Thoughts Needed

I knew I was asking the right people. You guys are GREAT! I can honestly say that I was with some of the best folks in the world when I crashed.

Semi, that was my grandsons pacifier on my keychain. He was one, him and my son passed away in 2009.They passed away 2 weeks apart. To be very honest you guys have brought alot of happiness back to this ol' Fatboy.THANK YOU!!
 
Hi Willie,

I'll share my story with you in the hope it comforts you in knowing others have had to make the same decision.

In June, 1990, I wrecked on my Honda. I woke up with my head completely indented into the gas tank. Fortunately I was wearing a helmet and that saved me. I didn't have gear and I wear the scars on my arm and leg today.

The day after I hobbled into the dealership and they refused to sell me another bike. Yeah, I was that messed up.

The next day I found out my wife was pregnant. Ummm, HELLO change in circumstances!

My daughter is now 20 years old and she has been riding with me since she was 3. At first on the gas tank between my arms (with helmet and with my feet dragging on the ground in front of the house). At 5 she rode on the back because her feet touched the pegs. She's ridden with me ever since.

I ride because I like riding. My wife then (now ex-) told me never to ride again. I didn't listen.
My wife now (love of my life) tells me not to ride. I don't listen.

I do what I love and I take that risk because I trust my instincts and my abilities. I don't trust that person in the Volvo but I trust myself to keep my distance.
I trust in a higher power to steer my bike clear of obstacles that I alone cannot prevent.

The point of my story: It's up to you. You know when and if to ride. If you do decide to ride again, don't be scared. Retake an MSF course. Practice, practice, practice. You're a good rider. Just use your best judgment.
 
to be totally honest, you could simply break your neck walking down the sidewalk and slipping and falling. personally i would get back on and ride, but its something i live to do. i was with out a bike for almost two years and practically put me into depression. you could always go the trike route. but another wheel on the busa and call it a day. but than again i guess it wont really help much in an accident.
 
Willie! Whats up dogg??? So glad to hear of your progress. Was really great to see you last fall and look forward to seeing you next month too!

Ya know, you could've broken you neck higher up during the accident and be paralyzed now, you could've severed or injured you spinal cord enough to be paralyzed from a certain level down during your accident. We all live with that risk when we ride. Thing is, now you are at even greater risk of these same injuries because the spinal segments immediately above and below your fusion will see greater stress as a result of the fusion and be subject to injury, lets say, easier now. Another consideration, how is your neck rotational movement, is it enough to look around beside and behind for safe lane changes? How about neck comfort in the riding position. I have no segments in my neck fused and at times my neck aches very bad from being extended for long periods.

In the end, it is such a personl decision. Soul search, talk with your family. Talk with your God.

I only wish you the best and the happiest times you can have. But if you wreck on me again, I'm gonna break your other ribs!!! :laugh:

Love ya Willie!!:laugh:
 
I love riding for the sake of riding and what it means to be on a bike to quit. In your situation though I would do the three wheel option. If it is the spyder (which is cool IMO) or if it is a custom bike turned into a trike, I would ride. I have three little ones, wife, and everything else that goes with responsibilities but if riding is a passion then the depression of not riding would kill me just as fast as anything else.

The doc might be correct in saying that if you ride and wreck again you could die, but now you are in a situation that anything you do could cause that break and death. So dont give up on living life just enjoy it a little more safely thats all.

I dont know ya but I hope this helps, I am always glad to see someone recover from an accident and always pray it doesnt keep them from what they love doing. I say trike.
 
Willie I'm happy to hear the doc released you.
I like the trike idea as well but I also am curious if you have enough movement to perform?
Whatever you decide I'm sure it will be the right one as you seem to have been making the right ones so far.
Sorry for your loss good luck and God bless.
 
GsxrBots said:
I completely love riding. I'm 35 years young and have been riding since I was 5. With that being said, if more than one competent doctor told me that riding motorcycles could effect me not walking again, or being paralyzed or anything like that, I would NEVER ride again. Period. Life is too short to give up everything for one thing. If that makes any sense.
I am glad to hear you are okay, but don't risk doing it again. :beerchug:
Click to expand...

olddddddddd
:laugh: :beerchug:
 
Okay Mr Willie........ So very happy that you are better....

Let me make sure I have the facts correct before I offer advice.... As Mr. King has advised me in the past you were a fairly new rider to the busa when you crashed. If I remember maybe even to bikes in general.

Everything that we do is a calculated risk in our lives. You have to know the consequences of YOU crashing now. You have heard from a Dr. that if you crash your spine will surely suffer and probably die. With that said just look back almost a year and ask yourself how the crash happenned. Was there an out lying condition? Did someone pull out in front of you or did the crash just happen?

Once you have that answer then you can look at the consequences.... If you get on a bike and crash your doc has told you that you will be dead or paralyzed......

What are the odds that you will crash again?

When I had my big crash in 2007 I was going the speed limit in mid day with all my gear on and a truck pulled out in front of me crossing the hwy. I too broke C5, C6, C7 and T8 but nothing had to be fused....

Before I ever got back on a bike I did this same analysis..... I asked myself how long had I been riding bikes, (Since I was 8). Had I ever crashed before (Never). Had I been at fault in any way, did I add to the accident (Not at all).

In the end I decided to get back on bikes but to be more aware of how conditions could change my life. I find myself paying more attention to other cars these days...

As you make this decision, ask yourself if you are willing to put your family through it again.. I sat down with my wife, my parents and my kids and we talked about it...

Personally Willie your last accident tore me up... I was there, I was leading the ride when you crashed... I watched and prayed over you with you and the other Doug while you were laying on the ground in shock.... I am very glad to see you have recovered and are alive and walking.

CAp
 
Willie, I'll chime in. I think you need to focus right now on seeing how you can make your mobility better. These Busa are hard enough to see behind with a perfect neck.:laugh:


I mentioned the neck gear. If and when you decide to ride again. The Busa may not be the right bike to get back on at first. I only have 2016 sf of garage, so I think I can store your bike for another year or two...hehe


Cap'n he had some other bikes, before the Busa, but that was when he was much younger. If he crashes again, were no longer friends.:poke:
 
Gonna have to agree with BA on this one, give it some time and figure out how you feel about it in a year. All of us would love to see you back, but none of us wanna see you on the same road of recovery. Good to see you posting, hope to catch you at the bash!
 
Willie, I think you and Doug should just fix the bike up for me to ride. He says no, but it is your bike. What do you think?
 
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