Ride your own ride!

[roeme]

(...) For the low speed commute to work it's just been the helmet, jacket, and gloves. Now I'm considering the padded kevlar khakis so I can wear gear to work, and I'll see what they have for work-appropriate shoes. (...)

Why not change clothes at your workplace? It's what I do.

 

[Gorminrider]

Thanks for this cautionary tale!

"The attention I spent focused on following my friend was attention that was not spent investigating my surroundings and planning es cape routes."

It is so easy to space out riding in company- just as you say- it needs extra attention. Glad you're in good enough shape to tell us about it! (Statistics are all very well, but they don't tell the Real Story.)

 

[Redman]

.....
........... And I'm working on the GS - I just started a top-end refresh and hope to have parts on order tonight or tomorrow, so maybe 2wks and I'll have the 1100 on the road.

Good, will not need full coverage insurance on that.

.

 

[dorkburger]

Definitely interesting about the ADD question, and noted observation. My 11 year old has it, and quizzing him for school tests school is a 3 ring circus. Typically the TV is on, he may be looking at a handheld game or phone, and answering questions, usually correctly. His mind is always on, always picking up on multiple things. My wife and me have goofed ourselves more then once by discussing things in another room that he has picked up on without us knowing until later. So, yes, I would believe it if you think it helped lessen the severity of your crash. Maybe ADD patients should be perscribed bikes..... or maybe they are drawn to them. My son does love puttering around the neighborhood on my scooter. Walking around with him and observing the world thru his eyes is pure joy and entertainment. I suspect I would have it as well if tested. He and I are very similar. I was hesitant about his diagnosis at the beginning, but am a believer now.

Anyway, sorry for the diversion.....

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Not sure about it being an asset for riding/driving. Granted, most of the literature addresses ADHD, but ...

"[FONT=&quot]ADHD participants reported significantly more Violations and Lapses on the DBQ than control participants and significantly more accidents. Average speed and speeding were also higher but did not interact with route type. ADHD participants showed poorer vehicle control, greater levels of frustration with other road users (including greater frequencies of negative comments) and a trend for less safe driving when changing lanes/overtaking on the motorway."[/FONT]

http://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-015-0566-y

 

[Joe Garfield]

Not sure about it being an asset for riding/driving. Granted, most of the literature addresses ADHD, but ...

"ADHD participants reported significantly more Violations and Lapses on the DBQ than control participants and significantly more accidents. Average speed and speeding were also higher but did not interact with route type. ADHD participants showed poorer vehicle control, greater levels of frustration with other road users (including greater frequencies of negative comments) and a trend for less safe driving when changing lanes/overtaking on the motorway."

http://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-015-0566-y

Good points. I know most people think they are above-average riders/drivers, so maybe take what I'm about to say with a grain of salt I believe I'm a 'better' driver than the average person. I believe I'm more in tune with what the vehicle is doing - traction, current engine speed, what's going on around me, etc. However, I drive fast and take more chances. In a test for 'safe' or 'normal' driving, being fast and taking chances obviously hurts the score and shows up as risky. So there are pros and cons - maybe being a 'better' driver is negated by taking more chances, who knows. I've been in 2 accidents in my life: one at 18, distracted by changing the radio station and rear-ended a stopped car, and one at 39, distracted by a fellow rider and rear-ended a stopped car. But how often do I avoid accidents? I can't count on one hand the number of times I've had people tell me how they were amazed I avoided hitting something, and those are the only situations where I had a passenger or stopped to talk to someone.

 

[Joe Garfield]

how are you feeling today? Any injurys more noticeable today?

I guess it seems to be getting better through the day. I'm on day 3 of the headache and feeling slow and nauseated. My shoulders are sore today, my wrist hurts a lot more, and the groin pain has spread to the thighs and hamstrings.

I have an appointment at 4pm to see the doctor.

All that said, I haven't taken Tylenol since this morning so that's a pretty good sign. Also I'm looking at triple-redundant hydraulic schematics for airplanes and am able to make sense of them, albeit slowly, so my brain can't be that hurt!

 

[cowboyup3371]

To add to the comments about your gear, I wear my gloves, a Joe Rocket Alter Ego jacket over a nice polo/button-down shirt, and a set of Tourmaster riding pants over my work slacks and my normal riding boots when I work at the hospital. Once there, I change out of my gear and swap my riding boots with my cowboy boots that I always wear when I'm not working in the garage. Never once get weird looks from any of the hospital management and even have had major discussions with the hospital's Chief of Medicine while in the elevator.

