ah i love riding my roadie so much! but really screwed up yesterday. was in a bad state of mind (argument) and three beers 1 hour prior to riding. now im a big guy, 6'1, 280lbs so i was not DUI. I take ALL the blame for my actions. went into a sharp lefthand turn at a high speed (3rd gear) and could not make the turn try as i might. 35 mph zone but i was at about 50 i think when i hit the curb. got thrown off and into a cement wall and finally the sidewalk. roadie slid about 70 feet. i got right up and picked up my bike, did not feel any pain (yet). she had some superficial damage, engine guard, mirrors,levers, exhaust but nothing to body or motor. i road her home. went to the ER later. i was a very lucky man that day. no major injuries, just very, very sore and some road rash. suprised the doc's and myself.

this was not a proud moment in my life. i could have killed myself or someone else. i will NEVER drink prior to riding or when riding ever again its not worth it. and really now believe that proper mental status is a must when riding. walking through the crash site afterward and seeing my helmet mark on the wall is very frightining. the outcome could have been tragic.

sorry for the long post but if it helps one person from making a STUPID decision like i did its worth it.

hoodratt

ps-throw away your non DOT helmets, dont know how i survived in mine.


















9

Well..........first off, glad you walked away in one piece. I also Sincerely hope you learned a lesson yesterday. Drinking and driving/riding Don't mix. You may have felt bulletproof, but had something tragic happened to you, someone else would have suffered (parents, wife, children?,friends). I'll tell you from experience, it's extremely hard to loose a friend, esp. on a motorcycle. I hope you can understand where I come from. I hope you get your self together , and in the long run recognize the seriousness of your actions, and resolve to yourself not to be that person again. I don't know you , but I'll tell you up front, I'm glad you're OK , though you flirted with death. Bikes can be fixed, but death is a little hard to come back from. BB

Some lessons are hard learned. But I'm glad you came out OK.

VERY glad you are okay and no one else was hurt. Expensive lesson learned BUT the bike can be fixed!

Regards, Ted

Also learned my lesson a long time ago. Then it was just plain stupidity (invincible, bulletproof, etc.). I don't have any alcohol on or before a ride. After the bike is home in the garage, well maybe a couple. Glad you'll still be around to help spread the word. If one rider takes your lesson to heart that's a win for them.

Greyphart

PS - Took a good look at my helmet. Time to upgrade.

Everyone, you are right about alcohol not mixing but Hoodratt makes very good point. State of mind is also very important. If your head aint in the game keep your body on the sidelines. We have to watch ourselves and the numb bunnies around us and that requires our brains to be fully engaged 100% of the time. Hoodratt glad you ok.

Glad to hear that your life experience was not too 'expensive' (you're still alive).

I learned long ago that riding and alcohol don't mix. If I go to a party it's 1 beer an hour and no beer in the hour before I leave.

Doc

thats scary, glad you are ok

I've very glad this lesson was learned without any far reaching or longterm effects for you (or your Roadie!). Sad that we humans have to be taught through experience rather than through instruction. And I second you on the helmet comment.

I have both a full face and half style helmet. I usually reserve the full helmet for highway speeds and wear the half "around town". I just received a new full face helmet that has the front that will unlock and flip up. It's going to be my full time helmet from now on. I'm not the prettiest guy in town, but I'm far better looking WITH a face than without one!!



Glad you're OK!



M7

When I first started reading, I am thinking WT..., I wouldn't be sharing this piece of stupidity with anyone? But as I read on, I could clearly see your reasoning for doing so, and I applaud your courage and honesty.

For the life of me, I cannot figure it out when I go by a tavern and see a half dozen bikes setting outside; I realize that not all are inside guzzling beer... but...!

My God, I wasn't born with the brightest bulb, but I have enough sense to know that alcohol has absolutey no place in the plan of out riding a two wheeled vehicle....

It is just beyond me that someone would have alcohol and get on a motorcycle... and don't get me wrong, I love alcohol, I love to drink beer, and in the past I have driven drunk many times... doing some pretty incrediblely stupid things, but I need every sense of awareness when on my bike and I cannot afford to have my senses dulled whatsoever; the consequences are far too harse.

Hey, glad that you are OK, and thanks for the honesty and frankness... "now, go and sin no more..."