Very inspiring thread.
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Okay, so here's my little story. Decided at the age of 50 to learn to ride - always been very athletic - have played most sports and worked out in gym 5 or 6 days a week since I was 18. Bought a BMW F800. Liked it. Rode it for a year. Wanted more power and to tour a bit. Sold F800. Bought K1200s. Rode that for a year. Liked that. Went to FAST at Shannonville to see what that was about. Liked it. Went back. Went to California Superbike School at 52 - second year of riding. Liked that and was pretty fast. Decided wanted to learn to race. Start of year three - at 53 - went to Penguin Racing School at New Hampshire Motor Speedway as last school hopefully before taking up racing somehow. Crashed on a wet track trying to hang with guys way better than me. Broke collar bone (into fragments), broke 7 ribs (two in two places - so had "floaters"), punctured and collapsed lung (pierced by one of the broken ribs), concussion, vertigo (dizzy spells for three months), herniated disc in neck with permanent nerve damage to left pec, arm, and back (so much weaker, permanently, on that side of body) and ten days in hospital in U.S. and Canada. Was back in gym after 8 weeks (trying to build up lost strength) and on bike in 12 (after vertigo mostly went away). Lost most of the year recovering but sold BMW and bought GSXR 750 when got back on. Hope to race next year (at 54-55).
I'm not giving up until somebody makes me. It's just way too much fun.
(Rode with you and Sempre, Pearlzzz, up north a few weeks ago. That was a blast. Hope to do it again. Also hope this thread doesn't mean that you had a fall. If so, I hope you're okay and that these posts help!)
I'm not giving up until somebody makes me. It's just way too much fun.
(Rode with you and Sempre, Pearlzzz, up north a few weeks ago. That was a blast. Hope to do it again. Also hope this thread doesn't mean that you had a fall. If so, I hope you're okay and that these posts help!)
stevex
Well-known member
I've had multiple incidents/scares/get offs.. hit the ground at least 5 or 6 times, had a bike written off by a cager, etc. The only thoughts that have ever gone through my mind is "how much is this going to cost and how long will the bike be parked till its rideable."
Never understood people who get a close call or have someone they know go down and "all of a sudden" realize... motorcycles are dangerous!
The first couple weeks after a crash there's definitely been a period of timidness or anxiety... I've gone down making a hard right through an intersection and caught gravel and it was a while before I trusted my tires enough to corner hard (but learnt my lesson - never again cook a corner through an intersection unless i know for a CERTAINTY it's clear of debris or other hazards)
Most (if not almost all) crashes are fairly avoidable... I've learnt (hard) lessons from every get off, I'm just fortunate that I've lived through every incident and it has made me a better rider for it
Never understood people who get a close call or have someone they know go down and "all of a sudden" realize... motorcycles are dangerous!
The first couple weeks after a crash there's definitely been a period of timidness or anxiety... I've gone down making a hard right through an intersection and caught gravel and it was a while before I trusted my tires enough to corner hard (but learnt my lesson - never again cook a corner through an intersection unless i know for a CERTAINTY it's clear of debris or other hazards)
Most (if not almost all) crashes are fairly avoidable... I've learnt (hard) lessons from every get off, I'm just fortunate that I've lived through every incident and it has made me a better rider for it
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Back to gym in 8 weeks?? Do bones really heal that fast? I wonder how many weeks it will be when I'll be allowed back to gym after a broken arm
AtvMinibike
Active member
I had my first EVER wreck this Dec. In fact it was on Dec. 2nd of 2010. When I say first I really mean that...! In all my near 10 years of riding this was my first ever on a bike and I travel with in, its not something I take out once ever few months sort of deal...I ride..!Mine was a near head on crash. It was a kid a new driver, he came flying out of a drive way....no slowing down, no stopping before going onto the road....just flying out...ball to the walls all the way. Guess who was about to turn into that drive way area when this kid popped out of the middle of NOWHERE. You guessed it.....ME!
Salos Dafee
Well-known member
Short version.
I stopped behind a ten-wheel truck at a stop sign. I left about ten feet between the truck and the bike.
The truck backed up about fifty feet, quite suddenly. I don't know how many wheels went over the bike, but four went over me. I needed help to squirm out from under the cab of the truck, but then I stood up. I sat down right after, but standing up was very important to me. A few things were broken, but I was much less injured than you are imagining.
The bike perished.
That was December 18 1992. In January 1993, I was riding my other bike (which is still my other bike today) to therapy and to work. Never for a moment did I consider quitting riding. I have bought four bikes since then, and sold two of them. I have ridden to 38 states and ten provinces, and I'll keep riding while I can.
