Do what you gotta do. You'll ride if you feel it, but if you don't, you know it's stupid to get on a bike if you're gunshy.

Just glad you're still here to talk about it.

 

It doesn't always have anything to do with being more aware or more cautious. Motorcycle riding is a dangerous sport and anyone who thinks otherwise is either in denial or delusional. At some point, it is bound to happen. By that, I mean, "the crash." Proper training can lessen that chance, but it can't remove all the danger. You still have to ride on roads with other people who may, or may not, see you: who are perpetually distracted with kids, the radio, or cell phone (not to mention make-up or the morning newspaper). We ride on roads that can be often poorly maintained; roads that have gravel, wet leaves and animals; roads that have very little run-off for that "just-in-case" moment.

Some of us understand that danger and plan accordingly with training and proper safety gear. Others are unwilling to understand that and ride, and wear, accordingly. For me, the desire to ride outweighs the danger, but I wear leather and a FF helmet so that when, and if, I crash, I will have a better chance of going home. But I also understand that some people will fall and say "I'm done." That's their choice and I don't look down on them. Heck, just by riding once they've done something the majority of people won't even try.

So, if the OP decides to hang up the leathers: Good luck my friend, we will miss you on the road.

 

Try scuba diving. It's safer than riding on the street and there's women in bikinis. Women in bikinis dig drummers. It'll change your life.
I hope you mend-up well.

 

Don't think that there's many place to scuba dive in Oklahoma.

 

Put the bike up till Spring. Then decide if you really want to be done. It sucks that you wrecked!

 

Sorry to hear about you going down, and that you wind up staying over night in a hospital. As far as putting helmet on the shelf only you know when its time.

 

Chuck,
From one Okie to another, looking at your signature picture, I completely understand why you lost control hitting a pothole.

 

Keep yer machine
In a few months the gals will be pulling up their tops for you as you scoot on by

 

???? What?! I keep lookin at his pic and can't figure out why you would say that.

Is it cuz of the bars? Cuz the bike isn't lower than any other Nightster/Iron/40/Low. Plus, the clip-ons will actually improve control in most situations.

 

Do what you gotta do. I have had three wrecks the latest back in Sept. All three were my fault so I am not nervous when out on the road until I get into the twisties especially if riding in a group setting. I just go slower now. Maybe we should all just start riding chopped out trikes, at least we could coast to a stop. Thanks for posting, and as they say " keep the shiny side up"

( the ground that is )