It happened

[wkid_one]

Well - it happened - the high side from hell - landed 10 metres from the bike can't remember a bloody thing. 

6 hours in hospital for CT scans etc.........extremely groggy and plainly lucky to be alive in all honesty..........

Game over for me - thanks all

 

[Coldkiwi]

Oh dude. That is ALL bad news. So sorry to hear that Wkid, I guess the bike is a complete loss after a high side. At least you're not in hospital now for your troubles. Bummer. I've crashed on the road and I remember the pain. My thoughts are with ya.

 

[Racey Rider]

:gob:

Sorry to hear that Wkid!
Hows the shoulder?

Were you rideing with mates or alone?

Best whishes for your recovery.

[wari]

That shits mate ... you take it easy now y'hear and heal up quick.

[Al]

Sorry to hear that wkid, as the saying goes "SHIT HAPPENS", but dammit, it is not supposed to happen to us bikers!
Speedy recovery mate, is the bike still salvagable?
:(

[brockhaus]

:disapint:

Sorry to hear that. Hope you'll soon get well.

All the best, Marcus

[Antallica]

All the best on your recovery mate

*gives wkid a beer*

[riffer]

Sorry to hear about that Wkid.

All the best for a quick recovery and a fast insurance payout!

Looks like that 04 R1 is looking a bit more achievable now maybe...

you are getting back on the horse again, aren't you?

[Lou Girardin]

BUGGER!
Lou

[bungbung]

Sorry news dude. I hope you are o.k. and the missus is understanding.

[georgedubyabush]

That sucks alright.

After a 10 metre highside you must be singing the praises of a good quality back protector?

[750Y]

Glad You're OK Wkid_1.

[Kwaka-Kid]

Ahh feck Wkid!!! duuuude, hope your intact and no permanent damage or anything serious like that :(    May the Morphine be with you.

[wkid_one]

Celtic - alas I am not.

So if anyone wants to one or all of the following - let me know


Rear Paddock Stand RRP $240
Front Paddock Stand RRP $170
Radar Stem Stand RRP $147
Tecnic Sythn Jacket size 32 RRP $800
Spidi Range Trou XXL RRP $599
Sidi Vertebra Boots Size 10 RRP $499
Aubus Cut Proof 1.8m lock RRP $199
Clover Back Protector RRP $249 (it works believe me)
Tecnic Leathers - size 62 RRP $1200
Shoei Clear Visor RRP $100
Shoei Tinted Visor RRP $100
Ventura Magnetic Tank Bag RRP $100


Plus anything else.  You can get a hold of me on the following:

email - daniel.symons@paradise.net.nz or 027 2 489868 (don't text me tho as the car following me ran over the phone and the screen doesn't work)

Thanks to one and all......I'll move to the left if I see you coming up behind me.

Dan

[Coldkiwi]

So how did you fare Wkid? Any broken bones/gouges?

[750Y]

geez it looks like it really is game over with the big sale n all. You're not put off riding for good are You?

[wkid_one]

No - gear did the trick really well.  Fucked my bad shoulder - and it hurts like crap as I landed on it.  However didn't dislocate it etc which was a bonus.  Landed on my hip so I can't walk and my right leg is badly bruised as is my left ankle.  Left elbow is swollen.  Biggest issue was the head - I got home and threw up and wanted to go to sleep so Kat called the ambulance and they rushed me off to hospital.  Had the obligatory CT Scans and Xrays - but nothing to worry about thankfully.  Apparently I wasn't remembering too well and was forgetting shit people told me 5 mins before hand.  I couldn't even remember I had bought the dog home with me or anything like that.

The guy coming down the hill in the opposite lane said the accident looked fucken primo - apparently I was about 6 foot in the air and landed on my head and shoulder (left)......crash bungs did their job tho - only some small scraps on the fairing ( one small crack near the head light) and the engine casing ground through so the oil spat everywhere.  Other than that no damage to the frame or the other side of the bike.  Lost a Mirror.  No bad for a high side really. 

The guy said I was about 12 inches from going under the wheels of the bus behind him - so at least I provided someone with some entertainment in the weekend.

My old man went up and had a look and apparently coz of the Toast Martinborough Fair - it looks like one of the buses was dumping diesel.  I had been up and down the hill 3 times that day for the hell of it.  My bad.

ANyway - enuf gory details.  Everyone ride safe and I will see you in my rear view mirrors some time.

Signing out

Dan

[riffer]

Sorry to hear about it Dan.

You know, living at the base of the Rimutakas I know I too tend to take them very much for granted.

I did kind of the same thing on the Kaitokes (Twin Lakes Lookout point corner) about ten years ago in a 318 V8 Valiant Regal - hit some diesel and went for a slide. Walked away too but wrecked the car.

I guess its a good reminder to myself about that hill. It's a great ride but it sure can bite, even if you think you know your bike and you've ridden the road a zillion times.

Actually I pulled up behind an R1 on Friday evening about 6-ish at Totara Park lights dropping mine off home so I could go back to a barbecue and drink. I thought it might have been you but no vanity plate. Maybe it was you, fritter? Can't be too many of them blue R1's about.

Hope you get the bike up and going and gradually get back into it though mate.

Sounds like you're going to be a bit of a passenger for a while however. Glad to hear you've got someone to look after you.

All the best for your recovery.

Si

 

[Lou Girardin]

Think it over slowly, wkid. You've sounded too committed to bikes to chuck it in. You'll probably feel different in a few days.
Lou

[bungbung]

Can't be too many of them blue R1's about.

Ha! there seem to be more blue R1's on the Rimutaka hill than anything else. Of course it's probably the same 2 or 3 going over and back again and again... :)

[wkid_one]

I am more committed to life Lou -and I can't make myself the promise that I will ride safely, it is my nature to push the limits - this time I pushed too far and got away with it, next time who knows.  I knew it was going to happen and made a pact with myself that I would give up if it was serious and I class lying on a CT Tray serious enuf.   If I do get back in to bikes it will be strictly at the track - if at all.  I enjoyed it while it lasted - time for a new challenge.

The scary thing is that I wasn't even pushing the bike - people that have ridden with me up the hill will attest I normally ride up there at 11/10ths.  I was doodling up the hill and still came a cropper......I was honestly luck I had my knee down to a degree - coz had I lower sided I would have slid straight into the oncoming traffic.  All I remember is the bike sliding and thinking - FARKKKKKKKKK keep the throttle open.

Anywho - enuf discussing this crap - buy my gear instead - I need to buy some new toys (jetski - summer will be here soon they promised me, iPod),... My aim in life now - to do the 2004 NZ Targa - I need a co-driver so be in quick!

[Lou Girardin]

I was just in the Suzuki Owners Club website and they have set up a petition to the Gummint about preventing diesel spills from vehicles. I thought that's a bloody good idea, then realised the futility of petitioning the people that erect wire rope barriers.
Lou

[bikerboy]

Good to hear you have come out of it in one piece. Sorry to hear you are quiting though I can certainly understand. :(

Perhaps later you'll feel differently?

Good luck with the sale and the bikeless future. :niceone:

[KiwiDan]

Thats a bit of bad news m8, shame considering all the work and nice bits you were putt'n on,, how about some photos, before with all the nice shinny bits and after with all the fucked bits ??.

A lesson for all newbies and not so experienced,,

Ya can own em , but can ya ride em ????? :Oops::o

[mangell6]

Dan,

Sorry to hear about the off, you must have been dawdling up the hill to hit some 'die sel', as you would usually skip over it.

I remember following a trail up and over the hill one day nice and wide it was screwed all the corners up and caused me to use the whole lane, had to cross over the trail and even vertical could feel the bike slipping.

On a brighter note there are several options here:
1. The bike can now be officially made into a real race bike.
2. The bike can be swapped for a couple of 'bucket' racers
3. The bike can be swapped for a slightly faster race bike.
or
4. Donate the bike to one of the racing ladies, one careful owner.

Mike

PS It is good to see that all our ACC money going to some proper use.

[Blink]

sorry to hear dude


didnt even get a chance to go for a ride with ya :(

best wishes for ya recovery


-Lewis

[bikerboy]

Kiwidan, the point to your post?

Talk about kick a man when he's down,

lame dude, really lame. :angry2:

[wkid_one]

Don't worry BB - I didn't read it as he is ignored. Why bother responding - it is easier for some people to be fuckwits with the safety of distant and technology, it makes them feel tuff, go figure what pushes some peoples buttons.

PS - buy my stuff - I have found the jetski I want! - yes swapping one evil for another!

Yes Mangell - racing is still an option as I said before......but I need to buy a house first (and the jetski).

[What?]

Dan, bikes can be a bit like women. Just coz one dumps you, doesn't mean you will turn gay.:p

Hope you heal soon.

[mangell6]

hmm

Taking the other side of KiwiDan's post, this is a good reminder to all, new and old riders, that no matter how careful you are shit happens.

And I think that is his standard "signature" at the bottom of his post hence the emoticons.



So Dan will you hang around here or move to the "KIWIPWC" forum???

