KymcoForum.com
General => Roadcraft => Topic started by: houndguy on February 16, 2014, 08:45:00 PM
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:-\ Well without giving to much detail away (things are still pending), :-X I went down over a month ago. My bike was banged up, I was banged up. Now I am getting to the point in my life with my bike is being fixed and the doctor should be releasing me to ride somewhere in the new future.
Problem is....I'm not sure I want to any more. I've been asking myself lately if the risk is worth the rewards that riding brings?
So I'm curious...if you went down hard, what did you do to get back up?
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Hey, Houndguy -
I didn't go down hard, but I was hit head-on by a drunk driver in a pickup and was able to jump off at the last second. Scared the crap out of me, but I had only been riding for 4 months at that point, and I was determined that some dumba$$ drunk was not going to keep me off of my ride. The scooter was totaled, but insurance (amazingly) paid for its replacement cost. I just got pissed off at the turd and decided the best thing for me to do was to not let one accident keep me from enjoying the freedom of riding my scooter. If I was in a car accident, I wouldn't give up driving, so I'm not going to give up riding for the same reason. Don't know if that helps you in your case, but for me, determination was the key to getting back into the game. I sincerely hope you are healing well and there are no lasting effects.
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Dear Hound....
Is it possible to make changes to how you use your scooter - would you be willing to change where and when you ride your scooter - and still find enjoyment?
As much as I'd like to, I do not regularly ride out in city traffic for leisure purposes.
It is much less stressful for me to limit much of my extra riding to early mornings on less traveled roads. I still commute to work - but it is so much more relaxing to find areas to ride away from heavy traffic. I operate a car very carefully - and I am hyper alert when on the scoot - which is not relaxing in traffic. So, I find other ways to enjoy owning and riding a scooter - with so much less drama!
It is a shame that we cannot ride a scooter without having cars threatening us - but it is a fact which cannot be changed - so, I change my thinking, which is all I have control over.
You'll make the correct decision for you.
Regards, Stig
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..ya just gotta get back on hound...I was forced off the road at 50 mph..threw me about 30ft when the scoot broadsided ...luckily I landed in a honeysuckle vine...I actually got back on then, and rode the remaining7 miles home.....admittedly, I was a bit nervous after I healed, about getting back on the road. However, each day of scooting became easier as time passed....
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Sorry to hear about that, Houndguy. I haven't crashed since I was 16 and that was in the dirt so can't really relate, but have had two near misses and getting back on was a head game. I feel your pain.
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and getting back on was a head game.
..yes, it is....
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Dear Hounguy,
So sorry to hear about your accident. I agree with Stig. Modifying where and when you ride might work. I'm not that far from you and have found many country roads to travel. One can never be totally safe when in or on any vehicle. I hope you decide to ride again and continue your blog. It's quite enjoyable. Whatever you decide to do our best wishes are with you.
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You got me to thinking about why I got back on......first was first day with new first motorcycle-my fault: unconscious of road surface. Second was four years later, same bike-my fault: same back tire worn square in a turn with water on the surface-unconscious of road surface. The first event was there was no way I was gonna abandon a new bike after I had made the decision to buy it, chalk it up to experience. Hey, I was 18-19 and indestructible. The second was clearly my inattention to tire condition and road surface. I could and did fix these. The main reason was I still wanted to ride regardless. I have had guns pulled on me, stuff thrown at me from opposing traffic (and hit), been hit glancing blows by cars, been faced with people swerving into my lane just to watch me chicken out for laughs and coped with some of my poor decisions to ride in bad weather. I learned from every event and studied how not to repeat any of them. My priority was I wanted to ride.
I lost interest after nearly 20 years of riding and getting a company car and other reasons. I just decided not to ride. Then about 25 years or so later the new breed of scooters caught my eye, OUR eye and we started riding again. Today, I would rather ride than eat and I can eat pretty well! I do not know if I could survive as severe a crash as some of you have but right now, I want to ride and I will as long as I can.
So, Hound, it is your decision for your reasons. I think we will all support you whatever your decision may be. Whether you ride or not, we will appreciate your input here.
Karl
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Sorry to hear about that Houndguy... maybe it's just a matter of how deep your desire to ride is... I've seen people who have lost their limbs but still ride because they want to... it's your call Houndguy... and nobody can change your mind... If you're talking about the risks, everything in life are risks... crossing the street, eating a steak, even sleeping... if and when your time comes... it will... no matter how careful you are... Ride safe!
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Hound Dog,
One year ago today, a truck cut in front of me. It was either hit the truck at 20 MPH or brake real hard and hoped that I didn't hit the truck. I missed the truck but I laid my scooter down and cracked 4 Ribs. After the accident, I did get back up on my scooter and rode home. I lived about a 1.5 miles from the accident. That night, I decided it was worth it to continue riding. So after 6 weeks, I started riding again but a little bit more cautious.
