Reassurance needed following a scare

[Afmuir]

Hi
I have just bought an 800GS after a lot of looking around and because I just got the bug about wanting one. I sold my f650gs thumper to help finance but still needed to put a few thou to. It's money I could do other things with, like new kitchen counters according to my wife. It's getting delivered on Sat.
Today I met a guy through work who I had heard had had a nasty bike accident, and I'd only ever spoken to him on phone before. Today I met him. He had one leg, left arm in sling with no future use. Broke neck, hip,pelvis, had a stroke. He was doing 35 and taken out by an overtaking car that didn't see him. I was shocked seeing him.
I know it's risky and we still do it, but it did make me wonder what I'm doing. I didn't tell my wife.
So, please make me feel better!

 

[Bryn]

If you ride defensively...and expect other road users to do something stupid...you're halfway there

Why not get yourself on a bikesafe day? That'll make you feel better

 

[polecat]

Did you get his number? Does he have any decent gear he no longer wants ?

 

[Schtum]

You could get hit on the head by a chimney pot blown off by tomorrow's gales in Edinburgh, you could still get killed in a car accident or a bus accident or a train or plane crash. You don't need any of these to have a stroke or cerebral embolism or to get cancer, diabetes, heart or liver disease, multipe sclerosis or a number of other chronic or acute diseases.

Life's for living go out and live it. As for your meeting with the guy who was injured, that'll only be a deterrent for as long as you think about him. If you want to keep riding, go towards learning to ride even more skilfully and safely. Ride positively, actively managing your own safety not just trying to avoid risks.

Enjoy the F800 GS.

 

[Timolgra]

Hi
I have just bought an 800GS after a lot of looking around and because I just got the bug about wanting one. I sold my f650gs thumper to help finance but still needed to put a few thou to. It's money I could do other things with, like new kitchen counters according to my wife. It's getting delivered on Sat.
Today I met a guy through work who I had heard had had a nasty bike accident, and I'd only ever spoken to him on phone before. Today I met him. He had one leg, left arm in sling with no future use. Broke neck, hip,pelvis, had a stroke. He was doing 35 and taken out by an overtaking car that didn't see him. I was shocked seeing him.
I know it's risky and we still do it, but it did make me wonder what I'm doing. I didn't tell my wife.
So, please make me feel better!

Bryn's right but if your heart's not in it, don't do it!

 

[theoneandonly]

i've been riding since i was 16 years old , i have broken my leg, 9 months in plaster , both collar bones twice , one now sticks up a bit , had concussion so many times i can't remember...

weigh it against 6-7 years despatching in central London , 60 k mls /yr average , i still do 15+ k miles/year , all weathers .

one year of being safe ( driving ban )

my worst accident was at 20 mph = broken leg ,

my fastest at 60 mph when i cut my arm .

don't worry about it or you will make it happen , treat everyone else like a twat and you will be fine !

 

[flatdog]

Nope.
Sorry, No fucks given, and as it didn't happen to you why bother.
It looks like you are one of these twats who press the pedestrian button to cross the road (even if there's no fuckin traffic approaching)

Get rid of the bike, they're dangerous so get your zimmer frame ordered.
Fekking noisey smelly things.

Give you 50 bucks for it.

P.S, just seen your location. I'll take it without the seat thanks.

 

[Mr K]

Friend of mine was in an accident vs car last Thursday... He was underneath the car with bike. Christ knows how, it was a Kia Picanto pulled out over him it seems. Put into a coma by medics and on life support and ventilator as he could not breathe un-aided.
Tests have shown no sign of brain activity and they pulled the plug this morning.


I've ridden bikes since I could, but I am just in no man's land now...getting rather pissed tonight.

 

[Norfolk Tiger]

Sorry to hear that Chris I shall raise a glass later in memory of your mate later

 

[flatdog]

Friend of mine was in an accident vs car last Thursday... He was underneath the car with bike. Christ knows how, it was a Kia Picanto pulled out over him it seems. Put into a coma by medics and on life support and ventilator as he could not breathe un-aided.
Tests have shown no sign of brain activity and they pulled the plug this morning.


I've ridden bikes since I could, but I am just in no man's land now...getting rather pissed tonight.

Mr K ( with all due respect to your experiences)

Yep, that just what the op wanted to read.

 

[DrFarkoff]

Tests have shown no sign of brain activity and they pulled the plug this morning.

I've ridden bikes since I could, but I am just in no man's land now...getting rather pissed tonight.

