Dilemma with an 1199R

plotshots said:

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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So it's "thumbs down" then?

ttkarp said:

So it's "thumbs down" then?

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Probably.
I guess it's a matter of choosing flying over riding (on the street). I cannot go through this crap again, especially the FAA. At least that's how I see it right now.

This is not to say I won't ever ride again, but for right now, I have other responsibilities.

as Oscar Wilde used to say : the only way to deal with temptation is to yield to it.. had the dilemma and now ride the R track only! what a blast... it's so intense, riding the street is so utterly boring... but all respect for your difficult decision... !

kope999R said:

as Oscar Wilde used to say : the only way to deal with temptation is to yield to it.. had the dilemma and now ride the R track only! what a blast... it's so intense, riding the street is so utterly boring... but all respect for your difficult decision... !

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I would be soooo divorced a dozen times over, and have a Lambo and a Ferrari in my garage along with the Porsche. You can't yield everytime!

I have the base model which was coverted for the track as soon as I got it home......for me the base is worth tracking. This bke is made for the track, just my humble little opinion not sure how can you reaaly enjoy the technology of these bikes on the street. Just my opinion, I've lost too many Soldiers and friends from street riding!!!!

I told them that I wanted to give up my order and let the other interested parties get it. There's no hard feelings between the dealer and myself and I told them that someday I will be back. Someday.

I need a drink now.

All the best to you and yours...

Fabo said:

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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Freedom for what ? I feel the opposite when riding on the road . Between watching the speed limit watching out for careless drivers and traffic and not being able to use my bike for what it was made for . Dosn't sound like freedom to me .

Interesting....what do some of you consider the street or open road? Would high speed, open canyon roads qualify as such? We have some of the best mountainous roads in the country right in our Los Angeles back yard, and why motorcycling is as popular as it is here, and the Pani shines on them. We're fortunate to have much more than off ramps. Maybe for another thread, no biggie if so.

yeah and i know a few people that died on Angela's Crest from IDIOTIC DRIVERS U-TURING in blind sections of the road! a friend of mine was riding ahead of me on that road and hit some gravel and almost flew off the mountain right before my very eyes == thank god no one was coming the other way...

but yes it's fun while the fun lasts...not be a total killjoy...

oalvarez said:

Interesting....what do some of you consider the street or open road? Would high speed, open canyon roads qualify as such? We have some of the best mountainous roads in the country right in our Los Angeles back yard, and why motorcycling is as popular as it is here, and the Pani shines on them. We're fortunate to have much more than off ramps. Maybe for another thread, no biggie if so.

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VAST said:

yeah and i know a few people that died on Angela's Crest from IDIOTIC DRIVERS U-TURING in blind sections of the road! a friend of mine was riding ahead of me on that road and hit some gravel and almost flew off the mountain right before my very eyes == thank god no one was coming the other way...

but yes it's fun while the fun lasts...not be a total killjoy...

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I'm more than familiar with the statistics; a member of our clubhouse passed and others have been badly injured as well, neither having to do with the question I asked.

fleeting freedom is no pigs, no motorists and a twisty road, for sure.

remember that pig on the bike chasing riders on Angela's Crest? he still there?

ps didn't you once go and and meet my friend in Pasadena with the Superlight and his Ducati collection?

oalvarez said:

I'm more than familiar with the statistics; a member of our clubhouse passed and others have been badly injured as well, neither having to do with the question I asked.

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VAST said:

fleeting freedom is no pigs, no motorists and a twisty road, for sure.

remember that pig on the bike chasing riders on Angela's Crest? he still there?

ps didn't you once go and and meet my friend in Pasadena with the Superlight and his Ducati collection?

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The face of the hill is very much patrolled, the back side less so. Both the old and new regime are still around, they're good guys for the most part (newest one up there is trying to prove himself, he's not making many friends). I know Phil, many of us do, one of our clubhouse members is good pals with him, nice guy, beautiful bikes for sure.

wilkson said:

Freedom for what ? I feel the opposite when riding on the road . Between watching the speed limit watching out for careless drivers and traffic and not being able to use my bike for what it was made for . Dosn't sound like freedom to me .

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Best way I can describe the freedom you can find on the streets is by linking in a thread from another forum

http://cbrforum.com/forum/sights-n-sounds-7/motorcycle-fun-current-challenge-110314/

Well, y'all, I'm turning in my towel on this forum. I appreciate all of the great advice, but hanging out here just exacerbates my situation and my heart.

Please ride safe and stay alive.

CHEERS!

Experience in your dilemma...

plotshots said:

Hi guys! It's been a while since I've been active on this site. I wanted to get some opinions on an 1199R I have had on order since January.

Here's my background:
I have been riding and tracking sportbikes since 1991, so I am not a squid. The track speeds are for the track and the street speeds are for the street. I have owned 12 different motorcycles and I have ridden well over 500,000 miles...

Just after last Thanksgiving, I was hit by a distracted driver on my 1198S in FULL gear @ 30 mph. I suffered some pretty severe injuries, such as broken wrist, broken clavicle, and broken jaw just to name a few. In addition to all of this, I am STILL trying to get my flight status back so I can go back to work as a professional pilot...

Here's the dilemma:
In a few weeks, my dealer 1199R will be calling me saying that my bike is ready for pick-up, BUT... I am not sure I will actually get it. I don't know if I can ride on the street with the possibility of this ever happening again. At $30k plus tax, fees, and insurance, I'm just not sure if it worth it to buy as a "track bike" or just "fine Italian garage art"...

This is not to mention that my wife is very opposed to me ever riding on the street again either. She's ok with a track bike, but she then brings up the price tag again...

Anybody else experience this dilemma? Thought about it? What would/did you do??

Thanks in advance, y'all. View attachment 5182

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Plotshots, your post really struck a chord with me. I have a very similar story to tell. We have many similarities in life it appears. Hopefully you or others can benefit or learn from what I've been through. I'm interested in what peoples' opinions are about my situation just like you are. Just like you, the "R" is what brought me to this forum. Here's how my story goes-

I grew up riding/racing with hopes of possibly becoming a professional racer. That dream didn't pan out for the most part other than some SCORE Baja racing, but I was able to get to expert level motocross, and become very proficient on street bikes. My lifelong addiction to adrenaline led me to a degree in Criminology and a law enforcement career that involved work I enjoyed such as SWAT, Off-Road Detail, and being a motorcycle officer. Being a motorcycle officer somewhat fulfilled my dream of being paid to ride, even though I wasn't a huge fan of writing citations most of the day. With most things that give an adrenaline rush, the risk mitigation against the danger is the common thread. I've always been good at managing risk, but sometimes that doesn't help the outcome.

On a cold misty morning while responding to a call, an elderly asian woman with a dog on her lap pulled out of a parking lot 50 feet ahead and on the right into the road in front of me. Collision avoidance to my left was no help as she was headed across all lanes of traffic to the left turn pocket. I bled off approx. 10 mph of speed before hitting her left rear tire at 40 mph. Breaking the rear axle of her car and pushing the Kawi's front tire into the the exhaust, I was ejected through the windshield of the bike hitting the side of the car. I ended up facedown in the grass in the center median with my bell rung wondering what just happened. I thought I was having a nightmare, but soon realized I wasn't dreaming as the pain started intensifying.

The injuries sustained included a torn off and broken nose, obliterated sinuses, eyelid partially torn off, detached retina, numerous broken teeth, broken wrist and collarbone, jaw sprain, torn rotator cuff, and two badly broken thoracic vertebrae. I also had numerous lacerations and bruises all over my body, and of course numerous injuries from my motocross racing. My fiance tended to me while bedridden for as much time off as she had, but she eventually had to return to work. A year of rehab and numerous procedures got me up and walking again, but the unknown strength of my healed, but broken back led me to become a liability in the SWAT and motor officer jobs I was currently assigned to. I was subsequently medically retired. I was devastated, but determined to find a new start.

With the small amount of retraining money I was eligible for, I applied to be retrained as a pilot. The question to myself was, if I could become a pilot and have a second career doing it, could I pass the medical? I went to my local flight doctor and applied for a First Class Medical. He immediately granted the medical to me after his exam, but gave me a laundry list of paperwork to bring to him that he knew the FAA would be requesting. Pounds of paperwork was given to the FAA, and then they would request more. Eventually they were buried with enough paperwork, they quit asking for more. I've held a medical certificate ever since and have only had to provide a few things for them over the years since.

I now work at an aerospace company and many of my coworkers ride motorcycles. I've been invited numerous times to go riding on Sunday with them. I've borrowed a friends' CBR1000RR and really enjoy the rides through the canyons to the Rockstore and down PCH along the beach to Neptune's Net. These rides are very close to my home and the roads and views are amazing.

One of my coworkers invited me to go to Pro-Italia as he was in the market for a new bike. Off I went with my wife telling me, "Don't buy a bike!" I test rode a Pani S among others and so began my infatuation with the R! Pro-Italia said they had a list of names with deposits longer than the number of R models they were slated to receive, but I should get on the list. This was January and they thought if I had any chance of getting an R, it would be in their second delivery around October of this year. I placed the deposit and began explaining to my wife, that same girl who tended to me while I was bedridden that I wanted this bike.

My wife initially had a very emotional reaction to my wanting to put myself out on the street again with the car driving public. She argued that she doesn't want to see me hurt again or worse. She wants me to be around for my family, which I totally understand. Not riding has created quite a void for me though.

On one of my flight test trips, another coworker and I stopped off at Santa Barbara Ducati, where I once again found myself lusting after the Panigale. They offered a spot on their waiting list as well. I found myself placing yet another deposit on the R.

Fast forward to April and I received a call from SB Ducati, saying that the other guys in front of me deferred and "My R" was due to arrive. Gulp! I had them verify I qualified for their financing and checked out how much the insurance would be. When I spoke to my wife and told her the timeline to get my bike moved up significantly, she expressed concerns again. I also began having doubts myself about if I really should be spending so much for a toy for me to play with on the weekends. I ended up deferring my spot at SB until they get another one. Shortly after that call, I received another call from Pro-Italia saying that "My R" was in. I again deferred my spot to later on in the year.

I've thought about riding every day since passing on picking up the R and feel like I can justify a purchase around the end of the year. I'll probably try to get one of the first '14 R models. I need to have fun on this rock while I'm here and I can't live safely in a bubble my whole life; it's never been my style.

Plotshots, I would think your concussion shouldn't limit you from getting your medical. I think "loss of consciousness" is the red flag that makes them pay more attention, and I believe that still isn't a deal breaker. Feel free to PM me for any help or questions. I can give you my number there. Life is short, let's ride!

Pilot said:

...I have a very similar story to tell...

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I said something similar earlier and not to just state the obvious. But, you're at higher risk of an accident if you're going to ride tentatively or afraid. If you love riding and think that at some point your confidence will come back then I think you should get it. But, seriously, no one can really tell either one of you what to do. It's easy for people to say just "get back on the horse." But, if someone hasn't had the trauma you've been through, it's hard to say what they would do in the same situation. Everyone deals with it differently, we're not all like Gary McCoy. Besides, in the eternal words of Mike Tyson, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face."

it's a dumb sport because there are just too many dumb people on the road. risk/reward 101. only the irrational passionate side that can justify anything in most inane terms like, "when your time comes, your time comes" or "you can die crossing the street" don't really factor that all too real mortality rate per mile travelled -- it's kinda like engaging in Russian Roulette: when your time comes it comes, but holding a gun to your head and spinning the chamber is still 1/6 or what have you and you don't have to play, do you? Or do you? And yet here we are...