So after a few short riding seasons in New England my bike is totaled. Let me start with where it all began. (in other words Tarentino it)
I grew up around bikes, HD mostly, my dad always had one growing up. I was familiar with that type of ride and lifestyle. All though I love and admire HD it just never really "fit" me.
I joined the marine corps in 2004 and met a good friend of mine whom I'm still really close with. He introduced me to Italian bikes, he got an aprilia motard style bike (can't remember the name of it). I was a noobie with riding but loved bikes. Of course I've heard of the ducati brand but it always seemed unattainable. My buddy trades his "ape" for an early 2000's 998, absolutely gorgeous bike, but still not the right "fit". So I started checking into ducatis lineup and they're it was, the Monster line. Now understand I had never owned a bike before and had not gone to the MSF course nor was I licensed, but I knew exactly what I wanted.
So I never pulled the trigger and got one until my 4th and final deployment which was to Afghanistan and I decided that I was going to put a down payment on a 796 that'd be waiting for me when I got home. Well I gave my impulse some thought and retracted my down payment as I was finishing up my enlistment and moving from my San Diego duty station back to Connecticut. I decided it would be best to go used and get some years riding. One stipulation was that it had to be a monster.
Fast forward 2 years to 2012.
I pulled the trigger. Found a beautiful 2003 flat-back m620. It had 1,800 miles on it and I got it from the guy for $2,500. It had the "ducati dent" on one side but was otherwise stock and beautiful. I was able to put about 2k miles on it in a couple of short months after competing the MSF and practicing in a local parking lot. I had the belts changed and the oil changed I also had the bike looked over by a dealer to make sure I was safe.
I was in love.
Unfortunately, I did have to throw the bike down once after quickly learning how people never see us bikers. I was hyper-vigilant when I rode and always wore full face helmet, leather riding jacket, boots and jeans.
So here I am today, laid up in the hospital after only putting on a few hundred miles this season. I was going westbound on route 66 in Columbia, CT and there was a 7-eleven on my right. Now I always prepare for "quick turners" and sure enough I see a guy coming eastbound start but then stops/hesitates, so I'm slowing (around 35-40 mph) and according to the report he decides to "gun it" because "I thought I could beat him". Well with no time to react I can't aim for the hood or trunk and smash the passenger side door (deploying the air bag) and was (luckily) flung over the car for about 20-25ft (this is all according to reports as I don't fully remember) and happen to break my right lower leg (both Tib and fib) on the car as I went over it. I impacted on my face and went unconscious. I come to with a bunch of people assisting me and prepping me for the ambulance on its way (the people treating me were off duty or training EMT's, luckily). I get one of the guys to call my wife and let her know I'm being brought to Hartford hospital.
Well needless to say my monster was totaled and I have a broken leg (now with a rod in the tib), broke both hands, my right wrist, right elbow, my C6 vertebrae is compressed and fractured, a partially collapsed lung, a contusion on my heart, I had a testicle go up inside me and possibly twist, stitches and a concussion. Most importantly though my 6-week old daughter still has her daddy thanks to my helmet (which is optional in CT).
Now the first thing I said was that I'm done riding motorcycles and don't misunderstand me, I am NOT blaming the bike for this. However, the dangers posed by other drivers are just to high for me. Plus, to be honest, I might even be to scared to get back on and ride again, let alone the experience has probably ruined the fun and lore biking has for me.
So ends my motorcycle and more specific ducati monster love affair. Now I'm sure many of you have experienced wrecks and have come back but this is my experience as of now. I know this thread is long and serves no purpose except to tell my story, but maybe some of you can relate and maybe it'll spark I good conversation.
Ps - I'm using tapatalk and don't know how to attach photo's from my phone or I'd post some of my helmet and me laid up.
Glad your alive. Sorry about your testicle.
Quote from: hbliam on June 09, 2013, 11:31:35 PM
Glad your alive. Sorry about your testicle.
Oh god, let me update. Testicle was just recessed. It was massaged back into place, has had no swelling or bleeding.
