So there are 2 kind of riders... one who has been in a wreck and one who will

[Goat_Herder]

For the past 2 years, it has been a blast on my Duc.  The bike is beautiful and I feel like a million bucks whenever I sit on it.  I have been cafeful and used my best judgement while riding.  I don't speed much, almost always within speed limit+10.  I ride defensively.  I constantly scan the road for hazzard.  I stay out of people's blind spots.  I proceed causously in unfamiliar corners.  There have been a number hairy situations but I handled them well and came out unharmed - rode thru oil spill, sand, water puddles in turns and saved myself from lowsiding.

And then it happened without warning 3 months ago.  

I guess it took this long for me to come to term with it and be able to talk about it publicly.  So here it goes:

August 24th was a hot summer morning.  I warmed up the bike on the driveway as usual.  As I put on my helmet and gloves, getting ready to go to work, the engine just died.  That was the first time it had ever happened.  These unusual/abnormalities tend to catch my attention.  I remember thinking to myself "this is strange".  Is it a sign?

Hopped on the bike and went on my way.  About a mile down the road, I came to a busy intersection.  With the green right turn arrow, I made the right onto the right lane in a 5 lane road (2 each way and 1 center turn lane).

Quickly got up to 35-40mph and looked to the left and then right to scan for side street traffic.  In a spidey sense kind of way, I got the urge to look left, .  Turned my head and caught a glimse of an image that has burned in to my mind.

I remember looking just above my left hand and saw the hood of a car.  The front bumper was just below my left elbow.  Everything was standing still...  Then it went dark and I heard a loud crunch.

In a dream like state, I remember thinking to myself "no way...  not like this".  I didn't want it to end like this.  I am not ready.  

After what felt like 5 seconds, I started dreaming about being crushed under a big wave and my body just being pushed around by the current.  I snapped out of the dream and found myself laying against the curb.  Oh and PAIN.

Based on statement of witness and all parties involved, the police determined that the driver, coming toward me, made a left turn from the center turn lane and failed to yield to right of way.  The car hit me on my left side, impacting the left fork/engine area.  The bike went down so hard that the handlebar snapped in half.  Frame was twisted and the crankcase broke open.  The engine rev'ed for awhile without oil.  As for me, I suffered 2 fractured ribs, broken tailbone, and a messed up left ankel.  +/- a fraction of a second, it could have very easily been a lot worse for me.

Anyway, the Wife was pretty mad at me at first.  She wasn't gonna let me get back on the bike.  Now she is coming around and open to the idea of me riding again.  For me, I don't think I was ever in doubt.  I know I will get back on a bike when I am able.  The question is what I will be riding?

Ride safe and treasure everything/everyone around you.  You don't know how quickly and easy it can be taken away from you.  

[BK_856er]

Wow.  Glad you are still with us.

When you are ready again,  [moto]

BK

[sisca77]

Thank you for sharing the story. Glad you made it, and I hope you'll find another Duc (or something else) to ride when the time comes.  [moto]

[duclvr]

Glad you to hear you are ok.

[jvax]

Really glad it wasn't worse.  Good that you're now able to share the story.

I am a very careful rider and found myself nodding through every sentence you described your carefulness with.  I know that no matter how careful one is, when accidents happen they happen and there's no stopping them from happening.  Only wish is to come out of them alive with no permanent damage or trauma, and learn from them.  I know it will happen to me one day or another, and I try my best to be prepared for it, by continuing to be careful, slow down at the slightest risk, gear up well and pray it doesn't happen this day.

Take it easy, get better physically and mentally and give your loved ones time to recover from their scare and regain their confidence in the whole riding idea.  Roads will be there when your next bike is ready for you.

[dennisd]

I am so glad you are OK, and by that I mean you are able to get your life back on track.

I almost hesitate typing this, maybe I'm a little superstitious; but after hundreds of thousands of miles over the years of riding, I have yet to go down on the street.  On dirt, MANY times; that's part of riding dirt.  I've had lots of REALLY close calls, the latest just a couple of evenings ago.  A deer ran right in front of me.  Luckily years of experience helped me and I was able to brake and maneuver around the deer as it slipped and skidded on the pavement trying to gain purchase and run away.  At the closest point I could have reached out and petted the deer on the rump.  Your story reminds me of how things go through your mind at times like that.  I remember hearing the deers hooves clacking on the pavement as it tried to run.

Anyway, back to you; hope you get back on 2 wheels soon.

[fastwin]

Glad you are OK. That's all that really counts. Did the bozo that hit you have insurance? Hope so. What in the world was their excuse for pulling that lame brained maneuver. What, they didn't see you? Right...

It's OK to expect the SO/spouse to not want you to ride again or even leave the house and go outside. My wife hates motorcycles but I've been riding motorized two wheelers longer than she's been alive. She knew what she was getting into when she said "I do". Still didn't stop her from throwing a damn fit when I broke my neck even though none of it was my fault. It was a screwed up animal attack but the fact I was on a bike when it happened is all she cares about. It was the bike's fault! She got over it but she still has never been the same. If she's not at home and I decide to take the bike on an errand or go for a long ride I have to call her and tell her that's what I am doing. Plus call her every time I'm off the bike. Repeatedly. It's like checking in with a probation officer... hmmmm, that's what she was for 15 years. Guess it makes sense. I just deal with it and so does she. She knows she can't stop me from riding and I just placate her fears and anxiety and life goes on.

Get well soon. You'll ride again. [moto]

[VeryMetal]

Sorry to hear about that. It's a nasty experience. I had almost the exact same thing happen to me, even the way you went over sounds familiar (plus the messed up left ankle, ribs etc). It took me a year to get back on a bike. In a weird way it was kind of a bonding experience between me and motorcycles. If you can pick yourself up and get back on one that's a pretty amazing thing. Good for you.

Have a speedy recovery!

[Goat_Herder]

Thanks for the good wishes.  I am back to about 80%.  Ankle is still giving a little trouble.  Anyway, I can't wait to get back on the saddle again.  I guess the silver lining is that I can take this opportunity to start over and find my next bike.  The S2R is definitely in consideration but I am going to check out others as well.  The new monster is starting to grow on me.  The 796 might be a possiblity. 

Any suggestions?

[Triple J]

That sucks, but glad you're OK! 

[rideserotta]

Glad you're recovering. I hate it happened and reminds me that we are all vulnerable whether we are in a cage or on a bike. The difference being on that on a bike your legs are the crumple zones. When not commuting on my bike (Ducati) I commute on my bike (Serotta bicycle). I actually don't have a car at the moment and haven't for over a year. My wife and kids have cars. I've had a LOT of close calls on the bicycle. I tell my wife I'm safer on the Duc than the Serotta. I don't think either one of us really believes that but it helps with the sanity. She REALLY hates motorcycles.

There are a certain percentage of humans that will be in accidents/crashes. Some will be in cages, some on bikes, some on bicycles, some on foot, etc. I just pray that if/when it happens that it's relatively minor.

[ab]

Glad you are alright.

Yep, I realize everytime I get on the bike that my 3rd wreck might be on the way unfortunately (as much as I try to not think about it)

It's interesting that in slow motion you feel an out of body experience for what seems like seconds when in reality it is split nano-sec that you are actually going down.

Be safe everyone  and oh the bicycle riders on the downtown areas with crowded cars - now those dudes are nutz 

[booger]

I've commuted via bicycle in downtown DC for the last 10 years. Been hit twice by cab drivers, the second time was pretty bad- put me in the hospital for a spell. Yep, it's super dangerous out there. However, I've never really suffered PTS over it. I love me some two-wheeled transportation.

[RC Fan]

Glad to hear you are OK and on the mend!

Since you asked for suggestions, how about the M1100 EVO?

[Monsterlover]

It's interesting that in slow motion you feel an out of body experience for what seems like seconds when in reality it is split nano-sec...

In times of extreme stress or danger our bodies will push aside all senses but sight. The brain hyper focuses and causes a perceptual slow down of time.

It allows us "more time" to react and thus increases the chance we'll survive the event.

Glad you ok Goat. Gladder that you want back on the horse