The truth about motorcycles

[nightrider]

So I just spent a week in the county hospital. It was crazy. For those of you who've never been there, that is where you go if you are poor, uninsured, homeless, in jail, etc. I waited 10 hours to be admitted, and 6 days to be operated on. There were homeless people in the waiting room and in the lobby. Some of them were kind and generous. It was hard and opened my eyes in ways I wasn't expecting. In the end, the doctors were good and the nurses treated me well. But it got me thinking very carefully about the dangers of riding...

My motorcycle habit has cost me. 3 months lost work and wages, money which I don't really have. Medical bills are to follow. My ankle may be affected for the rest of my life, prone to arthiritis, osteoporosis, loss of cartilage, etc.

There were other riders in 3200 with worse injuries than me (both arms, arm and leg, etc), and nurses and doctors told me there were many others on a regular basis (permanent paralysis, missing muscles, shorn limbs, etc). That I was fortunate to have this as my only injury.

In the immediate circle of riders at my work, 4 of 6 of us have had moderate to nasty accidents in the last 5 months. Two of them required medical care and healing time, and I am the third.

I don't think I'll quit right away since I don't have a car. I like to ride, the feeling of freedom and power it gives. But I don't like to get hurt, lose money and earnings to the brink of homelessness, lose touch with society and the life I know, go into medical debt, feel pain and discomfort, be victim to other people's carelessness, drunkenness, or improperly maintained/marked road hazards, piss in a plastic bottle, or see my dreams slipping away. I don't like that at all. The nature of life is apparently often random, and there are no do-overs.

I guess what I'm asking is, who else out there has had bad crashes/injuries and found a way to ride again? Who has been through this and made it make sense to them, found a way around it? I could quit riding, but I would feel I said no to life and living. I could ride much more conservatively (although this would not eliminate risk). I could say screw it, do it to me again. I could get a car and ride less or only when I want to, which is what I plan to eventually do. For now though I will sit in my apartment, travel by bus, crutch, friend, and county social services, eyeing my pile of Vicodin and the bike cooling in the garage...

[Danny500]

I've never been in an accident bad enough to leave me scarred, yet I know what it's like to spend a whole lot on a hobby such as motorcycles.

I find it's a constant balance of control, worry, and ego. Sure, you're in control of your bike, but you're not in control of the world around you. Outside forces are the biggest predator on the 2 wheeled kind. Constant worry affects me every time I flip my leg over the bike until the moment the kick-stand reaches the ground again. Not paralyzing worry, but cautious worry... what if I crash today? Have I taken stock of what I'll do if I get hurt? What if I lose a finger? Hand? Leg? Can I cope with that sort of loss? Can I afford that sort of loss?

And ego... The worst one. Most people who ride bikes do it for their ego. There, I said it... big shock right? Lately it's been because of rising fuel costs and economy... but that's mainly an excuse for people to justify the purchase to themselves (or their spouses). Keeping ones ego in cheque is as elementary as doing figure-8's. It's easy... if you practice.

You can't go barreling out of the gate at 110mph every day and expect NOT to have something happen. A rock you don't see, a patch of sand, a stalled car, or even worse... an aggressive automobile. Sure you can accelerate and stop faster than him... but he's a F*(KING CAR! 3000lbs of steel at the hands of someone you don't know who you just pissed off and you're... on a 400lb taint-screamer... not good. 

I'm totally guilty of the latter, as I'm sure much of us here are, but thinking about the decisions you make and being able to live with yourself if they should go wrong is what it comes down to.

I'm not ready to live the rest of my life in a hospital bed. I'm not ready to never play guitar again because of a lost hand. And I'm sure as hell not ready to die at the hands of forces beyond my control...

But at least I always think about it and I know what my bike is capable of and what I'm capable of as a rider and I know that it all depends on circumstance: when and if something will go wrong... and eventually... big or small... it will.

Dan

P.S. Vicodin huh? That's like 50 a pill on the street... Nothing like starting up a drug ring to fuel your passion of motorcycling... lol.
P.S.S. In no way do I endorse the illegal sale or usage of perscription drugs in any way shape or form... That's why I smoke weed.
P.S.S.S. Don't smoke weed. 

[AyeKay]

It's the risk we all take, I am very careful, and keep my riding down to a minimum.



Thanks for the funny comments at the end.

