Ouch! That hurt!! - Harley Forum

#1 01-23-2008, 07:03 AM

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There are three kinds of riders: 1. The ones that went down, 2. The ones that will go down, and 3. The ones that lie about it. I fall into the first category. I learnt a lot from the mistakes that caused my crash, and I'm sure you did also of yours. Tell us about it/them... here's mine:

Out on the bike riding the coast road with a lady friend in tow (riding an R-6 Yamaha) on a beautiful summer’s evening. After a rest stop by the shore, we agreed on the next rest-stop location. She was a novice rider and insisted on riding in the back (mistake # 1). When we got to the next stop, I signaled with my hand and light, but didn’t look over my shoulder (mistake # 2). I slowed down and proceeded to turn right from the extreme left of the lane (mistake # 3). I saw a red flash out of the corner of eye – and then I felt the impact on my right thigh, sending me and an almost 700 Lbs bike to the ground, crushing my right hand and lower leg, followed by sliding under the bike on my forearm on the pavement for about 15’. She was daydreaming at the time obviously. It helped that she was nurse and performed the necessary first aid on the spot! Man! She sure packed a wallop for a 105 pounder on a relatively small bike! The immediate pain wasn't that severe, but the pain I felt the next day was pretty bad! That was on our second ride together. We used to tell people who would ask how met… “Oh we just ran into each other”. That was over two years ago, got special teatment from a private nurse for a long time and the road rash healed, but my lower leg and throttle hand are not the same!

Hank

botzman · #2 01-23-2008, 07:53 AM

Deuce,

Most of the old timers here heard my tale of woe but for the newer folks here goes. April 07 picked up my 05 Road King from my indy shop just having new tires and a dyno tune done. Beautiful clear Spring day afternoon. Heading home on a two lane road. Heading north I observe a p/u truck heading south waiting to turn left with directional on. Im doing 30 mph (speed limit) approaching left turner. Throttle down as I approach. I watch his front wheels and him and think Im in the clear. As Im about 15 foot from him he turns into my path. Hit the brakes and just as I feel them begin to grab, impact. I flew over the bed of the truck and landed on the shoulder of the road. Lucky to have survived. If I would have hit the cab it would have had a different ending. Tore 3 ligaments in right knee, fractured left wrist, massive bruising on inner thighs from slapping the tank. Not one spec of road rash.

In hind sight what I've learned:

No matter how long you've been riding (25 years street) you can never predict what an idiot is gonna do. I honestly thought I could read people and know what they would do before they do it. Seemed to work for years prior. Road Kings dont stop well even at speed under 30MPH....LOL. If you land in a safe location do not move (I didnt). Stay there and dont get up til the ambulance arrives. First instinct is to get up and wanna kill the guy but it will only hurt you more in the long run. I think I did the best I could have considering my options at the time. I couldnt lay the bike down. Not enough time. If I could have I may have slid under his pick up truck which was fairly high off the ground. That would have hurt too. Couldnt go to his left. Head on traffic coming that way. To the right...thats where he was heading. No more options. Still get uneasy when I see the left turner up ahead. Hope that passes soon. Recovering from knee surgery now and will be out there again this Spring. Botz

#3 01-23-2008, 04:23 PM

Sorry to hear about your accident botzman, and I hope you heal up 100%!

Hank

texan321 · #4 01-24-2008, 12:10 PM

get well soon - spring is just right around the corner. You doing any mods while you are recovering?

botzman · #5 01-24-2008, 01:05 PM

Hey Texan,

I am doing some mods on my old faithful bike. The one that didnt throw me into a truck! That bike was totaled (2005 Road King). Used to have pics up of the damage but when I re-registered they disappeared. Just feeling well enough to get started. If you go to the members projects thread you'll see my old Sturgis there. Trying to keep busy as I heal. Later. Botz

bottomend · #6 02-16-2008, 07:58 AM

I got on my first mini bike at age 4, one thing I know for sure, if you ride 'em you will wreck 'em...I just finished reparing my 06 Low Rider, it's in the project forum...My classic was in Big Bear California in 84...toys for tots run, riding a '47 knucklehead, suicide clutch and jockey shift, sitting at a stop light with a big azz panda bear strapped on the back, for some reason just took my foot off the clutch, went azzhole over elbow, several hundred bikes behind me, talk about everyone laughing their azz off!!! Must of had something to do with the beverages...Then my next greatest, 86 all harley drags at KCIR, nevermind...you get the point