost a good friend from "rider error", his own. I had to identify the body for his wife, not something I'd care to do again. I too sold my bike, for reasons I'm sure you understand. At the funeral I was asked to say a few words, and all I could remember was my friend getting on me for owning a "crap" motorcycle and being too cheap to buy a Harley. As I looked up, everyone was laughing - that was Ed, he loved his Harley and didn't take kindly to any other bike, no matter how good a friend you were. His wife offered me his bike, but I couldn't get on it - too tough to take and too many memories.
Within a few months, as the weather got better, I missed the bike, but more importantly I missed my friend. Then it dawned on me - if I got back on the bike and lived every moment as if it were my last, I'd be living just as he did, and I'd be enjoying living again, instead of passing each day in fear of what chould happen.
Fact is, I've lost friends in car accidents, from disease, and from Vietnam. The result is always the same - a deep sense of loss. The difference is that now I refuse to let their death pass in vein - I honor them best by living my life to the fullest. In the end, we all die - it's more important to me now how I live.
Take care brother, and we're all here for you.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 648
Likes: 103
RE: Gave it up
Sorry to hear about your friend and a fellow rider. My prayer's are sent out to all.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 117
From: Ashby, Ma
RE: Gave it up
My heart goes out to your friend.
I had a similar experience once seeing a riding friend go down and land hard.. I sold my bike. I was back in a couple years. ...it gets in the blood.
That was years ago for me now.. mid 70s.. but I'll never forget how hurt this guy was. He hit a tree at 60.. and alcohol was involved, but I still put the bike away for a while.
If it's in your blood you may be back.. it took me a while, and I had other things going on in my life.. but here I am, many years and many motorcycles later. I've said good-bye to many of my friends, being in my late 50s.. some died of cancer, many died in 'Nam one was hit broadside in his Volvo by a drunk driver when he got back from 'Nam. I know one thing. I'm going to ride 'til I can't.I've told my wife and children when I die, I want to buried in my leather jacket, no suit and tie for this guy, and I hope when I go someone can say "he was a good husband, and good father, he always helped another rider, he died clean and sober,and he knew every great motorcycle road and diner in New England.
I had a similar experience once seeing a riding friend go down and land hard.. I sold my bike. I was back in a couple years. ...it gets in the blood.
That was years ago for me now.. mid 70s.. but I'll never forget how hurt this guy was. He hit a tree at 60.. and alcohol was involved, but I still put the bike away for a while.
If it's in your blood you may be back.. it took me a while, and I had other things going on in my life.. but here I am, many years and many motorcycles later. I've said good-bye to many of my friends, being in my late 50s.. some died of cancer, many died in 'Nam one was hit broadside in his Volvo by a drunk driver when he got back from 'Nam. I know one thing. I'm going to ride 'til I can't.I've told my wife and children when I die, I want to buried in my leather jacket, no suit and tie for this guy, and I hope when I go someone can say "he was a good husband, and good father, he always helped another rider, he died clean and sober,and he knew every great motorcycle road and diner in New England.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 21,949
Likes: 6
From: My house
RE: Gave it up
So sorry to hear about your friend,,, I hope he makes a recovery that will allow him to be able to ride again. I know that he will ride again if at all possible and it would be a great dayindeed.
For what it's worth and a lot of good stories and statements have beenposted here,,, I will add,,, "Once a biker always a biker" the love for the wind in our face, the people we would not have met,, the friends we would not have made, the sights and sounds we might not have seen or heard,,,,,the help we have given many,and the freedom it gives us while doing so,is why I solove to ride.
God bless him and his family and all his friends that care so deeply for him,,, Godspeed in his recovery. Please keep us informed as to how he's doing and let him know we are all pulling for him here.
For what it's worth and a lot of good stories and statements have beenposted here,,, I will add,,, "Once a biker always a biker" the love for the wind in our face, the people we would not have met,, the friends we would not have made, the sights and sounds we might not have seen or heard,,,,,the help we have given many,and the freedom it gives us while doing so,is why I solove to ride.
God bless him and his family and all his friends that care so deeply for him,,, Godspeed in his recovery. Please keep us informed as to how he's doing and let him know we are all pulling for him here.