Uneasy feeling lately...
I think most of us who ride have been there before, it can be even worse when you're a thousand miles from home and it happens. Just have to always be alert and ride safe, know that you are not imortal. Or like I tell my wife sometimes, if I stopped driving everytime I see a fatality, I wouldn't drive or ride, and riding a bus isn't 100% safe either. Like a few others have said, when it's your time....that's it.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
I hesitate to post this as I am very superstitious and typically avoid discussing topics like this but lately I am a bit uneasy or overly cautious on the bike. I know why; a couple weeks ago I drove by the scene of a fatal motorcycle accident moments after it happened. it shook me up a bit and I couldn't wait to get home and off the bike that day. I live in texas and don't always wear a helmet, particularly in the summer. I have worn one every day since I drove by that horrible scene. I have been riding a long time and this is the first time I remember feeling this way. I love to ride and am not considering giving it up but I don't like feeling this way as it takes the fun out of it. I am not completely freaked out nor am I riding in fear. I just have thoughts in the back of my mind when on the freeway. I'm sure it will pass but I wanted to see if anyone has experienced this. Thanks..
Last edited by checkers; Jan 27, 2013 at 06:54 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
The Other Day
A week ago while riding my bike home from work I had to pass by a bunch of flashing lights and to my dismay there layed a black Road Glide up on a curb, front end pretty much crunched up. I don't know the biker personally but he's one of my regular "waves" on my local roads. There were already cops on the scene and an ambulance was less than a block away so I just kept rolling.
I wasn't shook as bad as I probably should have been. For sure I would never even mention it to the wife. I think that somewhere along the line we all pretty much get a sense of dominence and control while riding these machines. It is almost a necessary evil because the moment we allow the bike and situation to get ahead of ourselves, we become a danger to ourselves. It is almost arrogant to think that, but, IMHO necessary.
Like anything else in life, I took this as a wake up call, to remain constantly vigilant and aware of as much as I can while riding. Time might help but you have to make the call. Small steps leading back up to full confidence? I hope all goes well and you find your way back to feeling comfortble again.
I wasn't shook as bad as I probably should have been. For sure I would never even mention it to the wife. I think that somewhere along the line we all pretty much get a sense of dominence and control while riding these machines. It is almost a necessary evil because the moment we allow the bike and situation to get ahead of ourselves, we become a danger to ourselves. It is almost arrogant to think that, but, IMHO necessary.
Like anything else in life, I took this as a wake up call, to remain constantly vigilant and aware of as much as I can while riding. Time might help but you have to make the call. Small steps leading back up to full confidence? I hope all goes well and you find your way back to feeling comfortble again.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: ontario, Canada
Been 1 1/2 years since a young women driving impaired turned left in front of 5 of us on a 55 MPH highway no less, lead rider still remembers nothing, bent the dodge neon in two,he survived, but needs more surgery to be able to walk properly, I was third in line and ended up with 3 broken ribs and a punctured lung. After many hrs of discussion amongst the 5 of us as we tried to reason out what took place and came to the reality there was NOTHING WE could have done different to change the outcome,even scarier! Still gives me the ******* some days when I ride cause no matter how I ride I can't control an outcome like what we had..... takes time, some days only do short rides, some days longer, but I love riding to much to allow someone else to control my life. If you have the ******* be cautious, worse to ride in fear then to park it for the day. Always be cautious but don't ride with fear!
I had no choice but to tell my wife, I was 8 hrs from home in a local hospital for three days, helps to have a good women and family by your side, and she still rides on the back, although it took a year for her to climb back on.
I had no choice but to tell my wife, I was 8 hrs from home in a local hospital for three days, helps to have a good women and family by your side, and she still rides on the back, although it took a year for her to climb back on.
Last edited by ShadowMonster; Jan 27, 2013 at 07:02 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 844
Likes: 16
From: Chicago
Great Responses from Thoughtful Riders
The thing I like the most about HD Forums is that when you ask a serious question you get some very serious and straightforward answers from some great people. Some very well-thought and sincere advice for Charlie Fogg- way to go.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 5,092
Likes: 2
From: Wenatchee, WA
I'm sure many on here have taken a tumble and some several. What seems to hit first is your arms (broken wrists/arm). At speed though, your head will always hit the ground, either directly or glancing. Been there, done that.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
I've been riding for almost 50 years, since I got hooked at 14, and I've got 3 simple rules:
1. I never drink and ride- not even one beer, and I don't usually ride with guys who have been drinking. Off the bike, I like beer as much as the next guy, but for me it doesn't mix- personal choice.
2. I always wear a helmet- I don't agree with helmet laws as I feel it is a personal choice, but mine is to wear one.
3. Every time I get on the bike I believe in my heart that every car, truck, and bus is doing their best to find and kill me. I ride as defensively as possible, and have been called "overly cautious", which I think is impossible. I must be doing something right as I've been doing it for a long, long, time.
I've had friends who have had the same feeling as you're having, and some have quit riding. Some quit because they had children and worried about what would happen to their families if they got disabled due to a crash, some just had that feeling and lost some confidence.
Whatever the reason, you'll know when it is time to quit riding- listen to your gut.
I'm 63 and hope to have another 10-15 years of doing this, but time will tell.
Ride careful, Brother
1. I never drink and ride- not even one beer, and I don't usually ride with guys who have been drinking. Off the bike, I like beer as much as the next guy, but for me it doesn't mix- personal choice.
2. I always wear a helmet- I don't agree with helmet laws as I feel it is a personal choice, but mine is to wear one.
3. Every time I get on the bike I believe in my heart that every car, truck, and bus is doing their best to find and kill me. I ride as defensively as possible, and have been called "overly cautious", which I think is impossible. I must be doing something right as I've been doing it for a long, long, time.
I've had friends who have had the same feeling as you're having, and some have quit riding. Some quit because they had children and worried about what would happen to their families if they got disabled due to a crash, some just had that feeling and lost some confidence.
Whatever the reason, you'll know when it is time to quit riding- listen to your gut.
I'm 63 and hope to have another 10-15 years of doing this, but time will tell.
Ride careful, Brother
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My friend just flipped his 110 anniversary trike over right in front of me. I had to jump off my bike and flip the trike off him. I was amazed when he got up with just a little scratch. I had always rode with out leathers but after watching my friend get dragged under a trike for about 65 feet and just have one scratch I was amazed. My family now has leathers for everyone. My kids are not allowed on the bikes without wearing there leathers. When this accrued I road to the closest parking lot walked it off a little and road straight home. It still plays back in my head a lot but I will continue to ride.
Novice
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: central Oregon
Last August on our first day in Sturgis, going back to camp after a nice day in town we had a young lady in her volkswagon Jetta make a left turn at the intersection in front of the Buffalo chip while on my Road Glide Ultra,My wife was on the back, It was the first time that I have ridden without a helmet. We walked away with some injuries but thankfully we are alive today. In October we got a new limited and yesterday we got good enough weather to ride it. While we may be a bit nervous when we get in heavier traffic, it wont keep us from doing what we love to do---RIDE