Back in October 0f 09, I got into a moderate accident while riding my 2006 zx14. The damage on my bike was cosmetic, and it has been repaired and is good as new. By the grace of God, I didn't get seriously hurt. The problem I'm having is that I'm experiencing flashbacks of my accident while riding, and it is causing me to panic while on the road (not good). Has anyone out there experienced anything similar to what I'm going through? If so, do you have any suggestions? I'm thinking about selling both of my bikes if I can't settle down. (I also have a cruiser). Help.

One suggestion might be to participate in a track day with your bike. If you take full advantage of it, chances are you would come away with a great deal more confidence in your riding abilities. Eliminating the road hazards of surface quality and cagers gets you down to just yourself, your machine, and the turns.

Confidence gained may overcome your flashback concerns. Maybe not, but might be worth a try...

If you can afford it, I've heard that the Yamaha Champions Riding School is fantastic, but I think it's only available at Miller (near Salt Lake City) and at Las Vegas (in the fall). Maybe there is something similar in your area.

Just a thought... -bg

I have thought of signing up for a riding school like you suggested. A friend suggested that I speak with a licensed counselor since what I'm experiencing is more physicological than anything else. Thank you.

have a few drinks....

2 12 oz beers and I'm Valentino Rossi on the road. That was before my accident. I've been riding Kawasaki's since I was 16, and this is the first the time I have ever been down on a bike (I'm 42 now). I guess I'm still getting used to it.

* Last updated by: somar41 on 6/29/2010 @ 5:11 PM *

Could try hypnosis. Ask a therapist if it is covered by insurance.

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Just ride through it.
Gotta keep working at it until you finally quit thinking about it.
Basically you are uncomfortable on the bike. You need to find a way to move forward.
Get past it or sell it and move on.

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2 12 oz beers and I'm Valentino Rossi ON THE ROAD.I can guarantee ya this....Rossi aint downin any alcohol before races.Quick question here...were you drinking the day you crashed?And also,you say "went down on a bike"...well,what happened?32 years without a crash is pretty amazing.You must be doing Something right.And what exactly IS the recurring fear you have....crashing?.Dying?Fear of your competence level?Or something "outside"of your control.Gotta identify what's goin on with ya Bro.It's natural to be gunshy after a wreck...and depending on HOW serious...it could be a lesson,or...a warning.Just my .02.I've been in LOTS of wrecks....when I quit drinking,my wrecks disappeared.And I was able to start REALLY enjoying riding.It's really no fun riding impaired,even though at the time it "feels" exhilarating.Deadly combo...you NEVER win drinkin and ridin.Sorry,don't want to get on ya there.I just know how lucky I was ...lucky I didn't kill someone in earlier years.Ruined several really nice rides...I'll tell ya that.And for what...tryin to be someone I wasn't.Perhaps just go start her up and sit on er for a while.You know,relax.Think about the positive things concerning your beautiful badazz sportbike.Maybe consider gettin away to ride...you know...out of the city somewhere.Someplace you don't feel rushed or pressured to do anything.A country/mountain road somewhere.Someplace quiet...just you and your bike.You fixed er back up to ride er again,so don't give it up yet.There IS no rush to "get over it".You will when you will.Bottom line.Wrecks can be deadly...you walked away from this one.Be glad and think of what you may have done different.When yer ready,you'll go for it again.And if not...so what...lots of other things out there to do besides ride a bike.

Here's the question....simple...DO YOU WANT TO RIDE AGAIN?Not just say you want to,but a desire inside to "yeah,think I'll take er out today(or whenever).I miss ridin"...something like that.If you aren't feeling "good" about riding,you may have answered your own question.But any ideas of "not doing it anymore" need to be just not pushed too much.Your feelings are gonna change as ya heal past this bump in the road..And it's cool if you NEVER ride again.Doesn't mean shit.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 6/29/2010 @ 6:16 PM *

2 12 oz beers and I'm Valentino Rossi on the road.