 

[Joe Garfield]

Thanks! I'm not worried about looks, just comfort (heat and bulk) and where to keep my stuff. I can figure all that out though. I think I have a couple of pairs of over pants - one is bulky and hot, the other I seem to have out-grown before really getting to use it. I honestly don't mind an excuse to pick up a few pairs of kevlar khakis though! But we'll see, I have time to figure that out.

Remembering now, I have the over pants and a mesh jacket. I really, really disliked riding with that crap on! It made me not want to ride much. I think that had a lot to do with why I sold the Triumph and stopped riding for a few years. When I started again, I said 'eff the gear' if it's not gonna be fun. That didn't last, but thankfully I found one or two brands of leather jackets that fit great, and the kevlar jeans and pants. I want to get some leather pants for when I decide to go out and push it.

First things first, I need to bring my helmet to Shoei and get it inspected.

 

[Joe Garfield]

Oh and so I definitely have a concussion (and a sprained wrist). I'm not supposed to work until I get evaluated again on Monday - I'm not supposed to read, stare at screens, exercise... geez! But I should be able to keep working on my 1100 as long as I don't spend too much time reading the manual. And I guess I need to sign off now

 

[Carter Turk]

Glad you're able to walk away calm and collected.
So it appears this happened on the new bike with all the superior components vs a GS.
I wonder if the mentality would have been different in regards to keeping up with your friend, if you were on the GS?

What was he riding?

 

[Joe Garfield]

Glad you're able to walk away calm and collected.
So it appears this happened on the new bike with all the superior components vs a GS.
I wonder if the mentality would have been different in regards to keeping up with your friend, if you were on the GS?

What was he riding?

Thank you!

He was on a BMW adventure bike. It wasn't at all about keeping up in speed, it was about darting through traffic on the highway (changing lanes, lane splitting, etc).

If I was on the GS, I probably wouldn't have tried since its slower and doesn't turn as quick. But it wasn't even about the maneuvering - I was steady in the fast lane when it happened - I just took my eyes off the road for a second.

 

[Guest]

Not sure about it being an asset for riding/driving. Granted, most of the literature addresses ADHD, but ...

"ADHD participants reported significantly more Violations and Lapses on the DBQ than control participants and significantly more accidents. Average speed and speeding were also higher but did not interact with route type. ADHD participants showed poorer vehicle control, greater levels of frustration with other road users (including greater frequencies of negative comments) and a trend for less safe driving when changing lanes/overtaking on the motorway."

http://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-015-0566-y

A girl friend of mine has severe adult ADHD and has started riding some although just a TW200 Yamaha for now. She says it clams her down and makes her more attentive when she is riding as in has to concentrate more. She did the MSF BBRC2 advanced course with me and did very well. As soon as she can get some money together, we are looking for a street bike for her.

 

[Joe Garfield]

I got to talk to insurance yesterday. Unfortunately I have a policy that doubles the deductible within the first 100 days, and I was on day 89. It isn't the end of the world since I haven't done anything with my tax return yet. I also have some stuff I've been wanting to sell (tools) which will make up for most of it.

The other news came from the repair shop. They said the bill was 'already at $5,500 and climbing' and that I might be 'teetering on being totaled'. That news kind of hit me (uh, no pun intended ) I'm not sure what the value of the bike will be - it's only a few months old so it would be nice if I get something close to what I owe on it. I was surprised to hear the bill would be that high - plastic parts on this bike are actually not that expensive. Then I went online and saw the cost of forks ($850/ea assembled, $700/ea inner+outer fork tube), the wheel and brake rotors, etc. It was pretty easy to get parts to add up to $5500.

So I started thinking what I would or wouldn't do if it was totaled. Obviously the possibility of another crash is much more real now - I couldn't ever deny it would happen to me, but I never wanted to admit or face it. What was the likelihood of walking away from the one I was in? What's the likelihood of walking away from the next one? I can learn all kinds of things from this about what to do better in the future, but I also learned it only takes a fraction of a second to miss something and end up off the bike.

