Well...I had my first accident :(

[stargate]

I have been riding for about 3 months. I ride a Kawa dual sport 250. Mostly street riding, but I do a fair amount of off road as well.

Last weekend, I was riding on some trails near my house with a friend. Must have slipped a bit off the trail and my front wheel hit a cement footing of some sort that I never noticed before. My front end spun and the bike flipped over, throwing me HARD to the ground. I landed on hard packed dirt directly on my right hip. Knocked the wind out of me. Couldn't walk. Just basucally layed there for a half hour grunting.

My friend was able to get me back home. Luckily we were pretty much right near my house. The end result was a minor fracure to a lower bone in my pelvis and a HUGE contusion, but no surgery or anything. Basically out of work for a week. As much bed rest as possible. Still can't walk without crutches. All in all, I feel lucky to have gotten off without anything too extreme.

Soo.. now my mother says she will kill me if I ever ride again and I am having doubts myself. It is dangerous and I feel that no matter how safe I try to ride, something could happen. The problem is that I love riding. Not sure what to do. Any advice...

[VermilionX]

sorry to hear that.

could have been worse.

anyway... i dunno about your mother. i say as long she she doesn't disown you. keep riding.

[Shiv]

Well, riding is dangerous.

It's a risk we all take whenever we throw a leg over the bike. The only thing you really can do is learn to mitigate the risks involved by:

A) Wearing your gear ATGATT (all the gear all the time).
B) Taking the MSF (BRC and ERC).
C) Any other training you can get.


And riding just simply isn't for some people. If you're having many doubts about it you might consider giving it up if the risk vs reward isn't high enough for you, or too high in the case of the risk part.


You have to realize that anytime you get on a bike that could very well be your last ride. But it's the same thing as when you drive a cage, or walk around. You just, or so stastics say, have a higher chance of it being on a bike than in a cage. We all gotta die sometime, be it old age, a cager slamming into us at 70 while yapping on a cellular device, or your mom killing you for riding again.


Only advice I can give you is drive like you're invisible and keep the shiny side up.

[stargate]

Well, riding is dangerous.

It's a risk we all take whenever we throw a leg over the bike. The only thing you really can do is learn to mitigate the risks involved by:

A) Wearing your gear ATGATT (all the gear all the time).
B) Taking the MSF (BRC and ERC).
C) Any other training you can get.


And riding just simply isn't for some people. If you're having many doubts about it you might consider giving it up if the risk vs reward isn't high enough for you, or too high in the case of the risk part.


You have to realize that anytime you get on a bike that could very well be your last ride. But it's the same thing as when you drive a cage, or walk around. You just, or so stastics say, have a higher chance of it being on a bike than in a cage. We all gotta die sometime, be it old age, a cager slamming into us at 70 while yapping on a cellular device, or your mom killing you for riding again.


Only advice I can give you is drive like you're invisible and keep the shiny side up.

good advice. thanks.

[Loonette]

I am having doubts myself. It is dangerous and I feel that no matter how safe I try to ride, something could happen.

Because of your statement, I'd say quit riding. If you're not happy with the situation, then get out of it. +1 to what Shiv said - you just have to decide if the joy you find with riding outweighs the risk that will always be there.

As for your mom... that all depends on how old you are (?) and whether or not you are dependent on your mom. If you're under 18 and dependent on her financially, then she has a lot to say in this decision. If you're older and on your own, it's really not up to her.

Good luck...

Cheers,
Loonette

[CNF2002]

People fall all the time riding in the dirt on dirt bikes. Gear up properly and suck it up.

Be safe on the roads.

[torxim]

crashing while riding on a trail is very different from an accident in my opinion. get gear dedicated to trail riding (dirt bike gear). it just seems like you weren't paying attention to terrain features

[NorthernPete]

Trail riding has alot of hiden dangers that arnt on the street (and vise versa) Just be careful and take your time when you get back on that horse. IF we all quit when we had our first run in with a stationary object, there would be few riders and even fewer drivers.

[Koss]

I know there are some dirt bike classes now opening up along side some other MSF courses. I use to be an amature dirt bike competitor, and the biggest piece of advice I could give you would probably be read your terrain. Take it easy, and learn how your bike handles various terrain conditions under "normal" riding, or at a pace thats well below the feeling of pushing the enevolope.

I think someone earlier posted a reply about MSF courses and other types of training. And I couldn't agree more. I think I would actually take the MSF beginners course (street riding) first before any others pertaining to off road training.

Other training that would be great would be picking up some books to read while you heal or just whenever you have time. I have learned more from the Proficient Motorcycling series than I could have hoped for... and then some. I still want to read the books cover to cover at least one more time before the end of the year.

Perhaps putting restrictions on your riding would ease your mothers mind. Like not riding in the dirt alone, or riding around the neighborhood streets before dark and after rush hour traffic... just some ideas to throw around.

[KarateChick]

First, heal up. While doing that, grab some good books and read as Koss suggested. You "love riding" so I imagine it would be really tough to give it up altogether. Sure "something might happen" if you continue to ride but it can also if you walk, cross a street, go on a trip, ride in a car, etc.

Life is for what if not living? Sure m-c riding has more risks than some other activities but the best you can do is reduce the risks for yourself and go into it fully aware. Yes, your mom may weigh in here (how much depends on your age as Loonette pointed out) but ultimately, the decision will be yours, if not now, then a few years from now. Take the time now to think it all through and figure the pros and cons for yourself before you make any hasty decisions. Some of the other forum members pointed out dirt biking vs street riding so you do need to take those differences into consideration too.

And hey, I'm glad you weren't hurt a lot more than you were with your mishap.