More like 1-3$ a pill 

And no don't smoke reefer! 

P.S. End the War on Marijuana, its just a plant!

[GeeP]

I'm sorry to hear that.  Nobody should ever have to endure a charity ward.  As you found out, they are some of the most unpleasant places on the planet.

Let's put motorcycles aside for a second.  The motorcycle, in and of itself, has nothing to do with your plight.  Several of us here have deduced and you have admitted to riding aggressively.  When you allow yourself to ride a motorcycle with that kind of an attitude, it is no wonder you get mixed up in the situations you've been involved in. 

The fact of the matter is, riding on top of a 350lb machine with 70-80 HP is a power rush.  Anybody who has ridden a motorcycle the size of the SV will agree with that, if they have the ability to feel emotion.  EVERYBODY has done stupid things on a motorcycle.  You, me, everybody.  Maybe it's the power, the handling, the illusion of total control.  Whatever it is, that euphoric feeling of riding a motorcycle brings the devil out in all of us.

First, you MUST learn to control your feelings.  Learn when and where is a suitable place to get a little wild.  Wilshire Blvd. at midnight is NOT one of those places, neither is a traffic light during rush hour in downtown LA.

Second, your posts and stories give me the impression that you're impulsive.  Part of your problem is you allow your mind to get well ahead of your bike and your body.  As a result, you lose sight of reality unfolding around you.  Learn to take a deep breath and relax.  Then proceed.  Not only will you enjoy life more, you'll enjoy the ride more.  In short, get out of Fast Forward.

Third, you're looking at things in black and white.  Most people at your age look at things in the form of absolute answers such as yes or no, right or wrong.  The fact is, life is painted in shades of color, not black and white.  Most of the answers you will seek in your life end in "maybe".  "Maybe" she'll marry me, "Maybe" we'll have a recession and I'll lose my job, "Maybe" I'll get hit by a bus riding to work to tomorrow, etc.  Learning to accept answers like that will take the rest of your life.

Fourth, you're still having trouble understanding the idea of cause/effect.  Every time you do something, you should be asking yourself:  What could go wrong?  Then, make conscious effort to weigh the risks and benefits and make the decision to continue or not.

I'm not going to tell you to stop riding, or to brush off and get back on the horse.  Neither should anybody else.  It's not their decision.  What I'm going to advise you to do is sit back and weigh the risks and benefits.  Are the risks worth it?  Are the benefits worth it.

I will however, say this:  If you buy a car and drive it the same way you ride that motorcycle, you're going to end up dead anyway.  You cannot abdicate your responsibilty to protect youself to a cage with airbags.  As I'm sure you found out, lying in an operating room as the general anesthetic burns down your veins and the curtains drop.  It isn't quite like in the movies.  Neither are car crashes.

Look at this experience as a stern warning.  Most people aren't as lucky as you have been.

[trumpetguy]

+1000 ^^^^

Great advice, Geep!  I'll also say that IMHO health care should be a benefit of living in this country.  But that's a debate for another thread.

I rode in HS and then gave it up for almost 30 years.  When I took it up again a few years ago, I was VERY cautious -- I'm very aware that my body does not heal like it used to.  I have done a ton of reading and practicing and thinking and discussing about safety and riding dynamics.  And I haven't yet had an accident.  "There are old riders and bold riders, but no old bold riders."  Ride more like an old man, dude!

[fred]

You seem to crash a lot, but every time someone points that out, you start a new thread. You keep asking for advice and then ignoring it when it isn't what you want to hear. You need to step back and seriously consider how you keep ending up crashing, and if you can't figure out what keeps happening, perhaps you need a safer pastime.

[nightrider]

Points taken, GeeP.

I will refrain from making any more statements at this time. 

[ohgood]

I'm sorry to hear that.  Nobody should ever have to endure a charity ward.  As you found out, they are some of the most unpleasant places on the planet.

Let's put motorcycles aside for a second.  The motorcycle, in and of itself, has nothing to do with your plight.  Several of us here have deduced and you have admitted to riding aggressively.  When you allow yourself to ride a motorcycle with that kind of an attitude, it is no wonder you get mixed up in the situations you've been involved in. 

The fact of the matter is, riding on top of a 350lb machine with 70-80 HP is a power rush.  Anybody who has ridden a motorcycle the size of the SV will agree with that, if they have the ability to feel emotion.  EVERYBODY has done stupid things on a motorcycle.  You, me, everybody.  Maybe it's the power, the handling, the illusion of total control.  Whatever it is, that euphoric feeling of riding a motorcycle brings the devil out in all of us.

First, you MUST learn to control your feelings.  Learn when and where is a suitable place to get a little wild.  Wilshire Blvd. at midnight is NOT one of those places, neither is a traffic light during rush hour in downtown LA.

Second, your posts and stories give me the impression that you're impulsive.  Part of your problem is you allow your mind to get well ahead of your bike and your body.  As a result, you lose sight of reality unfolding around you.  Learn to take a deep breath and relax.  Then proceed.  Not only will you enjoy life more, you'll enjoy the ride more.  In short, get out of Fast Forward.

Third, you're looking at things in black and white.  Most people at your age look at things in the form of absolute answers such as yes or no, right or wrong.  The fact is, life is painted in shades of color, not black and white.  Most of the answers you will seek in your life end in "maybe".  "Maybe" she'll marry me, "Maybe" we'll have a recession and I'll lose my job, "Maybe" I'll get hit by a bus riding to work to tomorrow, etc.  Learning to accept answers like that will take the rest of your life.

Fourth, you're still having trouble understanding the idea of cause/effect.  Every time you do something, you should be asking yourself:  What could go wrong?  Then, make conscious effort to weigh the risks and benefits and make the decision to continue or not.

I'm not going to tell you to stop riding, or to brush off and get back on the horse.  Neither should anybody else.  It's not their decision.  What I'm going to advise you to do is sit back and weigh the risks and benefits.  Are the risks worth it?  Are the benefits worth it.

I will however, say this:  If you buy a car and drive it the same way you ride that motorcycle, you're going to end up dead anyway.  You cannot abdicate your responsibilty to protect youself to a cage with airbags.  As I'm sure you found out, lying in an operating room as the general anesthetic burns down your veins and the curtains drop.  It isn't quite like in the movies.  Neither are car crashes.

Look at this experience as a stern warning.  Most people aren't as lucky as you have been.

Nicely done GeeP, I read it twice I liked it so much. The mirror on the wall says I need a piece of humble pie. Thanks for sharing.

[Kasumi]

Nice points through the whole post GeeP. Id also like to point out this bit you said.

I will however, say this:  If you buy a car and drive it the same way you ride that motorcycle, you're going to end up dead anyway.  You cannot abdicate your responsibilty to protect youself to a cage with airbags.  As I'm sure you found out, lying in an operating room as the general anesthetic burns down your veins and the curtains drop.  It isn't quite like in the movies.  Neither are car crashes.

It relates to everyone, jumping in a car may make you feel safe but that only encourages selfishness when out on the road because you feel far safer and think its the cars responsability to protect you. And this is why so many motorcyclists get hit by cars, because the person behind the wheel thinks they have no responsability for their own saftey, they are considering themselves safe in the car even if they want to put their makeup on or talk on the cellphone rather than pay attention to whats happening. If they had a large spike sticking out of the steering wheel people would drive much more safely because if they f%$k up thats it. The danger is real then.

[pkhoff]

Great idea on the spike, Kasumi. Lets call it the "responsibility spike", and mount one in every cage, at the top of the windshield, pointing at the driver's forehead.

[bikejunkie223]

I'm extremely new to motorcycling- just started at the beginning of summer. I can honestly say until recently I wasn't mature enough to own a motorcycle- had I bought on a few years ago I likely would have ended up a stain on the pavement. I bought the bike to save gas and commute on, and it turns out I absolutely am hooked and love the motorcycle. I feel bad if I have to drive my truck and can't ride. That being said, I know that riding is extremely risky and I feel my caution and hyper awareness to how easily i could be killed or catostophically injured makes the risk from other dumbasses on the road acceptable. Too many on bikes are just plain stupid, and then wonder "why me?" when something bad happens. Take responsibility and learn to live with the risks you take if they end badly. Risk management is a part of life. You shouldn't hide in the dark in a corner in fear but you have to asses realistically the risk you choose to take by throwing a leg over a motorcycle and if it is too great don't ride anymore, or reduce the risk by not riding like a squid or consistently making bad decisions. After a couple days riding in the rain, for instance, I have decided the slick surface and poor visibility make riding too hazardous for me so if it's raining in the morning beyond a sprinkle, the bike stays in the garage.

[nightrider]

I'm not a stupid rider, I'm actually fairly conservative overall. I took Geep's post for what it's worth. Cheers.

[Toogoofy317]

Life well is a krapshot you never know what you're gonna roll. Things happen and sometimes completely out of your or anybody else's control. For me life changed dramatically at age 21 thought I was healthy didn't smoke, drink, or do anything stupid. But, out of the blue one day I got chest pain my doc first ignored it said it was anxitey. Two days later happened again at work was taken to the hospital where I waited ten hours finally hooked me up to an EKG and that is when krap hit the fan. After, another test my doctor walked in shaking his head in disbelief saying this doesn't happen to 21yo females. Well, it did I was diagnosed with a serious heart problem had to fly to Boston to see a specialist got a defibrillatro because my heart decied not to work and had to be shocked! So, early on I found out I was not invincible. My docs didn't want me doing anything including doing my dream job of being an EMT. Life sucks when dreams are shattered before they really even get started. Most everyone goes ape sh!% when they find out I have a heart problem and ride. Aren't you afraid of your AICD firing yada yada yada. I sat down with the doc in Boston and he was the only one that didn't give me krap about riding. He told me I was an adult and I had to live with every decision I make to just be responsible about it. If my AICD fires it's not going to amount to a hill of beans if I'm driving a car or riding a bike I'd be toast. I've had one act of stupidity on the bike ( won't even call it an accident for I was an idiot) and I crushed my ankle. Plain and simple I shouldn't have been riding that day I had just gotten out of the hospital with heart failure and Chron's disease. I grew up a lot that day and a lot more conscientious if I'm not 100% I'm not touching my bike and if it's bad enough the car either.

I guess in this long story what I'm trying to say is bad things happen sometimes. I've laid in ICU hosptial beds wondering if I will walk out or when I might have to have a new heart and yeah the hospital bills have me in debt the rest of my life. But, I still like to live and take chances. What good is life if you don't live it!

Off the soapbox.

Mary S.

[shiznizbiz]

Well, I would have to say, change your style of riding, and you may live a little longer.  You are indeed lucky. But unfortunate.  Ive been in the counties before..I feel your pain.  Im alot like my father.  I dont believe anythign you love doing is worth giving up if its not bad for your health....hmmm....motorcycles can be debated.  But he crashed his plane, ended up in a chair, and still found ways to fly.  He never really gave it up.  If you love it, never give it up....just modify it a bit.
Heal up first, then decide what youre going to do.  This, what youre feeling now, and how youre rationalizing right now may be just the post accident depression setting in. (ive had it several times) Just take it easy and keep your head clear.  Things get better once you heal. 

[Frodo]

I am sort of in your situation myself.  I am having serious debates with myself, whether I should get back on the bike again.  I had a crash back in June, which I have posted about.  I am still going to physical therapy to re-hab my knee.  Now that a lot of the physical pain has passed I am itching to ride again.  However the biggest concern I have is my 2 children ages 10 and 5.  When the crash occured, I was minding my own business, riding on a 2 lane road, in a long line of slow moving traffic when this fool, old woman decides she wants to pass me.  She only manages to get beside me, but decides to come over anyway, putting me on the tarmac.  In this situation, I have done everything possible to ride as safely as possible.  I took the MSF class, was wearing all the riding gear I owned,  being cautious, riding on roads that normally have little or no traffic, riding early on Sun morning to avoid lots of cars being on the road and then some idiot comes along and screws it all up and nearly runs over me out in the process.  There have been so many emotions I have gone thru since it happened and thoughts of what if? 

I keep struggling with what to do next.  When I got the bike several people made comments suggesting that I had lost my mind and didn't I realize how dangerous it was.  My reply was that everyone dies, but not everyone lives.  And I did not want to be afraid to take a few risks to find a little more enjoyment out of life.  Plus I knew I was going to do everything possible to ride as safely as I could.  Of course I was sure it would not happen to me either because I was going to be safe.  But seeing the fear and worry in my kids eyes when I got hurt took away most of the enjoyment I had up to that point. 

So I know this is going to be a personal decision and I am going to have to make up my own mind what to do.  Either decision is going to hard to make and live with.  Also it needs to be for my reasons and not someone else's reasons. 

