I need a little help

[CasterTroy]

If you've read this thread and you WOULD like to help....I ask for feedback.


I can't rail the twisties again. After seeing Brian's cold white Irises with specs of fresh dirt sprinkled on his face and eyes, holding his head and breathing in his nose, only to have blood pour from his mouth, I can't with good conscience, feel the rush, or get the high I once did doing it.

Brian was the only rider that could not only keep up with me…but keep me on my toes making me better with every curve trying to keep up with him.

I know it’s early….and yes I know, give it time….and I WILL...and I will revisit this thread in a week….two weeks…three weeks….etc until I can make a rational decision.

BUT….for now…I ask for feedback.

I can’t stand sports…I grew up with just my mother, and my buddies all like riding bikes and motorcycles…so we never really did anything but BMX and dirtbikes until it was time for license, then we all went street.

So I have no Saturday/Sunday couch potato activities….nor do I attend sporting events.

I’m not into drag racing, but I DO like taking a corner on a bike…and in a car.


Would it be possible to get somewhat the same thrill from a car, as it would be from a bike?

What car?

I’m just throwing this out as a possibility. I mean, if I were to REPLACE bikes with a car ($15-$20k…NOT NEW either) what would be a likely candidate?

I’d like something that could handle the same roads I ride a bike on…but something with enough nuts to do a good burnout and allow me the same immature antics I enjoy on a bike.

Any suggestions?


And thank you in advance...you all have been a great comfort to me.....REALLY

[karl_1052]

Troy, I understand a little bit how you must feel(I had a passenger I thought I killed when I had my accident), but I want to ask you a few questions.

Do you think Brian would want you to give up biking?
Would you want Brian to give up biking, if the roles were reversed?

I am not going to tell you what you should do, just throwing out a thought for you to chew on.

BTW, ever since my crash, I have always been one of the slowest in any group, but I still have fun.


Now for your question, Caterham.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYkXJaxmMSA&feature=fvw

[CasterTroy]

Thats WTF I'm talkin bout!!!!!!!!

Great suggestion




And.....I know you understand. Thanks!

To answer the questions.....I have to give you a little more info about him.....for as much as I loved Brian as a "Buddy" he wasn't one to ever share emotions or feelings. I mean...it was rare he told you whether he was hot or cold..you just guessed by what he wore.

ALSO, He had a very good friend die doing something stupid....a wheelie over a blind hill on a CBR 900 RR about 13 yrs ago and it never stopped him...but he wasn't WITH him at the time....holding his head screaming at him to wake up.

Brian was a very selfish person. As long as you KNEW that, and accepted him for who he was, he was fine...but even to his wife, he was selfish. He made the money...so he had the toys...etc. I was one of the few people in the world who DIDN'T try to change him or tell him he was selfish...I just took him for who he was and enjoyed him for himself.

So no..he wouldn't give up riding...because that's HIS, and the concern of his wife/family wasn't as important as him being able to ride.

That was brought up yesterday.

I am NOT a selfish person..I care MORE for my family than for myself. So to compare us and what he would do if roles were reversed is kind of a bad comparison.


MY problem is seeing the aftermath...his wife...the families....the friends...ME


Yes I could die in a car a much more tragic death....but my family could sleep at night

[ericr]

Originally Posted by CasterTroy

Yes I could die in a car a much more tragic death....but my family could sleep at night

I haven't read through the rest of the replies yet but this one sentence caught my attention Troy.

When it comes to your family, will it really matter how you die when the time comes??? It's one thing maybe if you're taking stupid risks but I've never gotten the impression you do that on the bike. Yes, riding is risky, so is driving a car fast on curvy roads. People die all the time in senseless (it seems) accidents that are beyond anyones control. People die of cancer, sometimes within weeks of discovering it. Then they look at their life and have to evaluate how they lived it.

The real question for me and the way I look at it is...do I want to live until I die or live in a bubble and start dying slowly now because I'm scared it's going to happen? Well, it's inevitable, it's gonna happen and I'd rather live until then. I feel most alive on a bike, wether I'm pushing it or just cruising along, but that's the most alive feeling for me with some adrinelin thrown in once and a while.

Is it selfish to want to do the thing you love becasue there is a chance you could crash and die? Maybe a little, but it's selfish for someone to not want you to do what you love too, a little.

I'm sure you can tell what my opinion is. It's your choice on how to live your life or not live it. Just come to peace with your choice what ever it is you choose and hopefully your family and loved ones will accept that choice either way also.

[CasterTroy]

Originally Posted by askmrjesus

Hey Troy, Sorry to hear about your friend. I wish I could say I can't imagine how you feel right now, but unfortunately, I can.

We all know, deep down, that motorcycles are inherently dangerous pieces of machinery. Hell, I expect that's why many of us ride them. We tell ourselves, (and our spouses) that we'll be OK. We have all the training, all the gear, and the experience, but in the end, we know it could all go wrong in an instant. It's the nature of the beast. Always was, always will be.

My advice, hang up your helmet for awhile. You have too much bad shit floating around your head right now, and it's going to take a while before you have the kind of confidence it takes to ride like you want to. I don't think anyone would blame you for wanting to trade the bike in for a car, but you already know it won't be the same thing. How could it be?

If you decide the risks aren't worth the reward, move on to something new. If you decide to jump back on, I can tell you from experience that it does get better, and that eventually it will be fun again. It won't ever be quite the same, but, well, that's just how it is.

Take care man.

JC

Damn dude....you brought a tear to my eye! That was awesome and I appreciate that more than you'll ever know

Originally Posted by ericr

The real question for me and the way I look at it is...do I want to live until I die or live in a bubble and start dying slowly now because I'm scared it's going to happen? Well, it's inevitable, it's gonna happen and I'd rather live until then. I feel most alive on a bike, wether I'm pushing it or just cruising along, but that's the most alive feeling for me with some adrinelin thrown in once and a while.

EXACTLY

No, I don't take stupid chances...and I'm very careful looking out for other idiots. So IF anything were to happen on 2 wheels, it would be a freak accident or a careless action of another (pulling out in front of me...etc) and NOT how Brian died.....a wheelie between curves on a "deals gap" road

But...you're right! 100%

[BobTheBiker]

This is a choice you have to make yourself. Think about it long and hard. maybe take a break from riding for awhile or change what/how you ride.

Ultimately, its up to you, all we can do is offer our thoughts on the matter.

[NeonspeedRT]

Troy,
If you do decide you want to get into something else, look into autocrossing. Check out the SCCA ( sports car club of America ). Solo 2 events are a blast and you can get intoit pretty cheap. You can race with anything from a Honda civic. Dodge neon, Mazda miata, or pretty much any small to medium sized car. There are classes for stock cars, mild modded cars, highly modded cars, and everything inbetween.

The amount you spend is basically up to you. You can go racing for $25 per event. If you want to run race tires you can. If you want to run stock tires, you can.

The Solo 2 events are basically individual timed runs on a road course, a good sized parking lot, or even an airport runway. The course is marked by cones or painted lines. Check it out. It's a great rush and alot of fun.

[CasterTroy]

Originally Posted by NeonspeedRT

Troy,
Check it out. It's a great rush and alot of fun.

Will do Thanks

[Flexin]

Originally Posted by NeonspeedRT

Troy,
If you do decide you want to get into something else, look into autocrossing. Check out the SCCA ( sports car club of America ). Solo 2 events are a blast and you can get intoit pretty cheap. You can race with anything from a Honda civic. Dodge neon, Mazda miata, or pretty much any small to medium sized car. There are classes for stock cars, mild modded cars, highly modded cars, and everything inbetween.

The amount you spend is basically up to you. You can go racing for $25 per event. If you want to run race tires you can. If you want to run stock tires, you can.

The Solo 2 events are basically individual timed runs on a road course, a good sized parking lot, or even an airport runway. The course is marked by cones or painted lines. Check it out. It's a great rush and alot of fun.

You beat me to it. This is a much better way to have fun. I had a friend that did it. His father had a Z24 with the 3.1 in it. They both went every weekend and they both drove the same car. After a while they bought some steel rims and a set of tires and would change them for the event.

I know another guy that did it in a Nissan NX2000.

James

[Ducati Diva]

Dido on what everyone else has said just give your heart time to heal a little before you make any rash decisions but..........
If you want a fun relative consumer friendly fast ltl ride check out the Subaru STI. We had an 05 and absolutely frackn loved it. It's all wheel drive, 4 door(still family friendly), Butt loads of power from the factory, and if you tweak that oh hell hang on. I highly recommend them to anyone. They are a blast!!!!