But again the decision is yours to make.
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Last May 21st. I work nights at 10 mins till 10 I struck a Raccoon and went down hard broken collar bone broken scapula 8 broken ribs two which still wont knit and a punctured lung. I was wearing an armor jacket boots new HJC CL Max 2 helmet and gloves it was a two lane road so after checking on the important things fingers, toes, neck all worked fine and had good feeling I did a quick assessment and decided the middle of a lane was not the best position to be in so tried to get up and that's when I felt the scapula crackling around so crawled off of the pavement and waited for someone to come along.
Nice lady stopped saw me and asked if she could help yes I replied call 911. the ambulance ride sucked SOB hit every bump in road. I didn't realize how bad it was until the ER doc looked over the xrays and asked me if I had a helmet on, since I was the first person living with these injuries. sobering On thursday Finally had surgery for collarbone nothing else. four weeks later went to surgeons for evaluation he saw our jackets and helmets and told me I was healed and get out.
So we have been riding since all summer the bike suffered very little damage from the ordeal and have put a little over 5,000 miles on it since then One item I did add was a much brighter headlamp a 55 watt HID unit from http://www.ddmtuning.com/Product-Categories/Motorcycle-HID-Kits-Lighting (http://www.ddmtuning.com/Product-Categories/Motorcycle-HID-Kits-Lighting) The kits are cheap but the shipping sucks. I am mostly healed but very leery of little animals darting into the roadway.
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After today I guess I can join this. Cleaned up my scoot and rebuilt my carb last night plus fixed many other small issues. This morning on the way to meet a friend I hit loose gravel and flew off my bike at about 35 mph (I didnt mean to go this fast on gravel but I didnt seen the gravel its was on a bit of a hill). Got up as I saw people running towards me and tossed of my jacket, helmet, and got off the road. Made sure all my body parts were intact and that there was no major bleeding. A man helped me with my bike and lent me a phone to call a friend to help. My plans on riding home were shattered when I noticed all me work on the bike was ruined it wouldnt and still wont start. I dont consider this going down to hard I just messed up my hand, knee and me left side. I guess ill just get up and start riding again as soon as possible. I look at it this way s*** happens and I cant stop that but i cant let that stop me.
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Joebro, have you been to the MSF riding class yet? I do believe you are kinda new to the two-wheel sport, right?
Karl
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Yeah CROSSBOLT I am kinda new. I was planning on taking it soon, but havent yet.
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..holy crap! joe!!
..you okay? bro!!
:o
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x2 on the MSF rider course being a good thing.
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...what is this course?
..ive never heard of it....
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Yep wordslinger I am ok. Luckily i only got minor injuries to me left knee, side, and hands. Gotta get another leather jacket and some paint though. As another plus I got the S9 to start back up. :)
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...what is this course?
..ive never heard of it....
Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider safety course. Four hours on Friday night, then all day Saturday. In many states, if you take this course, you don't have to take the rider's test when applying for a motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license. They teach some critical riding skills about maneuvering, braking, obstacle avoidance, etc. Very good course to take when just starting out; that way you learn the correct riding habits from the get-go. They let us ride our scooters when we took the course (newbie riders), so it was a lot of extra seat time practicing on our scoots - a definite plus.
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MSF rider course:
http://online2.msf-usa.org/msf/Default.aspx#&panel1-2 (http://online2.msf-usa.org/msf/Default.aspx#&panel1-2)
There is a scooter specific course available in Wisconsin offered about once a month.
My boys learning to ride:
(http://i59.tinypic.com/20p7rkp.jpg)
Take the course and you'll be doing this in no time:
(http://i43.tinypic.com/15cjd6s.jpg)
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Yep wordslinger I am ok. Luckily i only got minor injuries to me left knee, side, and hands. Gotta get another leather jacket and some paint though. As another plus I got the S9 to start back up. :)
...woop-woop!! ..glad ur okay!!
8)
..and that course is an awesome idea if you've never ridden very much!!
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Back in the spring of 98' I crashed my dirtbike hard enough to break my leg badly.. That fall I was back in the dirt, although riding more carefully..
Desire to ride is in your heart.. Listen to it.. But.......
A guy I know has crashed more motorcycles than I care to count, but he won't quit. Not sure if it's in his head as a cool factor or if he really has that desire to ride, but he continues to buy another (and then crash it). Luckily, he hasn't hurt himself badly. Another friend of mine has crashed badly, twice, and he's not riding anymore..
It's up to the guy holding the handlebars. You don't have to ride..
