Dilemma with an 1199R

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I've had 2 friends have extremely serious accidents. One, the driver merged over him. The other, she lost an argument with the front end of an oncoming truck. Both cases were the drivers' fault. The guy was handed a $800k hospital bill. The woman did a year of rehab for her leg and wrist.

She still rides. He couldn't even look at the bike in the salvage yard. Why did she climb back on and he didn't? He could live without riding and she couldn't. It didn't have anything to do with bravery. She'd have made you a killer martini that's how bad she was shaking just sitting on a motorcycle. But she was utterly miserable everytime she saw a bike go by. Or had a beautiful day with nothing to do and the road was calling. Him, he said the experiences he had on the bike before the accident were enough to hold him over.

Both of their experiences and choices made me think about what I'd choose if something similar happened to me. And I decided already I'd keep riding the street. I don't have a private track in my backyard. And I do believe many times it's not the destination that matters . It's the journey.
 
bronch said:
...Most of the time it's just wrong place, wrong time and random .... happens. I think it depends on how you came out of that accident psychologically. I can't tell you whether you should get the R or not. But, I would not waste the money unless you are able to forget the past and ride without being worried that your number is up.
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Psychologically, I could probably move on. I have already done a test-ride on the Pani as soon as I was physically capable (waaaaaay before doctor recommendations) and it was OK. My head was on a swivel and approaching every intersection was with extreme caution.

My biggest concern is what this has done psychologically to my family and physically to my career. They would obsessively worry every time I was on the bike until I got home and as for my career, I STILL am trying to get my flight status back. I just want to fly and that's still being taken from me.
 
Kuroshio said:
I've had 2 friends have extremely serious accidents. One, the driver merged over him. The other, she lost an argument with the front end of an oncoming truck. Both cases were the drivers' fault. The guy was handed a $800k hospital bill. The woman did a year of rehab for her leg and wrist.

She still rides. He couldn't even look at the bike in the salvage yard. Why did she climb back on and he didn't? He could live without riding and she couldn't. It didn't have anything to do with bravery. She'd have made you a killer martini that's how bad she was shaking just sitting on a motorcycle. But she was utterly miserable everytime she saw a bike go by. Or had a beautiful day with nothing to do and the road was calling. Him, he said the experiences he had on the bike before the accident were enough to hold him over.

Both of their experiences and choices made me think about what I'd choose if something similar happened to me. And I decided already I'd keep riding the street. I don't have a private track in my backyard. And I do believe many times it's not the destination that matters . It's the journey.
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Great stories and very well written. Thank you for sharing.
 
surely you knew the risks when your purchased your last bike so really nothing has changed? if anything you will be more aware of idiots on the road and ride a little safer

I crashed my R6 many years ago with a few minor injuries and promised myself I would never to ride again, since than I bought an 848 now ride the 1199

Riding on the road is about freedom, something a track wont give you
 
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Hit a train once with a small car, survived thanks to airbags and a good portion of sheer luck. Had to get back into a car that same afternoon because of work and just to get ".... done". Took me years before I could run over a railroad crossing without lifting the foot off the gas.

If you had crashed your airplane you'd get back into one ASAP because it's your profession.

Moral of the story is that life is sexually transmitted, it's deadly and most people die in bed.:D

Go get that R, shake it off and give it some gas.

Cheers
 
I have always been a firm believer that "When you get knocked off the horse, get back on and ride it!" Sorry to hear about your accident. If you have the physical ability to ride it, then I say go for it.
 
Good luck with getting your flight status back. Which line do you fly for and which seat are you in? I was thinking right seat only needs class II medical.

Are you close to getting your medical at this point? Never flew for the line but was headed that direction until the road turned.
 
I think you should pass up the R and enjoy other things. Even if you bring the R home, you will not be able to enjoy it and aside from your own satisfaction, the feelings of your wife should matter too. I think she will be worried sick every time you ride. andyou on the other hand will think of your wife while you are ridding.

Do not flame me on this but after a year or two, maybe you can get one of those Harley CVO's.
 
elitesoldier357 said:
I have always been a firm believer that "When you get knocked off the horse, get back on and ride it!" Sorry to hear about your accident. If you have the physical ability to ride it, then I say go for it.
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I think when you get knocked off the horse you go with what your passion tells you to do. If you force a decision you are likely to be tentative your responses, which is not a good way to ride a motorcycle.
 
Sloopy said:
Good luck with getting your flight status back. Which line do you fly for and which seat are you in? I was thinking right seat only needs class II medical.

Are you close to getting your medical at this point? Never flew for the line but was headed that direction until the road turned.
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I fly for a private jet charter company and we are required to all hold 1st class flight physicals as a part of our GOM. I am (was) still flying right seat, but I would have upgraded by now if it weren't for this accident.

Due to the possibility of any kind of concussion, I have no idea of where I am at at this point. I am doing what AOPA says I should be doing, but getting the correct doctor appointments and knowing where to go has been challenging.

I guess the moral of my particular story is if I want to be a pilot, I'd better consider giving up motorcycling for it...
 
plotshots said:
I fly for a private jet charter company and we are required to all hold 1st class flight physicals as a part of our GOM. I am (was) still flying right seat, but I would have upgraded by now if it weren't for this accident.

Due to the possibility of any kind of concussion, I have no idea of where I am at at this point. I am doing what AOPA says I should be doing, but getting the correct doctor appointments and knowing where to go has been challenging.

I guess the moral of my particular story is if I want to be a pilot, I'd better consider giving up motorcycling for it...
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I am a pilot as well, and listening to AOPA is a good start. I had never heard of a concussion causing issues, but makes sense.
 
desmodromic system said:
I think you should pass up the R and enjoy other things. Even if you bring the R home, you will not be able to enjoy it and aside from your own satisfaction, the feelings of your wife should matter too. I think she will be worried sick every time you ride. andyou on the other hand will think of your wife while you are ridding.

Do not flame me on this but after a year or two, maybe you can get one of those Harley CVO's.
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You're probably right about the wife and family interaction with me riding.

I tried to do the whole Harley thing for a year recently, but they are waaaaay more scary than a sportbike of any kind. You can feel the frame twist everytime you push it into a turn and you just know that you can never stop or maneuver in the situation that you can on a sportbike.
 
Trauma said:
I am a pilot as well, and listening to AOPA is a good start. I had never heard of a concussion causing issues, but makes sense.
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For all pilots, it's a minimum of 6 months suspension and could possibly cost you up to 2 years of your license. If you chose to keep flying after the accident even though you feel fine, you could face federal prison time... So I have to be very careful as to how I approach my particular situation, obviously. I am hoping that my time served will be enough and I can get back to work within the next month or two.
 
plotshots said:
For all pilots, it's a minimum of 6 months suspension and could possibly cost you up to 2 years of your license. If you chose to keep flying after the accident even though you feel fine, you could face federal prison time... So I have to be very careful as to how I approach my particular situation, obviously. I am hoping that my time served will be enough and I can get back to work within the next month or two.
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So after a concussion, there is a time contraint on flying, or just a doctors release? I know concussions can cause undetectible long range issues, so a sticky wicket I suppose.
 
Trauma said:
So after a concussion, there is a time contraint on flying, or just a doctors release? I know concussions can cause undetectible long range issues, so a sticky wicket I suppose.
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There are two avenues to take as a pilot with a concussion:

1.) If there was no doctors visit after a concussion and no evidence, it never happened and never say anything about it. Ever.

2.) If there is a doctors visit, hospitalization, or even the mere possibility of a concussion mentioned on any kind of official discoverable document (like in my case), you are now helically wrapped around an axle (screwed).

In the event of #2 above, you have to go through a neuropsychological exam as well as a new flight physical and submit all of your stuff to the FAA. Then, they will decide if more tests are needed or not. From there, it's either 6 months or 24 months of waiting from the date of the accident for your verdict.
 
plotshots said:
There are two avenues to take as a pilot with a concussion:

1.) If there was no doctors visit after a concussion and no evidence, it never happened and never say anything about it. Ever.

2.) If there is a doctors visit, hospitalization, or even the mere possibility of a concussion mentioned on any kind of official discoverable document (like in my case), you are now helically wrapped around an axle (screwed).

In the event of #2 above, you have to go through a neuropsychological exam as well as a new flight physical and submit all of your stuff to the FAA. Then, they will decide if more tests are needed or not. From there, it's either 6 months or 24 months of waiting from the date of the accident for your verdict.
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OMG, so sorry, what a mess! Are your employers behind you, is this a red flag for future work?
 
Trauma said:
OMG, so sorry, what a mess! Are your employers behind you, is this a red flag for future work?
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I am lucky that my employer is 100% behind me and wants me to report back to flight status ASAP. It will only be a red flag on my record if my medical is denied after deferral and all of this time passed since the accident.

I am trying to find the correct cog screen provider right now and then an appointment with my AME (Aero Medical Examiner) and pull together a file for the FAA to submit everything with fingers crossed.
 
Sorry to hear it's still as archaic as it used to be. I had heard that the FAA had become a little more up to date and had a more descriptive set of rules for returning to flight status. From what I have heard heart issues are more straightforward but I suppose that concussions is still a black art.
 
I think today is the day to make the big decision. I am going to go to my dealer and give them the "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" on the bike. It's not here yet, but should be in the next few short weeks. Either way, this will give them plenty of time to find another interested buyer.
 

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