My VFR in the trees....

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa238/roadfrog1/VFR/IMG_0095.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa238/roadfrog1/VFR/IMG_0609.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa238/roadfrog1/VFR/IMG_0605.jpg

Well, a couple of Sundays ago, riding around relaxing, a huge dog steps out in front of me in a curve and you can see the results. Hitting the dog was a worse option, without question, than trying to avoid it. Fortunately, the bike and I separated. I pavement surfed a little and the bike flies off the shoulder into a 7" tree, cuts it in half, ricochets into a 3' diameter tree and is utterly killed.

All this while going approx. 40 mph (not kidding!!) in a curve I could have taken at 80+. Things happen quick like so many people have said here. I'm OK, the ATGATT did it's job but for some bruises and a cut knee (through leather). Can't believe all the damage to the bike but being airborne and the ricochet might have something to do with it. The bike is completely totaled with the bars and triple tree being nearly gone. Front was neatly clipped off, all plastic destroyed, frame bent, and virtually nothing was untouched.

Anyway, after Ms. Bent and our lovely daughter asked that there be no more bikes, there will be no more bikes for Bent. I love my family with all my heart and certainly much more than any material thing or concept. Were it not for their love, I would already have another bike. On to a new risk taking hobby as all of mine have been. What, right now, I have no clue.

Anywhoo, I joined VFRD when it was less than half it's size and have spent days and days riding, BSing and learning from the many many friends I have met here. For that, I thank you all. I'm sure I'll stick around without a bike but I was sent a message and it was received. May God bless you all and let's be careful out there..... :fing02: :biggrin:

Yours Truly,

Bent :smile:

Bikes totaled. Glad you escaped relatively unharmed. :fing02: :fing02:

Wow Bent! You are a very blessed man to made it out of that, and more importantly, to have a family that loves you and wants to keep you around. We now won't ride together, but your attitude and comedy has always been something I enjoyed. Now go embrace the family. :beer:

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!:ohmy:

So glad you didn't hang on to the bike! Family always comes first. Stick around though as your humor is always enjoyable. :fing02:

Whew! glad you are ok, the family has spoken, and you heard what they had to say thats commendable. As far as messages go I dont believe in all that, only what my heart tells me. Sorry your cashing in your chips - me I am gonna keep playing a while, your still welcome here on vfrd. I hope there is insurance enough to recoup your investment so you can do somthing else with it you like.

Bugger ... glad you're okay tho mate!

Damn Bent, so sorry that happened. Glad you didnt get too bent up. Good luck in your future endeavors. More and more I believe riding on the track is far safer than the street.

Wow... Bummer.
Glad you didn't get hurt!

Do stick around though.
I always look forward to reading your posts - Learned a lesson or two from you :fing02:


As for the bike? Who cares really. There are other hobbies out there.
I can hook you up with a cheap place to buy sky diving supplies :laughing6-hehe:

Was this accident just south of Lynchburg on or about Oct. 8th? Some of my friends reported coming up on such an accident, but said the bike was silver like mine.

Will I still see you in Lynchburg in/on some other conveyence?

REALLY glad you weren't hurt.

[image: View Post]Rice, on 29 October 2010 - 04:01 PM, said:

Wow... Bummer.
Glad you didn't get hurt!

Do stick around though.
I always look forward to reading your posts - Learned a lesson or two from you :fing02:


As for the bike? Who cares really. There are other hobbies out there.
I can hook you up with a cheap place to buy sky diving supplies :laughing6-hehe:


"Cheap sky diving supplies?" Not a good idea.

OUCH!!!! Glad your ok

I understand Bent, been there did that years ago. Taking care of family is #1 then everything else is good :fing02:

But the desire to ride will never go away, at least it didnt for me. You never know, maybe in a few years you will be back on a bike again :biggrin:

Good luck on the new hobby and as others have said STICK AROUND here :fing02:

I'm glad you are ok, Bent. I'm sorry you have to give up riding, but I understand why.

Don't leave the forum just yet! I've been meaning to PM you and ask you about what the roads are like in the Huntsville, AL area as I've been thinking about seeing if are any career opportunities for a go getter aerospace engineer there at the Redstone Arsenal.

Glad you came out OK on that one! That bike looks fully drawn, quartered and gutted, maybe in some way it kinda gave up it's life for you in that crash so the thought might help you think fondly of it and the many miles you rode on it in the future.
I myself do not ride as much and as hard as I used to because of responsibilites I have for my family really kicking in these past few years. I've even turned around at the end of the street after pulling out of my driveway and go back home many times, just because I don't feel quite right about riding those days. So I understand very well why you made your decision to stop riding after this event. Hope you find another hobby/intrest soon and continue to enjoy your family for a very long time to come! :fing02:

Beck
95 VFR

oh come on.. that WILL buff out :fing02:
glad your ok. :blush:

Glad you're ok.

So. How do they feel about ultralights?

I'm gald the bike is bent, but you are not bent.......wait a minute, you ARE Bent... :blink: :blink: :blink: :blink: :blink:

Family is everything.

Bikes are a close second.

Sure glad you are around to say you will hang around.

Yeah where is that corner and the dog? so i know where to slow down or avoid...i live near moores mill and winchester if you need any help.

Lots of good aero enjineering jobs out at the rehab center on redstone (look up the youtube video), but we go to gawja for ridin good twisties--not many curvy roads around here.

Ouch. Glad to hear you are okay, man. And happy to see you have your priorities straight. If I am ever faced with such a dilemma, I hope I have the same wisdom. :fing02:

Good luck in the next hobby. Hope it is as fun. :biggrin:

Sorry about your mishap, but I'm glad you didn't get hurt. Lucky. As for your decision, it must be the right one since family comes first, but you may wanna come back to it later if you so desire. What I'm saying is that it may not be for the rest of your life.
So, did you go back to that corner and shoot that dog?!? :pissed:
Heal, hang around, be happy.
C

Yeah, maybe the bike did take one for me.... :blink: Never thought of it that way..... :blink:

As soon as I found it in the tree there was no crying or whining, in fact, the whole incident never shook me up mentally at all. Adrenaline has always been like valium to me. It was obviously beyond any hope so I thought "screw the bike". All in all, I feel like a blessed man to get out of there even alive.

Nope, this wasn't around the 8th and I likely won't be around Lynchburg. I really don't like the place but for it's a good gas stop.

I actually always have considered ultra-lites to be a fun thing but haven't made the move....yet. No cheap parachutes tho.... I used to do class 5 whitewater in itsy bitsy boats but that fell by the wayside too. And who knows Cruzin', you're right... anything can happen. :beer:

THX for all the well wishes. I'll hang around. Have to have someplace to dump my "humor" and harass BR..... :goofy:

Oh, as far as the dog.....it's a fugitive felon.....leaving the scene where someone was hurt. $10 bounty...dead please..... :laugh:

Oh no! I am glad you came out of it relatively unscathed. I will miss seeing you at future T-Macs. I hope you still visit VFRD now and then.

You know if you hit a dog in an ultralight... it's gonna be a bigger fall.




:goofy:


Glad to hear you're ok mate.

Wow... That was close.... Sorry to hear about it, and I'm glad you came out of it as well as you did..........

Geez, that must have been some dog. I think I would have hit it.

Glad you're OK.

[image: View Post]Lee 2002, on 29 October 2010 - 06:29 PM, said:

Geez, that must have been some dog. I think I would have hit it.

Glad you're OK.


I was thinking the same thing - You are very lucky to be still with us, whether you ultimately decide to ride again or not, I wish you all the best and stick around!! :fing02:

Glad your OK, but get ready for the bike ridin blues this spring !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:sad: :sad:

Glad you're alright & still with us Jim, please do hang around!

Maybe some auto crossing is in your future?

I hit a dog once on a bicycle....you are right! Glad you are ok

Dammit Jim!!!!!!! (StarTrek)
That was not good. Glad you made it home. I've been wondering where you've been. Maybe you should check out the new V4 dualsport, you might have made that corner. :laughing6-hehe:

Glad you're ok for real.

Glad to hear you came out of that ok. It always amazes me how messed up these bikes get, even at slow speeds.....or just dropping it in the driveway!

Wow Jim, so glad your OK!!!!!!!!!!

When I first saw this post I didn't even read it, I just picked up my phone to call you. Guess I only thought I had your number, but couldn't find it so I'm back here posting up.
I'm sure that freaked out your family and you too, it looks really bad. :blink: Good thing you didn't ride it into the trees!

Please PM me your number so I can give you a call buddy!

BR

Wow, it looks like you threw that bike down a cliff! It's a good think that you decided to body-surf without it. It all worked out, 500lbs of bike isn't worth an ounce of flesh.

[image: View Post]rufussrgnt, on 29 October 2010 - 04:10 PM, said:

"Cheap sky diving supplies?" Not a good idea.

Just like "discount sushi," though bad sushi won't turn you into a pancake.

Glad you were able to walk away from that, Bent.

Damn. Very sorry to hear about this, Jim. :sad:

Darn shame about the bike, but I'm ecstatic you're (mostly) OK. Hope the knee heals completely, and soon.

