[Seahag]

This past week, I attended the HST member rally in Tennessee. Saturdays ride culminated in the running of the dragon...which for me, didn't go so well.

I had left the deals gap store ahead of everyone in my group because I wanted to be able to run faster without getting bottled up behind some of the slower riders. My success charging through twisty back roads all week had given me a bit of overconfidence that would prove to have consequences.

I was about eight miles into the eleven mile stretch and had probably ground my way through over 200 of the 318 curves by that point. I entered a decreasing radius right hand turn a little too fast and was using engine braking to scrub off some speed while I had her leaned over hard. My line wasn't holding and there was an oncoming group of rocket riders in the opposite lane, so I tried to force the bike into more of a lean to keep it on my side....but she was already at her limit and all I managed to do was lever the wheels off the ground, causing the bike to slide out from under me. I let go of the bike and almost immediately came to a stop, but the bike continued on into the opposite lane where a rocket rider slammed into the front end and flipped over his bars.

We were both VERY lucky. We each had a bruised knee, and he a bruised thumb, while I got some minor road rash on my right forearm. Both our bikes had the front forks bent back into the frames however, and had to be towed away.

I was even luckier to have a driver in our group from Wisconsin who was towing his bike in a trailer behind his RV. His son in law rode his bike home, while I in turn rode his son in laws the 1000 miles home while my bike trailered back. I was picked up by my father in law in Wisconsin with another trailer; and now the bike is finally at my local HD dealer for estimates.

I will heal up quickly, and I've learned a very important lesson, that should make me a better/safer rider for the future.

[Seahag]

Here are a couple more pics...I'm thinking I'm going to wait till they announce the 2008 models and make the tough choice between the EG Classic or a Streetglide....leaning toward the streetglide as that is more in line with what I had spent six years turning my EG standard into.

While I don't relish the thought of starting over completely, the idea of 103" and fuel injection as a starting point, do appeal to me.

[stevenh]

Glad you're okay Seahag... Too bad about the bike tho, but sounds like you might end up with something new so at least that's a good thing.
Makes me consider maybe I ride a bit too fast sometimes too.

It's bike week up here now and I hope it ain't like last year... there were some nasty accidents....

[AFNurse]

SeaHag,
Glad you are at least MOSTLY ok!!! Nice set of road rash on your arm tho! Too bad about your bike! Sounds like you got lucky with the trailer thing.... could have ended up being even more expensive hiring something!

[Peyts]

Glad to hear that you're OK, SeaHag. Too bad about the bike... sh*tty deal, bro. I could tell that you felt pretty bad about causing the rice rocket guy to go down... the important thing is that everyone is OK, save for some road rash.

Hopefully you had the full insurance on the bike, which should make the damage a bit of a easier pill to swallow.

Stay cool, bro. Some of the best lessons in life are the ones we learn the hard way...

[skull2007]

glad you're o.k. could have been much worse. thanks for sharing your unforntunate episode with us. sure it will cause us to slow down and think.

[mwelych]

Glad your ok... In the past, many people never made it when they wrecked. In fact ther Numbers of fatalities are posted on the Dragon website yearly. You're a lucky man man...

[Sleepy]

Glad you're ok..and the other guy too...you're both very very lucky. I remember when I went to Laughlin in '98 and took the ride to Oatman and was going to take the south way back to Bullhead City but couldn't because the road was closed as someone cross the centre line and it was flat out nasty. Going the street glide route you gotta know going in that you're going to have even less lean angle. I've got the same shocks on my E-G and it doesn't take much to grind 'em. I was actually hanging off the bike to get it around the corners..did some of that on the Bike Talk Ride..rode a little too quickly in places there. Look after yourself.
Sleepy

[voodoochild]

Glad to hear you're both Ok Seahag. That could've turned out to be a real nasty deal. Unfortunately, as stated, some lessons we learn the hard way. As long as it's only the bike that doesn't make it, it can be replaced. Stay safe, I hope it all works out Ok.

[chucktx]

glad all is ok ...........hopefully you wont get crap from the ins folks.....keep us updated and get well quickly......ya got bikes to look at!!!!!!!!

[bikerjim1]

Seahag,

Thank the stars your up and functioning! The scoot is replaceable, not the mind and body. Hang with it and before you know it, you'll have the wind in your hair again real soon!
Just really glad to hear that all involved are going to be alright!!

[SK]

What Sleepy said. Our last Bike Talk ride (two actually) had us going up the Coronado Trail, which is like the Dragon..only 100+ miles long! I took more than one corner a bit too quick and ended up in the opposite lane, and the FJR handles better than the Harleys. I just rode the Coronado Trail again last week and decided to work on my lines and being smooth..forget the speed. Seemed like it was more fun too that way.

