Re-thinking the MC after a close call

[Ivorspyder]

It actually happened to me 6 weeks ago on my Goldwing.We were riding in the Rt66 Rally in Oklahoma.It was about 6pm 4 bikes were traveling together.I was number 3.We were going through a set of lights when they changed to amber.I was watching the cars on the right when all of a sudden the one car took off straight at me.In that split 2nd I knew we were going to collide.I managed to turn the bike left to hit the car on my side.On collision the side of my front wheel hit the car .I let the bike drop to the left between my legs landing on my left leg.I was not hurt at all.A cop saw the whole incident.There was my Goldwing lying on its side half under this decrepid car.
Turns out she was on the phone,she sounded like she was on drugs.She told the cop she didnt see me at all.I remember thinking dang my ride is over.We picked the bike up and apart from some busted chrome a few scratches a sheared screw holding some other chrome on the side of the wheel it all seemed ok.The cop wanted to know wether I wanted to take all details.I said no just get her out of my sight. I then rode to the hotel 8 miles away.Next day went to Amarillo Honda dealer checked everything out.The bike was fine.
We then rode a further 4000 miles to complete our trip
2 years ago riding again in Colorado a deer ran out and collided with the bike.By luck I managed to brake and came to a stop.In both instances I was incredibly lucky and did not go down.That collision 6 weeks ago finalized my decision to go with the Can Am on completion of our ride.We completed the ride on the 3rd July in Michigan and On the 6th July I traded the Wing for the RT.
Mowin I did not feel the shock you seemed to feel.I would quite happily ride on a 2 wheeler now.I had 88000 miles on the Wing.The only time I felt like you describe was when I watched a guy crash in front of me after hitting a drive shaft that had fallen off the bottom of a pickup.He went over and over totaled his bike but got lucky and was bruised.I got back on my bike shaken but made myself ride.

 

[Ron2andia]

I'm trying to move from my 2 wheeler to a Spyder based on a lady running a stop sign and cutting me off. I went down and slide some 70 feet. Ended up with two huge legs and a fractured neck. I love to ride but it hasn't felt the same since the accident. I test drove a Spyder and the joy I used to feel was there. It could be a false sense of security With the three wheels but I do believe three is safer than two. I'm no saving up to get a Spyder. I know knuckleheads are out there on the road but you have to live for you and don't let it sway you. I got back on the horse and hope you do as well. Pray on it.ray:

 

[Firefly]

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! :thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

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.

 

[SteveMac]

I was coming home from Durango, close to home after a couple of thousand miles with no incidents. A few miles from home, on a very tight and wooded curve, I met an 18 wheeler more than halfway over into my lane as I was making the left hand curve. Got off on the shoulder, the guys eyes were wide as saucers. He knew he had taken that curve much too fast. I just shrugged it off and went on. I lived through a bad wreck back in the late 70's. Didn't walk for almost a year. But stuff happens. This is a dangerous hobby, no doubt. Regardless of two or three wheels.

I just try to make sure I am right with the Lord and my immediate family each day. I figure if the good Lord wants me, he will get me in plane, train, or automobile. Or even a Monsterfied RT! :roflblack:

 

[Ron2andia]

:agree::agree:

 

[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! :thumbup:

This is exactly what I was thinking:2thumbs: 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]

Less mishaps on 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]

CLOSE CALL

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. :thumbup:

harry

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

 

[CyncySpyder]

What is living if we're not following our joy?

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 :bdh: 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: :shocked:
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:doorag:

 

[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 :spyder2: some more loving and she might return the favor.