I haven't really been happy in too long of a time - that's a different conversation, but I was talkgin about all this with a good friend today. Being close to nature is important to me. The motorcycle has given me the opportunity to explore parts of the country that I wouldn't be so inclined just to drive to - the canyons, the coast line, even side streets around town. Then factor in the scents, the feelings, etc. I've also met or connected with people because of bikes. Getting anywhere on a motorcycle is so much more fun on a bike than in a car. So I don't think I'd be any happier without the bike. It's the age-old question: does the reward outweigh the risk (of riding Los Angeles)?

I seem to be feeling a little better today, regarding the concussion anyway. The wrist hurts a little more, there's more bruising, etc. but it's the road to a full recovery. I was able to work on the 1100 yesterday without aggravating my symptoms, and even organized my garage storage area a little. Today I'll do more of the same - disassembling the cylinder head and hopefully organizing my apartment a little. Maybe with a nap or some meditation on the beach in-between.

 

[Wingsconsin]

This is my opinion -

I commute to work every day I can on my motorcycle (GS850GL) .
The days I do I ride 13 miles one way in moderate traffic along roads that are going on average 45-50 MPH .
I enjoy the ride in - and the ride home. It makes me feel good and helps me decompress from the stress' of the workday

HOWEVER -
The part of motorcycling that moves my soul is the long distance rides into the great American open spaces -
Places like Utah, or Colorado; and the Great Plains States Like Nebraska, Kansas et al.
And the rides to the Smokies, or the northern woodlands of my own state of Wisconsin and upstate New York or Vermont.

The realty is - I love traveling by motorcycle to connect with the surroundings.
Scents, sounds, feel - subtle temperature changes going downhill or into the shade-
The smell of cut grass, a local restaurant, or even roadkill -
The breeze, the sun, the rain and the cold -
All heightened sensations when I am riding instead of driving.

The ability to be IN the moment and environment rather than passing through.

The danger of a crash is omnipresent - but I accept the risks knowing the rewards.
My Mother knew when I was very young that I never would be stationary for long. she called me her maverick as long as I can remember.
It is this burning inside to see what is around the corner, over the hill, inside the tunnel that appeals and satisfies me..

I suspect most avid motorcycle enthusiasts are similar in nature.

I suspect you are as well.

 

[bwringer]

Sorry to hear about this, Joe.

That moment when you're just a passenger of physics and time slows down... I know it too well.

Take care of your concussion, give yourself plenty of time, and make sure it gets evaluated thoroughly.

Get better soon!

 

[Rob S.]

The big lesson here is not to let anything or anyone influence the way I ride my motorcycle. I am disappointed for making such a rookie mistake, but I am thankful to have learned this lesson at the cost of only my pride

Lesson learned. Glad you're not broken.

 

[Charlie G]

Joe I hope you get better soon. LA and the SF area are risky places to ride in my opinion. I would do it, but I know it's crazy aggressive traffic. Take care

 

[gbw]

Just now seeing this Joe. Sorry it happened but very glad you're not hurt too bad (although bad enough with a concussion, aches and pains.)

Take care and get better. The bike stuff will sort itself out in time. Crazy what a difference a split second makes, huh?

 

[Joe Garfield]

Crazy what a difference a split second makes, huh?

Yeah - unbelievable.

So the estimate is just over $5500. The insurance adjuster will see the bike on Tuesday - I know they can be snakes but I have a hard time believing they'll value the bike at less than that; there's no way I can get another one for less than $9k. I haven't been through this before so I don't know how bad they try to low ball you. If it's considered totaled I'm out thousands. But I don't think it will be.

I got x-rayed yesterday because things were hurting really bad. But nothing is broken, and I think just knowing that makes me feel a little better. The bruising and swelling is really bad, and the concussion still sucks if I try to focus hard on something, or make quick decisions. I'm surprised they didn't say anything about not driving! I notice when I drive my brain is so much slower - it takes a lot of time and serious thought to figure out what's around me. Usually it's almost like instinct.

This is making me think about a different helmet, too. I'm thankful (of course) to be alive, and that I didn't get knocked out. But I'm a little surprised the concussion is affecting me this much/long. I went online and read about Shoei helmets being really stiff (maybe so they can withstand higher speed impacts). I wonder if there's another brand that does a better job at absorbing the blow, even if it means losing the helmet after a crash.