Randy

[gaspy]

GeeP's advice is incredibly on point. GeeP, if you're ever in NYC area, send me a note, you've got a friend and fellow rider to cruise with here if you want one.

As for nightrider's original post, there's some good replies here. If you decide to get back in the saddle, I strongly suggest you pick up the Proficient Motorcycling Series by David Hough. As awesome as your skills may be, like someone's signature here on GST says, "Good judgement trumps skills every time."

I don't like referring to motorcycling accidents as such, and instead prefer the word, "crash." We have all made poor decisions that could've and have gotten us into trouble. These decisions are what often lead to crashes. We are by all means exposed to much greater risk by riding, but you can decide to minimize that risk. As good as you may be at pulling off emergency maneuvers, you can make better decisions so that you rarely have to use them.

I subscribe to Motorcycle Consumer News monthly (David Hough's former employer), and this post reminded me of Ken Condon's Proficient Motorcycling article in the most recent issue. Here's an excerpt:

"The behavior of each individual is based on his or her tolerance for risk. Many people lead relatively safe lives that are void of activities that are commonly perceived as risky. Others embrace risky behavior, often thriving on the adrenaline rush. Most of us are somewhere in between these two extremes.

"Among motorcyclists, risk acceptance varies widely. Some riders have a strong sense of self-preservation, while others think little of the possibility of injury. The key to a long motorcycling career is to fully understand the risks you are taking and to manage those risks carefully. And the first step in reducing risk and increasing riding enjoyment is to have an accurate perception of the risks you are exposed to."

A guy I grew up with recently gave up motorcycling after 1.5 years. His first and only bike was a Kawasaki ZX-6R, a beautiful yet frighteningly powerful bike for a new rider. He crashed for the second time last month, when a car "clipped him," he hit a parked car, and went flying off a curb. The bike was totaled and now he's considering giving up riding. This is someone who practiced wheelies on public roads, rode in jeans and t-shirts, and ends his stories about his two crashes (and those of friends, including one new rider that recently died on a GSX-R) with the statement, "people can't drive for $hit."

Although he is an extreme and idiotic example, his attitude is a common one: risks are external and uncontrollable. Nightrider, the description of your most recent crash and injury seems to reflect this attitude, too. I apologize if this is preachy, I sometimes make poor decisions as well. If you ride again, think hard about how you ride and your attitude toward risk. If you can adjust your way, you could very well keep riding without a problem for a long time.

[gaspy]

Sorry, we're not invincible, but we can be smarter. I wish both Nightrider and Randy speedy recoveries.

[nightrider]

I hear the advice. Until I get a car Ill still be riding, but a car is now my goal. When fast bike is your only transportation you are riding in every condition on a daily basis.

Frodo that sucks and glad to hear youre nearly recovered. I've never gone through this before and its not easy. The decision is hard too.

Mary I can only imagine what it's been like for you but I admire you coming through it. I wish you health. Its all relative like you say and I guess we are all still lucky.

I think I'll go to bed now.

[Cozzy]

Nice points through the whole post GeeP. Id also like to point out this bit you said.

I will however, say this:  If you buy a car and drive it the same way you ride that motorcycle, you're going to end up dead anyway.  You cannot abdicate your responsibilty to protect youself to a cage with airbags.  As I'm sure you found out, lying in an operating room as the general anesthetic burns down your veins and the curtains drop.  It isn't quite like in the movies.  Neither are car crashes.

It relates to everyone, jumping in a car may make you feel safe but that only encourages selfishness when out on the road because you feel far safer and think its the cars responsability to protect you. And this is why so many motorcyclists get hit by cars, because the person behind the wheel thinks they have no responsability for their own saftey, they are considering themselves safe in the car even if they want to put their makeup on or talk on the cellphone rather than pay attention to whats happening. If they had a large spike sticking out of the steering wheel people would drive much more safely because if they f%$k up thats it. The danger is real then.

Very ture!!!!

[trumpetguy]

As for nightrider's original post, there's some good replies here. If you decide to get back in the saddle, I strongly suggest you pick up the Proficient Motorcycling Series by David Hough. As awesome as your skills may be, like someone's signature here on GST says, "Good judgement trumps skills every time."

+1000 on Proficient Motorcycling and More Proficient Motorcycling, both by David Hough.  I have read and re-read those books.  As I gain skill, I understand more and the learning spiral continues upward.