Understandable request from your family, and you have my utmost respect for listening to and honoring the wishes of your family. I don't know how I'd react, but I'd like to think I'd handle it with the same kind of class you are. :fing02:

WOW Jim......Super Hate To Hear This, but also Super Glad You're OK.....Yep, FAMILY is rated waaaaay above Motorcycles. Super glad Mitzie and I have been privelidged to have spent so many miles with You, and got to meet Your Lovely Wife. I hope You find something that "soothes" the Motorcycle Itch for You, I know the feelin' when I quit racin' Cars....kinda' leaves a void that just doesn't seem natural..... :fing02: .....You know where I'm at, so if You ever "backslide", and need to "Smoke In The Boys Room" ****, I can always hustle up a Cigarette** for You, just yell... :laughing6-hehe: :laughing6-hehe: :laughing6-hehe: .......and yeah, keep hittin' VFRD and the Other Motorcycle Forums You frequent..... :fing02:



****Code for Family Illegal Motorcycle Ride
**Code for Motorcycle

Aye, that one is bent....





No motorcycling
No whitewater
No microlight.....


Not sure what the family will make of a mistress............ :biggrin:


Nah, lide is all about choices, you walk away from mc now; at least you CAN walk away from it. :mellow:

Well that just sucks. Glad you are ok. Family is priority one. My loved ones have never asked me to quit because they know it is who I am.

I did quit once for an hour. About as long as it took to get to the hospital and get some morphine.

Good luck, friend.

[image: View Post]AvalonRacing, on 29 October 2010 - 09:40 PM, said:

Wow, it looks like you threw that bike down a cliff! It's a good think that you decided to body-surf without it. It all worked out, 500lbs of bike isn't worth an ounce of flesh.


Did this once as a teen with a KLR250... looked a LOT like that!

Ride hard, pray harder...

That's really ugly. I'm glad it wasn't your day to hit the tree. As you mentioned ultralights, I know a little about them. They make bikes look safe. If you look at statistics for them, you'll see they usually crash.

Been offline for a few days - then I see this......

Jeez - glad you're ok Jim. EMail on its way....

Jim I am so very sorry!!!! I hate that your not going to be riding anymore too but completely understand.

So glad you are OK!!!!!!

I arrive too late to post a Star Trek reference...still glad you are relatively unscathed Jim. I enjoyed riding with you but am glad you will check in from time to time as I enjoy you being you (and your humor) even more. :fing02:






gotta go Trek anyway, let's see...regarding the cut knee vs the unicycle in a tree... I believe McCoy would say something like;


"Dammit Jim, I'm a Doctor, not a miracle worker! Now let me kiss that boo-boo on your knee while you borrow a come-along to get that pristine rear wheel up for auction."


Hope to see you around Mr. Bent.

keith

Wow! Thanks everyone for the well wishes. I do feel like there is a void in my life now but will just have to work through it. I am a truly blessed man with a perfect wife, daughter, new baby granddaughter, and son in law that is a very fine man. As I look at the pics, I still feel lucky to be here. When I total a bike, I total a bike...... :goofy: The only good thing about the bike is there is no decision to make whether to fix it or not...... :laughing6-hehe:

Life is partly about family, friends, and good relationships. I try hard to keep it positive but it is hard sometimes as we all know. It's great that people here support one another in times like this and argue when it doesn't really count (who me?? :blink: ).

I can tell right now that I can't leave this place. There are too many way special people here to just "turn off". Right now, I'm just trying to live one day at a time and yelling at my knee to heal up!!

And thanks for the "out" Skuuter. Who knows, I may have a "relapse"....... :laugh: You and Mitzie have been way too good to me.... :fing02:

Meanwhile.....Forward Ho!!.....maybe Talledega will be worth watching tomorrow.... :blink:

Glad you are safe. I had to give up riding for 22 years but finally convinced all that I would be more sane with a bike than without so there maybe hope. But you are doing the right thing family is first. As for a new hobby kayaks are a blast!

[image: View Post]Bent, on 30 October 2010 - 10:47 AM, said:

snip
Meanwhile.....Forward Ho!!.....maybe Talledega will be worth watching tomorrow.... :blink:


You need to back off on the meds Jim. :biggrin:

[image: View Post]AKayaker2, on 30 October 2010 - 11:51 AM, said:

Glad you are safe. I had to give up riding for 22 years but finally convinced all that I would be more sane with a bike than without so there maybe hope. But you are doing the right thing family is first. As for a new hobby kayaks are a blast!


I used to do the kayak and OC1 thing in really big water. That was some of the most fun times I ever had. I think that was more risky than bikes. Time and logistics got to be a show stopper.