And take the MSF courses.. For those in IL, remember that they're FREE!!! Well, kinda free.. The extra money we pay for a motorcycle license plate pays for the classes.. Take the classes (BRC and ERC) and become a better rider, and get an insurance break while you're at it. :) Since I'm insuring and plating 7 motorcycles, I'm paying for several new riders every year.. Take advantage of the system!! Please!!! I hate seeing motorcycle accidents in the paper, and I hate non-riders having to tell me about bike accidents, too.. (90% are due to alcohol, and most aren't wearing any gear, either)
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In my country, there is no such thing as a riding course.... If you can afford to buy a motorbike, you can get a license and ride!
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In my country, there is no such thing as a riding course.... If you can afford to buy a motorbike, you can get a license and ride!
At least you guys all wear helmets....here it's your fav doo-Ragg....I'm going to tape a grocery bag over my helmet and see how many waves I get!
Stig's out shopping.......
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That's for sure.. I'm an hour from Milwaukee, and the area is loaded with "Lifestyle" riders..
Doo-raggs and leather.. And they look at me weird because I'm wearing Aerostich gear and a dual sport helmet. :)
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Mr Houndguy,
Hope you are doing well.
If you'd like to share - what did you decide?
Stig
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I learned to ride on dirt bikes. We rode all over fields and pastures and crashing was kind of a way of life, but I was 15, 16 years old. I did learn the value of helmets, jackets, gloves, and boots though. Then when in college, I was riding home one night on a 650 Midnight Special - a rather light bike. I noticed I was doing about 90 and nearly soiled myself. Sold the bike a week later. I did not ride again for 28 years - partly because I agreed to not ride until my kids were adults. But I always missed it and my wife could see and hear my longing. Finally took the MSF riding course and bought a scooter 2 years ago and have not regretted it since. Whether you decide to ride or not after an accident, is up to you, but to me, it is the closest I will ever get to flying, and now I will only stop riding when I am physically unable. I wear all the safety equipment and stay vigilant when driving. It is not always relaxing, but it is always fun!! Make the right decision for yourself Hound and good luck what ever you decide.
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Mr Houndguy,
Hope you are doing well.
If you'd like to share - what did you decide?
Stig
Thanks Stig.
I guess I do owe you guys an update. I was finally cleared to ride in the middle of May, but for a few reasons have not really been out on the bike much. When I have ridden it's been to work and back on roads I know well.
I used to do 10,000 miles every year but this accident was a wake up call for me, some health issues came up during my recovery. Will I continue to ride? Yes, I believe I will...but I'm not sure if I'll do the 150 miles on a Saturday afternoon like I used to do.
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Thanks Stig.
I guess I do owe you guys an update. I was finally cleared to ride in the middle of May, but for a few reasons have not really been out on the bike much. When I have ridden it's been to work and back on roads I know well.
I used to do 10,000 miles every year but this accident was a wake up call for me, some health issues came up during my recovery. Will I continue to ride? Yes, I believe I will...but I'm not sure if I'll do the 150 miles on a Saturday afternoon like I used to do.
Thanks for the update.
Glad you are doing OK, take it easy....
Stig
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Dont worry houndguy you will get there! After my wreck I barely drove to the gas station and back now a few months later I am just getting back to my 100 mile rides. I am glad to here your doing well though. :) Keep on keepin on man!
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Last May I struck a raccoon and went down, I healed and this may 3rd. while on a long ride alone apparently I was struck by an Elk while riding on hwy 9 through Arkansas south of Mulberry. This time the injury's were much worse.
An Arkansas state trooper arrived shortly after the incident and called for a lifeflight from southern Missouri they were taking me to Little rock, AR. but had to land at Heber Springs hospital since I was coding on them they resumed the flight a few hours later and arrived at Little Rock where the surgeon first thought I was dead since I hadn't had a heart beat in 15 minutes but decided to resuscitate me and did surgery to repair a torn Aorta and remove my spleen. I had a total of 12 units of blood.
I also had a broken collar bone and scapula with some ribs and a wrist fracture but they didn't dare do any surgery until they knew I was stable....the bones healed as best they would... the next 11 days I was on a machine until I came too the surgeons were prepping me for a surgery to install a stomach tube and trachea. since I was going to be brain dead and would need nursing care.. wrong how about more testing!
So the first memory I have after a great day of riding was some lady the surgeon telling me I was a miracle and my wife explaining to me where I was and why I must not pull the tubes out, shoots they had tubes in every orifice I had, and a couple of new ones chest tubes on the 13th. day I was released from ICU to general care and on the 16th. day sent home after a load of x rays and other tests including a competency test.