I stopped behind a ten-wheel truck at a stop sign. I left about ten feet between the truck and the bike.
The truck backed up about fifty feet, quite suddenly. I don't know how many wheels went over the bike, but four went over me. I needed help to squirm out from under the cab of the truck, but then I stood up. I sat down right after, but standing up was very important to me. A few things were broken, but I was much less injured than you are imagining.
The bike perished.
That was December 18 1992. In January 1993, I was riding my other bike (which is still my other bike today) to therapy and to work. Never for a moment did I consider quitting riding. I have bought four bikes since then, and sold two of them. I have ridden to 38 states and ten provinces, and I'll keep riding while I can.
tonymorgan
Well-known member
While stopped, I was t-boned by a minivan going 60 km/h. Called my wife (calmly) from the pavement, then don't remember anything for five days. I was resuscitated in the ambulance when my heart stopped, and waited thirteen hours in an emergency room hallway to see if my liver and kidneys were going to start working again before they scheduled any surgery. If the surgeon who was supposed to have been on duty had been on duty, the nurses told me he would have just cut my leg off, but the surgeon I had (a pompous prick, thank God) took my injuries as a personal challenge and re-assembled my leg, feet and back. I was in ICU for three weeks, lived in rehab for five weeks, and was completely non-weight bearing on my right leg for seven full months. I bought a Ural with a sidecar to carry my crutches in 11 weeks to the day after the collision (it was certainly no "accident"), but more significantly, convinced two nurses in the hospital to go for their motorcycle licences!! You're a rider, or you simply ride a motorcycle, they're two very different categories.
kickstartt
Well-known member
some scary stories in here
I had an accident back in 2008 on my beautiful '92 kawi ex500. I was travelling West on O'connor at 8pm going through an intersection when the light just turned yellow, a car (cor-fckin-rolla) from the opposite direction making a left turned into me, then the next thing i remember was hearing someone calling me in my dream (just like in the movies). When I woke up on the ground, it was a paramedic in front of me, asking me if i remember anything, where I was going and such, then off to the hospital I went. Ended up with a broken right collar bone and scraped up knees. Stayed in the hospital for 1 night only.
I had the exact same feeling as described in some of the threads above. During my recovery periods of 1 month, everytime I saw or hear a bike passing by, despite the shape i was in and peer pressure, my heart still wanted to get back to riding. Then finally about 4 months after the accident I bought my 2nd bike, an '08 ninja 250 and back on the road again in the spring!!
I had an accident back in 2008 on my beautiful '92 kawi ex500. I was travelling West on O'connor at 8pm going through an intersection when the light just turned yellow, a car (cor-fckin-rolla) from the opposite direction making a left turned into me, then the next thing i remember was hearing someone calling me in my dream (just like in the movies). When I woke up on the ground, it was a paramedic in front of me, asking me if i remember anything, where I was going and such, then off to the hospital I went. Ended up with a broken right collar bone and scraped up knees. Stayed in the hospital for 1 night only.
I had the exact same feeling as described in some of the threads above. During my recovery periods of 1 month, everytime I saw or hear a bike passing by, despite the shape i was in and peer pressure, my heart still wanted to get back to riding. Then finally about 4 months after the accident I bought my 2nd bike, an '08 ninja 250 and back on the road again in the spring!!
cknowles
Well-known member
Crashed 32 years ago. For a multitude of reasons I didn't get back into riding until this summer. But every bike that ever drove by my house or that I ever passed on the road "should have been mine" 
Many times over the years I have sat on a friend's bike, helmet on, clutch in, first gear engaged and fear made me climb back off. The longer I waited the harder it got until I had enough and decided I needed to know once-and-for-all just who was in charge anyway!
I've been very careful riding since my return and the first few times I was so full of adrenaline I wouldn't have felt anything if I went down. Gradually the old skills are coming back and I'm loving every minute of being on the bike. I have a 5 minute ride to work but I can make it home in an hour on a good day
If you are thinking of stopping, ask yourself why you ride in the first place. What does the sound of a motorcycle do to your soul?
Only you know the answers to those questions.
As for me, I'm glad to be back in the saddle and back in charge.
Many times over the years I have sat on a friend's bike, helmet on, clutch in, first gear engaged and fear made me climb back off. The longer I waited the harder it got until I had enough and decided I needed to know once-and-for-all just who was in charge anyway!
I've been very careful riding since my return and the first few times I was so full of adrenaline I wouldn't have felt anything if I went down. Gradually the old skills are coming back and I'm loving every minute of being on the bike. I have a 5 minute ride to work but I can make it home in an hour on a good day
If you are thinking of stopping, ask yourself why you ride in the first place. What does the sound of a motorcycle do to your soul?
Only you know the answers to those questions.
As for me, I'm glad to be back in the saddle and back in charge.
Had a head on with an SUV on July 17th, 2011. Compound fracture to the middle of my left femur, broke my left femur at the hip joint, and broke my right radius:
Emergency room x-rays from July 17th, 2011:
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
For some reason I wasn't able to find any accident xray's of my radius/arm.
Most recent xray's Oct 20th, 2011.
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
While I was still in the hospital my GF got her new bike and rode it to come see me. Also, tons of other GTAM riders rode to the hospital to see me. It hurt seeing all of them with helmets and in gear, I wanted to get riding again asap!
As soon as my arm was out of the cast I started doing wheelies in my wheelchair. The day after the Doc said I was allowed to put 25% weight on my leg, I got on and rode my new bike for the first time!!
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
And WOOT for being able to get all the nice parking spots
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
I can't walk, but I can ride!
Ride till you die!
-Jamie M.
Emergency room x-rays from July 17th, 2011:
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
For some reason I wasn't able to find any accident xray's of my radius/arm.
Most recent xray's Oct 20th, 2011.
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
While I was still in the hospital my GF got her new bike and rode it to come see me. Also, tons of other GTAM riders rode to the hospital to see me. It hurt seeing all of them with helmets and in gear, I wanted to get riding again asap!
As soon as my arm was out of the cast I started doing wheelies in my wheelchair. The day after the Doc said I was allowed to put 25% weight on my leg, I got on and rode my new bike for the first time!!
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
And WOOT for being able to get all the nice parking spots
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
I can't walk, but I can ride!
Ride till you die!
-Jamie M.
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Had a head on with an SUV on July 17th, 2011. Compound fracture to the middle of my left femur, broke my left femur at the hip joint, and broke my right radius:
Emergency room x-rays from July 17th, 2011:
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
For some reason I wasn't able to find any accident xray's of my radius/arm.
Most recent xray's Oct 20th, 2011.
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
While I was still in the hospital my GF got her new bike and rode it to come see me. Also, tons of other GTAM riders rode to the hospital to see me. It hurt seeing all of them with helmets and in gear, I wanted to get riding again asap!
As soon as my arm was out of the cast I started doing wheelies in my wheelchair. The day after the Doc said I was allowed to put 25% weight on my leg, I got on and rode my new bike for the first time!!
I can't walk, but I can ride!
Ride till you die!
-Jamie M.
All lies aside, which is more fun, guns or bikes??
Because my probation ended on Nov 1st I'm now legally allowed to answer that question.
It's really a toss up. Guns are powerful, accurate. So are bikes. The media/public hate both of them (guns a little more probably). If you mess around with either too much you'll loose your license. The only thing I REALLY liked about guns was pushing the governments buttons. They didn't want me to have it? I bought 10. They thought it was to evil? I bought 20.
Toss up for fav gun...
Krinker Plinker
LICK FOR VIDEO!
CZ-858 with Colt M203 grenade launcher (purchased new in box, from 1973!)
LICK FOR HD VIDEO!
FN FS2000:
LICK FOR HD VIDEO!
Best "carry" gun by far, Para Ord Tac Four. Shortest legally available barrel in Canada, 10 rounds of .45 ACP +P Jacketed Hollow Point "Cop Killer" bullets. She's little, but packs a BIG punch.
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
I dunno man. Less hassle and paperwork with a bike, so that gets my vote. It's kinda a buzz kill when peeps are trying to make all the cool crap you own illegal all the time.
-Jamie M.
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Try flipping a 500cc motocross bike and breaking your left collarbone, left ankle & a bone in your left hand.
Fun times followed while I contemplated how I could physically do the job of replacing the bent handlebars. Finally conceded that I would have to wait about 7 weeks for bones to heal first. Oh, after the 1st day I never seemed to have any pain except the collar bone break. Same for other breaks I have had. Do not know what those bottles of Tylenol 3 with codene and other stuff is for. They still sit on the shelf a decade later.
Anyway, picture this: since all breaks were on the left side I could not use crutches due to hand and collarbone, could not hop due to the same, & would only go in a circle if I tried a wheelchair due to the same. It was a slow travel from the couch to the washroom on me old buns.
Never thought for a second about not riding again. Only about what I did wrong so as to be a better rider in the future. I flipped because I continued riding fast when I knew I should stop and make a few quick suspension adjustments. Too much rear rebound and the backend tried, and succeeded in passing the frontend over the woop-t-dooos = endo, and shoulder slammed into the next wooop. Have a few bikes now!