Genuinely Sorry for the loss of your mate Chris

I know what you mean and My only response is that We can live until we "pass on" or we can hibernate wishing we had done schit

On the road I am "aware" 110% I am focussing 80% of my attention on what in front and to my flanks and 20% on my rear

When I am getting a move on I am still within sight of the speed limit and most often its just bimbling around those roads that there are no power rangers

When I return from a "voyage" around Belfast I have to wind down from the adrenaline rush of the Fuckwittery of car drivers who change lanes abruptly Start U turns in junctions and yesterday in my 3 and a half tonne van some dame just pulled out of the side road with nary a glance my way

Stay sharp stay on tip toe edge of action and it'll be okay

 

[JJH]

Been in a few myself. Lucky to never do a lot of damage to me. Lost a few friends and aquantiences down tru the years. An police instructor got knocked off his bike just outside his house. Very nearly killed him. I don't mean to be callous but the only way to keep riding is to throw your leg over the bike and do it. The sooner the better after a off. As we get older we don't crash and bounce as well as we did in our youth. I ride more or less every day and that's what keeps me alive. I'd have a heart attack sitting in a traffick jam watching bikes getting along. Funny thing is I'm afraid of flying. Really afraid. I still do it. I love biking. At it 40 years this year. Hopefully there will be another 40. Not if I keep eating big fry ups. JJH

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Friend of mine was in an accident vs car last Thursday... He was underneath the car with bike. Christ knows how, it was a Kia Picanto pulled out over him it seems. Put into a coma by medics and on life support and ventilator as he could not breathe un-aided.
Tests have shown no sign of brain activity and they pulled the plug this morning.


I've ridden bikes since I could, but I am just in no man's land now...getting rather pissed tonight.

Sorry to hear that Chris, heard what you said earlier in the week and this is the worst outcome

Take care, buddy

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

To the OP

If yer heart's not in it...............sack it off

If you miss it.......... you can return

If you don't miss up, do something else

If biking puts you 6' under, then that's life over

 

[Deleted account 210604001]

I had a 5 year break for similar reasons, had done everything I wanted on a bike and my heart wasnt in it.

3.5 years into the break, I decided to itch a scratch to get a commuting scooter, 18 months later I had a new Panigale 899. Now Im enjoying my riding more than ever.

If you do carry on, get some additonal training whether its Bikesafe, IAM or ROSPA. Anything that helps you ride defensively will help, and make you feel more in control.


RBW.

 

[boatman]

You don't say how long you have been riding the 650 ?
Do you think the 800 GS is going to get you into trouble ?

Only you can decide what you want to do here, I suspect most long term riders (that have ANY cerebral capacity)have at times considered this dilemma ,which is essentially risk /reward

Riding bikes IS dangerous , as in there ARE dangers, and the very fact,s of your post indicate that you are well aware of them .

Only you can decide.

 

[Afmuir]

Thanks all. Riding since I was 14, but off and on throughout the near 40 years since. Have had the 650 for 3 years. I like to sit back and enjoy the scenery rather than go like hell. I think it was just one of those days when you get a bit of a jolt and question a bit. Thanks for the comments.

 

[Bryn]

Thanks all. Riding since I was 14, but off and on throughout the near 40 years since. Have had the 650 for 3 years. I like to sit back and enjoy the scenery rather than go like hell. I think it was just one of those days when you get a bit of a jolt and question a bit. Thanks for the comments.

If you are a 'sit back and enjoy the scenery' type of rider you have a bit more chance of keeping it shiny side up anyway..... just get yourself some extra training as has been suggested... and enjoy it

 

[Richie N]

I lost my nerve a bit back in 2013 - I came off 5 times in that year

A couple were drivers/cyclist, and some my own fault - lost front in the wet.

Now that I am 50 my riding has changed over the years (been riding 20 years everyday), and I decided I needed ABS for the first time to keep the bike upright! I bought my 1200GSA a year ago and I love it.

I had a shoulder op just before Christmas and had a couple of months of the train into work - I couldn't wait to get back on the bike!

Despite getting up at 445am every day for work, I actually enjoy my commute because of the ride.

I have always been of the attitude that when your time is up it is up, it is not worth stressing about...

Like others have said, if I were you, and you still enjoy riding, keep doing it, otherwise pack it in.

 

[agent2494]

Fell off in the ice 5 years ago broke C7 (neck) told I may never walk again and wrist waited 6 months got back on the bike. Life is for living as its so short. Pack it in if you don't feel safe. Use bike every day 20000 miles a year for work.


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