I've been riding since a long time and I recently got into an accident which has been life changing. I'd like to take the opportunity this forum has given me to share my experience with other riders so that they can avoid what I have gone through (partly because of my own mistake). I'm now running a small business (still into motorcycles ). I don't ride anymore. I do a bit of programming and sell motorcycle parts and plan on running a website to increase awareness among new and old riders alike.
Once again, it's a wonderful forum. Hope to learn from everyone here.
I'm a new rider myself. In fact, tonight is the first night I'm going to go further than 4 miles from my home (which is on a very quiet side road with little traffic).
I look forward to any advice from people's personal experiences.
Nice to meet you too. My advice to a first timer would be to let the progression lead you. Most newbies concentrate too much on controlling the handle which is alright, but the motorcycle actually balances itself. The rider just has to balance himself/herself 'on the ride'. People fall because they move forward at a rate which is less than the rate at which they move either to the left or the right. It almost sounds funny but it's all physics. Let go!
Wishing you a very safe and wonderful riding experience.
Sounds like you have some good riding experience to share, I look forward to reading your posts. Sorry to hear about your accident but from the sounds of it it has changed your life by going in a different direction (opening up a store) and by wanting to help others not repeat the same mistakes.
What was your accident? What bike were you riding?
rlmitchell wrote:Sorry to hear about your accident
I'm a new rider myself. In fact, tonight is the first night I'm going to go further than 4 miles from my home (which is on a very quiet side road with little traffic).
I look forward to any advice from people's personal experiences.
Great meeting you.
Rhonda
Hi Rhonda, to the community!
You are going to have to start a new thread to introduce yourself (so people welcoming you here don't hijack poor
stoppieman's thread), I didn't know you were new to the forum (I see you have already posted 4 messages).
I ride a 2005 R1 from Yamaha. I am still trying to figure out the accident NatGeo style, but I have come to the conclusion that cowling caught fire (not the engine itself) because of reflux in the intake area. It went unnoticed and spread to the left fairing (it was ABS plastic and a cheap one I guess) due to draught and then to my denims near the left knee. I only had split seconds to think - I thought it's a bee, wasp or some other insect as I have been stung by insects during the ride before; but a bee sting is pretty different from molten burning plastic stuck to your denims. What contributed to the accident was the highway speed and traffic density. I was lucky I didn't get run over by a truck, but I'm alright. Just a broken leg and some third degree burns on it.
Now I'm a very cautious rider. Never trying to test my limits or the bike's so it was pretty shocking for me that something like this could happen to someone like me. I always thought people who crash their bikes have reckless tendencies, but what this accident changed in me is that absolutely anyone can become a victim of mechanical malfunction if not human error. I just try to raise awareness on motorcycle safety every chance I get. Regular checkups, ensuring heat shielding, using the right parts... all for a better and safer ride.
Wow, that's quite the story! I've heard of motorcycle electrics catching fire (rare cases), but reflux in the intake area causing the fire, interesting! Did you let Yamaha know? I'm sure they would have been interested. Did you have aftermarket headers installed or OEM Yamaha ones at the time?
I'm glad you didn't get run over and even though you suffered a broken leg and some third degree burns on it, it could have been worse right?
I think it's very honorable that you "just try to raise awareness on motorcycle safety every chance I get. Regular checkups, ensuring heat shielding, using the right parts... all for a better and safer ride" it's what Total Motorcycle is all about. I'm courious why you choose your name to be "stoppieman"? To me, it said "stunt rider who likes to do stoppies"
BTW you said "I'm now running a small business (still into motorcycles)." You should write up a promotion for it and post it in our Business Classified Forum.
OEM Yamaha. I am a proponent of genuine motorcycle parts and my use of aftermarket parts is restricted to those used solely for the purpose of cosmetic improvement. No, I didn't let Yamaha know because it was an old motorcycle (6 years is a long time) and I don't know the complete history of this baby except that it looked really good when I bought it.
Regarding your comment, "It could have been worse.."--- yeah, it could have been. I feel like quoting a dialogue from the movie Fight Club but I'm not sure if it will fully comply with the rules of this forum.. Haha
Thanks for the encouragement. I will certainly write something nice when I get time and post it where you suggested.
Very sorry to hear of your accident! It's probably still worthwhile to mention it to Yamaha... they might not do anything about it (probably wouldn't) but at least they could track it as a potential problem.
). I don't ride anymore. I do a bit of programming and sell motorcycle parts and plan on running a website to increase awareness among new and old riders alike.
Tyler!
to the community!
