Did your accident change you and how so?

[razor78016]

Did it change your enjoyment level? No, Still ride hard and fast.

Did you learn something from it that would prevent the same exact accident from happening again? Yes, Don't take your eyes off the road to wave at a fellow rider heh.

What are you more cautious about now? Not to think of being overly cautious.

Any other words of wisdom? Improve your skills, Practice low speed maneuvers.

Lastly, I'm also curious how many accidents you've had if you're willing to share. One.

[vzshadow]

No accidents in four years of riding. I know that's not much time but I've done close to 30,000 miles. I've had a few close calls, too close for comfort, but I guess I've been lucky. The close calls came as a result of stupid moves by car drivers, but I have to take credit for a stupid move in one instance.
I did drop my bike once. I was out on a country road and pulled of the road onto a dirt shoulder. I put my right food down in the grass but I didn't realized that that grass was about a foot tall. There was a big slope there that I didn't see. It took a while to get the bike upright because of that slope. Once I did I was somewhat disoriented for a while. I don't think I was banged up, just shook up. I was in the middle of nowhere and the bike wouldn't start after the drop. I began to panic. The I tried the kill switch and found I had used it just like they teach you in the MSF class. It's been a few years so I don't remember every detail but it took me ten to fifteen minutes to get my wits about me and get on the road.
Based on my close calls I'd say keep alert and watchful. Never assume what a driver is going to do. Remember you are invisible and that all drivers are out to get you.

[Sgoatley]

Did it change your enjoyment level? For awhile. The guys here were really helpful. As someone said earlier, they call it PTSD and it is real. Many fils suffer from it after a get off.

Did you learn something from it that would prevent the same exact accident from happening again? Yes, ride within the limits of your skill set.

What are you more cautious about now? At first I was overly cautious, but now I'm much more comfortable. I'm still careful but my skill set has improved dramatically and with it my level of enjoyment. I ride harder now than I ever have, bu that's only because I've worked my way up to it.

Any other words of wisdom? Improve your skills, Practice low speed maneuvers and give yourself time to get over the accident. Whatever your feeling; it's yours, it's real and you need time to work through it.

Lastly, I'm also curious how many accidents you've had if you're willing to share. One this time around. Two others when I was a kid.




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[willys64]

Let me start by saying I have not had any road related accidents on a motorcycle. I have however laid down a few dirt bikes while trail riding and what not. That being said, as an EMT I responded to several motorcycle related injuries and deaths before I started riding. I believe this has made me a more cautious rider but you can never predict the unforseen. I have had my fair share of close calls in the 12-15 years that I have been riding. I was told a long time ago that there are two types of riders: those who have wrecked and those who will. My day may come but until it does I intend to ride my ride and be as safe and alert as possible. I'm sure you have heard the saying about getting back on the horse. Take this as a learning experience and continue to enjoy the freedom just like you did before.

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[kacealraid]

Did it change your enjoyment level? Not really.

Did you learn something from it that would prevent the same exact accident from happening again? Yes, plan carefully in parking lots and speed bumps. Practice low-speed maneuvers.

What are you more cautious about now? Speed bumps, sand, gravel, sharp turns on wet roads.

Any other words of wisdom? Don't overestimate your machine. Don't overestimate your ability to handle hazards. Treat every obstacle as if they were just as big of a threat as the other.

Lastly, I'm also curious how many accidents you've had if you're willing to share. 1 big and 2 small. The 2 smalls were drops because of wet roads or bumps in the road I didn't compensate for. The big one as a patch of sand after a big speed bump that broke my collar bone. Lots of lessons there.

[kaikara]

Did it change your enjoyment level? Not one bit. I was itching to get back on as soon as possible. I didn't get PTSD because I don't remember the accident.

Did you learn something from it that would prevent the same exact accident from happening again? Not really. I don't even remember the accident so all I know is what the police report said.

What are you more cautious about now? Watching what the person in front of me is doing.

Any other words of wisdom? Have fun. We all die sometime. Might as well go out while you're having a good time.

Lastly, I'm also curious how many accidents you've had if you're willing to share. One.

Police report says I was following too closely and slammed into the back of a pickup truck on the highway when they hit their brakes. I have no recollection of it at all, nor the next 4 days in the hospital. I broke my jaw and my hand. AC separation. Got stitches in my leg and bruised the bone in my knee with minor ACL tearing. Bruised my lung as well. Crash happened on 07/12/12. I bought a new one on 11/02/12 and have ridden every day since, smiling the whole way into work every day even at 25 degrees.

[Rock]

1. Situational awareness
2. Use the rear brake!

[MikeB]

My responses are identical to those of GPSchmidt. Except for his 31 years of riding...I think I have 42.

[tgelphman]

low sided and slid on a hair pin turn once. Bruised up knee and hip, some broken parts on bike. I have not had any less enjoyment since. I did learn to slow down well into a turn, better too slow than too fast.

[marcus]

Did it change your enjoyment level?
no. after a 5-day stay in hospital, i envied every biker/rider i saw on the street as they brought me home.

Did you learn something from it that would prevent the same exact accident from happening again?
let's just say i have a much deeper respect for compromised surfaces (gravel, rain, road paint, oil slicks, etc) now.

What are you more cautious about now?
unfortunately, outside of said road surface respect, i could stand to use a bit more of that caution idea.

Any other words of wisdom?
as another poster said, "never become complacent with your skills, there's always room for improvement" & "always view the cages as trying to hit you".

Lastly, I'm also curious how many accidents you've had if you're willing to share.
one in eight years of riding and it happened 2 months after getting my first bike (which is still my current ride). have also had my share of "pucker" moments that have been educational.