What I learned on NOV24, 2007

[Gene Smith]

Home is originally in Huntsville, Alabama. Been here in Cali for the past 10 yrs with the Marines.

[stevend135]

OMG glad your ok, and had some gear on.

[odinseye]

It takes alot of charecter to own up to ones mistakes, the effects they have and to put them out there unvarnished in the hopes that others can learn from them... good man.

Hope your surgeries go well, you heal quickly and that a wiser you is back out riding soon.

[sisooktom]

That is a tough lesson, but at least you didn't hurt anyone but yourself. Buzzed or not, remember that statistically speaking, having even one drink and getting on the bike increases your risk of a mishap by a LOT.

[Gene Smith]

Originally Posted by sisooktom

having even one drink and getting on the bike increases your risk of a mishap by a LOT.

Remember? I have easy reminders. Scars on both wrists remind me every time I take a drink.

[likearock4x4]

Originally Posted by Gene Smith

Remember? I have easy reminders. Scars on both wrists remind me every time I take a drink.

I'm sure you do, Gene, but I think he was trying to remind us others who don't have the scars.

[Gene Smith]

Yeah your right. I was trying hack on myself. Sorry if I sounded offencive.

[bross]

Wow! I don't know what to say. The father in me wants to get in your face and tell you what an idiot you were for drinking and riding. The rider in me is glad you are alive and didn't hurt anyone else, but still wants to get in your face about drinking and riding. Man I know you feel it, but you mentioned your reminder every time you take a drink. I really hope you do remember. Coming from a guy who has too many times to count where he doesn't remember.

If you didn't believe in God before your accident you should now, but by the grace...

This brings back a memory that a few on here will recall. Red Lodge 2006, enjoying a nice sunny afternoon in town when a large group of about 20 sport bikes rode through town with one bike sticking out from the rest, a beautiful brand new ZX14. Many of us had never seen one before. Well it only took about 20 minutes after they left town for the sirens to start and the fire and ambulance crews headed up the mountain. They brought 2 bikes down, the ZX14 and a well used R1. They dropped the bikes off at the wreckers beside our hotel and a few of us went to see the bikes. It was obvious the R1 rider was an experienced rider by the complete lack of chicken strips on his well worn tires, while the ZX14 rider could be called a "newbie" by the at least 1/2" strips left on his tires. You can see it now, new rider on the latest greatest, fastest machine on the planet challenging a more experienced rider. Only one rider knows what really happened out there cause the R1 rider didn't make it.

That could have been you. It made me sick to my stomach looking at those bikes and hearing from the tow operator about the R1 rider. It's senseless, stupid and selfish, please don't do this to your family and friends again. Your life is worth a lot to people. Hope you heal completely, and thanks for your service.

[JoyRider]

15. price of new helmet
16. price of new jacket
17. price of new riding pants
18. ATGATT priceless......

Very glad you are able to tell your story!

[Gene Smith]

Posted by Bross: The father in me wants to get in your face and tell you what an idiot you were for drinking and riding. The rider in me is glad you are alive and didn't hurt anyone else, but still wants to get in your face about drinking and riding.

Don't worry the Wife has taken me off the chain, I am now on the torture table as far as she is concerned.

[bross]

Originally Posted by Gene Smith

Posted by Bross: The father in me wants to get in your face and tell you what an idiot you were for drinking and riding. The rider in me is glad you are alive and didn't hurt anyone else, but still wants to get in your face about drinking and riding.

Don't worry the Wife has taken me off the chain, I am now on the torture table as far as she is concerned.

And I know you'll take it like the man you are, smile and tell her how much you love her, and how blessed you are to be able to tell her.

I know exactly how you're feeling, I caused my family a lot of anguish and pain over the years and don't wish it on anyone. Heal well.

[ervins]

The key is that you learned from your mistakes.

[Th33nforcer]

Thanks for posting this. When I was a kid, my cousin ended up in the hospital for three months after a spill on his vulcan. Sounds very similar to the pain you are experiencing. Drinking was involved. My parents took me to the hospital to see him just to scare the living hades out of me. It worked. To this day, I wear full gear all the time and never drink while riding.

Drinking or not, 100mph is probably a bit excessive on you were in a turn, but that's a whole different story. Hopefully your post will be a great lesson to others out there. Thanks again for sharing.

[bross]

Originally Posted by Th33nforcer

Thanks for posting this. When I was a kid, my cousin ended up in the hospital for three months after a spill on his vulcan. Sounds very similar to the pain you are experiencing. Drinking was involved. My parents took me to the hospital to see him just to scare the living hades out of me. It worked. To this day, I wear full gear all the time and never drink while riding.

Drinking or not, 100mph is probably a bit excessive on you were in a turn, but that's a whole different story. Hopefully your post will be a great lesson to others out there. Thanks again for sharing.

We had the same thing happen real close to home a few years ago. A teenager on his first bike, a brand new supersport was leaving town in front of our subdivision. Our subdivision is the last one before you are in the country on this secondary highway, so everyone starts accelerating just before our turn as they head out of town. I had just left for work and turned right onto this highway and noticed the road was still damp from a light rain the night before. Well Jodie called as soon as I got to work to tell me she had seen the ambulance picking up a downed rider. When I got home I took both our teen boys to look at the scene. You could "see" exactly what he had done. New rider, new bike, probably still new tires not scrubbed in completely yet. He had hit our intersection and nailed the throttle in anticipation of ripping down this deserted secondary highway early in the morning. Well you could see the squiggly skid mark slowly drift towards the ditch due to the crown in the road, you could see the tire tracks through the ditch and then missing the culvert on the farmers lane into his field by mere inches. A perfect launch pad, your eyes followed the path the bike and rider had taken and at first you can't believe it, but yes it has to be, there's a 5-6" tree snapped off about 15' in the air. This tree was about 30' past the ditch where he launched himself. The police had spray painted his outline in the middle of the field and there was a pool of blood where his head would have lied. I paced back to the ditch and it was 110' that this kid flew through the air before landing! He survived and was recovering in hospital, but I just explained to our boys that, this was all it took to change your life forever, one moment of carelessness.

I agree with others, thanks for posting your story Gene.

[CycleDude]

OMG! GEne I missed this thread. I'm real sorry to see this. Many have said it but I will as well. Yes, you made a foolish mistake, but I admire the hell out of you to man up and share it with everyone. You may have saved someones life with your post.

I wish you all the best in your recovery.

Godspeed.

[Gene Smith]

I am out of surgery, Have been now for about 4 days and the pain pills SUCK. Today I am able to move about a little. And yes the first place I went was to the garage to make sure my ZX10R was still ok. It is but it looks a little sad though. I was able to get 300miles put on her before I put her away. The doctors were great and kind enough to give me this realy nice leg brace that weighs more than my leg. They said that I might knned to back for more in two months. Now that sucks why in the hell didn't they just do it all at the same time. Dang it all more time away from the bikes.

[likearock4x4]

Originally Posted by Gene Smith

I am out of surgery, Have been now for about 4 days and the pain pills SUCK. Today I am able to move about a little. And yes the first place I went was to the garage to make sure my ZX10R was still ok. It is but it looks a little sad though. I was able to get 300miles put on her before I put her away. The doctors were great and kind enough to give me this realy nice leg brace that weighs more than my leg. They said that I might knned to back for more in two months. Now that sucks why in the hell didn't they just do it all at the same time. Dang it all more time away from the bikes.

Good to hear. Thanks for the update.

[Gene Smith]

Went in for a check up today and it is official, not only will I be getting more done to the knee but it looks like I will wind up being in a knee brace for EVER. Of all the dumb things to do. Wish I could have learned at a cheaper price.

[cpttoad1swife]

you never learn at a cheaper price.... the only thing you can hope for is that others will learn from your mistakes. even if its a stranger it will be worth it. hope you get to feeling better and remember we are all here for you!! {{{{hugs}}}}

[Gene Smith]

Thank you.