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[skull]

I have read some of the posts on this site that related to crashes that people have had in the past.  It is very educational on to learn all the different ways that things can go wrong, and more importantly, how fast it can happen.

Well, it happened to me two weeks ago.  I encountered some cinders and pea gravel which forced me to lay the bike down (not by choice).  Protective gear did its job well, road rash on my left knee and broke my ankle in two places.  Enough about that though, I guess my strruggle right now is getting back on the bike.  I understand that the conditions caused the accident and I was fully aware of the dangers prior to riding.  It is the wife that is now scared to death of me continuing to ride.  For over three years of riding, she has been very supportive and never once gave me any flack for wanting to get a bke and ride.  I actually started out with a Metric Cruiser and continually kept looking at Harley's both online and in dealerships.  She was the one that said, "why are you torturing yourself, go out and get the bike you want".  So I got the SED in a heartbeat.

Now since the accident, she just has it in her head that she would never have peace of mind when if I would go out and continue to ride (two young kids also 4 & 6).  

So after this long dissertation, I guess the question is...  Has anyone else encountered this situation and how did you handle it?  I noticed that many of you have had very bad accidents and even had new bikes on order while you were healing.

Right now my bike is being repaired (Only $6K in damage with the majority being the CVO paint scheme - new tins all around).  My plan is to let it just blow over while in recovery, but I just get the feeling she is not going to forget about it anytime soon.

Looking for some good advice....

Paul

[ak]

paul; look into a 1 to 3 million life insurance policy i asume your younger haveing young kids if so   policy  should be affordable  your family will appricate it.. ak

[smitty_01]

Paul,
My name is Larry Smith from St. Marys, Pa.  Almost 2 years ago I was in an accident on my 1996 Bad Boy.  Somebody pulled accross the road infront of me.  I had to lay the bike down to avoid the vehicle.  I slide under the front of a van and the motorcycle followed me, smashing my jaw.  I was flown to Altoona hospital.  I was in the hospital for a week and the first surgery to repair the mulitiple fractures in my face lasted 10 hours.  To make a long story short, the person that caused me to wreck was never found.  But through everything I never thought that I should quite riding a motorcycle.  43 days after my accident I was riding my 2001 FXDWG2.  I'm 26 and life is just to short.  I think everybody needs something in life to enjoy and for me that is riding a Harley.  Let me know when your ready to get back on that Screaming Eagle and I'll come down to Pittsburgh to go for a cruise.  Talk to ya later.  Larry

[skull]

Larry,

Thanks for the response.  I certainly understand what you are talking about.  Sitting around has given me so much time to think.  I do lover riding and I would like to continue.  I guess it just comes down to one of those serious conversations with a lot of analogies to help her see my point of view.  People get in car accidents all the time and never stop driving cars, injured playing sports and they do not stop playing, etc...  Why is a bike so much different in peoples minds.

I am sure it will all work itself out.  When I am back up and around, I will drop you a line and maybe we can get together for a ride.  I'll meet you mid-point.  I would love to see the Harley store in DuBois.  I heard it was done real well.

Take Care and Happy Easter!

Paul

[smitty_01]

Paul,
What's the time frame on gettting your bike fixed?  I'll take you to the DuBois shop when your ready.  They always have a dice run and open house in the summer.  I'll let you know.  Happy Easter   Larry

[skull]

Paul,
What's the time frame on gettting your bike fixed?

[Johnnabal]

Had to lay my Eagle down two years ago on highway 44 between Couderport and Williamport when I was taking a S curve and found out the guy coming the other way was a little bit over the yellow line, which made it to hard to take the next turn. Had a choice take the ditch or the car, i chose the ditch. And this was with the wife on the back. We spent two days in Jersey Shore hospital. The guy never stoped not realizing what he had caused. Wife has since then gotten back on since we ride a lot around this country on the bike. Guess she had no choice to get on or stay home. I come thru and stay at the bar down the road from the dealer in dubois on the way home from rolling thunder every year on that sunday. Think it called the Hitching Post. Also come thru on the way back from Little league world series in Williamsport.

[Jackhd]

Hi Larry,   Sorry to hear about your accident.  I was also involved in a accident last Sept. 5 .   I was going 55mph and a SUV turned right in front of me there was nothing I could do except brace myself for the impact.  I hit it behind the rear passenger side.  After hitting it I went down with the 2001 Road King Classice on its side for 147ft. The row bar bent and pinned my right leg between engine and bar. I guess its what kept me on the bike from flying off.  THe Harley was totaled, broken forks front end fender gas tank , frame etc,  Im damn lucky I had a full face helmet on it got it on the top above shield below shield and scrached shield bad. Took out both shoulders and chest on leather jacket my watch and gloves.  !st time in hospital 11 days 2nd surgery 3 days, 3rd surgery 5.   I had broke 4 toes, my knee cap and the flesh was torn down to my bones.  I should have a full recovery however.  I was on short term disability for 3 and a half months.  Some body watching over me I guess it wasnt my time to go.  Last week I rode my brand new 2004 SEEG home frome the dealer for the 1st time since my accident.  It was the best ride Ive ever had, the bike is awesome.   I have greatly apprecited life and everything it has to offer and including riding my Harley Larry.  I thank the Lord and am happy all of me is here and still  working.  I also have 2 girls 22, and 26.  They encouraged me to keep riding.  I figure the samd thing could happen walking across the street, riding a bicycle or being is a car accident.  We dont have control over that if we have a clear sound mind.      Hang in there!   Happy Jack [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]  [smiley=blush.gif]

[smitty_01]

Happy Jack,
Glad to hear everything worked out for you.  Glad to hear you love your new bike.  I'm still waiting to get my FXDWG2 out for the year.  The weather here in Pa still sucks.  I think I'm going to get some pictures together to post on the site.  Really enjoying reading everything on the site and glad I found it.  I hope everybody has a safe riding season.  Talk to ya later!  Larry

[SPIDERMAN]

skull     getting back on a bike after a crash is a very personal thing     everyone reacts differently to that feeling of hopelessness you experince as you are going down and realizing that you're no longer in control  don't know what to say to you man except the old adage about gettin back on the horse the longer you wait the harder it is  I am 52 and been ridin since I was 13. Had more crashes than I care to remember when I was young and dumb and full of - - - - anyway, I hadn't had one in 21 years till this past June and I went down at 70 mph on a superhighway. A Flat tire caused it which wasn't my fault, but still I wondered, my first day back in the saddle was hairy and even now, 4 months later it crosses my mind in heavy traffic or when the old lady's on the back  bottom line though man is that I can't imagine life without ridin  Vaya con Dios man, that's all you can do

[JCZ]

I don't know how I missed this thread back in April.......must have been the pain meds.

My story is posted on this site somewhere, from my accident last year, in May.  I was busted up real bad......whole left side of body....jaw, arm, pelvis, leg.  Two months in the hospital eight surgeries later, four months in the wheelchair, etc.  Then, I spent a small fortune buying a good size boat (34' OAL) on a 3 axel trailer and a 1 ton dually to pull it.....thought I was going to give up motorcycleing.  

I had been down several times over the years, busted leg and go home.....busted coller bone and go home....but this was the first time that I was injured this bad, to where it disfigured and crippled me.  I really thought (for a minute) that I was done riding.....thought the message was clear to me.

Everytime I'd load that boat up (with the girls) and head down the river into the Sacramento Delta, I'd see the guys on their bikes riding on Hwy. 160 (it follows the full length of the river) and I knew that I wanted to be back up there.  Eventually, I had a talk with the wife (at 3:00 a.m. upon my return from Street Vibrations last year.....went in my truck still on crutches) and told her what was going on.

Her response:  If that's what you feel you need to do, go for it......the only thing I'd ask is that you never expect me to get on the back again and that you keep your life insurance paid up.

Well, I did both.......got my bike back, sold the boat and kept the dually........and now I'm single again. [smiley=nixweiss.gif]  Don't think the bike had anything with us getting the divorce......at least it was never mentioned.  It was civil and we still work together.

[geezerglide]

Skull,

Sorry about your accident.

Ialso was involved in an accident and I was extemely fortunate that I never go hurt when I slid down 1-5 in Oregon in May 05 at 70 MPH. Got caught up in a newly paved highway with new painted reflective white lines, right after a rain storm, caused me to go for a slide. Had protective clothing, leater pants, Cycloak GT Pro Kevlar/Goretex jacket and a helmet.

Bikes fairing, windshile oblitarated, handelabars and engine guards bent over CDN $12,700 damage to the bike. Cleaned up the scene, bough duct tape at NAPA and taped the bike back together, jumped back on bike (HDs are prertty robust) and drove 800 miles back to Calgary. Again lucky I had not been banged up.

I'll try and attach photo of bike with damage.

[WFP]

I don't know how I missed this thread back in April.......must have been the pain meds.

April 2004!

[Screamin]

April 2004!

Wasn't there a quote just a little while ago about JC getting old?? [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif]

[JCZ]

Wasn't there a quote just a little while ago about JC getting old?? [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif]

Yea and I just realized that was a month before my accident.  I'm really screwed up! [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif]