This sucks!

[SMOKEU]

Last year, in the spring season I decided to give my bike a birthday so I could enjoy many days of summer riding. I put new spark plugs in (not an easy job!), cleaned and reoiled the air filter, put a new fuel filter in, replaced the engine oil and filter, installed a 12v socket for my radar detector and finally a new rear tyre.

Then last November, I binned a dirt bike and broke my hand. I thought I'd be on the bike again within 6 weeks. That didn't turn out to be the case. My throttle hand hurts because of the crash and I have trouble gripping the throttle without a fair bit of pain for any more than 10 minutes.

To make matters worse I've lost my balls in the sense that I don't have the confidence to even ride properly anymore. I tried to go for a ride out to Akaroa, but I found myself being scared of every corner, and I had to turn back by the time I got to Little River because the hand was just becoming too painful. Harley riders will probably put me to shame in the twisties, it's that bad.

How long did it take some of you to recover to the point that you could ride normally again from crashes?

[sinfull]

Your fucked sorry

[scumdog]

Harden up young one.

Take short runs to get your confidence back.

And be aware, all these injuries you get now will again bite you on the bum as you get older - so TRY not to hurt yourself anymore.

[Flip]

A couple of months and a advanced skills course.

Hows your trigger finger? Interested in going down to the Easter Bunny Hunt?

[Toaster]

I binned ... broke my hand. ... hand hurts... gripping ... I've lost my balls ... in the twisties, it's that bad.


Your fucked sorry

So eloquent there sinfull.

SMOKEU, many never fully recover. Some have to learn to live with the injuries and adjust accordingly. It is the sad consequences of our crashes. Having said that, I hope you do make a full recovery or at least find something to ride in time that will allow you to keep riding.

[bogan]

who gives a shit how fast you're going? just concentrate on riding smooth and the rest will follow.

if you go group riding just make sure you know the route though! DAMHIK :shutup:

[scumdog]

SMOKEU, many never fully recover. Some have to learn to live with the injuries and adjust accordingly. It is the sad consequences of our crashes. Having said that, I hope you do make a full recovery or at least find something to ride in time that will allow you to keep riding.

What about one of those gizmos that enable you to operate the throttle without gripping the 'grip' so tight? ('Cramp-Buster' or something I think they're called)

[SMOKEU]

Hows your trigger finger? Interested in going down to the Easter Bunny Hunt?

I can still use a shotgun with no problems at all. I'm keen to take my 12ga shotty out rabbit hunting!

[Virago]

The old adage about "getting back on the horse that throws you" is good advice, alas that's not possible when you've been injured. The longer it takes you to get going again after an accident, the more you'll be shitting yourself when you do.

As Scummy said, the only option is to work through it in small doses.

My big concern is how much control you have with that hand, particularly in an emergency braking situation.

[SMOKEU]

What about one of those gizmos that enable you to operate the throttle without gripping the 'grip' so tight? ('Cramp-Buster' or something I think they're called)

I'll look into it if my hand doesn't get better within a few months.




My big concern is how much control you have with that hand, particularly in an emergency braking situation.

I've got full control of my hand, it just hurts to hold the throttle, and it hurts to twist the throttle as well. Braking is unaffected.

[onearmedbandit]

Once I've got my bike back on the road I'll be keen to get out for a few rides with you again Chris. Either that or I convert Sal's bike.

[SMOKEU]

Once I've got my bike back on the road I'll be keen to get out for a few rides with you again Chris. Either that or I convert Sal's bike.

Cheers dude - I'll try not to bore you to death on the ride this time round!

[Conquiztador]

Harden up young one.


Lets see...

- Fell from tree and broke every bone in left wrist. Taped it up and took painkillers and rode it 1000 k's. Had an operation where two steel pins were fitted in wrist and cast on. So turned clutch straight up so I could ride by pushing down on clutch with cast the day after operation.

- Crashed on beach with dirtbike. Broke 7 ribs in l/h side and punctured lunge. 1 1/2 week in hospital with pump sucking shit from lunge. Was back riding inside 2 weeks once I could move without screaming from pain.

- Broke collarbone in race on Sunday. Taped it up tight and worked whole week. Back racing next w/e.

- Crashed bike in Italy. Stuffed up knee. Hospital for a week. Came out and could only jump on one leg. Straightened forks by bending with a long piece of wood. Sort of straight but no suspension or frontlights. Rode back to Sweden from Italy. Worst part was starting the Bonny as she only had a kickstart. So learnt to stand on kick with left foot and then jump off at the end of travel.

A glass of concrete comes to mind...

[onearmedbandit]

Cheers dude - I'll try not to bore you to death on the ride this time round!

You were going along quite well I remember. We just need to take it easy, and identify what's causing you to feel stressed out about corners now.

[White trash]

I splintered my fifth meta carpel in my left hand into three places, no displacement though. Six weeks in cast and it seemed good as gold. As soon as I started riding again 7 months after I got out of cast. some clutch levers still cause a decent amount of pain. Cunting fucken injury that gives me more trouble than several more "serious" injuries have.

[gale_wolf]

What about one of those gizmos that enable you to operate the throttle without gripping the 'grip' so tight? ('Cramp-Buster' or something I think they're called)
Also called a 'throttle rocker' and there are a few brands around that all do the same thing. I used one for a few months while recovering from an injury, mine was a no-name brand that only cost $10, it worked very well for me, saved me from a lot of pain while riding. Wouldn't really recommend it for tight twisties though, quickly closing the throttle can be a problem if the rocker isn't set just right, leaving it still revving more than you want when you're expecting the revs to drop off (due to the angle of wrist and palm on the rocker, not quite closing off)

[Ocean1]

What about one of those gizmos that enable you to operate the throttle without gripping the 'grip' so tight? ('Cramp-Buster' or something I think they're called)

Throttle jocky?

I use one when touring. Lets you relax your grip, works well, just practice to check what movement your hand mobility allows when you get on the brake with one fitted.

[tigertim20]

Last year, in the spring season I decided to give my bike a birthday so I could enjoy many days of summer riding. I put new spark plugs in (not an easy job!), cleaned and reoiled the air filter, put a new fuel filter in, replaced the engine oil and filter, installed a 12v socket for my radar detector and finally a new rear tyre.

Then last November, I binned a dirt bike and broke my hand. I thought I'd be on the bike again within 6 weeks. That didn't turn out to be the case. My throttle hand hurts because of the crash and I have trouble gripping the throttle without a fair bit of pain for any more than 10 minutes.

To make matters worse I've lost my balls in the sense that I don't have the confidence to even ride properly anymore. I tried to go for a ride out to Akaroa, but I found myself being scared of every corner, and I had to turn back by the time I got to Little River because the hand was just becoming too painful. Harley riders will probably put me to shame in the twisties, it's that bad.

How long did it take some of you to recover to the point that you could ride normally again from crashes?

its as much psychological as physical. It can take a long time, some people never completely recover mentally, and have a permanent lingering fear.
For your throttle hand, I would suggest getting some larger grips, i.e ones with a greater circumference, so theyre easier to hold onto without having to make such a tight fist. even gluing some sort of padding around it might work?

[trailblazer]

injuries can take differant amounts of time to heal. I broke 2 fingers in my right hand 4 years ago and they still give me grief but you get used to it and carry on. I had an work place accident at work 2 years ago and split 2 of the discs in my back and had 4 months of work and then 2 months on 2 hours a day increasing an hour every 2 weeks before going back full time and that still gives me grief expecially on a long ride or long day at work. Just take your time your body is the best judge of time it needs for a full recovery.

[YellowDog]

Maybe wearing OTT protective gear may give back some confidence to take those tight corners.

I agree that short rides are a good way the help start the confidence healing process.

[baptist]

How long did it take some of you to recover to the point that you could ride normally again from crashes?

I have smashed joints and bones in my hands, back, arms and legs more than once, not much of an issue as they heal, or so I thought... until now, arthritis. Man what a dog... it can make some rides (especially in the cold and damp) more of a challenge than they should be.

SMOKEU let yourself heal properly before doing to much and as has been said before try not to break your bones again!!!!!

I hope your confidence comes back soon.

[Oblivion]

Last year, in the spring season I decided to give my bike a birthday so I could enjoy many days of summer riding. I put new spark plugs in (not an easy job!), cleaned and reoiled the air filter, put a new fuel filter in, replaced the engine oil and filter, installed a 12v socket for my radar detector and finally a new rear tyre.

Then last November, I binned a dirt bike and broke my hand. I thought I'd be on the bike again within 6 weeks. That didn't turn out to be the case. My throttle hand hurts because of the crash and I have trouble gripping the throttle without a fair bit of pain for any more than 10 minutes.

To make matters worse I've lost my balls in the sense that I don't have the confidence to even ride properly anymore. I tried to go for a ride out to Akaroa, but I found myself being scared of every corner, and I had to turn back by the time I got to Little River because the hand was just becoming too painful. Harley riders will probably put me to shame in the twisties, it's that bad.

How long did it take some of you to recover to the point that you could ride normally again from crashes?

Don't worry I have crashed on a dirt bike too. A friend of mine was trying to teach me how to ride one properly (my first time). Then he tried to teach me how to do jumps. Off 10m hills. All in the same afternoon. Needless to say, I stuffed up. Ended up hitting a small rut, totally unprepared.Bent the handlebars, also broke a reinforced stainless steel clutch lever, with a bark-buster fitted . ( He said that it takes skill to fail that hard :woohoo: )

Anyway, You should be fine, but like other people say, take it easy, If you go too far too quickly, you might end up having the same scenario happen again, but this time on the road.

The road to recovery is a slow one indeed :yes:

[AxN]

Then last November, I binned a dirt bike and broke my hand. I thought I'd be on the bike again within 6 weeks. That didn't turn out to be the case. My throttle hand hurts because of the crash and I have trouble gripping the throttle without a fair bit of pain for any more than 10 minutes.


Have you been to see a Physiotherapist? Sounds like you need some more treatment and rehab to get that hand right. PM me if you need some Physio advice.

[SMOKEU]

Have you been to see a Physiotherapist? Sounds like you need some more treatment and rehab to get that hand right. PM me if you need some Physio advice.

No I haven't been to physio, I can't afford it since I'm on the dole.

[Teflon]

Harley riders will probably put me to shame in the twisties, it's that bad.


There are some pretty quick Harley riders out there that have surprised me.. thank fuck for 160+ HP

Work on your lines... took me a while after having a few big crashes.

[p.dath]

Confidence and knowledge are heavily related.

Before an accident people often rate their knowledge high (I'm a good rider, I can get my knee down, etc). After they have an accident they question their knowledge (what went wrong, I don't know what happened, etc).

Riding with other better riders is a good way to learn how your knowledge and skills compare to other riders.

Getting rid of your fear means you have to either improve your knowledge, or realistically asses your own knowledge and skills relative to others.

So either start taking slow rides until you feel trust in your knowledge and skills building (which causes confidence), or find a more experienced rider to ride with (so you can self-assess your knowledge and skills).

ps. Having an accident can be a way to improve your riding, in that it resets your confidence levels, and allows you to more accurately asses your own skills and limits. It's just that it is a hard way of doing it.

[Paul in NZ]

Maybe you were riding for all the wrong reasons and now you need to find a new groove - just relax. Having said that - I know what you mean, nothing ruins a ride more than the sure knowledge you are definately sub optimal and in danger of caning yourself...

[p.dath]

Any chance you can lesson the pain in your hand my simply adjusting the levers?

[AxN]

No I haven't been to physio, I can't afford it since I'm on the dole.

There are still Physio clinics that are free for ACC injuries around in Christchurch. Look it up, get some rehab on that hand.

[oldrider]

And be aware, all these injuries you get now will again bite you on the bum as you get older - so TRY not to hurt yourself anymore.

True! ... True! ... True! :yes: and after that they start to hurt! :doh: