Re-thinking the MC after a close call

[Ron2andia]

[Kratos]

I think about this all the time while driving. I totally understand your fear. Only you can make this decision...

[Daisyjoe]

Jump back on the horse ASAP. Ride defensively........

You could die on the couch watching TV too.. eventually.. from BOREDOM.

Life is out there in the world and on the roads.....

RIDE!

This is exactly what I was thinking Enjoy Life!! Get back on the horse (Spyder) and don't let someone else steal your joy.

[bone crusher]

Lots of good posts here...I agree that black is the least visible color and with any bike, you want visibility. Get it painted bright yellow or green and you'll be far easier to see....

[d.o.spyder-rts]

Like has all ready been said on other posts, you are the only one that can make the final call. Take some time and really think about it. I've been hit twice while riding. The last time, I ended up in the hospital for a week. That was back in '09 and its taken almost three years to get the "drive" to ride back I once had. Best of luck with whatever you decide. Dale

[Grandpa Spyder]

I have had less close calls since ryding the spyder then I did riding my Goldwings. I would never go back to 2 wheels. I drive 8 hrs. a day and always have a close call somewhere during the day and that is with 4 wheels. You just have to assume everyone is out to get you and drive defensively. I would not let anyone scare me off from something I enjoy so much.

[MouthPiece]

I'm about 90% there from my accident last February. Most of us take every single precaution known to man kind and then some, but the bottom line is that there is still going to be accidents. I made the decision that I will ride again. For me I weighed the risks versus the absolute fun and enjoyment I got from riding my spyder. The latter won out. Although I haven't purchased a new spyder yet (mine was totalled), I plan on it when the 2013's come out.

There are a couple of things that I will change in my riding habits when I get back on one. I will do less "in town riding" where there are a lot of intersections and stop lights (for people who are texting to run). I will start wearing a helmet as I didn't in the past. (although I didn't receive a head injury). Lastly, I will check again as I'm proceeding through an intersection even though I checked before entering. (on that one I'm not sure it would have done any good anyways in that the lady was going 50 mph when she ran the red light while texting).

And lastly lastly, I will make sure that I have plenty of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Chris

[RydeOn3Wyfe]

You just have to take your time and ease back into it. You're the only one who knows for sure and its difficult, but please don't let this incident spoil a great hobby.

You have to ride defensive all the time, try and be aware of everything around you, try to peek in cars and see what the driver is doing.

If possible while watching the car in front see whats happening two/three cars ahead, with experience you learn to read the road.

When stopped at lights never pull close to the car in front, always have an exit route and watch your mirrors for the car behind you.Also beside us also

If ever you feel there is a distracted drive beep your horn, sort blast. If I see a motorist texting and think there not in control I give a short blast, if I get the middle finger I just shrug it off.

You can always wave to someone on the side walk or in another car, you got their attention and they think you beeping at someone else.

I noticed you in New York, are you're coming up to SITA at Lake Placid then ride we a group in the middle get your confidence back.

If you're a new rider and would like, I'm happy to spend some time with you at SITA. I have 35 years ridding experience.

remember, if you unsure beep you horn.

harry

Harry that is well put and i think any new driver should ALWAYS be aware of those in front and behind US

[CyncySpyder]

The comment was made,
"Don't let someone else steal your joy."
and I couldn't agree more with that statement.

But with all that you've been thru, not only recently, but with the past that you've shared with us, I'd have to ask you,
"Is that joy still there?"

If the joy of ryding has been replaced by fear and apprehension, then there's no use in I wish you luck.

[dannymax]

Jeez, sorry to hear of this Rob, sure glad you weren't hurt....I don't blame you for being freaked out! Maybe it's time for a little break....riding scared is no fun and it's dangerous.

Trust your instincts they won't lead you wrong, give me a call anytime, we can talk about it if you want.

[Bob Denman]

RISK:
What can you do about it?
Avoid it
Accept and reduce it
Ignore it

Ignoring it is rarely the best idea. Avoiding it will keep you safer; but still not safe, and you'll miss out on a lot of the joy that life can offer

Accept and reduce...
See and be seen
NEVER stay where you can become a target
ride defensively... and then always ask if you're defensive-enough!
Think and plan ahead
Bright clothing, lights, loud horn... you've heard all of this dance already
We'd all miss riding with you! But the decision has to be yours. Riding alert is smart; riding scared isn't!

[spyder3]

It's going to be a tough decision, I'm sure. If you don't get back on soon, you never will. Only you can assess how much risk you are willing to take.

If you do get back on, and keep the Spyder, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk and get the other driver's attention quicker. First, avoid the crowded freeways if you can. That's not practical in big cities, where the intersections are worse than the freeways, but it is in more suburban areas. Leave 15 minutes earlier if necessary. Ride defensively, too. Try not to put yourself in a position, or stay in a position, where you can be crushed or pushed into a ditch or guardrail. Just because everyone else is bumper-to-bumper, you need not be. Leave plenty of room ahead, and anticipate dumb acts by other drivers.

Hi-vis clothing has been proven to reduce incidents. Wear a hi-vis jacket, helmet, and gloves if you can. The movement of the upper body, combined with the hi-vis clothing, attracts attention. Once they know you are there, they are less likely to become distracted and drift into your lane. I'm not an advocate of loud pipes...they are mostly heard after you are past, and with a stereo cranked up, and the windows closed, most drivers won't hear them anyway. I also don't believe in using the horn, but in this case a louder horn like a Stebel Nautilus may have helped.

Good luck with your decision. The road is a scary place, and is even more so when you are exposed. Riding in the wind is not for everyone. There is no shame in walking away if you are not comfortable with it. Riding is supposed to be a pleasurable experience, not something to be endured or braved.

Great post

[MarkLawson]

There's nothing wrong with closing this chapter in your life and moving on. If you've lost the enjoyment, understandably so, there's no sense in continuing in placing yourself in stressful situations just because you feel compelled to force yourself to do something you are no longer are comfortable with doing.

God bless!

[JCSMOKE]

Safety is relative. The Spyder is safer than 2 wheels, a car is safer than the Spyder, a BIG SUV is safer than a car, then there is the Abrams M1.

Anytime I ride I just assume everyone out there is trying to kill me and ride accordingly. I don't ride scared, but I do ride so that no matter what the other guy does I've got a very good chance of avoiding an incident.

Everyone has to decide where their comfort level is.

Amen brother!

[bullant12]

I had a VERY close call the last Tuesday. Has me thinking about selling my spyder. Scared the ***** out of me. A teen was texting or doing some other distracting activity while driving, and drifted into my lane(55mph zone). I was hugging the guardrail and on the brakes and horn and when I thought I was a gonner, she looked up and jerked the wheel. I dont know how she missed me. It was that close. To dam close. This has been the 3rd time I had someone come into my lane since school let out, but this was the closest incident. Havn't been on the spyder since. Very close to sellin her.

Don't give up because someone else's stupidity! Like Firefly said, you can even die in your couch or slip in your own shower. And Scotty gave you some great advice. But the most important thing is to get back in the saddle before you wait too long, then you decide to sell it and maybe regret it. Give your some more loving and she might return the favor.

[JCSMOKE]

I dorve truck for about 8 yrs. I stopped when a elderly driver with 3 passengers crossed into my lane and hit me head on..I did all i could do to avoid the collission, but in the end all 4 pepole in the van died. I only has a few bruses, but the emotional scares lasted along time. I lived because i was In a 50,000lb(loaded) truck. I went from a driving job to a factory job to avoid the roads.... This is why I'm having a tuff time with this...My mind says truck saved my life, but realisticly I know if I was in a smaller car I wouldnt be here...If i get hit head on ridin the spyder, I most likely wont be typin on here any more, in a car...maybe.....

Brother, we will support you in what ever choice you decide is best for you, there is no point to torturing yourself every time you get on the bike.

[Firefly]

Good opinions and advice on all sides of this topic. After my accident on the way back from Durango, the thought of not riding really never entered my mind... because it's such an important part of my life.... I MUST ride or I'm not living.. that's how I feel right now.

I ride every day knowing I could die.. which doesn't bother me... death is a reality of life... we all do it, can't avoid it. While I certainly don't want it to happen today, or anytime soon really.... when it happens.. it happens.

When it comes down to it... each person has to make their own choice about when to hang up riding.

Ride as safe as you can and enjoy life to the fullest every day.

[dliszews]

Others have stated this. You need to get back on and stay on long enough to feel comfortable with riding again. When I had my 2 wheeler totaled, I went out and bought and rode the spyder within a week. It was my best option while recovering. Again, loudest pipes you can afford, and a real horn,,,,and lotsa lights for night.

[harrypottar]

While I think all the advice here is solid, I would say that if you had been in a car, she would have hit you, and rubbed you into the guard rail. The serious issue here to me is that people are still being allowed to use their cell phones in cars. Why the car doesnt disable them at higher speeds, I cannot understand, every close call I have had has a cell phone and usually a younger driver involved. While I am sure it would not be popular, I am considering a jammer on my bike so that my bike has a decent sized bubble around it that cell phones just dont work. Add that to some of the stuff Scotty said and you are in a better situation.

Coupled with that, I constantly look at EVERYONE around me, if they arent paying attention to anything but their phone I either DocDuru and blow by them to get safe or I slow down and let them attempt to kill other people in front of them.

Jammer is a nice idea but may cause more accidents, I could imagine that a teenager would be more distracted to why they have no signal might be worth a try. The issue with disabling phones while moving is an issue for passengers, the technology is not there yet to detect drivers phone and leave all other alone. Side Note: My built in car's GPS is disabled while moving, fair enough but when my wife is in the passenger seat it would be nice if she could operate it while I drive. Not disagreeing with you by the way, distracted drivers is on the rise, I know with my own teenagers they think they're the exception and it does not affect them. I've told them over and over and drilled it into them that if I ever find out you've used your phone while driving, you will lose them ( I still pay for them).

We all have to learn to drive and if I see a younger driver I keep my distance, two things that bug me in MA, everyone tail gates, no one allows enough room between cars. If you try and leave enough room some one will sneak into the gap. I wish we had a ticket for tail gating that was effective. Secondly very few people use there turn signals. There was even a Dunking Donut commercial here where two guys where talking about Boston, "Turn signals? Sign of weakness"

On our car it as the front radar system that automatically brakes if your too close, so when some one pulls in front of me on the highway to take up the space between me and the next car, our car brakes.

I consider myself a very alert driver and try and read the road ahead no matter what I'm driving but you can always get caught out.

harry

[MikeinGA]

The comment was made,
"Don't let someone else steal your joy."
and I couldn't agree more with that statement.

But with all that you've been thru, not only recently, but with the past that you've shared with us, I'd have to ask you,
"Is that joy still there?".

This is so ture. If it's not fun anymore don't do it. The stress can make you ill. That's IMHO.

Mike

[Oldmanzues]

I wish the Police would enforce the laws we have on the books. I respect the Police for all they do, but some will look at a teen driver going bye and texting ( ilegal in Ohio ) and go the other way.
having Parents use common sense. I used to work at a teen driver school. A girl came back to class after out a while. She had caused a wreck with serious injuries to one person in her car, two in another, while texting. Her dad came in with her aand asked about coming back to class after being out. I said, no problem. He then said, she had a little accident, but was not reponsible since she was only 16 and he had been the car with her, but he had not seen the red light. He got all upset when I said, that was no accident it was attempted murder. Both of you are fault. If she is not responsible, why are you letting her drive to start with. No answer, my boss said i was to hard on him.
I used to ask the kids in class, is that cell phone call worth you life. This area had a 16 old calling her friends. Two died.
Glad you are okay. It is a hard desicion to make.
Oldmanzues

[eddieshep999]

I am disabled due to Polio when I was 22months old - This left me without the use of my left leg - I have to wear a calipier to support my normal functions e.g. walking , climbing stairs etc

I am now over 55yrs old and have always remained active but always aware of my limitations

At the age of 16 I wanted to ride a Motorcycle because My 2 brothers had started to ride
First I was told it was impossible for a disabled person to ride a motorcycle and I should consider the safety issue, Should I have an accident I could damage my Right leg and may end up in a wheelchair or worse



Well advice is good but at the end of the day only you can decide and I did


Since I was 16 I have been riding motorcycles inc Honda CB125J, CB400A - Automatic, GL500 Silverwing then moved on to BMW's due to Shaft Drive, water cooling etc Had 3 BMW's K100RT K75RT, BMW K100LT


Due to my age the weight of a 2 wheeled motorcycle it was becoming difficult to mange
(I remembered my limitations) and I went for the Spyder RT – There was no way after nearly 40 yrs and tens of thousands of Miles I wanted give up riding


In all that time I have had only 2 minor spills and have not been injured,.


I would have missed out on so many excellent adventures, meeting some excellent friends

Visited so many wonderful Sites all over the UK and now Europe


Yes I do ride with the possibility of an accident may be just around the corner, and in doing so
take extra care Hi-Viz Clothing, Excellent Motorcycle gear with built in protection,
Safety approved Helmet and visor, Motorcycle always serviced and maintained as per the
manufactures recommendations – Fitted a louder horn (Needed sometimes to let other know
of my presence believe me one or two blasts is enough)


I have also taken an advance Motorcycle test some years ago run via Police class 1 trained
motorcyclist and have learnt so much ref Observation and Safe riding


Just wanted to say – Take your time ref any decision you make and you know we all support you either way – Thanks for taking the time to post your thread – I am sure it will help others in the future because of the replies posted


Eddie Sheppard
Reading UK

[Lamonster]

I had a VERY close call the last Tuesday. Has me thinking about selling my spyder. Scared the ***** out of me. A teen was texting or doing some other distracting activity while driving, and drifted into my lane(55mph zone). I was hugging the guardrail and on the brakes and horn and when I thought I was a gonner, she looked up and jerked the wheel. I dont know how she missed me. It was that close. To dam close. This has been the 3rd time I had someone come into my lane since school let out, but this was the closest incident. Havn't been on the spyder since. Very close to sellin her.

If you haven't been back on since then and don't feel good about riding anymore I would either park it till you do or get rid of it and move on. Sometimes we get warnings in life to change directions, hard to say if this is one of those times or not but sounds like it shook you up bad enough that you won't feel the same riding again. I would hate to be one to tell you to keep riding and then something bad happens to you on the Spyder.

[spydee owner]

Rob (Mowin) is a good rider, although he does have the worst color Spyder you can get for visability (Phantom).

I agree with the phantom panels being the worst to see. I have a set of phantoms and when they were on the bike I thought they looked pretty cool until I saw a phantom spyder meeting me one day. They really blend into the pavement.
Having said this, with this driver texting and driving,the bike could have been flourescent green and she would not have seen it. It was just pure luck that mowin was not wiped out.
Don't blame mowin for the way he is thinking. You get some real close calls, then a person has to think about what is REALLY important in their life and make a decision.

[Tazzel]

Sell Her, there are alot of people out there looking for a good used Spyder.