:P
Quote from: Anthony81586 on June 09, 2013, 11:38:17 PM
Oh god, let me update. Testicle was just recessed. It was massaged back into place, has had no swelling or bleeding.
:P
At least you got it massaged. :) Hope you heal up quick. And get a lawyer.
Working on the lawyer part. Hopefully all the medical bills are taken care of, it's going to be a hefty bill.
glad you are alive.
bastards like that driver should be charge with attempted murder or something. that's not an accident, that's trying to kill someone. THEN people would start paying attention to us riders.
Quote from: Raux on June 10, 2013, 12:59:04 AM
glad you are alive.
bastards like that driver should be charge with attempted murder or something. that's not an accident, that's trying to kill someone. THEN people would start paying attention to us riders.
Its just unfortunate because now something I thoroughly enjoyed is now tainted at best of not completely ruined.
I mean an accident is just that, an accident. We all have made stupid decisions behind the wheel and its simply because of one word, complacency. Everyone drives and its on such a regular basis that we take the risks and dangers for granted. Not just what can happen to us but what we are capable of doing.
Maybe if more accidents were reported on and the victims (alive or dead) were able get a "human" factor added in instead of the so impersonal "victim" title. I realize privacy issues are involved here but I'm talking very broad and rough ideas here.
Hey sorry about your accident. Glad you are going to be okay. I know exactly were you got. I live in Cromwell and have ridden on 66 in that area. Hope you have a quick recovery. I haven't had a crash like yours in my 12 years of riding but if I did I might be on same mind set as you. Especially with 2 little ones. Good luck with everything.
WOW! Sorry to hear you got so beat up.
To a quick and complete recovery [beer]
Thanks for all the well wishes everyone.
Good luck. [thumbsup]
Glad you're still with us, and best wishes for a speedy recovery! [thumbsup]
I understand on the part of something you enjoy being tainted or ruined. After my deer incident in '09, riding hasn't been the same for me either. Now I find myself overly hyper-aware, and a little apprehensive about it. I still ride, but only maybe half as many miles per year as before. :P
good you are alive and sucks that you will probably be physically screwed up in a way for the rest of your life.
i know you are trying to be nice and turn the other cheeck by saying it was "an accident" and that is for your discretion and fine.
goodluck and i hope you win your day in court and take this person for everything they have.
I had a similar experience a long time ago in college. Was travelling along and see a car coming towards me in the distance, it slows and indicated to turn in front of me, then it starts to turn and I hit the brakes hard. The car stops and I'm thinking OK they see me and are not going to turn in front of me, so I let off the brakes and am starting to roll back on the throttle when the car inexplicably decides make the turn in front of me anyway. The only explanation I can think of is that when they saw me slow down they then thought they had enough time to turn in front of me, I didn’t have time to stop and plowed right into the side of the car and flew over the top of it. Luckily a broken wrist was my only injury, but the bike was totaled.
Hope you heal up quickly and don’t be too hasty about making decisions on riding in the future. I had another accident 6 years ago and swore I would give up riding, but a couple years later I could not resist and bought my Monster. I don’t ride a whole lot on the streets anymore, still do some weekend rides but mostly stick to the track now for my fun.
Best of luck to you.
Quote from: Anthony81586 on June 10, 2013, 01:18:59 AM
Its just unfortunate because now something I thoroughly enjoyed is now tainted at best of not completely ruined.
sorry to hear, but glad you're able to hold your daughter again.
If you love riding, but can't justify the risk, maybe get an inexpensive track bike and get your juice that way?
and maybe it'll help and maybe it won't, but:
o#o Why Ride a Motorcycle? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dytQvJefFW0#)
The most important part is: you lived. I'm not surprised you want to give up motorcycling after that, and no one here would blame you if you did. You've got a family and other drivers are oblivious or idiots or both. If I were in your place, I might consider giving up motorcycling too. I hope you make a complete recovery and I hope you take the other driver for all of your medical expenses, and a fat chunk of change as well. (I hope he or his insurance company has really deep pockets).
Glad you are alive to tell the story! Wish you a speedy recovery!
