| Author | Message | ||
     Strokizator |
Back on the 14th, my buddy & I decided to take a tour of SW Utah, head over the Great Basin NP, try to find the Lunar Crater in Nevada and head for home. I talked him into towing our bikes to Vegas as there’s 400 mile of absolute nothing between there & Fresno. Friday morning, we left the Rio Hotel/Casino and rode north on I-15. Lots of congestion due to road work and morning commute. Made it through safely and turned off the freeway just north of Vegas for gas. Got back on and traffic was noticeably thinner. As I was going up the on ramp I saw one small car and gassed it a little so we didn’t meet up at the same spot at the same time. Took a look around and saw some traffic in front of me, nothing to the side or immediate rear. I cruised over to the center lane for a spell and then followed my buddy into the fast lane. As soon as I crossed the line my bike literally exploded. I went down hard. I remember thinking “Oh crap, what did I do? I just changed my tires, wheel bearings and threw on a new belt just before we left. Did I forget do tighten a pinch bolt? Did the axle come out? WTF?” All of this went through my mind in less than a half second. Weird how time slows down. Next thing I recall is I’m violently being slammed around and then sliding on the asphalt where I can hear my helmet grinding itself into oblivion (I remember thinking “That sound is my helmet and there’s no pain. It must be doing its job”). Eventually I hit the gravel median and begin to roll and roll and roll. I thought it would never stop (NHP measured it at 120 ft). I finally came to rest with my bike lying next to me. I’m on my back (it hurts like hell) but otherwise don’t seem to be too bad. I never lost consciousness. Almost immediately some guy comes running up and says “Dude, you just ran into my car!”. He told me he clipped my bike and sent me flying over his hood and then all hell broke loose. Luckily the guy behind him was a fireman/EMT on his way to work to they got help on the scene right away. NHP showed up and asked me what happened and I told him I had absolutely no idea. After he checked the scene he looked at me and said that it was my fault but he wasn’t going to site me. I thanked him for not pouring salt on the wounds, so to speak. The ride to the hospital, strapped to a wooden plank going through a construction zone, was tough. At the hospital they determined I had a busted right clavicle, four broken ribs and a bruised right lung. All I knew was that my back hurt like hell and would go into spasms which would almost cause me to pass out. They all commented on how remarkably unscathed I appeared after having gone down at 70 mph as they’ve all seen squids show up who crashed their R6’s wearing nothing but a helmet, shorts and a t-shirt. I checked out of UMC in Las Vegas on Sunday the 17th around noon and headed home in my truck with the bikes in the back. Went to work on Monday after seeing the doc who gave me a figure 8 brace for my collar bone plus some meds. A week later, my back doesn’t hurt so bad, the collar bone is coming along and I never felt the broken ribs at all. I’ve been sleeping in a recliner for over a week and that’s getting old. Last Friday I took the bike to Fresno HD/Buell because I wanted and expert opinion on the condition of the frame, etc. Plus I’ll not be in any condition to wrench on my bike for a few weeks at best. Got a call today from the service manager who says the bike looks like a total loss. Frame is bent, both wheels bent, lots of cosmetic damage, etc. Dang! So the reason for this long missive is not to elicit your sympathy but get a little advice. I loved my Uly but I have crashed twice now real hard and this bike together with years of dirt bike riding is really taking a toll on my soon-to-be 57 year old body. I’ve so much metal in me that it takes 10 minutes just to get through airport screening. My wife, God bless her soul, has said nothing even though I promised her my last crash would be my last or I would quit. I don’t want to think what life would be like without a Buell. I also have an ’08 Road Glide and have considered putting a side car on it but I still want to go to Alaska (looks like this year’s trip is canceled)and will need a bike for that. Any and all comments or suggestions are welcome. And please, please wear all your gear, all the time. Sucks to be me but it could be much worse. I believe the armor in my jacket (Fieldsheer jacket and pants)saved me from a broken back and possible paralysis. | ||
| Hughlysses |
John- Wow, what a story. Glad you are relatively OK. So, how the heck was this in any way your fault when the guy admitted he clipped your bike? I can't imagine giving up riding but I hear what you're saying. Maybe you just need to stay off the interstate? People drive like morons and it seems most of them do it there. Hey, the 2010 Buells will be announced in a few weeks. Chill out in the meantime, get your head together, and then see what Buell has to offer this year. Maybe they'll answer the question for you.  | ||
| Mike_dinger |
Dude, thank your lucky stars your alive to send out this post. Were i you, I would keep the promise made to my wife, as she is obviously ultra-supportive. I can't imagine giving up motorcycles, but i can't imagine giving up my wife either. Which holds more importance to you? Get yourself healed up, spend some time fishing, camping, other fun hobbies, and consider your family's feelings were you to cash out. buy a boat.  Good luck Sir! | ||
| Glen |
man that blows, glad yer ok. R.I.P to yer Uly... i dont see how you can blame the Uly for this, it was you who didnt check the lane.you woulda got ragdolled on any bike. cars are big, hard not to see em if yer lookin. buy another Uly and be more carefull. man i bet that crash woulda been TV worthy X1000  | ||
| Strokizator |
Yep, Glen you're right. After working my way through the construction zone I just relaxed my vigilance a little too much. The guy who clipped me must have been doing around 80 because he wasn't in the lane a moment before. I kick myself for not checking my mirrors. I was just so sure no one was there. I've some weeks to heal up so will be interested in seeing what's out there for 2010. Then again I've proven a time or two that I'm not a lucky guy. | ||
| Snojet |
Thanks for sharing your story. I'm glad that you are recovering and not disabled! Your tale has put riding with gear back into prospective. It's nice weather here (finally) and there are bikes everywhere. I would bet that there is only 1% of the people around here that have protective gear on when riding. I see people riding with just their regular street clothes on and sunglasses.  Sometimes, I just use the mirrors and think that I know where all the traffic is, this is a great reminder to always look over my shoulder when changing lanes. Get well and ride again!! (Message edited by snojet on May 27, 2009) (Message edited by snojet on May 27, 2009) | ||
| Bculy |
Thanks for taking the time to tell your story, Strokizator. I'm not sure how it was your fault if the car clipped you, but nevertheless, I am really glad it didn't turn out worse. It sounds like you have a really good attitude about it all and a very supportive wife. Good luck on your decision and the healing process! I don't have any advice for you, just sincere well wishes. | ||
| Court |
First, and foremost, thank goodness you came through as relatively unscathed as possible. Secondly, thanks for sharing one of the best written, I mean while reading that I WAS THERE, accounts of how quickly something can go wrong. You make a great case for proper gear. The best news I can share with you is that Buell has plenty of bikes . . . they are replaceable. Get yourself healed, tell your family you love them and take a couple deep breathes. Court My palms are sweating as I type this! | ||
| Old_wrench |
I served in Vietnam and know how your brain was working as you were rolling to a stop. You never know how slow time can travel until you are in a situation that you desperately want to get out of. Thank God that he helped you out of this one. | ||
| Ulynut |
Close one! I wouldn't blame you for hanging it up after that. Especially after promising your wife you would. Buying a boat isn't a bad idea. Lots of fun and the wife might enjoy it too. You can always get another Uly and park it at a friends house. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Then again I've proven a time or two that I'm not a lucky guy. Au contraire. Seems like you have proven yourself to be a VERY lucky guy!  | ||
| Svh |
I would say it definetly does not suck to be you. You are alive and kickin'! I am surprised how many people on here aren't understanding what happened to make it your "fault". I imagine it like this for those of you: You are driving along in the left lane with a motorcycle in the right lane. Suddenly the moto swerves into your car/lane and all hell breaks loose. After you are done crapping yourself thinking a motorcyclist just killed himself with my car you stop to find him alive and relatively ok. So the car was there in his lane when John lane changed into his bumper. I am truly happy that you came out of this ok as I am sure your family is too. Get another Uly... you know you want to. And an unfortunate thank you for the reminder to check over the shoulder before lane changing. I have been slacking on that lately. Get well soon | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Lucky that you are still with the breathing. You really need to have your head in the game at all times and when you don't the law of averages always catches you. Don't give up biking, just pay more attention while you are on the bike. These crazy things can happen to anybody but as we teach in the MSF, there are no accidents, only things that could have been avoided if we just pay attention 100% of the time. Hopefully I can live up to that myself because at times I've found my mind drifting and it scares the heck out of me when I snap back to the present. | ||
| Crusty |
It sounds like the car was sitting in your blind spot. I try to always look over my shoulder for just that reason. I commute daily in rush hour traffic, and I've been surprised many times by a car sitting in my blind spot when I looked just prior to changing lanes. I'm glad you're going to be O.K. | ||
| Woodreaux |
Glad you are okay and prayers for a speedy recovery. | ||
| Mad_doctor |
I'm Glad you made it through that alive. It certainly sounds like someone up there likes you. I usually get asked, "doesn't all that gear get hot"? Once you have been on the pavement, (over 100 MPH, in my case), you don't forget!!! I'm glad you had GOOD gear on. Some people go for the cheap stuff, which is better than none, but you are only protecting yourself. Don't be afraid to get back on, just talk it over with your family, they are the ones that will have a hard time with it. damhik. Take Care, Tim | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
The sucky: Loss of the Uly The good: The survival of a pretty severe crash. There are times when I think "geez, this is a lot of hot sweaty gear to strap on just to go for a ride". Then, I read stories like this and the other side of my brain takes over and I strap it on with a smile. | ||
| Court |
I hate to sound like a professional safety guy but I'd love to give you a bit of time to recover then continue this discussion and see if between a couple of the very experienced folks like Crusty, Neil (CCRyder) and a couple folks, if we can do a sort of root cause analysis and see if we can pin down the point where this went from ugly to irreversible. Frankly . . . I am still cheering the fact you came through unscathed. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I'd say the point at which his ass was separated from the seat by the car hood was the point at which it went from ugly to irreversible. | ||
| California |
Sort of an off the wall suggestion....... If you seriously want to go to Alaska, and the idea of a side car somewhat appeals to you, I'm going to recommend you get yourself to the nearest Ural dealer! Get a 2wd model, and have a wonderful trip! | ||
| Nwforester |
John - glad to hear you are OK - I agree on the gear, convinced it is the reason I am here typing this. I went through the wife not wanting me to ride again, time and patience seem to have prevailed I have had Uly #2 for 2+ months - I think my incident with a truck made me a safer and better rider (not to mention all the real cool images of smashed bones I have!) | ||
| Hooper |
I'll add to it...first to say that that I'm really glad it wasn't worse, second to say that it was a riveting telling, third to say that I agree that the gear made the difference, and fourth to say that you may well ride again. I "tripped" over a deer on my Uly going about 55mph, and barely remember the time flying through the air. Your description of the slide is really familiar. I ended up landing just right (mostly on my hip and back) to prevent injury beyond sore muscles and ribs and a nasty cut. I had a lot of the same questions about whether I should ride again. I could go on and on (and I did in my own post-ride post) about it, but I think it came down to my understanding of what really happened. A herd of deer rain out of a copse of trees at the last second and I hit one. What were the odds? what are the odds it will happen again, happen at that speed, happen in winter when I was wearing many extra layers? What I DO know is that I was wearing armored-everything, full-face everything, everything-everything. My gear was trashed, and I keep it in my basement to look at it and remember how lucky I am (along with one of the antlers), and what good gear is worth. I read stories like yours - rather than avoid them like they're bad luck or too scary - to remind me of what I can do to avoid things in the future...AND REDUCE THE ODDS. I love the Pacino quote in the movie "Heat": "You can get killed walkin' your DOGGIE!" You gotta' reduce the odds. We do that by riding safe, being aware, wearing the right gear, etc. My girlfriend at the time (she's now my ex-girlfriend and almost my ex-fiancee because I'm marrying her in 43 hours) was really upset - we had just met a few months before - but about 45 days later she was on the back of my rented Electra Glide rolling down Big Sur for three days. She trusted me. She's still iffy about me and bikes, and we rarely ride together, but if she gave me the ultimatum: me or the bikes...I'd get one of those Can-Am Spyder three-wheelers! Powerboats? Too expensive. Sailboats? Too expensive, and I have a feeling I'm going to inherit a couple from my parents someday. My favorite description of sailing is like standing in a cold shower in all your rain gear while tearing up $100 bills. Anyway, I digress. The deer was a freak accident - it couldn't have been prevented. Ask frickin' Matt frickin' Lauer. But what I want to always be good at is seeing/anticipating that car switching lanes, resisting my aggressiveness in heavy and idiot-filled traffic, watching road conditions/obstacles like a hawk, and improving my cornering ability so I never cross that double-yellow in a curve. That's because I REALLY want to ride until I'm an old dude and choose for myself when I stop. I healed up from that crash, fixed the bike (they didn't total it, but I replaced a ton of stuff, including the frame), and eased back into it. I also never told my family members about it. I've only told a few close friends, and they're less than pleased. But they don't quite understand, do they. Take your time, build your skills, choose your rides, and ease back in. If it's right. If it's in your blood, it'll be hard to get it out. | ||
| Tginnh |
I'm glad you are relatively ok given the severity of your crash. Thank you for reminding me why I wear all my gear all the time. | ||
| Etennuly |
+ ATGATT. I have been so close to doing the same thing more than once. I make every effort to turn my head to make sure that spot is clear. I have seen that exact scenario. It is clear in the mirror, quick look back, turn on signal, quick look at traffic in front, as I move left, BEEP! Car horn(thank goodness) as the car coming up was running about 90 in a 55 zone. We shared the lane for the split seconds it took me to redirect. Do you wear Bi-focal glasses. I find the blend area sometimes tend to hide(or move) things when turning my eyes to check blind spots. | ||
| Strokizator |
Thanks for the tip - I do wear bifocal sunglasses. In this case though, I just plain didn't look. Don't know why but I didn't. I talked with my wife regarding this last crash and my promise to her. I told her that if she wants me to give up motorcycles, then I will insist on a new hobby - NOONERS.  Should be getting a new bike in July or August. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Space/Time continuum problem. Two objects with mass cannot occupy the same space at the exact same time without a black hole forming. | ||
| Jphish |
Strok' - First of all, GLAD your OK! So you made an error, albeit a pretty serious one, but lived through it. I had a similar slow motion nightmare involving a highspeed dismount over a jersey barrier. Waited out my fear and internal arguments and then bought the Uly. We learn from our mistakes and I believe are better riders as a result...though the lessons are risky & expensive, and ya don't want to use that method too often. My full riding gear was trashed from bottom of my boots to top of modular helmet. But as the trooper said to me - "you're walking away from a crash that kills or maims most - you may not be lucky, but you are a smart rider....other than not doing a full head turn to see whats about to be in your lane of travel." I got new gear - the old stuff was getting a bit gamey anyway. I never leave the drive way without it. Thats the 'deal' with my wife (she also made me enroll in the 'remedial' intermediate MC course) So - Kudo's to you for common sense, Now heal, and think about Court's root cause analysis option. Good way to know exactly why it went from bad to worse in a few microseconds. Don't ever trust the other drivers - even when you make eye contact - ride like they all want to kill you. Read the HURT report - good reminder. Be well. j | ||
| Pso |
Stroke-Glad your ok-As Hooper says I found best to ease back after a car turned left into me, I had slight adrenalan reaction for months after when a car was at a stop waiting to make a left, fight or flight reaction subsided with time.Worked on a minor systematic desensitization program for self. O and my fiance' would have taken the NOONER Option. |