Look, you've been Rossi many times. That is not the point all of a sudden it'snot the beer, sniffle, sniffle, is the bike alright?

That was before my accident.

That is what I am saying. I'm not going into throwing stones here, that is out of the way. If we are over all those years over our Rossi level in the looking glass, say you messed up how? Something happened and now pick it up, it's fresh in your head, walk it out. I mean every move and describe it. Since you have that vision, show all those steps up to and then as you loved that action in the air, you came down to tell about it don't give me that vision shit you loved it!

I've been riding since I was 16, and this is the first the time I have ever been down on a bike (I'm 42 now). I guess I'm still getting used to it.

Yeah, and I hate you! Lookat you is call you a scared die cat? 9 lives is more like I'm Lucky 13 on my toes give me that spook shit!

Well, 26 of those to you for staying up this long in all seriousness. BUTT...

This is where we separate the men from the boys from their toys.

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Sell it and buy a new bike...

OR

Go crash again.

After the second time, you aren't as scared.

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The more time you spend behind bars of any bike will make it easier. If you can afford to let the bikes sit there a bit and just hop on every now and then , do a track day or two like Bg said it'll come , never be the same again but you will make it back, whats the rush??.
Understand that what you are feeling is normal and just another part of the healing process, find some peace with that .

Fact is, you have a confidence problem. First and foremost, I applaud your ability to share your inner feelings cuz, hell yeah this is dangerous. Folks, friends and family constantly remind me of that - some more preachy than others.

Am I telling you to go out and sell your two-wheeled vehicles? Hell no. If I were in your shoes, I'd stay off the bikes for a little while - maybe a couple of weeks or so - clear your head. I went down last September. To this day, every so often, I think about things I might could have done differently, regardless of how obvious the problem was. These flashbacks you speak of... Frankly, they're not going to go away any time soon. Accept this, appreciate the fact that it happened. You escaped mostly unharmed and can chalk it up to experience. You know what not to do. However, if you're on the bike and this accident fucks with your head so much that it causes you to make knee-jerk reactions, this will really accomplish two things - creating too much of a possibility of repeating your last mistake or, worse yet, causing you and/or folks around you harm from your inability to let go of the past.

If riding truly is your passion and you don't feel complete without it, then I would suggest you take it nice and slow the first month. Don't try to push it at all. Keep that speed down on unknown roads; don't be afraid to do the speed limit or less; just because you have the power doesn't mean you should try to use it every chance you get; BTTB - get Back To The Basics and think about what you learned when you first started seriously riding, i.e. looking through the turn, keeping your OWN pace and no one else's, regardless of being in a group or out by yourself, etc etc. I think one of the best things you could do right now is get enrolled in an advanced rider course such as the Advanced MSF or, as BG suggested, do a track day on your bike.

Last, but certainly not least, I'll leave you with this - it's ok to be scared shitless. This is a good thing. It means you're still able to make rational decisions about riding and about life in general. It's ok to take the car to work if you're "not feelin' it". It's ok to take time to ponder things. What's done is done - can't change the past. Get your head clear and make the conscious decision to NOT....LOOK....BACK - and MOVE FORWARD. If part of moving forward is to sell the bikes because you feel better with that decision, fine. Ultimately, it's your life and you need to be the one comfortable with the end result, whatever that is. Whatever your decision, be confident you made the right choice and make sure it's something you can live with - without the "what-if"s plaguing you weeks/months down the road.

Everything I've said I'm sure you've already thought about. This topic hits home with me because I was there where you are now. Everybody kept saying how stupid I was to go out and get another bike just as soon as my right hand healed. To hell with them, I say. Can't live your life in fear, doubt, remorse. This is my passion and I don't see it letting up any time soon. But that's me. I appreciate all people's own decisions and differences because, after all, if we were all the same, it'd be damn boring.

Above all else, make the decision that's safest and I don't see you getting into a situation you can't get out of. If you choose to continue to ride, keep that gear on no matter how hot it gets, anticipate the idiocy of others, assume that car from the side road is going to pull out in front of you, etc etc.

My two cents...

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don't let anyone talk u into riding. if u are done with it, be done with it. life is too short to do something u don't enjoy... even if it was something u enjoyed at one time. people change their minds all the time. just walk away. maybe some day u will change your mind again? until then do what makes u comfortable. if u aren't completely sure, keep the bikes.. u don't have to ride them. if u are sure.. whatever the choice, then do that. asking others about their experience is only good for statistics. everyone is different and u gotta be u. of course u know this... I just want to remind u it's completely ur call! and there is no shame in admitting ur too shook up to ride. if u think u got no business on a mc, then u don't.

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I guess I thought that I would never go down. Since the accident, my confidence has been shattered. I still ride my bikes--though at a slower speed. Also, alcohol was not a factor the day of my accident, and I have never been involved in an alcohol related accident. I was on an unfamilar country road and took a turn going too fast. Luckily, I landed on a grass shoulder and did not break any bones. It cost me about $1,500 to get my bike fixed--all plastic fairings and paint (I have a custom paint job on my bike). I appriciate the comments and suggestions.

* Last updated by: somar41 on 6/30/2010 @ 12:41 AM *

I have been there as well. mine was a faminliar road and a poor decision to take a 20 mph turn at 60+. Front end washed and broke collar bone and shoulder blade. I was scared of tight downhill lefthanders for a long time. It just took time and refocusing on the basics of why I enjoy riding. For me, I stayed off bikes a few years until I could just enjoy the scenery again and not want just the adrenaline rush everytime I cranked her up. That is what worked for me. Everyone is different. Now at age 46, this baby reminds me of why I loved riding sport bikes. Cruisers wont handle this good and will not give you the confidence the zx14 does. You are in my prayers and I pray that the Lord gives you peace no matter what you decide to do.

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Somar41, you remember Tom Cruise in the movie Top Gun? We'll that's definitely you buddy, you have a confidence problem and that crash of yours woulda shook anybody up. You remember what wee Tom did in the story though right? He eventually re-engaged and went on to his greatest victory. That could be you but it's your call and no one elses, if you want to ride again, you have to re-engage, get back on the horse and ride. You have a cruiser, so do I, let's do a ride Sunday morning, I have a nice loop up near Lake Ray Roberts on FM 455..... we'll go real easy and enjoy the scenery. Let me know and I'll shoot you my numbers.

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Well there ya go Somar...someone to ride with!Alright Kruz.Your wreck sounds like mine Somar...same deal.New zx14.(just broken in).Bike was,well...toast as far as I could tell.My baby....crunched like that.Bummer.After a couple of weeks,ya...she didn't look SOOO bad.Fixable?I decided hell yeah.I'm gonna keep er.Best choice I've made.Wasn't drinking on this one either...quit that 7 years ago.You see...almost everyone here has been where yer at...you'll be fine.Good posts guys!Hang in there Somar.(you got off cheap...1500 dollas...mine ended up right at 3000.00,plus a broken collarbone to boot!)WoHooooooo!!!!I've always said after that..."she'll accelerate a lot faster than she'll stop!"(even with her great brakes).

* Last updated by: blue07 on 6/30/2010 @ 8:19 AM *

If riding truly is your passion and you don't feel complete without it, then I would suggest you...

... Listen to words of wisdom. "You had me at hell NO!"... !CRASH! < Now looks at it. Finds a passion to repair, a passion to prepare to ride it again. "Chew Compete Me!" <
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These flashbacks you speak of... Frankly, they're not going to go away any time soon. Accept this...

Crashing is like lunch. Like you remembering that crash as if you knew what you had for lunch 3 years ago tell me what you had on that month, that day like the brain is going to file that.
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I think one of the best things you could do right now is get enrolled in an advanced rider course such as the Advanced MSF

WOT!?!? This guy can ride! First crash? MSF is for beginners. Somar should have seminars on how to stay up from day one. Ruin that formula with, Many Subtle Fuckups?
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Everything I've said I'm sure you've already thought about. This topic hits home with me because I was there where you are now. Everybody kept saying how stupid I was to go out and get another bike just as soon as my right hand healed. To hell with them, I say. Can't live your life in fear, doubt, remorse. This is my passion and I don't see it letting up any time soon. But that's me. I appreciate all people's own decisions and differences because, after all, if we were all the same, it'd be damn boring.

<< Again, words of wisdom that make sense or is it just me? I have video proof, I have conditioned anyone around me is to live their life, and my life, my world does not concern you, once you start telling me what to do with a certain passion or I am stuck in your boring world stay out of mine. I get it!
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Well, I kept on saying the level content may not have played a part in it is get that out of the way. So, clear mind is backtrack the day, someone got pissed off at something, worried about something? Did a situation you had, have that on the mind not the ride?

You see road racers, motocross, dirt track racers, get a clue is glue the assfactor back on the seat is keep meeting and greeting the line as you fly in the air and have time to think things out. Yes or no you went nice and slow was that feeling? Then all of a sudden you were thinking at that speed anyway what the hay, grass, wall, cement is that crash is about as cemented in your thoughts tell me in 20 years what little you remember you have to dig in the files to piece it together you will still have the puzzles missing.
That instinct lets you move on, you are back in the race and it ain't over till the final lap is you are on the ragged edge of getting one, Somar...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x-fkSYDtUY

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If you are still shook up stay off the bike until you sort it out fear will make you do something stupid.

Damn Hub...Cher slapped him good(wonder how many takes SHE needed to "get that right"?Screw that...ONE take....maybe.(she DID look fine till she "fixed" her lips..WHAT was she thinking?)

Kruz, I've riden in the Lake Ray Roberts area before. It's definately a nice ride. I'll be out of town starting this week, but I'll be in touch.

* Last updated by: somar41 on 6/30/2010 @ 11:46 AM *

OK, let me know, an easy cruiser ride might be just the thing to sort this all out, ease you back into riding and restore your confidence. Look at it this way, you've had one crash in 26 years, they say everybody goes down at least once in their riding career and you already got yours out of the way.

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Glad to see you came out alright. I had a similar incident in Sept 08. I was riding my Ninja 636 and a military humvee turned into my path. I wish I had been wearing a cape because I flew through the air like Superman! Totalled the bike.
I was shook up after that, but the next day I forced myself to ride my wife's bike. I had to get back in the saddle! I was skittish at first, but after an hour or two, I was good to go. I bought my 14 about 3 months after that. It made me even more aware of the cagers out there and to not assume anything. I still ride defensively ( I did before, but more so now) I kept the headlights of my old 636 and hung them on my garage wall as a "reminder" of what can happen. Good luck and hope you get back out there!

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WOT!?!? This guy can ride! First crash? MSF is for beginners. Somar should have seminars on how to stay up from day one. Ruin that formula with, Many Subtle Fuckups?

No one's doubting this gent's ability to ride. The advanced rider course I took wasn't for beginners and, in fact, guy failed in course previous to ours, but, admittedly, he was taking a course better suited for someone that has ridden for a bit. No, I'd call this an intermediate course. The thought behind this was simply to build up OP's confidence and nothing more. Not to berate his abilities, nor to tell him he doesn't know what he's doing, but, rather, simply to enforce a clear set of guidelines proven to work for so many - merely to enhance what he already knows. Some of the stuff I learned in the advanced course I really had never done much of, i.e. figure eight and emergency avoidance maneuvers at medium speeds. Our instructor was also pretty cool and rode Harleys as well as sportbikes.

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I would highly recommend you read this book if you haven't already... and in that case, read it again. :)

Keith's breakdown of riders survival reactions (fear) and how to manage it is excellent, and it has unquestionably made me a more confident rider. For someone in your situation, getting to know yourself, your bike, and reviewing the basics could be just the thing to get you back in the saddle.

As you can see this is a place full of people who are very passionate about riding, I hope you stick around and update us on your progress whatever you decision may be...