Really sorry to hear that. I hope you get well soon.
Hello, I am glad you are okay. If I were a parent I would likely reconsider riding sport bikes. We all know that while many folks get through decades without a car involved accident many don't get through days.
The only thing that bugs me though is when a person has a crash and then decides to stop riding. Did no one tell them that crashing was going to happen regardless of how careful one rides? Motorcycles are inherently dangerous and in their natural state they tip over and lay on their sides. Toss in some cars and voila, danger! Personally I think it takes more focus to ride the streets safely than it does to hit the racetrack.
If you love bikes perhaps you should redirect your motorcycle efforts into some track days! It is a ton of fun and all in all relatively safe. Your daughter will get to keep her daddy and you can still have some happy two wheeled cake.
Quote from: Skybarney on June 10, 2013, 12:21:22 PM
The only thing that bugs me though is when a person has a crash and then decides to stop riding. Did no one tell them that crashing was going to happen regardless of how careful one rides? Motorcycles are inherently dangerous and in their natural state they tip over and lay on their sides. Toss in some cars and voila, danger! Personally I think it takes more focus to ride the streets safely than it does to hit the racetrack.
If you love bikes perhaps you should redirect your motorcycle efforts into some track days! It is a ton of fun and all in all relatively safe. Your daughter will get to keep her daddy and you can still have some happy two wheeled cake.
I'll start this reply with with a response to skybarney. While I certainly see where you're coming from I can attest from my own view point that while "knowing" of inherent dangers of a certain hobby is one thing, experiencing the dangers are a whole other story. Understand, that it's not the specific crash that has made me stop riding but the notion that the understood dangers are in fact real and do apply to me. Once you've gotten a sense of that, perspective changes and sometimes other priorities need to change. That's not to say I was ignorant to the dangers but maybe a little naive to it actually applying to me. The best description of this would be called a "reality check". I think the last point to make here is yes there are dangers involved but most people feel as though with vigilance and understanding they can control and minimize their risk when obviously that's not always true. Again, reality check.
So while I can see where you're coming from with the generalization of it being a specific instance that stops people riding, I'd say it's more like the final straw that broke the camels back.
I like the idea of track days tho, honestly the track has never really appealed to me as speed or time hadn't been high on my list of enjoyments on a motorcycle, but I've never tried it and would be open to someday. Thanks for the suggestion!
I'd also like to thank everyone for their well wishes. Its been a tough few days and even as a short time rider, I'm still coming to terms with the situation. I'm lucky enough to be able to possibly go home to physical therapy or over to rehabilitation in the next day or two. Pretty surreal considering the severity of my injuries. Luckily, being young, in good shape, having a great positive attitude and an awesome nursing staff has made it possible.
Glad to read you came out the other end.
I think I'd agree with the decision you've made about motorcycles for what you went through.
All because some driver thought he could gain an extra 10 seconds at the 7-11.
I sold my CB750 and gave up riding for 10 years because of a close call by a "blind" moving truck driver.
18 months ago I gave up ever riding again in the dark after t-boning a deer @ 55 mph.
I might still buy the farm while riding a bike, but hopefully it wouldn't be a repeat of something above.
You're smarter than I am. [clap]
The decision is yours and not in stone. You can always change your mind later. What you need to do now is work on getting better.
I hate to hear about your accident, I know where you're coming from.
August 19th last year I was buckled up in the back seat of a Tahoe crusing along about 45mph when we were hit in the rear by a Drunk guy in a Trailblazer going over 85. That spun us into oncoming traffic where we had a head on collision. I don't remember anything for about a two week period but I suffered a grade 3 concussion, broken left humerus, broken right collar bone, broken right shoulder, 5 broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and 7 stitches. Turns out the guy who hit us was on his 3rd DUI, no insurance, no license, and 4 months late on the car payment of the car he hit us with.
At first I was super cautious with everything but I realized that if I can get that torn up buckled up in the back seat of a large SUV then when it's my time the good lord is going to take me. So after months of trolling craigslist for the perfect bike I'm on a 2012 Ducati Monster 1100 evo. A lot more cautious than before but still riding every day. Now I'm not saying to get on a bike tomorrow, but don't cast it out all together. Plus a huge scar makes you look like a badass.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Sorry to hear... Thank you for serving the country and get well soon.