Mike

[KiwiDan]

The points to my comment BB are,

 * Beware , ones self image may be greater in their mind than in reality

 * And as I have said all along in past posts, these forums can be for talkers and not walkers, just cause ya own em dont mean ya can ride em.

PS Dan, I know ya, I know where ya come from, I know ya riding experience, I know ya skill level, who ya tryin to kid, ????.

If ya hit fuel on the road I would think a low side would result, not hi side , wouldnt it ??

Sometimes in these forums theres just too many wide mouthed frogs.

Call me a fuckwit all ya like, I know you.

Ignored, Whats that, is it ya security blankie?.Ive ignored him so he cant hurt my feelings.WHAT THE FUCK.

[Blackbird]

What happened to a bit of good old sympathy for a fellow rider who is physically and mentally hurting irrespective of the circumstances?

Most of us have narrowly avoided similar accidents by sheer chance and Dan, I'm just sorry that Fate dealt you the poor hand this time.  Take good care of yourself and good luck for the future, whatever you decide about riding bikes.

Geoff

 

[SPman]

:eek:

 :argh:

 :angry2:

 :D :o

 :beer: :apint:

[wkid_one]

No SP - have I just been instructed I am not allowed a beer for 48hours!~

Mike - what is KIWIPWC?

[SpankMe]

Bummer about the accident wkid, but at least your ok. Any crash where you don’t get permanently injured is a good one.

You shouldn’t let this put you off bikes. I’ve come off the bike more times than I can remember, even been carted away by an ambulance a couple of times. But the first thing I did after picking myself up off the ground was to check on the bike and see how much fixing is needed to get it back on the road again.

If you ride a bike, this is gonna happen eventually. So show us you got a pair wkid, and get that bike fixed and get back on it. That’s an order. :p

[wkid_one]

Sorry - but no

[mangell6]

Dan,

We have a Kiwi - Biker web site and forum, I thought that there should be a Kiwi - Personal Water Craft (PWC) web site and forum.

Mike

[Motu]

Originally posted by bikerboy
Kiwidan, the point to your post?

Talk about kick a man when he's down,

lame dude, really lame. :angry2:

Good grief - not aloud to wind up a guy for dropping his bike? shit,I gotta punch myself in the face,cause I'm the first guy to say what a fuckwit I am for dumping.PC my arse!!!!

Wonder how many have me on the ignore list,well,that's two for a start eh? :2thumbsup

[SPman]

 

 :D:D

[Andrew]

Sorry to hear about that dude, I don't know what its like to come off but its a real eye opener to me.
BabyB is right, always telling me to ride within my limits.

[bikerboy]

relishing anothers misfortune is childish no matter how well you know them.:( And i seriously doubt it is the action of a real friend.

kiwidan, your points while well founded or not seemed to me more like gloating.

motu, pc has nothing to do with it, consideration for others does.

just my personal opinioin boys and girls, and i'll say no more about this.

[KiwiDan]

Sorry BB, fuck PC, if one wants tobe a noter, blab on about getting knees down , then I wont hold backwhen they dump it, especially when theyve only own 2 x 1000 cc bikes and have crashed both. 100 %

WKID, ( Dan ) ya pulled ya own chain far too many times mate, I for one got sick of it.

End of subject:angry2:

[Lou Girardin]

OK then, time for a group hug.:rolleyes:
Lou

[kiwistorm]

Bummer!

Sounds morbid but let see the damage.

Put the pics off your digital camera on here.

Big highsides like this always hurt like hell and bend the heck out of bikes. If it threw you like that it must have made a hell of a mess to something.

Maybe we can all trade pics of high side damage? I have a few from many years ago.


Look on the bright side, you managed over 1270 posts in this bike forum alone!

Good luck with the water sports.

 

[750Y]

I must admit this is a confusing crash because I thought the highside usually happens when someone rolls OFF the gas, too abruptly, during a slide...(Survival Reaction #?) & the rear tyre regains traction big time. I could be wrong tho.

[jrandom]

Originally posted by 750Y
I must admit this is a confusing crash because I thought the highside usually happens when someone rolls OFF the gas, too abruptly, during a slide...(Survival Reaction #?) & the rear tyre regains traction big time.

I'm not likely to be highsiding the FXR any time soon so this is all third-hand from me, but your description tallies with my understanding.

I suppose a highside would be quite possible if the rear end stepped out on a greasy bit, spun up and then grabbed as it slid back onto the dry surface. I seem to recall a couple of similar Superbike incidents in the last year or two, those guys certainly wouldn't have been inappropriately rolling off mid-corner. Always looks spectacular when a rider does the Superman thing with the bike following close behind.

And GWS wkid, best wishes with whatever you do next. Shame you're giving up biking though. Dunno what I'd do in similar circumstances, but I'm seriously thinking about *not* getting a hard-arse sprotbike next. Mebbe a Bindit or something until I'm older and wiser (not that I'd be the first to use that fallacious reasoning and then end up hitting a ditch at 160kph with my 'sensible' bike following close behind).

Still, for those who don't want to ride unless they're the fastest on the road, I can kind of understand the lack of desire to tone it down and carry on. Personally I just like bimbling along on two wheels... even the 150 is better than a cage. 'Nuff said, I'll shut up now...

[bluninja]

WKID, sorry to hear about your accident. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Highside ? lowside? I must admit that replaying the few (but getting more regular) track crashes I've had I always know what the end result is, but sometimes I'm not sure how it happened.....which infuriates me cos I then can't change/improve to stop it happening. I had a highside with a fixed throttle so go figure (well until I was thrown into a handstand positon).

"A lesson for all newbies and not so experienced"

I think this should be a reminder and caution to all of us. There have been many excellent, highly skilled, experienced riders that have been killed in road accidents over the years. High skill levels, roadcraft, and experience help reduce the risk, but they don't remove it.

TTFN

[Motoracer]

Guys and gurls, stay safe out there. These crashes always seem to happen at once. I found yesterday that wikid crashed and then after I went home, I had to assist my friend who T-boned a car after the car failed to give way at a fair bit of speed. Luckily he wasn't hurt but the bike is smacked up a bit.

Just this morning, I was riding on the motorway and when I was shifting lanes, the car infront slamed on the brakes because a truck was swearving in front of it. After a mild stoppie and quick steering, I managed to avoid yet another crash.

Anyhoo...

Good on you Wikid for moving on. Life has so much to offer and there are just so many things out there to miss out on if you are only into bikes. Somehow I have a feeling that you will get back into it because I have seen some charecters go through hell and back and still get back on the saddle just becuase they miss riding so much. Good luck with the jetski, you can still get hurt but at least its not as easy to damage the machine, I think...

[merv]

A high-side is generally going to happen when you lose the rear badly under power, you are then kinda side on to the direction of travel and then the goddam back wheel gets grip and the momentum of your machine then just flips the thing over. I can quite easily see this happening if Wkid slid out on a strip of diesel and then the back tyre found grip on clean seal and over he would go. If you all saw the Philip Island MotoGp on TV you would have seen Melandri fly off his Yamaha like that. Mick Doohan did a few in consecutive GP's a while back until he seemed to get back his composure.

This is the kinda thing that happens to us dirt riding all the time but generally because of the light weight of the bikes and the wide handle bars when it bites you can normally hang on and flick back the other way and power on more upright and save it. On a road bike the speed involved and the weight generally mean it all happens too quick and usually no-one has the strength to counter the forces involved. I say usually because there were exceptions and Graeme Crosby was one who seemed to have what it took to pull his Kawis back into line from quite severe rear end slides.

That's my 2 cents worth other than to say when Wkid commented he normally rode up the 'tukas 11/10ths that not really leaving anything in reserve when all said and done it is a public road, not a race track and you really need to be prepared for the unexpected.

My sympathies are with you though Wkid and I'm sorry to hear that it happened. Personally I can't see you'll get the fun out of PWCs that you get out of bikes. Once you've done a few donuts in front of the beach impressing the chicks, then what? A trip round NZ on it?

[Car Dodger]

Hey Wkid

How many accidents have you had?

I dont mean to sound like a complete prick.
But Ive had more than enough accidents. 4 of which put me in hospital for CTs and all that stuff.
But I learn from my or others mistakes.
I'm far from being a good rider, but I know I'm a safe one.
If the problem is backing off the thottle, then maybe the track is where you belong.
But if you still like to cruze and love the feel of it, then dont deny yourself the pleasure.
I have an 8 yr old son who whats to see me come home each day, so I ride safe for him, if not for myself.
And if shit happens ie( slippery road surfaces etc ) then it happens.
going to the tracks or riding a jet ski is'nt gonna be any safer by far.
You sound like a good seasoned rider, keep it up man.!!!
:2thumbsup

[bikerboy]

kiwidan, your are intitled to your opinions. My comments were not meant as an attack, just thought the timing a bit harsh.:o

I guess I always like to give people the benefit of the doubt when things go pear shape.

Enough said.:done:

[Car Dodger]

hey Guys

I hate to sound dumb (more so than usuall)

But whats fug is highsided??????:o

[Hoon]

Originally posted by Car Dodger
But whats fug is highsided??????:o

Highside is when you get flicked off up in the air.  Lowside is when you slide out.

Crashes of all types here (10MB quicktime) (http://www.socalsvriders.com/videos/racing.mov).

[Car Dodger]

Highside is when you get flicked off up in the air.  Lowside is when you slide out.

Cheers man

I was begining to think I was on everyones ignore list.:D

[k14]

Yeah, that has to suck. Sorry man.

Was behind my mate about 3 months ago when his chain fell off and he got highsided into the middle of the other lane. Luckily no cars were coming. Shook me up quite a bit, but after a few days i was alright.

Good on ya for stopping riding, something like this just shows how lucky we are to be here :2thumbsup

[Yamahamaman]

And So, how much is this gonna cost us in ACC levies over the next 20 years or so - not to mention increased inurance premiums simply because you have no control over your testosterone. Grow up a little and think about others.

[Pickle]

Hey Kiwi Dan

your comments about W'kid hit the spot, if you ride / race on the road then sooner or later you will have an accident. If you talk big then your actions had better support it.  W'kid if you go racing just remember the speeds will probably be higher and the crashes bigger. I stopped racing myself after having 2 big crashes at over 180km/h even tho I walked away from both.

My brother crashed his ZZR11 going fast, it put him off for a while & he went out & bought a jet ski (120 HP Sea Doo ). Idea was he wouldnt hurt himself on it, but first time out he broke his toe. Now he has both a jet ski & 2 bikes.

We have both learnt from experience & racing that if you ride fast on the road you should leave something in reserve for emergency's. May not have helped you Dan in this case but going 11/10ths on the road is being a WANKER.

I have seen many a mate fall off even my wife highside in front of me but this hasnt put me off just slowed me down for a while. Get Back On Ya Big Girl :done:

[marty]

i have to agree - it's a hard road mate when you talk it up, then when it goes wrong you ditch it and say 'enough'. don't think for a minute that see dooing is a painless sport. like water skiiing at speed, it's not the broken bones, but it's the ripped tendons, trashed backs, dislocated shoulders, knees, hips etc that hurt. no ambulances in the surf either. i know of 2 people that i used to ski with (that's speed ski - 170km/h) that are in wheelchairs as they fell at speed. i'm picking you're not gonna be tootling around looking for dive spots either wkid. have you thought about getting into 4 wheel bikes? i saw one yesterday that had a VTR 1000 v twin engine fitted to it - 2 bros pipes and fully kitted. sounded like a big v twin too (funnily enough). holy fuck. i was scared just lookin at it!

on the other hand, i know people who have been wheelchaired/killed/maimed just crossing the road too - can't even stay in bed now, might get deep vein thrombosis - the worlds most boring way to die......

[SPman]

Highside - not nice - glad to hear you are OK. (substantially!) Having had several sideways moments at 120k plus on fuel spills, it scares the fuck out of you...(well, me, anyway).!

Giving up riding.....well ..the old man gave up in 1939 after seeing a couple of his mates killed (one egg sliced through a fence!) and having an off, ending up with stuff all skin on his back and his legs straddling the front wheel off a truck..(which had fortunately stopped when the driver saw him sliding down the road)! So I can sort of empathise with that.

BUT!

You talk the talk.....so......you gotta walk the walk!

You fuckin' arse off, when you admit,  (and I've seen you), you ride at 11/10ths on the road, (even if you weren't at the time), then you quit and go Jetskiing, or get another "toy"!!

As KiwiDan says ..W T F !

So motorbiking is an activity in which you can  big note, then when it all gets too hard and realities bite, you can fuck off and spend your leisure dollars on some other "go getim" sport or activity! Sounds like a fashion accessory to me!.........the American way..?!

You do have skills which would see you as a skilled and competent road rider, -  and track rider too, if you want to, (although there's nothing like the track to make you feel humble in the "I am a fast rider" category - initially, anyway), Just don't treat the road like a fucking racetrack all the time - it dont work that way!...I know its fun...we've all done it, ..but........your odds will run out and eventually, someone gets hurt!

I'm not totally unsympathetic, but......

what the fuck do I know, anyway.....

 :whocares:

[Stormer]

Tough break dude.

Why not get an XR or something and do a bit of off-road.

Still on the bike but a change of focus...

Speedy recovery to ya.

 

[Slingshot]

I was in Motorad today and I spotted your bike, for a high side crash it's got bugger all damage.
What are you planing to do with the bike?

It's a shame you can't get crash bungs for riders!!!

[aff-man]

That's unfortunate man hope you recover soon. As to the water sports i know of a few guys who got hurt pretty bad and then there is always the possibilty of drowning :( . But hey the bug will bite and you will need your speed fix so whatever it is on good luck and have fun:2thumbsup

[bikerboy]

HEY, WTF is "...the american way"

That sounds like penis envy to me mate.

Just because someone can afford all the toys doesn't mean they neither deserve nor enjoy them.
:argh:

[wkid_one]

LOL - this is actually quite funny to read - the polarity in comments is amazing.

At the end of the day the decision to walk away is mine and mine alone to make.  Other than racing, I have achieved all I wanted to do when I started riding - I proved to myself I could do it.  Sunday's crash just woke me up to the fact that the way I like riding will kill me - no more no less - a fact I knew but previously ignored

As for fucking off - I hung around after my last accident last year where I dislocated my shoulder, and this accident isn't half as bad as that one.  This time - I just can't be bothered with the whole saga AFTER the accident of recovering, costs etc.  I am choosing to leave of my own volition - rather than be forced to.

As an insight - I got in to riding bikes coz I was scared shitless of them - that is the single and only reason why I started riding.  I wanted to prove to myself that I could ride a bike and ride it well.  I feel I have done that.

Whilst now - given the shoulder took a hammering in the accident - I am content to listen to my quacks advice and step away from it.  I was riding when I shouldn't, thinking I was 10 foot tall and bullet proof - but I came off - and was extremely lucky not to permanently injure the shoulder as a result of the off.

It also showed me that NZ roads suck.....and I can't enjoy my style of riding on the road, hence the comments about racing - where I can atleast enjoy a consistent and safe environment for riding the way I like.

As for talking the talk and walking the walk.....I have been walking the walk everytime I get on my bike anyone who rides with me will attest- I played hard while I did it.  I am thoroughly pleased with how my riding has improved in 2 years.  But I know - given my personal traits - that I will get back on the bike and ride exactly the same as I did leading up to the accident - why?  because I love it and don't view it as a mode of transport but as a competition.  I like the feeling of pushing my limits - stupid I know.....but that is what I enjoy.

I will get back on my bike to 'get back on the horse' and one last fang - and then sell it.

As for the toys -  I was buying a jetski anyway for summer.  Most of the money from the sale of the bike will go in to a house and a road bike.

As I said - the decision is mine - if you don't agree with it, I'm not gonna argue.......it is your opinion, just respect mine.  It is not an easy decision to make coz I love riding............but I have a list of other things I want to attack and there is no time like the present - AND I am not saying any other sport/pasttime I take up is going to be safer by any means.

 

[Kwaka-Kid]

What if i cry and bang my fists in frustration on the floor?!

then might you keep riding? :D

all good, and thanks for all the advice over the last 6months dan, you helped me get out there on the track and i appreciate that!

[twistymover]

Yes, all the best Wkid for whatever you choose to do. It's been good having someone as enthusiastic and articulate as yourself on the site, and not just about bikes. Maybe you'll have a peek in at Kiwibiker from time to time.

[Marmoot]

Heck......I missed this thread for not going online for 3 days.

Just sound like my story all over again eh?
When I crashed on January I woke up couldn't even remember which one was my girlfriend, couldn't even remember I have a g/f or not. Then another hit on August, I vowed to quit. Quit! Quit! Quit!....But then I repaired my bike and now I'm waiting for it to be done so I can go riding again.

Wkid, real sorry to hear the news, mate. Good luck for now, but I sure bet you'll be a born again someday.

[LB]

Hi Dan - really sorry to hear about your crash - saw your bike in Sawyers on Monday or Tuesday, didn't realise it had been down the road. I'm glad you're okay (ish) - do take care. Good luck for the future. (I'm new at this site, only my second ever post!) Lynda (Monster)

[SPman]

Originally posted by bikerboy
HEY, WTF is "...the american way" 

1 - Buy the latest, flashiest,hypersports bike, for use as a style accessory,coz it looks cool, hang out a lot showing off and occaisionally riding it (badly) for more than 20 miles, then selling it when you are tired of it and getting the next hyper sports fad - jetski, skidoo, whatever.....you know the squidly thing..

2 - Alternatively, get a bike, ride the nuts off it and become a world champion...you know..the Lawson, Spencer,Rainey,Schwantz,Roberts,Edwards,Mamola sort of thing. (yanks are really good at this as well - almost as good as Aussies!)

3 - Or....anything really, I was, after all, shooting my mouth off (a common thing amongst web posters!)

The choice is yours! 

the choice is your's..............

[marty]

Originally posted by Marmoot

When I crashed on January I woke up couldn't even remember which one was my girlfriend, couldn't even remember I have a g/f or not.



is that a bad thing?

[marty]

i've just remembered a mantra i used to live by when i was doing ironman.....goes for bikes (and life really) too:

words are words
talk is talk
excuses are excuses

performance is reality

:)

[SPman]

Originally posted by marty
i've just remembered a mantra i used to live by when i was doing ironman.....goes for bikes (and life really) too:

words are words
talk is talk
excuses are excuses

performance is reality

:)

 :niceone:

 

That's me fucked then!:D

[Marmoot]

Originally posted by marty
is that a bad thing?


That's a damn bad thing!!! Especially if you don't realise that you ended up with your ex! And your new gf was actually something taken out of baywatch. And your ex actually look like something from the tops twins....A small ding in the head but a big ding in your humanity.

[wkid_one]

This is an interesting thread - everyones opinion is interesting.

All I know is financially I can't be bothered riding the bike anymore - fucked I am paying wicked insurance premiums for a bike to sit in my garage 6 days a week and if I am lucky with the weather I get it out in the weekend (my fault I know).  And as for injuries - I know I will fall off again because I how I like riding (it IS a case of when not if) - and I just can't be arsed with the hassle of it.  Yes I know I am likely to get injured in another sport......I'll take that risk.  I am NOT opting out because of a fear of riding the bike or falling off - had that been the case I would have walked away after my last and worst accident as I said before.  I am leaving because it made me realise there are other things I want to do with my time and money.

I rode hard when I had it - and now it is time to move on - loved it, still love it, will still ride when time permits - just not at the moment.

Still have racing under consideration - buy a shit old 400 and race it till it dies - no insurance worries, no big costs - much nicer and tempting.

[Kwaka-Kid]

Originally posted by wkid_one
no big costs

yeah..erm..NO! :p   well, possibly for all others but me, it takes up all my money as it is now and thats skimping and saving on everything possible.

[wkid_one]

In comparison to having $20k invested in a bike and a wicked insurance premium - ahhh yes - no big cost.  Please also note - I use the term 'invested' loosely

[James Deuce]

Oh Man!!

I remember all these feelings so well.

I've just come back to riding after 10 years (haven't done much lately but that's another story :)) off.

I had an RC30 that I absolutely adored and as well as being quick and handling beautifully it was very comfortable and I went all over the country on it.

To cut a long story short I got taken out by a 75 year old who'd had a couple of wines at a mate's place in Picton, and hadn't bothered to turn his headlights on (9:30pm), or stop at the stop sign at the end of the mate's road, or check for traffic before he pulled out.

I was in a 50kph zone and according to the TO (this happened the same weekend the Traffic Officers turned in Poolice) who attended I was going much slower than that when I hit his fender and flew over the bonnet. I would have been OK at this point if the stupid old sh_t hadn't run me over twice as he tried to get away. He broke 2 vertebrae in my neck, two in my thoracic spine, gave me a wicked whiplash injury the ENTIRE length of my spine ( tore muscles, tendons, and compressed 30% of the "disks" in my intravertebral spaces.) separated my righ shoulder and gave me a concussion that left me with post-concussion syndrome that I still battle to this day (lack of concentration, lack of motivation, debilitating migraines, and emotional perception issues - loses temper easily in other words).

I was resuscitated 7 times between the accident site and Blenheim hospital and spent 4 days strapped to a board waiting for the bone doctor to fly up from Christchurch to assess me. He'd been operating on someone for 17 hours before he saw me and misdiagnosed the spinal fractures and sent me home. I collapsed frequently at work over the next 3 months and ended up having a correct but too late diagnosis from a Wellington doctor. I spent the next 6 months on ACC having physio and occupational therapy, and psychiatric help for the post concussion syndrome.

My point is that life is precious and wkid has a very valid point also. I still value my ability to walk, play drums, and be with my family. It's taken 9 years for my wife and I to have 2 children, but in the spirit of that "which does not kill makes me stronger" we've perservered and succeeded. I now have a wife and two small children to come home to and this tempers my approach to everything I do when riding a bike. I ride very differently now to how I did then and try to go on rides with at least one other mate.

I bought an old CBR600 from a mate for a small sum and spent the next 8 months riding every weekend and sometimes to work. I visited my dying grandmother in hospital in Tauranga and my grandfather frequently since then. The bike is much cheaper to travel on and a hell of a lot more fun. Hoever the CBR is so old that I wonder what's going to break next so I've parked it and am looking for a newer bike for my own piece of mind.

Wkid - you are most definitely allowed to make your decision. I think that you've evaluated you situation correctly and taken the intelligent approach. You may come back to it one day and if you do get another bike I guarantee that you'll have a different outlook, a greater level of maturity, and different reasons for riding.

Best of luck and remember that you are the only one qualified to make decisions on your behalf. Be proud that you can make a principled stand. Most of all be happy and enjoy your journey.

Jim2

[Motu]

You don't mention what happened to the driver who hit you - so I presume he was fined $5000,had to pay all your medical bills and loss of earnings and has now lost his license forever,never to be able to drive again.Or else you drive past a clump of lush growing trees with a small smile.

[James Deuce]

Originally posted by Motu
You don't mention what happened to the driver who hit you - so I presume he was fined $5000,had to pay all your medical bills and loss of earnings and has now lost his license forever,never to be able to drive again.Or else you drive past a clump of lush growing trees with a small smile.

Hehe

He was fined $600 and disqualified for a month.

Justice!! I was a stinky biker after all :D

Jim2

[merv]

Wkid on my sojourn into Sawyers at about 11.30am today was that your R1 on the footpath? - kinda stripped and from the packaging on it looked like its just returned from the chassis straighteners.

[wari]

Hey Jim ... I wasn't going to read your post coz I thought it might be a bit windy and know it all (definitely not saying u have a rep for that or that I think that way about you ) hmmmm ... anyway ... just how big IS that hole I'm digging?

Where was I ... oh yeah ... coz it looked big , I wasn't going to read it. BUT once I started, I had to finish. And I gotta say its one of the most intelligent sounding posts I've read so far.

Now I'm not saying other posts on here AREN'T intelligent ... I'm just saying ...

awww heck ... I'm going to jump in my hole now ... someone bury me... please.

[James Deuce]

Hey Jim ... I wasn't going to read your post coz I thought it might be a bit windy and know it all (definitely not saying u have a rep for that or that I think that way about you ) hmmmm ... anyway ... just how big IS that hole I'm digging?

Where was I ... oh yeah ... coz it looked big , I wasn't going to read it. BUT once I started, I had to finish. And I gotta say its one of the most intelligent sounding posts I've read so far.

Now I'm not saying other posts on here AREN'T intelligent ... I'm just saying ...

awww heck ... I'm going to jump in my hole now ... someone bury me... please.


LOL!!

And thanks.

I also enjoy digging holes. Check some of my other posts. ;)

[wkid_one]

Wkid on my sojourn into Sawyers at about 11.30am today was that your R1 on the footpath? - kinda stripped and from the packaging on it looked like its just returned from the chassis straighteners.

Na - not mine - it is just waiting on a couple of parts from Yam NZ - then it is ready to be sold.....the frame was unscathed as was the swing arm. All and all the damage was negigible thanks to the crash bungs.....just some fairing scrapes etc

[Coldkiwi]

how do crash bungs prevent high side damage anyway? I figured they were good for a low side at best but that'd be it.

[wkid_one]

how do crash bungs prevent high side damage anyway? I figured they were good for a low side at best but that'd be it.

Took the initial impact when the bike flicked over and broke - disipated the energy and prevented the fairing from being smashed to bits. Plus - they protected the frame from being scratched (along with the pick up bobbins on the swingarm).

Ps - saw the R1 back from the Straighteners - older model with the silver frame

Would have worked perfectly in your off CK

[Coldkiwi]

Would have worked perfectly in your off CK

yes... yes, they would have. Funnily enough, that thought was RATHER prevalent in my mind as I kicked my own butt back into the garage after dumping it! :crazy:

'some people gotta learn the hard way' - DC Talk

(How true)

[wkid_one]

yes... yes, they would have. Funnily enough, that thought was RATHER prevalent in my mind as I kicked my own butt back into the garage after dumping it! :crazy:

'some people gotta learn the hard way' - DC Talk

(How true)

CK- that is exactly how I decided to get them for the R1. Doing a u-turn - steering lock was considerably less than the VTR and hit the stops, bike dove and luckily I caught it. They were well worth the investment.

Go to www.motrax.co.uk - took them 4 days to deliver mine and much cheaper than NZ

[Coldkiwi]

how long are they?? I don't want poofy short mushrooms that only stop the fairing getting completely holed after the paint has been left on the road.

[wkid_one]

how long are they?? I don't want poofy short mushrooms that only stop the fairing getting completely holed after the paint has been left on the road.

Long enuf to lie the bike down without any of it hitting the ground other than the tyres and bungs. Would recommend pick up bobbins as well as they save the swingarm.

[Coldkiwi]

can you get them off the shelf in NZ or do I need to go online?

[wkid_one]

www.motrax.co.uk