[Red Rider]

Really good (& you KNOW lucky) that only minor injuries occurred here and that you'll be back in the saddle again.

As lessons learned go, I'm glad you shared. I know you must have felt terrible that you took out a fellow biker when you pushed over the limits of your skill on that bike. No rider rides for long mistake free, and I have my share of road rash that proves I've overdone it. This accident should be a strong reminder to everyone that as much as we may risk our own skin out there, we can also be risking others that we hadn't even considered. Even a cage & its occupants can get horrible damage from a bike that is out of control. The "could have beens" from this example are pretty ugly. I've seen multiple fatalities from bike vs car crashes. Be tougher to live through than biting it in the wreck, from my way of thinking.

[Tomflhrci98]

It's tough to talk about but it's good to get it out.

I know,..... I too have crossed the double yellow a few times. Not a good feeling and it does wake you up and make you realize you aint a kid on a bicycle.

Did it once with my girl friend on the back becouse I forgot that with her on it the bike it's a bit lower. Now that is one I'll never forget cause she won't let me.


Thanks Seahag you desirve a new scoot now.

Tom

[voodoo1]

There only two types of riders.... those that have went down and those that have not been down yet. GLad to hear you made it through with minor injuries. (regardless of how it happens)
Anyone that tells ya that which does not kill ya makes ya stronger or... if ya fall of the horse ya gotta get back on it......ain't never fell of the horse!!!
Hang tough Bro, it took me ten months of rehab to walk again. It has been 5 years this month I was totally broken from the waist down and told I'd never walk again not to mention I lost my soul mate that day in the wreck she unfortunately passed away from the wreck. Nothing I did caused it and nothing I could have done to avoid it, the old lady just decided to go her own way into an intersection and sent us sailing. I'm still full of guilt though.
It has taken me a bit to get back into enjoying riding and still I get a bit of uneasiness,but I have never panicked at anything while riding..(not saying you did, just part of my story) I have always known that wasted moment is one that might cost, so just I react and think about it later if I gotta. but I never got to react that day to even try to save us.
Another part of me actually is more at ease than ever before, since if there is a next wreck I really will not care what happens so I just ride like there ain't no tomorrow.
Keep that in mind next time ya' take a turn Bro. not hassling ya, ....just glad to hear from you instead of ... what happened to you, from others. Wrecks can change "our" perspective both in good and bad ways IMHO. keep that in mind too Sea- Bro. Here's to you.. healing both physical and mental.
Later,
the Voodoo1!!!

[voodoochild]

Damn Voodoo1, i am really sorry to hear that story. Not much to say to you except there had to have been a reason for it somewhere. (at least that's what they always tell you) I don't understand that sort of thing either, as I've lost alot of close friends and relatives over the past few years so I can somewhat relate. I hope you can someday ride comfortably and be free of guilt. I hope my words are not misinterpreted by you, I just wanted to somehow say that I feel bad for you, and hope you can get through it. Take care.....

[Seahag]

Thanks all for the concern and comments. My forearm wounds are about 80% healed already...just a few scabs remaining.

I definitely have a new perpective on what I will consider 'safe' riding. I think I'll slow down a little and enjoy the scenery a bit more.

Thanks everyone for the support. I posted this story on most of the forums I'm a member of, and only on the VTF did I catch hell from other riders telling me how I should lose my license for jeapordizing other riders.

To be clear, I owned up to my mistake and profusely apologized to everyone who had anything to do with the situation that day. No ones perfect, and I made a real mistake in judgement, and I hope that my lesson helps some of my fellow riders avoid making the same mistake.

[chucktx]

i knew you were a standup guy.........screw the vtf folks.....(had not heard of that place until reading your posts)....take care and get well. again, take your time on the new bike thing.....once ya make the decision, dont look back.......get on and go!!!!!!!!

[Sleepy]

voodoo 1. I'm sorry you went through that, I can't begin to imagine the hurt.
Seahag..I saw some of the crap passed your way at the VTF..there may be some good folks there..[met WydeGlyde from Calary there] My feelings were expressed in the "pace" It was a pretty classy gesture in admitting an error..based on what I've seen you sure know who your friends are. I'm sure you've made some people think..that's a great start.

[voodoochild]

Seahag, if every person who made a mistake while riding had lost their license for doing so, there would be no more bikes, or cars for that matter, on the road today. Screw those people who said you should lose your license, I'm sure they never made a mistake, huh?! It takes a much bigger man to admit it, rather than blame it on something else. Let's just be thankful that this story has a better ending than others, and that it will make you a better rider for it. Get better and good luck on the road ahead.