Quote from: mtoddsolomon on June 10, 2013, 09:02:25 PMAt first I was super cautious with everything but I realized that if I can get that torn up buckled up in the back seat of a large SUV then when it's my time the good lord is going to take me. So after months of trolling craigslist for the perfect bike I'm on a 2012 Ducati Monster 1100 evo. A lot more cautious than before but still riding every day. Now I'm not saying to get on a bike tomorrow, but don't cast it out all together. Plus a huge scar makes you look like a badass.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Haha I do like your view point here! A huge scar does look pretty bad ass!
Thanks again for all the well wishes
Dude, heal well. Sucks that someone demonstrated so little regard for your safety, that's no joke.
Thank you for serving. Whatever you do, enjoy it without regret.
Yup first hand experience is always different than thinking about it. Truly glad you made it though. Motorcycles are dangerous, everyone that rides will crash. So glad yours left a daddy for a little girl. I bet that the bug that bit you hard enough to get you on a motorcycle in the first place will strike again. Maybe dirt, maybe track. Regardless, I wish you the best and a speedy recovery, [beer]
Quote from: Skybarney on June 11, 2013, 08:19:49 AM
Motorcycles are dangerous, everyone that rides will crash.
Not necessarily.
Quote from: Skybarney on June 11, 2013, 08:19:49 AM
Yup first hand experience is always different than thinking about it. Truly glad you made it though. Motorcycles are dangerous, everyone that rides will crash. So glad yours left a daddy for a little girl. I bet that the bug that bit you hard enough to get you on a motorcycle in the first place will strike again. Maybe dirt, maybe track. Regardless, I wish you the best and a speedy recovery, [beer]
Yea I'm still on the forums and still have a dream on getting an m1100 Evo and café'ing it out! But I'll take my time and see where life takes me.
Quote from: Anthony81586 on June 09, 2013, 10:08:55 PM
I was going westbound on route 66 in Columbia, CT and there was a 7-eleven on my right. Now I always prepare for "quick turners" and sure enough I see a guy coming eastbound start but then stops/hesitates, so I'm slowing (around 35-40 mph) and according to the report he decides to "gun it" because "I thought I could beat him". Well with no time to react I can't aim for the hood or trunk and smash the passenger side door (deploying the air bag) and was (luckily) flung over the car for about 20-25ft (this is all according to reports as I don't fully remember) and happen to break my right lower leg (both Tib and fib) on the car as I went over it. I impacted on my face and went unconscious. I come to with a bunch of people assisting me and prepping me for the ambulance on its way (the people treating me were off duty or training EMT's, luckily). I get one of the guys to call my wife and let her know I'm being brought to Hartford hospital.
Sorry to hear about your accident, and I know how you feel, as I had a pretty nasty "accident" back on October 2, 1998, that left me with a crushed bike, and my femur ball severed from my femer neck. I, unfortunately, didn't have the pleasure of blacking out during any part of my accident, so I remember everything way too vividly, for my personal tastes.
If I can ask, how old was the guy who hit you?
The way you described it, I'm guessing a younger guy, between 18 and 26.
Heal quick, and gather up as many potential lawyers to work with, and ask them to provide you with a list of clients they had in the past 3 years who had similar accidents.
Talk to their customers, and see if they would recommend working with them again.
Don't tell anyone at the insurance companies that you're never going to ride again, and fight for as much value for your lost bike as you can get.
Remember that that settlement is separate from your physical settlement, don't let the lawyers get a piece of that, when you don't need to let them.
BC.
Quote from: Bladecutter on June 11, 2013, 10:40:35 AM
Sorry to hear about your accident, and I know how you feel, as I had a pretty nasty "accident" back on October 2, 1998, that left me with a crushed bike, and my femur ball severed from my femer neck. I, unfortunately, didn't have the pleasure of blacking out during any part of my accident, so I remember everything way too vividly, for my personal tastes.
