Well, this has got me really questioning my riding, ill explain further down, here are the accident details.

(NOTE: This was my friend sean, jayce, and ryan)

Sean was comming around a right hander (03 600RR) at about 40. A truck was comming toward him hugging/crossing the double yellow doing the same speed. Sean either hit the double yellow, or some oil (we arent sure which) which caused his ass end to come out. He hit the truck head on... Sean flew over the truck and landed about 50 feet away. His bike flew back into his lane and landed in front of jayce (05 600RR) Who then hit it. He got ejected from his bike and landed on his head not far from his bike. His helmet is cracked and has chunks out, and he has some rash.

Sean didnt fare that well. He has 2 broken fingers at last count (maybe more, they need to wait for the swelling to go down). He has road rash up his left leg to his ass. His right arm from his forearm to his bicep is all rash. His hip on the front of his body, and some in a few random other places. His left heel is gone, its sheered down to the bone, we arent sure how that one happened.

This all took place up in shaver, sean had to be air lifted to UMC in Fresno, he was knocked unconsious. He was discharged late last night and is feeling alright considering. He has a consultation today with an orthapedic surgeon regarding reconstruction of his foot.

Now my dilemma....

Im really glad my friends are ok, believe me I am. I almost lost 2 REALLY good friends in one shot. I know it was a very stupid decision on their part to ride with no leathers, just t-shirts, jeans, shoes and helmets. But the accident would have happened anyways...

In roughly the year that ive been riding, ive made alot of friends that ride. Ive known some of those friends who have died riding. I myself have a shoulder injury that is going to be with me for the rest of my life. I almost lost 2 really good friends in one shot yesterday. I'm really starting to question if street riding is really worth that much to me. I mean, i was supposed to go with them yesterday, but I told sean I didnt have my leathers and I didnt feel right goin, so I opted out.

Anyways, yea...im kicking myself because I cant help but think maybe I could have changed something if I was with them. Maybe I would have been the one that wrecked, maybe we would have taken a different route, anything could have been different, but it wasnt...

I guess I just had to vent, but sean and jayce are ok. Both of the RR's are totalled, the 05 had full coverage and will be replaced, sean's only had liability, and hes done riding for good...

Please ride safe..

Risk management/risk acceptance - your friends might have died (at least they had on helmets) but they might not have been hurt as badly in full gear.  You shouldn't feel guilty about not going with them though - they knew the risks, and your going or not going wouldn't have changed their minds about the gear they wore.  The accident may or may not have still happened, who knows -- either way, worrying or feeling guilty about what you could have done is just useless stress.  Be glad they are both alive and aren't suffering from major permanent disabilities.

And let me applaud you for not riding without your gear - you could be in the hospital right now too.  I'm sorry to hear what happened to your friends and I hope they make a relatively quick recovery, but I'm also glad to hear that you avoided their fate.

ATGATT

I can only add a +1 to that.

I dont know what to say you probably couldnt have changed anything from happening.  Good choice not  to ride without gear

well put jazzzz

I would also hope that we should learn to know whats on the road ahead, and stay away from large trucks

Maybe I am completely over-reacting to this. I am VERY glad it didnt turn out as bad as it could have. I mean, how often is it one guy goes down, and his bike lands back in the same lane only to take out another rider...that sucked. When he was airlifted to the hospital we were all freaking out cause no one had any details and we didnt know where he was going.

I just know I have alot of thinking to do, and I know by questioning the very idea of riding that I cannot be at my best...

Last night a family member told me if I sell my bike and quit riding they will help me buy a new truck....no strings attached...but I dont know what im going to do yet, rash decisions dont lead anywhere...

This is all part of riding. There is nothing you could do about the situation, and if you did go the chances of you saving the situation are the same of you inadvertantly making them worse in some way.

If you keep thinking of the coulda, woulda, and shoulda's you are wasting your time. What happened has happened. You're life if not only about making decisions, it's also about how you deal with the outcome. You made the right choice IMO not to ride without your gear, now the only right thing you can do now is help your friends out in their time of need.

Quote from: DanielyI mean, how often is it one guy goes down, and his bike lands back in the same lane only to take out another rider...that sucked....

well, probably more often than you'd think. It happened to a friend of mine too, up in Latigo Cyn. Ended his riding too, even though he only came out of it with a broken collar bone. He decided he was done, that motorcycles were too "dangerous". I disagree with the logic.

