Would you give up?

3220 Views 34 Replies 16 Participants Last post by Rossco929, Aug 21, 2000

jk6672

Discussion Starter · Aug 16, 2000

I ran into a friend of mine who checked out of the hospital two weeks ago and he told me he was giving up riding. Twice was enough for him. He is thinking three times and your out for good mentality. He said it's his choice not to ride anymore, but he also said if he got back on another bike his girlfriend would leave him. I was surprised to hear the news, considering he was just getting ready to start racing. This is basically was happend to make him lose his will. Comming down Palomar mt. he was to hot in a turn and highsided his bike being thrown off, over top of the guard rails and down the side of the mountain he went. He swears he wouldn't be alive if he didn't have his kevlar armor, leathers, and race boots on because he landed about thirty feet down the side. I can't speak form experience because I've never been thrown off a mountain before, but as long as my body is fully functional I can't see myself not living life on two wheels.

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"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." -Albert Einstein

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Spitfire

· #2 · Aug 16, 2000

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Aril, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jk6672:
but as long as my body is fully functional I can't see myself not living life on two wheels. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Same here. You only live once.

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GreenNinja

· #3 · Aug 16, 2000

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Aril, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Spitfire:
...You only live once.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

And you only DIE once...

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Fear Green.

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Spitfire

· #4 · Aug 16, 2000

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Aril, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GreenNinja:
And you only DIE once...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

True, but life's no fun without taking chances.

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Tristan

· #5 · Aug 16, 2000

If I landed in the hospital TWICE, I'd probably give up street riding, but I would take up racing.

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'98 Superhawk

jrm

· #6 · Aug 16, 2000

Whether it is motorcycling or anything else, there may be something that appeals SO much to a person, yet they realize that their ability/approach to it is so gung-ho that it is not further of positive benefit.

Whether it is the fat person who swears off Twinkies after the second bypass...

The partier who realizes that when he starts to drink, he drinks to much...

Or the rider who is thankful for the whole moto-experience, but has mentally switched gears to less risky hobbies...

To each his own. You do only live/die once, but what is important to any particular person is very individual.

Maybe his girlfriend will still let him work on/clean your bike so as not to lose touch!

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Spitfire

· #7 · Aug 16, 2000

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Aril, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Tristan:
If I landed in the hospital TWICE
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not to offend jk6672 and his riding skills, but if you crash twice (assuming you did it on your own), motorcycling just may not be the sport for 'ya. Then again, what you like to do is what you like to do..........I see no reason to quit just 'cause ya suck at it.

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Tristan

· #8 · Aug 16, 2000

Hell, I've "crashed" more than twice, and had more near misses than I care to remember, but haven't landed myself in a hospital. Then again I tend to take it easier when riding roads with big dropoffs and guardrails. I rate myself as a skilled rider (don't we all), but I do tend to ride closer to "race pace" than "the pace".

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'98 Superhawk

rponiarski

· #9 · Aug 17, 2000

Sorry to hear that your friend is giving up. I can understand his fears and that of his girlfriend. My wife worries about me all the time. Hasn't stopped me from riding and she hasn't said I should stop or she will leave me.

So far I have been lucky and have stayed out of the ER (by the way, try not to have an accident in June or especially July; resident doctors are just starting in July and really have no clue at all. I know, I was one once!

). Then again, I realize they ARE out to get us and try not to overcook things...

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Richard M. Poniarski
'00 Kawasaki ZR-7
AMA #674623
NY S666C
ZR7OA #3
Moderator, ZR-Riders Mailing List

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Ratsalad

· #10 · Aug 17, 2000

CRASHING SUCKS

A bad crash is a pretty tramatic experience for anybody,and it can have lasting effects for some people.

I say if the guy never wants to ride again.... Fine...Don't

It's his decision and if that's his choice..respect it and move on. When he is ready, he will ride again.

Sportbikes and a lack of confidence are a dangerous combination.

Sorry to hear about your buddy I hope he has a full recovery.

Thank god for thick skinned cows. . . . .and kevlar...

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Dave FZR1

"Master....Master... where's the dreams that I've been after

Master...Master...You promised only lies

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jk6672

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 17, 2000

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Aril, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Spitfire:
Not to offend jk6672 and his riding skills, just 'cause ya suck at it.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

What do my riding skills have anything to do with the post? Do you think he's an imaginary friend substituting for me because you think I don't have the balls to admit it's me, if you think it's me? Damn, I hope I'm not way off on trying analyze that one. No offence

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John

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." -Albert Einstein

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Joe4speed

· #12 · Aug 17, 2000

I don't think I would give up.. but then again, I've never been seriously injured.. Good luck man...

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Joe
1999 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, 4,100 miles, Vance and Hines Titanium slip on, synthetics, more to come soon!!!

1988 Mustang GT

[This message has been edited by JL1314 (edited August 17, 2000).]

DoubleAught

· #13 · Aug 17, 2000

I've been riding almost 20 years. The last time I came off a bike was in 89, riding the Killer Z. I don't believe in accidents, outside of someone having a heart attack in the oncoming lane, and veering across to hit you head on. All others can be avoided. If at this point in my career I crash again, I would probably be ready to give it up. If I haven't developed enough self-discipline to keep myself off the ground by now, I never will. Does this mean I'm a better rider than anyone who has a get-off? Absolutely not, it just means that in the three times I have had a get-off, I can see something that I could have done differently to avoid it.
As far as girls stopping me from riding, well I've known the company of many dozens of women in my life, but I've only had 9 bikes. Do the math.
6 things to master if you want to have a long riding career:
1) Pay attention all the time.
2) Don't ride under the influence of.......
3) Don't showboat.
4) Don't drive too fast for where you're at.
5) Don't panic.
6) Leave yourself a way to get away from potential hazards at all times (even when sitting at a red light).

You'll find very few collisions whose origins lie outside of these boundaries.

The accident described by JK falls under #4. The desire to go faster is a never-ending temptation, whispering seductively in your ear like that girl you always wanted, but never wanted you until after you got married. I think I've learned more about self-restraint from riding than from anything else I've done in life.

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G

· #14 · Aug 17, 2000

yeah, crashing sucks, but it is just one of those things, it happens to us all at one point, and to some of us more often than the rest...

i've had 2 street crashes in 3 years and one track crash.

the track crash totalled my 4 month old mille, but it sure didn't slow me down.

then again, i never ended up in the hospital on any of those crashes...

unless it was to the point that continued riding would cripple me, i would keep up the faith.

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FASTER THAN A SPEEDING TICKET!!!

Austin Sportbike Board

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Tungue

· #15 · Aug 17, 2000

I don't think anyone is trying to question anyone else's riding abilities. So let's not start any fighting here. Just because someone crashes once, twice, or even more is no indication of their riding ability.

If I high sided myself off a mountain side, I would like to think that I would get back on bike, but since I have yet to hospitalize myself, can't really say for sure if I would give up or not.

I hope your friend heals up quickly. He probably still loves riding, but his priorities are a bit different then ours.

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Spitfire

· #16 · Aug 17, 2000

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Aril, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jk6672:
What do my riding skills have anything to do with the post? Do you think he's an imaginary friend substituting for me because you think I don't have the balls to admit it's me, if you think it's me? Damn, I hope I'm not way off on trying analyze that one. No offence
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sorry dude, guess I should have phrased that a 'lil better. That post wasn't to you or even about you.........I was just using the fact that you went down twice to say that IMO, you should never give up on something you like even if you suck at it (NOTE**** - This doesn't mean I think you (jk6672) suck at riding.). For all I know, you're probably better than me - I've gone down a few times, also.........but there's no way in h*ll I'm gonna give this sport up. So what if my gf leaves me! OK, now I'm startin' to get off the topic, so I'll end this...............

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jk6672

Discussion Starter · #17 · Aug 17, 2000

Thanks for clearing that one up Spitfire. Hell, I don't think I'd even quit if I lost my legs, I'd velco my ass to the seat and find some way to shift with my tongue or something. As far as a girl making me stop, not a chance. I'd loose her without a second thought over a bike, beside I'd rather find a chic that can ride anyways becuase they're more appealing.

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John

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." -Albert Einstein

BBQ Dave

· #18 · Aug 17, 2000

Cant blame a guy for being shaken. Was once in a real bad car wreck as a passenger where I almost died. Was a pic in the Plant City FL paper on me getting CPR. Broke a lot of bones, collasped a lung, put my head through a windshield, fractured my spine, and have a plate and screws holding my butt together. Spent weeks practicing walking and months doing PT. Almost got kicked out of the army.

Moral of the story is when I finally left Tampa General, was very scared and nervous about being in a car again espically as a passenger for quite a while. Would never imagine riding feeling like that. Good news is that I got better, quickly lost any fear, and didnt get discharged. The guy will have to do it at his own pace - no one can rush him.

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Dave

600 Bandit

TheToy

· #19 · Aug 17, 2000

These 6 points are absolutly right on. I try and follow them to. Ive been ok for 7 seasons now following that philosophy. Dont max out in the corners. leave yourself a little bit extra just in case.

6 things to master if you want to have a long riding career:
1) Pay attention all the time.
2) Don't ride under the influence of.......
3) Don't showboat.
4) Don't drive too fast for where you're at.
5) Don't panic.
6) Leave yourself a way to get away from potential hazards at all times (even when sitting at a red light).

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Keep Your feet on the pegs and your right hand cranked!

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Spitfire

· #20 · Aug 17, 2000

In a way, I agree with the above, but in a way, I also disagree.

Riding stupid is one thing........like flying down the wrong side of the road, wheeling at 95mph in a 25mph zone - that's just suicide. But IMO, life would be boring without doing something that you know could kill you. I like to go faster than the speed limit. I like doing tricks now and then. I like to see how fast my bike can really go. And if I end up dead, at least I died doing something I loved, rather than from a disease or a drunk driving accident, etc.

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[This message has been edited by Spitfire (edited August 17, 2000).]

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