If I can ask, how old was the guy who hit you?
The way you described it, I'm guessing a younger guy, between 18 and 26.
Heal quick, and gather up as many potential lawyers to work with, and ask them to provide you with a list of clients they had in the past 3 years who had similar accidents.
Talk to their customers, and see if they would recommend working with them again.
Don't tell anyone at the insurance companies that you're never going to ride again, and fight for as much value for your lost bike as you can get.
Remember that that settlement is separate from your physical settlement, don't let the lawyers get a piece of that, when you don't need to let them.
BC.
That's a horrible injury. I'm not exactly sure of the guys age but from what I've gathered he's in his early 30's.
I have already signed with a lawyer who specializes in motorcycle accidents and is fairly active in the motorcycle and veteran community. I will ask him for some prior clients with similar incidents and contact them.
Quote from: hbliam on June 09, 2013, 11:48:16 PM
At least you got it massaged. :) Hope you heal up quick. And get a lawyer.
Hbliam, your comments was way funny. I spilled my morning coffee through my nose; while in a commercial flight. I thought the flight crew was going to call the air-marshal for I could not stop laughing. [laugh]
Anothorny, all the best for a prompt a full recovery. I can relate to the predicament of having kids and making sure you are safe and sound for them…that is why I have a 3-wheeler Can-Am Spyder.
Hope once all the physical and other type of scars are healed, you get back to riding on a M1100 (as you mentioned)… at the end, we seek what makes us happy and complete. [beer]
Quote from: hbliam on June 11, 2013, 09:08:12 AM
Not necessarily.
True.
Until my deer incident, I had never crashed a bike in over 25 years of riding.
Now I don't ride near or after dark, since my accident happened in mid-September at dusk.....prime deer time in my parts - and I knew it.....
It must have taken a long time to type your story on a phone. I guess you have some time to kill. Feel free to tell us some more stories. [popcorn]
Quote from: justinrhenry on June 11, 2013, 06:05:42 PM
It must have taken a long time to type your story on a phone. I guess you have some time to kill. Feel free to tell us some more stories. [popcorn]
hahah yea, been a few days of sitting here and aimlessly starring. I have some other stories from my marine corps days but typing them over a forum wouldn't do them justice...plus they're always better after a few beers.
Quote from: hbliam on June 09, 2013, 11:48:16 PM
At least you got it massaged.
I hope he had warm soft hands at the very least. ;D Get well soon!
Quote from: Speedbag on June 11, 2013, 03:38:31 PM
True.
Until my deer incident, I had never crashed a bike in over 25 years of riding.
Now I don't ride near or after dark, since my accident happened in mid-September at dusk.....prime deer time in my parts - and I knew it.....
Giving up riding at night may have been one of the smartest things I have ever done. Sure, I still get caught out sometimes but it's been awhile since I had to slam brakes for a deer. Too many incidents after dark over the years to not recognize just how much more dangerous dusk/night riding is. Then there is my buddy that hit a Steel I-Beam on the Harbor Freeway at night..... Barely lived.
I've had several close calls with wild turkeys as well.....
If I would have told the SO about half the could-have-beens I probably would have been banished from bikes altogether. It came close after the deer incident.
Just a little update for those who are following. I was discharged from the hospital yesterday and have been enjoying all the comforts of home. Projected recovery time is 6-8 weeks. Spirits are still high and ready to get this physical therapy going.
I did do something I thought was pretty cool. So I've mentioned before how I have a 6 week old daughter and my helmet saved my life. Well, I sent an email to AGV (I had a k4 Evo helmet) written from my daughters perspective thanking them for saving her daddy's life. I also attached some pictures of her and I, the mangled helmet and one of me in the hospital. I don't expect a response or anything I just thought it was cool.
Thanks again for all the well wishes people, even though you're all strangers it's nice to have people that have a common interest give positive thoughts. Good luck and ride safe! Always wear a helmet!
Quote from: Anthony81586 on June 13, 2013, 05:25:00 AM
Just a little update for those who are following. I was discharged from the hospital yesterday and have been enjoying all the comforts of home. Projected recovery time is 6-8 weeks. Spirits are still high and ready to get this physical therapy going.
I did do something I thought was pretty cool. So I've mentioned before how I have a 6 week old daughter and my helmet saved my life. Well, I sent an email to AGV (I had a k4 Evo helmet) written from my daughters perspective thanking them for saving her daddy's life. I also attached some pictures of her and I, the mangled helmet and one of me in the hospital. I don't expect a response or anything I just thought it was cool.
Thanks again for all the well wishes people, even though you're all strangers it's nice to have people that have a common interest give positive thoughts. Good luck and ride safe! Always wear a helmet!
[thumbsup] good luck and hope all the litigation issues working out okay too.
First of all, thank you for your service and get well soon! [thumbsup]
To bring you some levity, I thought you might like this story(not for the faint at heart) Scrotum Self repair: http://darwinawards.com/stupid/stupid1998-10.html (http://darwinawards.com/stupid/stupid1998-10.html)
Quote from: LowThudd on June 14, 2013, 01:17:07 AM
First of all, thank you for your service and get well soon! [thumbsup]
To bring you some levity, I thought you might like this story(not for the faint at heart) Scrotum Self repair: http://darwinawards.com/stupid/stupid1998-10.html (http://darwinawards.com/stupid/stupid1998-10.html)
Haha the link is trying to load but it being darwin awards and the title alone I think says enough... Thanks lol
Quote from: Anthony81586 on June 13, 2013, 05:25:00 AM
I did do something I thought was pretty cool. So I've mentioned before how I have a 6 week old daughter and my helmet saved my life. Well, I sent an email to AGV (I had a k4 Evo helmet) written from my daughters perspective thanking them for saving her daddy's life. I also attached some pictures of her and I, the mangled helmet and one of me in the hospital. I don't expect a response or anything I just thought it was cool.
8)
I think it would be awesome if AGV sent you a new helmet! Glad you're home now, it makes a world of difference not being woken up every hour to have your vitals checked. I'd start building the new mods you're going to do on you next bike! ;)
Quote from: mtoddsolomon on June 14, 2013, 11:46:19 AM
I think it would be awesome if AGV sent you a new helmet! Glad you're home now, it makes a world of difference not being woken up every hour to have your vitals checked. I'd start building the new mods you're going to do on you next bike! ;)
Haha, there won't be a next bike but I will start modding the house lol
Just a quick update:
Get to celebrate my first father's day today (happy father's day to all you papa bears out there) and I have my family around and 2 churches dedicating mass to me today. Life is good.
I started doing my physical therapy and getting on with the healing process. My whole body hurts at this point. All the small bones that I broke that initially didn't bother me are now making life tough but I just keep on, one day at a time. Overall, things are going great and I'll be up and at em in no time.
Thanks again for all the support. Enjoy your Sunday!
glad to hear you are in good spirits and recovering. [thumbsup]
Great positive attitude [thumbsup]
Just bought a 02 m620 9mts ago and like you, am in LOVE!
Thanks for sharing and your story is like a splash of cold water in the face.. Its dangerous out there!!
Heal up.. and maybe someday you'll start a new thread about your new bike!
:)
Update:
So, AGV replied to my (daughters) email. Apparently, they love to hear stories like that (about their gear saving lives, not accidents) and have been passing my email around to other employees, they also said I would be hearing from their marketing department because they would like to advertise with my story further. That's pretty cool. Maybe I'll get some free gear from it that I could give to my brother or dad. Either way it was a good thing for the healing process (mentally at least) and I'm sure the employees feeling appreciated only means more quality products.
That's great! Healing bones suck butt it does get better!
Just picked up the tread. [thumbsup] on keeping the lungs working as well as the rest of the body. Not really much more to say right now, keep your spirits high. It will eventually return to somewhat normal. If your days are done, then pick up a new hobby.
'Stay A Hero, Stay Safe' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvbDorJcg6o#)
Thanks for that.
That video was pretty cool
Thanks for your service.. glade your still around..