| Author | Message | ||
     Bttrthnwrk |
I guess my Ulysses days are over, unless Buell manages to come up with something similar before I finish healing. On April 7, my Buell and I parted ways on a 65 mph country road just north of Coolidge, AZ. I have no idea what happened from sometime before the crash until the EMT's were putting me into the ambulance for the ride to the trauma center in Phoenix. It's just one big blank spot. My wife spoke to the AZ Highway Patrol office who found me, and at least got part of the story - he was driving by and saw my Uly off the side of the road. He stopped to investigate and so found me. No witnesses called anything in, no nothing. Condsidering how fast that road is, it's probably just as well that I don't remember what happened. Anyway, thanks to my helmet (HJC modular), gear (FirstGear fabrics), gloves (Roadgear leather/Outlast) and boots, I only had 12 or 13 broken bones. I guess I bounced a lot... In all, I was in ICU at the Phoenix hospital for a week and a half. Then my wife got me into a Rehab hospital here in Tucson (my home town) for another week and a half. Those folks in the Rehab hospital sure do good work. 3 hours a day of just as much workout as you can stand. Good stuff! Bike's totalled - tank's cracked, bashed, and generally abused, the front end is now a lot of tinsel, and even the hardbags are pretty torn up, with 2 of the lids torn off the hardcase bodies, which in turn were all torn off the bike itself. Just before the 60k service, too. Still got my 'Zuki cruiser (M50) with about 45k miles on it. Right now it's covered up, but some time in the coming year I'll be taking that one out. I have to get out of the neck brace and this stinking hand/wrist splint first, of course. That's another month and a half before the neck brace will be gone. I've been looking over what's available out there. The Duc Diavel caught my eye, but I've already got a cruiser. I'm thinking about something in the 800-900 cc range this time. The BMW G800 and F650 and F800 bikes all sound okay, as do some of the Duc's (let's face it, the Multistrada 1200 bikes sound IDEAL! I've also ridden the Triumph Tiger 800's and really liked them, too. I'mgoing to want a new bike, though. I'm not a big fan of used. My wife, of course, assumes I'll never want to climb on a bike again. Oh well, I'll just have to clear that hurdle when I get to it. Enjoy, and be carefuller than I was, whatever it was I did or didn't do. | ||
| Buellerxt |
Thanks for posting, Bttrthnwrk, and I'm sorry you are going through this. I like your attitude though!  I've wondered how long I could be left injured, in a ditch, or down a cliff, on some of my rides and one that comes to mind is in Arizona! One of my FAVORITE rides in the U.S. is from the junction of 93 south and 71 going to Congress, Prescott, Cottonwood, Jerome, Sedona, and up through Walnut Canyon to Flagstaff before heading to the Grand Canyon, Tuba City, Kayenta, etc. I love that ride and have done it a number of times but on the route before Prescott the roads can empty, the roads can twist, and the drops can be severe. That road made me plan for the 'they won't find me' scenario! Sorry to get so windy but I'm glad they found you and I'm glad they got you to a quality hospital. Time flies my friend. You'll be riding before you know it. The VERY BEST to you. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Bttrthnwrk, glad you had the proper gear and that you were found and are healing. "I've wondered how long I could be left injured, in a ditch, or down a cliff" Me, too Buellerxt. There's some twisty roads not too far from where I live in FL that run next to swampland that I will sometimes ride alone. The "what happens if" thought has crossed my mind more than once. Same thing in MN, but the difference is I've ridden for hours occasionally without seeing another person, and even though I feel relatively prepared always, as this story illustrates, stuff happens. Just curious, what is your "they won't find me" scenario plan? Heal quick, Bttrthnwrk, and feel confident that when the time is right, and you find the correct next bike, you will know it. BeLinda. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Heal fast, and follow the PT's instructions. They got me through my mess back in '08, I owe it all to them. Be glad your brain didn't file any of the information from the wreck. Mine locked out about 16 days...I'm guessing there's a good reason, so I've given up trying to figure it out. I just continue to live, happy to be able to do so. Good on ATGATT, don't forget to pace yourself, and keep pluggin' along! | ||
| Etennuly |
Wow. What a story. I'm glad you were found, and that you are going to heal up. Was the patrol car out there by request to find you, or just a random happened along thing? I have known Ratbuell for a several years now. If they can fix that mess  , you'll do fine !Did you know there was a nation wide shortage of titanium in the US in 2009? He said he won't give it back either! | ||
| Billy_bee |