Most injuries are due to something we did wrong (I said most, not all). So just like car drivers, skiers, football players..... if ya have a calling and enjoy it then ride out the bump and carry on! No embarrassment, just, "I thought I was silly but your story is even funnier! Lets ride times-a-wasting!"
Fun times followed while I contemplated how I could physically do the job of replacing the bent handlebars. Finally conceded that I would have to wait about 7 weeks for bones to heal first. Oh, after the 1st day I never seemed to have any pain except the collar bone break. Same for other breaks I have had. Do not know what those bottles of Tylenol 3 with codene and other stuff is for. They still sit on the shelf a decade later.
Anyway, picture this: since all breaks were on the left side I could not use crutches due to hand and collarbone, could not hop due to the same, & would only go in a circle if I tried a wheelchair due to the same. It was a slow travel from the couch to the washroom on me old buns.
Never thought for a second about not riding again. Only about what I did wrong so as to be a better rider in the future. I flipped because I continued riding fast when I knew I should stop and make a few quick suspension adjustments. Too much rear rebound and the backend tried, and succeeded in passing the frontend over the woop-t-dooos = endo, and shoulder slammed into the next wooop. Have a few bikes now!
Most injuries are due to something we did wrong (I said most, not all). So just like car drivers, skiers, football players..... if ya have a calling and enjoy it then ride out the bump and carry on!
No embarrassment, just, "I thought I was silly but your story is even funnier! Lets ride times-a-wasting!"
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Deimos
Well-known member
Pick up swiped me off the road at 40km/h in October 2010, wrote off my gs500, gave a scraped knee and sore thumb for a good 2 months.
Went out to Guelph in February 2011 and bought my F4i.
Just gotta keep doing what it is you want to do I suppose, and I want to ride.
I like your attitude, what I want to know is where do you get the cash to keep up with all of this?
Went out to Guelph in February 2011 and bought my F4i.
Just gotta keep doing what it is you want to do I suppose, and I want to ride.
I like your attitude, what I want to know is where do you get the cash to keep up with all of this?
Lol, you gotta keep me informed about threads that apply to me!
How do ya like the xray pics? Pulled em off that last CD they gave me. The first ones are prolly all blurry cause I was thrashing around on the xray table in pain!
-Jamie M.
Because my probation ended on Nov 1st I'm now legally allowed to answer that question.
It's really a toss up. Guns are powerful, accurate. So are bikes. The media/public hate both of them (guns a little more probably). If you mess around with either too much you'll loose your license. The only thing I REALLY liked about guns was pushing the governments buttons. They didn't want me to have it? I bought 10. They thought it was to evil? I bought 20.
Toss up for fav gun...
Krinker Plinker
LICK FOR VIDEO!
CZ-858 with Colt M203 grenade launcher (purchased new in box, from 1973!)
LICK FOR HD VIDEO!
FN FS2000:
LICK FOR HD VIDEO!
Best "carry" gun by far, Para Ord Tac Four. Shortest legally available barrel in Canada, 10 rounds of .45 ACP +P Jacketed Hollow Point "Cop Killer" bullets. She's little, but packs a BIG punch.
LICK FOR HIGH RES!
I dunno man. Less hassle and paperwork with a bike, so that gets my vote. It's kinda a buzz kill when peeps are trying to make all the cool crap you own illegal all the time.
-Jamie M.
Welcome back brother! A little help with @CGCguncontrol on twitter would be cool. You wouldn't believe the misinformation and lies - aggressive too!
Tavor, F'N FS2000, Keltec RFB, F'N PS90, ISSC MK22, Neostead 2000 are some of my favs.
As for getting back on the bike, you need a **** happens, learn from your mistakes attitude. The anxiety fades quick once you get back in the saddle.
I personally think there's a world of difference between crashing on the street and crashing at the track, and the confidence it robs you of. After crashing on the street I went 100% track and haven't looked back. Couldn't get my head around all the hazards on the street. You tend to have a better (not total) control of your situation at the track and therefore most crashes, after analysis, are fairly easy to rationalise and get over. Crashing at the track should be a learning experience. Crashing on the street is a ****ing lottery.
And whilst the OP asked about injury, it's the fear of reinjuring yourself which is the hurdle to overcome. If you don't crash you (usually) don't hurt yourself.
And whilst the OP asked about injury, it's the fear of reinjuring yourself which is the hurdle to overcome. If you don't crash you (usually) don't hurt yourself.
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Abstract or Impressionism?
