Total It Or Fix It?

Know there's a lot of choices out there.
But before you buy anything, check out a new
FatBob.
Test deive one, it has to be the best , smoothest riding dyna ever made.
Its a awsum bike, dual front disc brakes too.

YouTube - 2008 Harley-Davidson FXDF Dyna Fat Bob

I was kinda thinking of a Fat Bob, funny you should mention that. I once asked the operations manager at NY Harley Davidson which bike he preferred. He really had no horse in the race and said the Fat Bob pleases more experienced customers than any other bike he sells, interesting eh?

Still healing, but coming along. Good chance I'l have to wait out a season before riding again.

Well, the title and key is in the mail to my insurance co. Settlement was $12,750, minus $500 deductible. Harley will get $4,800 to finish their note and I'll get to pay some bills. Hopefully my credit will pass muster and I'll get a new bike next year, don't think I can get back on this season.

I'd like to have this as a second bike.. $16Gs

That bike is really nice! I could see myself on that, thanks Tom. I'm making progress with my injuries, but slowly. The fractured sternum is healing, the grapefruit size bump on my hip is now a little bigger than a golf ball, walking is difficult. but the limp is becoming less prominent. What worries me is I've seen people who heal after accidents and much later on, (like a year or two), discover permanent issues like back pain or disc problems. Right now my neck is still stiff, left leg is extremely sore and bending over hurts.

I went to the dentist today and on the way, in the train station a guy with both arms chopped just below the elbows was asking for money. I feel blessed that I'm able to do what I do and am not forgetting how much worse it could have been, so I try to help others less fortunate if I can.

Hellboy, I hope you're doing better.
Do what ever you can to get future medical benefits, consider going through a lawyer to protect your rights.
If you do decide to go through a lawyer, go slow and think first about any advice that you receive regarding medical procedues. Do your research on the medical procedures and do not just trust your doctor.
I have be rear ended on a motorcycle twice and one of those times was on a freeway here in So Cal. I have 3 herniated disks in my lower back great than 5mm and 2 in my neck that are greater than 5mm. It was recommended that I have surgery fuse my vertabre but realizing that this was a 50/50 out come it was not worth it, in my opinion. I still have arthritis and pain some times but nothing that Ibueprofin can't help. BTW: I also rehab myself and it took about 2 years to be some what normal in my activities.
As for the bike, since the insurance company paid off and if it salvageable, make the insurance company an offer well below your payout and start buying parts on E-bay, then when you can afford to, sell the bike privately taking a slight reduction for the salvage title and then use that as your down to buy a new bike. If you can't get financed through HD, look at EagleRider. Eaglerider rents mortorcycles and sells them off when they either hit the 40K mark or if they have too many of one style. Eaglerider has a number of finanace options. I bought a very low mileage 08 Heritage that was clean and had been serviced on a regular basis, well below what the deal charges and they negotiated. I know you live in New York and they are in Florida, but you can have the bike shipped at a low cost. Going this route save me enough money to set up the bike the way I wanted.
Don't sign any waiver until you are ready. Consultations with lawyers are usually free. Remember that a lawyer is not out for your interest only on the amount your case is worth.

I hope your doing better and your back on the road again.

You guys have been a great support and have offered sage advice, thanks. I settled the insurance claim at $12,750. I paid of the Harley Credit loan balance of $4,900. Despite all I'd put in the bike, I doubt I'd have gotten much more than that selling it privately in this economy. I'll have to wait quite a while for the lawsuit to come to trial, taxi insurers are notoriously slow when it comes to settling, but I won't let up for a minute. That driver left me under his car for at least 4-5 minutes. I dragged myself out from under it and then pushed myself away from the taxi, as I didn't know if he would panic and move it. The driver wasn't the least bit hurt, all he had to do was stop fast, (going the wrong way), but still, just stop. He had the nerve to say I drove into him when he was going the wrong way into the oncoming lane! I have no sympathy for someone like that. I have good representation here ( Biker law specialists) and am confident they'll make the best that can happen come about as it fast as can be.
I'm doing OK, but still hurting and not quite healed. I'll have to wait until next season to see if there are any longer term effects from the accident and consider a new bike at that time. I miss riding so much!

Thanks Cowboy. Taking time off from HOG meetings, Sunday rides, charity biker events and dealing with the bike itself, maintenance and gear has given me some time to think, and I really do need to focus in the direction of my music for a while. I'm planning on getting my chops back and hopefully playing a few shows in NYC, even solo acoustic shows would be challenging. I'll also begin looking at recording my newer songs as soon as my music teaching work slows down for the summer. I know I'll be back on a Harley at some point, but perhaps the insurance money's better spent paying off my taxes and funding new recordings. Songs like "Goin' Down Last" are just begging to be recorded.

I'll be thinking of all my motorcycle riding friends when I'm recording it!

Glad to hear the healing is coming along - git some more of that music worked on while your coming back and just keep planning how that new harley is going to look with you sittin on it.