Godspeed on your ongoing recovery. Your story has me wondering if there may have been some mechanical failure that caused the crash? Every day I open up this forum to some new problem with the Uly. I do think it is a great bike, but I have lost some faith in mine. About your next bike...I was talking to the the west coast sales manager from Ducati. I said something about the Diavel being a cruiser and he stopped me cold. He says that is a classification the press gave to the bike. And i have to admit is is more of a muscle bike than a cruiser...along the lines if a vmax, I suppose. It is growing on me... Bill | ||
| Paul56 |
Rich- your story is eerily similar to mine, but I had less severe injuries and fast healing. I hope for the same for you. It is so strange to have a chunk of time erased from your memory. Best of luck with the therapy and "the talk" you'll eventually have with your wife. I was absolutely dreading mine, but it turned out alright- still riding and still married! | ||
| Dcc46 |
Get Well Soon | ||
| Dr_greg |
Long story short: I've had many crashes, concussions, 11 major fractures (e.g. femur, neck), longest memory loss TWO WEEKS, etc. And I'm still riding, AND SO WILL YOU BE!! Good thing we're durable. Anyway, I can give you my opinion on the MTS1200S: amazing bike, everything they say it is, but be prepared to abandon the nice DIY maintenance you've enjoyed on the Uly. Take care and maybe we'll meet some day (I'm in NM). --Doc | ||
| Teeps |
Is anyone investigating the bike to try to figure out what happened? Ask someone check the rear isolator mount. When the rear isolator breaks, free from the engine/trans, the bike makes an uncontrolled turn... | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Glad you are alive to ride another day. Maybe you blacked out and that caused the crash. | ||
| Buellerxt |
Fltwistygirl, my great 'they won't find me' scenario or plan? lol I started keeping my cell phone on my person and not in a saddlebag or tank bag, like I used to do, in case I'm separated from the bike and can't get to it! Not much improvement, for sure, especially given spotty cell service in remote locations, but it gives me a little better shot! Now, in those Florida swamps maybe a waterproof cell phone would help! J/K. I guess another 'improvement' I made is to turn it down a notch in remote areas, despite the pull to enjoy great roads to the max, and I bet you do the same. As for help against the scenario Bttrthnwrk faced, ATGATT as you said!!! | ||
| Motorfish |
Sorry to hear of your mishap, Bttrthnwrk. Glad to hear you will be ok, and have the urge to ride. It`s a sickness, we have. Here`s to a quick recovery. | ||
| Bttrthnwrk |
Thanks for the thoughts, folks. I'm about out of here now, but I'll try to answer a few questions first. First, the AZ Highway Patrolman who found me was just out on his normal patrol rounds and noticed my bike off the side of the road. I'm sure glad he's sharp-eyed. I'm certainly hoping I never remember what happened - I have no wish to remember all the hits I must have taken to wind up with 12 or 13 broken bones. The trauma folks in the Phoenix hospital finally found 12 breaks, but I'm morally certain (okay, painfully certain) that there was a broken rib they overlooked on my right side in front. The bike itself had been running and riding perfectly for many miles. I'd just put in a new battery, so even the start-ups were going well. Both my sons checked out the bike in the impound yard, and everything from the engine on back was pretty much okay - no loose danglers, hanging stuff, etc. They said that bike must have been built like a tank - they couldn't believe the back half was okay. Bags were torn off and pretty mangled, though. My family and friends all have their pet theories about what happened. They range from someone passing me and forcing me off the road when they cut back over, to someone in my lane passing another car as they were coming towards me (two lane blacktop road) and thus forcing me off the road. The "roadkill" thump-a-bump is my youngest son's favorite. Someone even suggested something called "dry lightning", although I never got a good explanation of what that was, so it's pretty iffy in my mind. At least blackouts aren't something I ever remember having (assuming I'd know, of course). My personal feeling is that I was a victim of the 3 F's. There I was, just innocently riding along and suddenly, out of the blue, the Fickle Finger of Fate comes to rest on my head, intoning the words, "It's your turn now, ace." And FLICK, off the road I go... As for "the talk" with my wife, yeah, we'll work through it. Anyway, I wanted to thank all of you for all the help this board has provided (which means that you folks have provided) over the years. So, thanks and good luck! | ||
| Rdkingryder |
Good luck to you and a speedy recovery. | ||
| Eulysses |
Wow! Just saw this. You never know when you are gonna get it. I guess if you did you might avoid it, huh? Never had more than bruises yet...but I did have crash like that on a bicycle around 12 years old. Took me a long time to figure out what happened. Forks bet back into the frame. I was bombing down and out of a friend's driveway and...I wake up with yellow...yeah, yellow. All I could see. Thought I was in hell...yellow. Then I heard my mom's voice. What was Mom doing in hell? Started to dawn on me...then they took the yellow blanket off my face...which had hit the pavement first. Pretty messy. Dad was ER doc and I ended up hospitalized for a few days...lots of scrubbing and attaching things back together. He later said he thought he was going to lose me. Ok...this is what I figured out later (I thought I hit or got hit by someone). My gym bag must have slipped down in the spokes ahead of the fork and jammed the front tire causing me to head out over the front (adding weight and increasing stopping power) like a bullet. Sheesh. Maybe something like that BTW? Get well soon buddy. Love your attitude. Hope it is more than just the good drugs  | ||
| Orangeulius |
Similar thing happened to my neighbor. Broken ribs and collarbone plus no memory of the event. I'm thinking space aliens. Seriously, glad to hear your ok. Makes me think twice about riding alone. Heal fast, stay happy. Life's good, enjoy. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Have the talk with your wife, sooner rather than later. I had 2 head injuries along with my physical stuff, so that added a whole new layer of fun to the recovery. I suspect if I'd talked more with my wife about it, instead of trying to just "fix myself without burdening her", she wouldn't have made some of the decisions that she made, leading to her becoming the ex-wife. Don't be afraid to ask for help. And, since you're sitting here reading and typing, the 3 F's were WRONG - it's NOT your time yet!! (or depending on your perspective...it IS your time to start living, and stop missing or passing on those opportunities that present themselves but we say "eh....maybe next time"). Good luck, and take care! | ||
| Idaho_buelly |
"And, since you're sitting here reading and typing, the 3 F's were WRONG - it's NOT your time yet!! (or depending on your perspective...it IS your time to start living, and stop missing or passing on those opportunities that present themselves but we say "eh....maybe next time")."  | ||
| Itileman |
Bttr - Just tuned in and read your post. Know how you feel. I made the mistake of selling my Uly last July to get something that would take me further off road (Kawi 250 KLS). Went for a ride in the Bitterroot Mountains in western MT on the 15th. Woke up about 8 days later in the ICU ward in Billings. Concussion and 9 broken bones, 8 of them ribs. Don't remember a thing. Took me 3 weeks to remember that I had bought the Kawi. 3 weeks total in the hospital + 7 months sitting on my azz at home. Lost the use of my right arm for a while due to hyper-extended nerves. Started to work it out and am now up to about 50% strength in the bicep which had been hanging loose under my arm. Should be near 75% soon, which will most likely be the max I'll get out of it. Don't heal so fast at my age (67). May not be able to ride again due to the blunt force trauma that tore my aorta. Would have been better off if I could have slid, but stopped it dead from about 45 mph in less than 20 feet in some rocks still under the bike. Accident was a 95% fatality stunt. Was riding full ATTGAT as I always did and being in really good physical shape is what kept me alive. The vascular surgeon did a fantastic job of stenting the aorta as it was a complicated procedure given where the tear was. Family is not in favor of me on two wheels again, but it's still up to me if I go again. Won't be on a Kawi though. Giving serious thought to tracking down my old Uly and buying it back once I recover more physically and economically. Blunt force trauma and 8 months of not working is not the best of times. One of my therapy doc's advice was "suck it up, it's gonna hurt for a while." He wasn't kidding. Get well soon. | ||
| Buellerxt |
Wow, Itileman! I'm glad you're still with us, pardner. I remember you well and was sorry to see you sell your Uly. I especially remember you slipping and sliding down mud roads and folks helping you get out of there. This one, of course, was a much worse experience, ten fold. Heal up and if you rejoin us, which I hope you do, take it E-A-S-Y, please. The very best to you. | ||
| Eulysses |
Sheesh Itileman! I wondered what happened after you sold the red Uly. I remember the pics of your trip in the mountains...that is why we ride dirt bikes in MT...so beautiful and accessible. Like me I think you suffer from testosterone poisoning. Once you figure a line...that right hand starts twisting the grip... Sorry hear but glad you are still with us. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Holy moley, Itileman. What a story. Another testament to wearing the proper gear, always. Summertime heat being what it is, there's always an excuse to not wear everything. Glad to hear you are on the mend. B. | ||
| Itileman |
Thanks all for the kind comments. Don't mean to hijack Bttr's thread. Will be riding again by next spring. As much as I look at other rides, I can't get the Uly off my list. Hang in there Bttr, it gets better. (Message edited by itileman on May 28, 2012) (Message edited by itileman on May 28, 2012) (Message edited by itileman on May 28, 2012) | ||
| Hun |
All sympathy and condolences. Remember it's the scratches and bruises and bumps of life that tell the best stories afterwards. Speedy recovery! | ||
| Buellerxt |
Itileman, do you think a Leatt neck brace, or some other brand, would have helped protect your aorta, or not? Just curious but I am thinking more and more about a Leatt STX neck brace after seeing quite a few folks being paralyzed in 'road' bike wrecks. Off road I believe is even worse, especially for motocross and riskier rides, like you seem to 'used' to like to take! With the roads getting increasingly more crowded and 'distracted driver' becoming a common road occupant I have lost faith in drivers and want to safeguard withing reason. (Message edited by buellerxt on May 29, 2012) | ||
| Itileman |
The aorta tear was from blunt force trauma and rib flail (ribs broken in more than one place allow the heart to move more than it should}. What happens is that the heart essentially slams into the chest cavity like a bag of groceries on the front seat would hit the dash in a sudden stop. I can see the use of a neck brace and like the idea. Not going to do much for blunt force injuries. I think a set of off road type gear/armor that goes on like football gear would have helped to cushion things. I was wearing a very good Rev-it jacket, but it did not have chest padding. The large spine pad did a lot to protect me. Wouldn't want to see what would have happened without it. CE rated and there were dents in it where some ribs broke a few inches from my spine. Interesting note though, I did not have a single mark on me. Helmet did its job - Vemar carbon fiber.  | ||
| Hooper |
Glad you're more-or-less okay, and thanks for sharing the story...it's one of the ways we all learn and become better, safer riders. I had my big accident too, about three years ago, when I hit a deer. Lots of luck was involved, and I ended up mainly just sore, plus a deep puncture wound in my thigh. I had just started dating my now-wife, so she was a bit freaked out. She went on a couple more rides with me after that, but none since we got married. Her anti-bike stance has been increasing ever since, but she knows she won't put her foot down. She says she might go on short day rides with me again, but it hasn't happened. So, to alleviate that, I've ramped up my safety initiatives: - I ONLY wear ATGATT (even on the Harley when it just doesn't "feel" right), even in summer. That means armored boots and fully-armored gauntlets. I spent a lot on a perforated leather jacket with full armor for the warmer months - the wife had no problem with that, and the leather makes me feel safer. - I've added a neon vest to the outfit. - I wear a SPOT satellite tracker on my arm and hit the "I'm OK" button ever 45 minutes or so if I'm out for longer than an hour or going to rural areas - it sends an email to my wife's phone with a Google map link, showing her generally where I am. It also has the "I'm OK - send a towtruck to my location" button, and the "SEND EVERYONE" button. That one actually links to the emergency response dispatch system. She likes the SPOT a lot, and that allows me to enjoy my ride more. - I'll most likely be adding more lights and reflectors. It reminds me of when I was a fairly new rider and saw a TV show that said you should keep a whistle on your jacket, just in case you crash off the road and need to attract help. I was on a ride in Arizona and dumped my rented Road King on a sandy part of the Apache Trail. I was freaking out about whether the rental shop would keep the crash on their records and prevent me from renting from them again. My riding buddy said, "No, they're just going to make you ride while blowing that whistle at all times." Get well soon! (Message edited by Hooper on June 01, 2012) | ||
| Buellerxt |
Thanks for sharing that, Hooper. My wife is afraid of bikes as well but very supportive, though concerned. I fully understand her and your wife. I like hearing that you both work to find the right fit! Very cool. I've ridden for over 40 years and sometimes marvel at the differences between how I rode in the 60's and how I ride now, protection wise. I'm much like you but I haven't gotten the 'Spot'. I've heard of it but . . . With SO many distracted drivers, almost all of them, we have to be ready to be taken out. Hopefully not if we ride smart but it could happen at any time with drivers paying NO attention to their primary task, driving! Best to you. | ||
| Itileman |
I was lucky in that someone had seen me go down and called it in. My ICE card came in handy to ruin my wife's vacation that week I was scheduled to be out riding - Montana 1k and WestFest with ADVriders. Some Buellers in that crowd. Think I'll be spending more $$$ on gear than a replacement bike next year. |