My wife was informed by a local sheriffs deputy that I have ridden with after the local police were informed by the trooper in Arkansas. The accident happened around 2 in the afternoon and it was almost 8 pm when my wife found out. She caught a ride down with a family friend and stayed until I left the Hospital.
The next several weeks were spent recuperating It was on July 1st. my birthday that I rode again not my scooter it was totaled finally with 47,000 miles on it so now I am riding my wifes old scooter her Kymco Grand Vista 250 it fits poorly but beats walking she has her new Honda Forza she bought a week before I went for my ride.
Ten weeks later I was back at work still can't bend from the waist and my knees are still healing from the fairing rash. I still wear a wrist protector and spent a week riding the twistys in Arkansas a couple of weeks with the STO or scooting the Ozarks group. We are heading back down in October for a weekend stay with a friend.
So would more gear have helped? No how much time did I have to react? the brush was like 6 feet from the road and at 65 mile per hour and the Elk traveling 15-20 from the side I must have had .1 second to think OH sh**!. The scooter was equipped with a dual 35/55 watt HID lamp set and highway pegs, the Engine had just been gone through top end rebuilt and the transmission was new the fall before with Dr. Pulley sliders. I miss the old People 250 S maybe I will find another to work on and ride again.
Till then everyone keep the shiny side up and never pass up an opportunity for happiness because life is too short.. Shalom
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Glad to hear life wasn't as short as they thought ! And...still riding! Hats off to you , my friend...are you part Feline ? How many of those 9 lives remain ? :o
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Shalom indeed! There has to be a reason you are still ticking.
What a horrible mess. I don't even know how to respond. All that PLUS getting back in the saddle? I bow before you sir!
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Riding is well maybe not better than sex but still great and it's more allowed in public. seriously I can't imagine not riding I still want to get the Iron butt ride on the scooter done this year or early next. Third time wasn't a charm but the ride is all worked out and ready to go I just need a couple of buds and we are off. here is the map I put together https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=1501+West+Amity+Street,+Louisburg,+KS+66053&daddr=2501+West+Ashley+Road,+Boonville,+MO+65233+to:1197+Highway+Z,+Wentzville,+MO+63385+to:701+Walton+Drive,+Farmington,+MO+63640+to:4155+South+Westwood+Boulevard,+Poplar+Bluff,+MO+63901+to:17+U.S.+63+Mammoth+Spring,+AR+72554+to:35.9957863,-92.0043183+to:611+East+Main+Street,+Mountain+View,+AR+72560+to:1610+North+Oak+Street+Morrilton,+AR+72210+to:445+U.S.+71,+Alma,+AR+72921+to:11570+State+Highway+FF,+Joplin,+MO+64804+to:2322+South+Main+Street,+Fort+Scott,+KS+66701+to:1700+East+Street,+Iola,+KS+66749+to:1501+West+Amity+Street,+Louisburg,+KS+66053&hl=en&sll=37.304645,-95.861206&sspn=3.892705,7.13562&geocode=Fc9OTQIdjRpb-in_c2HqScrAhzFNwUpmLz9F6Q%3BFXQVUgIdiEt4-inpvmUnoGrDhzFX8pXTTT3ghQ%3BFZgWUAId4aeV-ikbX7VwkcjehzFpY4npK9VRaA%3BFbibQAIdJhWc-ilNHQu8QUXYhzHAZSGcfLaZqQ%3BFQFvMAIdobKb-imVWjDeL67XhzE65bX0r8Bn1Q%3BFTfhLAIdW0OL-imPFKfBvhjRhzEBhN_5yz6MkQ%3BFYpAJQIdIiCE-ilTcVaFSI_RhzGkYqnPGwaixQ%3BFXtBIwIdvoaC-imxMtLrWSDShzFNBEgHFfaAEg%3BFbWiGAIdqtR4-ikPJC1qcXXNhzHvzQVO-loQUA%3BFZqIHQIdWTli-im5VWUPB7jLhzEknFjlp94fbw%3BFf5nNQIdUjdf-inP5lH9OX3IhzHCMPgJpAQV8Q%3BFXn4QAIdDOla-ilzvhvskqHHhzFr4Gu0gjdbtw%3BFTmlQgIdL4pQ-imDQJfwSIu4hzHhR0dEYooIJg%3BFc9OTQIdjRpb-in_c2HqScrAhzFNwUpmLz9F6Q&oq=11570+State+Highway+FF+Joplin,+MO+64804&t=h&mra=ls&via=6&z=7
It looks longer than it is.
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Couldn't help but notice... There's a Finnagan's pub located at every stop. Hmmmmm.
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Wow, what a story. Glad you and your family came through this OK.
One just shakes your head reading this.....
Think I saw one of your Angels the other morning....
Stig