And Randy, funny you mention meds. I've found out that morphine has almost no affect on me, and that dilaudid (the last step up) works but not totally. So, they sent me home with dilaudid and the strongest dose of percocet. Trying to stay off the dope but they couldn't remember anyone not phased by morphine. I was kind of disappointed I didn't get a legal buzz from the morph.....:blush: :laugh:

Was thinking last night that whatever I do has to have a powerful motor and acceleration. No cheap (or expensive ultra-lites), cages....been there done that, soooo what does that leave...... :goofy:

Thanks all!! :fing02:

Bent

I hate to hear your going to quit riding, but Glad you didnt go into the trees with the bike. You could always get something lightweight ,like a dual sport and there's all kinds of hidden areas , where you normally wouldnt take a street bike. Plus it might be benefical to you, in your riding., that can offer alot of fun.

Holy smokes, Jim! JJJIIIIIMMMMMMM! Glad you weren't down there with it!

Who cares about the bike. Get another one. You're OK and that's all that matters.

I, too, once totaled a bike and walked away. I know what you're going through.

Just saw this...glad you are ok Bent. Perhaps the protection of the 4 pt harness in your 'stang might be safer anyway.....look out dogs everywhere!!

oh, and 2 wheels or 4....you're still a :squid: :goofy:

Bent, we never met, but I am sure glad you are OK. You have a great sense of humor from what I have seen here at VFRD. Thanks for sharing! God speed!

Good idea Spud. That might be an easier sell and sounds like a blast too. :fing02:

Travis, I didn't "check out" because I knew it would REALLY piss you off!! :laugh: Miss ya bro!! :fing02:

Dale, I've been thinking for a while about doing a few tricks to the Mustang motor and suspension. We shall see. She runs pretty good as is but has a tendency to veer towards dogs now for some reason..... :laughing6-hehe: BTW, that fugitive felon dog still has a $10 bounty on it's head....dead only. :ph34r:

As far as my sense of humor, it's a close race with Turtlecreek. The only time I have mine is when I'm awake. I've heard (NOT experienced) that he laughs in his sleep....take care Dale and all you neat guys and gals!! :laugh:

Oh, and Jmmy, I spent 4 1/2 years in Ruston....where the heck were you?? :fing02:

[image: View Post]Bent, on 31 October 2010 - 10:21 AM, said:

I've found out that morphine has almost no affect on me


I've found that it works pretty good on me Jim, so send it on up! :goofy:

Hand in there BentBro!
BR

[image: View Post]Bent, on 29 October 2010 - 03:02 PM, said:

Well, a couple of Sundays ago, riding around relaxing, a huge dog steps out in front of me in a curve and you can see the results. Hitting the dog was a worse option, without question, than trying to avoid it. Fortunately, the bike and I separated. I pavement surfed a little and the bike flies off the shoulder into a 7" tree, cuts it in half, ricochets into a 3' diameter tree and is utterly killed.

/edit

Anyway, after Ms. Bent and our lovely daughter asked that there be no more bikes, there will be no more bikes for Bent. I love my family with all my heart and certainly much more than any material thing or concept. Were it not for their love, I would already have another bike. On to a new risk taking hobby as all of mine have been. What, right now, I have no clue.


yowza! I've only seen the likes once, in real time, guy tried a stoppie and the forks disagreed, bike came up with insane force and bounced off the same spot several times but never with the rubber down. crazy.

I don't know you compadre, just posting to say I once did try to stay away from bikes, and failed. (forced by a health condition that I still have, so I ride between comas). I had enough of thinking race lines while driving so I went back to a VFR.
When bikes are you, you are them, and like Kramer says, 'don't argue with yourself, you will lose'.
-Respect!, for you on loving your family this way. Mine has never asked me (probably because they're all speed addicts).
In any case, keep options open, track days, etc. I read in a mag recently that skills and response must be 10x keener in road riding than race track, because of the increased external risk and decreased error margin.
To me this means mistakes are more survivable on a track.

I'll take your word for it, that hitting the dog was a worse option. I think your dedication to family is spot on though. I've got dirt bikes and have as much fun on them as the VFR. Maybe the missus will allow you to ride off road if you buy them quads or something. Time heals all. That was a nasty wreck. Glad the bike took all the damage instead of you. Parting ways with the bike in a crash is usually the best choice.

[image: View Post]BaileyRock, on 31 October 2010 - 07:04 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Bent, on 31 October 2010 - 10:21 AM, said:

I've found out that morphine has almost no affect on me


I've found that it works pretty good on me Jim, so send it on up! :goofy:

Hand in there BentBro!
BR


Ya know, Kev, I tried to take the morphine with me for your use, when I left the hospital but they had some kind of problem with it. Heck if I understand..... :laughing6-hehe:

Your right Capt.. at least I have time on my side. The bike doesn't though.... :biggrin: