[Lane Splitter]

Just thought I'd share with my fellow riders what has happened to me. I think it's important to know I'm now one of the most upbeat, positive guys I know - I think I have this to blame.

Nov 26 last year I bumped into another motorcyclist - t-boned him actually - going about 50 (he was going 20) in an intersection just a couple miles from my house. Although I took a helluva hit to my head after I was launched over the bars, everyone, including the other rider who walked away, is alive and here to tell the tale. In case anyone is curious, I still don't know whose fault it was or what happened - I have major memory loss - but the powers that be say I was the cause. The facts I DO have say otherwise, however...

I had a 2001 Katana with about 40,000 miles on her, so I rode her a bit. Been riding since I was 15, I was 32 when I had the accident. I have had another accident about 10+ years ago in the twisties of Virginia Beach - no one else but me was involved, and I was fine - again flew over the bike but landed on my legs while doing the splits . Here are some pics in case your curious - http://tonyandbeth.com/the_family/our_life/rides/bike/index.htm

My opinion has been these things happen - we all know the risks we take when we throw our legs over her. The most important thing to me is I'm still here , and that my little girl born 3 months after my accident still has a daddy.

Until my little girl can fully understand all that riding a motorcycle entails, I won't be on one. I'll miss it though, I feel like my third leg got cut off at times .

Finally, my advice to anyone who rides a bike now is - for every ride you go on, for every stop light you get stuck at - do your best to enjoy every minute you are privileged to have on her. In other words - have a friggin blast!!!

 

[themeatmanlandry]

Thanks. Good write-up.

You really need to get back on a bike. You're obviously intelligent, and you sound very responsible. Get back in the saddle while you're still young.

 

[Louis]

I agree with Mark, and :welcomes: by the way.

 

[jaydog19833]

For those of yuo who DON'T wear helmets, this is a good example of what your face could look like without wearing one.

Yeah I agree though, the front wheel was a tad off center on the Katana

Welcome the the forum, and maybe sometime you can try biking again when you and your daughter are ready.

 

[red7eb]

:welcomes: Lane Splitter!

Thank you for the story and the wake up call. The only way you're going to get past that little frizzion about riding again is to do it. The little one getting older probably won't change that gut-cringing (if that is your reason), because she'll still be your "baby" no matter how old she gets. I agree with the consensus above - get back in the saddle!


Mini-Story: Took a bad fall off a horse I was in the process of buying. Make a long story short, I ended up with a sacrum broken clean through (I literally broke my @ss! :lol: ). Well, doc said 8 weeks until I could conceivably ride again, but in 3 weeks I was back on a horse. Why? Because the doubts and what-ifs were already there. Only way to squash them was to start jumping again. (Oh, it helped that you don't have to sit IN the saddle when you ride Hunt seat :wink: )

Get back on your bike! :wink:

 

[SuzukiGirl1]

Wow....that's one you don't hear everyday...two motorcycles hitting each other!! :shock:

What do you or the "powers that be" think happened? Did one of you have a stop sign and not stop?

Glad you're still here to share. Welcome to the site!!

 

[Lane Splitter]

Well then, damn glad to be here - thanks for the warm welcome . I found this site today after finding katanaplanet down with minor problems - I'm hoping Katman doesn't go bald trying to fix his hosting issues... How long has suzuki-bikes been around?? In any case, KP being down turned out to be a good thing - I got to find another great bunch of people at a great site!!

I hear you all, and most likely would be chiming in with you if the tables were turned. Motorcycling is and has been been a part of who I am, just like many of my friends and fellow riders, BUT ...it turns out after having the oppurtunity to spend the last several months with this little girl that I'm finding myself caring less about what I want and more about her, and I care that she and I almost didn't meet - I won't take advantage of such a "gift" like this that she and I were given. Hence my decision. But don't think for one second that I won't get back on one eventually, because I will.

Besides, I get to live the life through all of your eyes - not nearly as exciting, but it's entertaining and interesting nonetheless

Keep that rubber DOWN everyone! 8)

 

[red7eb]

BUT ...it turns out after having the oppurtunity to spend the last several months with this little girl that I'm finding myself caring less about what I want and more about her, and I care that she and I almost didn't meet - I won't take advantage of such a "gift" like this that she and I were given.

Ok, that got me crap:

 

[SuzukiGirl1]

Ok, that got me crap:

Me too Red!! <<leaning head on Red's shoulder>> crap:

edit...wrong use of the word "to"

 

[themeatmanlandry]

Mine was an accident, so I guess I'm crap: also, but for a different reason.

 

[Lane Splitter]

Wow....that's one you don't hear everyday...two motorcycles hitting each other!! :shock:

What do you or the "powers that be" think happened? Did one of you have a stop sign and not stop?

That's a loaded question, SuzukiGirl, can't fully answer that here, but I'll just tell you the daughter of one director I work with saw this accident in her rearview mirror, and (of course!) wasn't questioned by the police - go figure, because what she saw was quite different than what was on the report. She was also the first EMT trained person by my side