I'm glad your friends werent hurt worse but they are responsible for their actions IMO. As you were too for not going riding without your gear. When any rider hits the canyons for some 'spiritied' riding (including me) they have to assume cars/motorcycles/bicycles/pedestrians are going to be in the way at some point, some way. Seans accident is a classic one, where he was either riding too hot or generally over his head, which prevented him from completing the turn safely within his lane (even being on or near the DY is dangerous, as he found out) . jayce'smistake was similar in that he wasnt allowing enough space in front of him, between him and other rider.

Having said that, whats done is done. it is too much energy for you to try thinking of how things would have been different if you had tagged along. Maybe it would have been exactly the same. One never knows, so dont kill yourself considering those things. Life is too short to waste your energy on that.

The more pressing issue is how it affects you. if you continue to ride you will continue to know people that will eventually crash. Hopefully, you can find a group to ride with (as I have, luckily) that are mature and experienced enough to know when they are riding badly and back off, or that talk to newer riders and give them tips or tell them to stop trying too hard. these are good riders and good people. If you surround yourself with this you will be better off, but even they are prone to crash. You have to determine what your life will be like without riding bikes, or if you only want to ride the track. I know I couldnt stop riding on the street, as dangerous as it is. One day I might have to. I hope not. take your time to consider your position. You already know a rushed decision will not be a good one.

Im gonna go see sean as soon as I get off work today. I'm still not sure what im going to do. Ive set up a test ride of a new DRZ450 on saturday. Ive always been interested in the motards, so im going to go test ride one. Just exploring my options now. I dont want to quit riding, I REALLY dont, but in a year there has been ALOT of crap. I've lost several friends, almost everyone I know has gone down once. I have permanent damage to my shoulder, sean will have the same with his left leg. Ive got a friend picking up an EX500 on Tuesday to start riding, and I would love to be a good example for that guy. Hopefully all works out...

Quote from: DanielyIve got a friend picking up an EX500 on Tuesday....

Must not be that good of a friend if you let him buy one of those

At lease he will have someone there to tell him what not to do.
So at least ride with him and guide him till he is somewhat safe

If you stop riding, you may increase your chances of not dying young, or ending up with a horrible injury. I think we can all agree on that. Motorcycling comes with risk, and those risks can be managed through education, training, proper gear and proper bike maintenance. But there's no effective way of eliminating the risks short of selling the bike and not riding. Again, I bet we all agree on that.

Here's the rub though. This is life. We have one shot at it. Do I want to grow to the ripe old age of 90, but not have done the things I truly love? Would it be worth it to live a very long time, but not have really enjoyed it to its fullest?

Truth is, you could be dead in 10 minutes if you step out in front of a bus accidentally. Or you could be dead in 10 minutes if you decide to go for a spin on the bike.

Can you live with yourself if, every time you drive down the road in your new truck and see someone pass on a motorcycle, you pine away for it? That's not a rhetorical question. You need to answer it for yourself.

Myself, I choose to ride because I truly enjoy it and am not sure I'd be as happy without it. However, I DO NOT fly. I'm petrified of flying and have been for 10 years. I miss out on a lot of travel opportunities and it makes my job difficult sometimes. But it's a choice that I make and I can live with it. I find myself wishing I could travel more, but I don't regret it.

If you can live with not motorcycling, without too much regret, then let that  influence your decision. If you think it'll make you miserable, then let that influence your decision.

You're not going to get a second chance. Make an informed, well-thought-out decision and then go live your life.

If you died tomorrow on your motorcycle, could you live with that?

He started riding on my old F4 CBR. And he still went and bought a 500. Hes a good man. He will learn very quickly, as he picked it up damn quick on my CBR. Hopefully hes a sane rider. Hes already planning on track days.

Dan:

I couldn't possibly put it any better than the others have. Though I'd like to give you another    for deciding not to ride without your gear.

I think your feelings and reactions are perfectly normal after such a big shock, and this *is* a big shock. I'm very, VERY glad that they'll be recovering from their injuries.

And thank you for sharing this story. I have absolutely no doubt that you'll save some limbs--if not some lives--by sharing this...and perhaps that is what you were meant to do with this in the great scheme of things.

No rash decisions. There are still GS rides to ride and good times to be had.

Are virtual *HUGs* allowed in a macho motorcycle forum?

If so, then I send many your way, and to your friends, too.

pandy

Quote from: pandyAre virtual *HUGs* allowed in a macho motorcycle forum?

If so, then I send many your way, and to your friends, too.

pandy

we've seen your picture...we'll make an exception in your case.  

Wow, sorry to hear that. You made the right decision not to go without your leathers.  You obviously knew you were going to be riding hard if you made that decision.

I helped someone yesterday in a very similar situation.  I went out riding alone after a morning motorcycle clinic given by local law enforcement and a local riding group.  I am going to a nerby lake and 3 sportbikes past me.  I coninue along my merry way and I see two of the bikes on the side of the road and the third one missing.  I new immediately what had just happened.  The rider went off the road and highsided.  He was wearing jeans and a JR Phoenix jacket, helmet, boots and gloves.  The helmet saved his face.  The jeans did nothing for him.  He might as well have been riding in shorts.  The JR Phoenix didn't do so well either.  He had a 2 inch hole close to his elbow.  The worst part was he appeared to have internal injuries.  The guys two other friends that weren't involved in the accident  had full leather.  As i see this rider down and his new CBR1000 wrecked, I looked at my gear.  Sunday I "chose" to ride in jeans, mesh jacket, gloves, boots, and helmet.  I was dressed just like him.  I offered help and went back home for a truck.  The guy was air lifted to UMC in Tucson, AZ.  I trucked his bike back to his home about 50 miles away.  All the way home I was also contimplating my riding.

It is a hard decision you will have to make.  I am going to continue riding.  I will also be purchasing full leathers.  I should have worn my riding pants.  I also have decided to stay away from track oriented sport bikes for street riding (just too tempting on the streets).  I know it could happen on any bike, but there is a difference regarding throttle response.  It is night and day between the Ducati 749 and GS500.  There really isn't any room for error.  If I ever decide to do track days, I may buy just a bike just for the track.  Good luck with your decision and I hope your friends heal quick.

We just talked to sean on the phone. Hes at home layin on the couch in his underwear watching cartoons. Hes fugged though. He lost his job, they arent going to hold it for him, and are giving him no paid leave. His medical insurance didnt kick in, it was going to start after his 6 months at work, which would have been next month. So financially he is screwed.

I appreciate what everyone has said, I know I shouldnt kick myself but one can't help but wonder. I have always lived by the philosophy that walking safely to the pearly gates is good, but sliding in battered and torn smoking a cigar saying damn that was a good ride is better. I have always tried to seize the moment, and I need to keep thinking. I was going NUTS not having a bike while I was driving my ranger. I took off on friends bikes just to go around the block for a fix. The way I look at it, if I sell the CBR, and buy a truck, I would have more than enough money left for a good down payment on a new DRZ400. I mean, just sitting here, I can feel a faint pain in my shoulder, it is a constant reminder of what riders go through every day, and the choices we make.

Hopefully...i'll make the right choice...but for now, im riding. I left early this morning from the house to take a ride down my favorite road to think and clear my head. Im going to go see sean after work, and then im going to go ride...

faith and fate, you have to have faith in your abilities as a rider. enough confidence that you can accept that someday you will be in a situation that you can't control and you may not walk away from it.  that's the fate part that you accept every time you suit up and throw a leg over.  

if everyone rode bikes would you drive a car?

the last time I crashed it really made me think why would I want to operate a vehical that offers no room for human error, when i am the kind of guy who errs regularly.  it took me a couple months to figure it out, but riding is a part of me. for now I don't own a car, 3 months ago I had 5.  I'll probably buy a truck sometime in the future to haul bikes to the track.  but I know whatever happens bikes will be the one constant in my life that will always be there.

Anytime something like this happens to a friend it makes you stop and think.  

I'm 39 years old and have known 4 folks pass away in the last year from heart attack, cancer, stroke and motorbike accident.  All were around 40 years old.

These events helped me decide to get off my behind and try motorcycling.

Somewhere there is a balance between living for the moment and staying home in fear of everything.  Choose your risks and mitigate them where possible.  Some people choose to ride without gear, others won't leave home without it.  Good gear is a good mitigation in my mind.

It's a personal choice, but if you love to ride, I hope you keep it up.

Neil

Went for a nice ride to a local park outside of the city for lunch. It was good . I think im just going to take a loan out, and buy a newer truck. Like a taco or somethin. Somethin I can drive if I dont wanna ride the bike. As of right now the CBR is all I have for a vehicle.

Quote from: DanielyWent for a nice ride to a local park outside of the city for lunch. It was good . I think im just going to take a loan out, and buy a newer truck. Like a taco or somethin. Somethin I can drive if I dont wanna ride the bike. As of right now the CBR is all I have for a vehicle.

Dan, I've got a 2004 Tacoma V6 4WD. You know how we all feel here about our GS's? That's also how I feel about the Tacoma. It is absolutely as close to a perfect truck as you can get, imo.