Getting back on the road after an accident

Jackers008 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Karma :

New to the forums and just wanted some advice.

A few years ago I was involved in a pretty bad accident involving me on my 98 r1 and a van. The van pulled out of a junction and I went straight into the side of it around 70mph. I had a long list of serious injuries and have been left with permanent damage but I was 18 at the time and had fitness on my side so I have recovered well. The case was settled in my favour and I received compensation but this didnt mean much due to the careless actions of the van driver.

For years I have tried not to think about bikes and what it was like riding, almost blanking it out but lately I have been bitten by the bug and I really want to get back on a bike and give it another try. Of course it will take time to build my confidence up but I'm willing to give it a try as I miss the freedom and cars are not really for me.

Has anyone been in a similar situation or willing to offer me some advice to whether this is a wise move?

Many thanks.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Cptn. Awesome · Crazy Courier Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Karma :

effit · Scooby Slapper Joined: 18 Aug 2009 Karma :

You were 18 and had an R1.

Was it you brother tony`s...

Jackers008 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Karma :

Thanks for the response.

I can understand the r1 was a big machine at the young age I was but I had already owned a zxr 400 and gsxr 600 so I did not jump straight onto the r1 and I was aware of how powerful they were. So please do not try and assume that I was one of these young riders that just wanted the biggest bike around as this was the attitude most of the older bikers gave me without even knowing anything and it was pretty tedious to be honest. But anyhow if I get another bike it will be another zxr 400 as I loved the way it handled and the fact it was not stupidly fast. The van driver was charged by the police so I would like to think that none of it was my fault as I would be the first person to admit any mistake of my own Smile

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

As above, while the 'blame' can be assigned to another road user, it pretty much all accidents, it can also be prevented by the other party too.

I would recommend having a look at your local IAM group (not all are good) and seeing if they offer a free-first day to get an idea of what they do.
My instructor was happily taking single carrigway A-roads faster on his Pan than I normally would, with me on a CBR600.
'Bikesafe' is also worth considering, though having some knowledge of the area I found some of the cops a bit arrogant.

Oh and he didn't crash a 98R1, the 98R1 crashed /him/ Razz

.

Feasty · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Karma :

Jackers008 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Karma :

Jackers008 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Karma :

Feasty · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Karma :

supZ · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2009 Karma :

could you lot please wind your necks in?!

the guys done nothing wrong by you and is simply asking for advice on getting back on the road after an accident and all you lot can do is jump down his throat because he was young and (god forbid) owned an r1!

no one knows any details of the accident so dont presume anything. i know we've had to put up with tonys bs lately but doesnt mean everyone is like that.

hardly a nice welcome for the lad Mad

but anyway. not having been in the same situation as you jackers i dont know how much i can help (i've come off at higher speed than 70 but it was on the track so i just slid off and hurt my pride.. and my bike Sad

) i cant begin to understand how tough it must have been on the road to recovery.

its a good thing you want to get back on the road though, proves a good state of mind Smile

i can only suggest taking it easy and ease yourself into it with a few short rides and build your confidence back up as you way.

might even be worth booking a refresher with the local training centre just to brush up if you've been off the road for a few years as your live savers etc.. might be a bit rusty.

good luck to you m8 and hopefully you wont have to go through anything like that again
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CBR954RR - Daily toy
CBR600RR - Trackbike

Jackers008 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Karma :

Many thanks for the mature response supZ.

I can understand it's difficult for some people to cope with idea of someone young on a powerful motorcycle but worse things happen! And like you say no one on here witnessed my accident so therefore has no right to comment on whether it was my fault or someone else's. I was a regular member on this board years ago prior to my accident and thought I could get some positive attitudes towards getting on a bike again. I hope more like-minded individuals like yourself can help out.

Thanks.

Jamrock · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 25 Oct 2008 Karma :

I'd personally say get a 125 or a 400 whilst you build your confidence up. CG125 that is Razz

Those things are fucking awesome.

panrider_uk · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Karma :

So everyone slows down to 30mph as they pass junctions on a dual carriageway do they?

Mark
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Current bikes: Honda ST1100 Pan European. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel

Jackers008 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Karma :

^^^^

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Kaz96 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Karma :

Hi Jackers,

I had a low speed spill after a 7.5 tonne truck pulled out on me as I overtook it on an RXS100 years ago , after 4 years and a number of operations I was finally back on my feet, but by this time I had a 9 month old son - so I didn't get back on the bike! At the time I was still learning, still on L plates and sure I could have done something to reduce the accident, more obs, mounted the pavement, gone a different way etc... but it happened and I learnt from it!

This year I decided to get back on a bike, I had always loved it and was missing out going for rides with my son (now 13) and hub, so said stuff it I'm going to do it... after a few terrifying days training I started to get more and more confidence back and 6 months later took my test, I now ride a 500cc and love every minute of it.

To second supZ... go do a refresher day/course and give yourself time to build your confidence back up and take it one ride at a time!!!

Good luck and ride safe! Thumbs Up

EDIT: I said I was still learning when I had the accident and meant to add that I still am learning... in fact have only just started to learn!!!

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

junction dont usually appear on 70mph zones...so im guessing you were speeding a bit, but who doesnt eh Thumbs Up

Only thing i could really say is just make sure you are comfortable with riding again.

My solicitors are advising me to go on a motorcycle therapy course to get me back on the road after my crash, was pretty severe, but was at 30mph.

It was also held in my favour..still battling though!

I would say start off pretty careful, more observant...have you been driving a car since, that has helped me alot!
Defiantely try out a few bikes, just to get into the feel of it.
Where abouts are you from, if you want to get a feel of bikes again and live near me you are welcome to use my 500 to potter around a private road near me.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

panrider_uk · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Karma :

Tom_B1H · Nova Slayer Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Karma :

At 18 shouldn't you have been on a restricted bike? Take it the R1 wasn't
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panrider_uk · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Karma :

Jackers008 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Also, I'd like to add that when I was 18 I rode like a total knob. All of my friends rode like total knobs. We were all knobs! In fact, I was pretty much the 'captain safety' of the group despite the antics I got up to. And as for my non biking mates, I wouldn't trust any of them on bikes at that time.

If any of us had the brass balls to buy a '98 R1 (especially when it should be restricted to 33bhp), then the prediction wouldn't have been a happy one. I'm not sure that I knew any 18 year olds that could actually make rational decisions about stuff like cars and bikes. We were all to full of adrenaline and testosterone. It was all about top trumps as I recall. If we could all ride R1's and drive Lamborghinis we would have. And we would have written them all off too.

This is why you get "How can I make my 50cc bike do 100mph?" threads. I don't think any male can be classed as truly sensible until he is at least twenty years old. Which is probably why people are assuming that if you had an R1 at 18 then you rode like a bit of a dick. That is of course an assumption and we could be wrong.

I expect you obeyed every rule of the road and never did anything prattish on a bike ever! Wink

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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.