I'm sure such stories aren't exactly new here, but if nothing else just wanted to get some input from people who have dealt with this before. We're currently roommates, actually just moved in together a few weeks ago.
In essence it boils down to the classic left turn scenario. From what I've heard my buddy was in the left lane of one side of the road (2 travel lanes each way, with a turn lane in center). He said traffic was very light around 9am in the morning going to work. Said he saw a white pickup coming in the left lane of oncoming, then suddenly cut to the right lane and swing a very wide u-tun in the middle of the road, cutting across all five lanes. He locked the rear wheel and slid, the skidmark is probably 200' long before being forced onto the gravel shoulder and washing out the front end. It's a 55mph road, though it's a stretch known for speeding(no turn-offs or lights for a solid mile), average speed is around 75 and he admitted he was pushing 90 when he noticed the truck. Bike lowsided to the right before sliding into the ditch and he ragdolled about 40' farther than the bike. One leg has a broken tibia and ankle, the other has a severely sprained ankle and several broken metatarsals.
His helmet and jacket were pretty beat up but no rash or other injuries. As you might guess, he was just wearing sneakers which of course instantly flew off. He has riding boots but doesn't wear them to work....too uncomfortable to wear all day. I'd kind of busted on him about this once or twice but didn't press the issue....now I wish I would have since I'm sure it would have helped or prevented the foot and ankle injuries. Gonna need surgery in a few days once the swelling goes down, then the doc says wheelchair for 2-4 weeks, then crutches for another 4-6 after that.
The bike isn't too bad, would have still been driveable, just the usual issues. Blinkers, footpeg, bent handlebar, brake handle, and some scrapes on the clutch case. With the parts it'd be fixable like new in a couple hours...just bolt on stuff. Too bad it was a brand new '14 FZ09 that didn't even have 1000 miles on it..he'd been riding an old xs400 for 7-8k miles before this. Of course I said I'd take care of the insurance and get the bike fixed for him in the meantime, but now he's not totally sure he wants to fix it.
He had one of the biggest passions for riding I'd seen in someone...we'd go for a ride pretty much every day after work, every weekend, ect. Couldn't get enough riding, how we became fast friends when I met him at an old job and later moved in together. Of course his parents are saying they're essentially going to disown him if he doesn't give up riding (he's 26), and everyone is telling him how lucky he is to get the chance to give up riding. I've been talking to him in the hospital and he says that while he wants to get back on the bike as soon as he physically can, he's afraid that his confidence will never return. It's understandable, I was a little gun-shy after I laid my bike down a few years ago, though I walked away from it. He's leaving the hospital today, but has to go home to his mom's house because our apartment is upstairs.
So I guess what I'm asking, for those of you who have been there or had friends there, how did you help them back on the horse? Or don't you? I don't want to pressure him back into riding if he's just not comfortable on it anymore, but at the same time riding was this kid's life, I can't see him ever wanting to give it up.
In essence it boils down to the classic left turn scenario. From what I've heard my buddy was in the left lane of one side of the road (2 travel lanes each way, with a turn lane in center). He said traffic was very light around 9am in the morning going to work. Said he saw a white pickup coming in the left lane of oncoming, then suddenly cut to the right lane and swing a very wide u-tun in the middle of the road, cutting across all five lanes. He locked the rear wheel and slid, the skidmark is probably 200' long before being forced onto the gravel shoulder and washing out the front end. It's a 55mph road, though it's a stretch known for speeding(no turn-offs or lights for a solid mile), average speed is around 75 and he admitted he was pushing 90 when he noticed the truck. Bike lowsided to the right before sliding into the ditch and he ragdolled about 40' farther than the bike. One leg has a broken tibia and ankle, the other has a severely sprained ankle and several broken metatarsals.
His helmet and jacket were pretty beat up but no rash or other injuries. As you might guess, he was just wearing sneakers which of course instantly flew off. He has riding boots but doesn't wear them to work....too uncomfortable to wear all day. I'd kind of busted on him about this once or twice but didn't press the issue....now I wish I would have since I'm sure it would have helped or prevented the foot and ankle injuries. Gonna need surgery in a few days once the swelling goes down, then the doc says wheelchair for 2-4 weeks, then crutches for another 4-6 after that.
The bike isn't too bad, would have still been driveable, just the usual issues. Blinkers, footpeg, bent handlebar, brake handle, and some scrapes on the clutch case. With the parts it'd be fixable like new in a couple hours...just bolt on stuff. Too bad it was a brand new '14 FZ09 that didn't even have 1000 miles on it..he'd been riding an old xs400 for 7-8k miles before this. Of course I said I'd take care of the insurance and get the bike fixed for him in the meantime, but now he's not totally sure he wants to fix it.
He had one of the biggest passions for riding I'd seen in someone...we'd go for a ride pretty much every day after work, every weekend, ect. Couldn't get enough riding, how we became fast friends when I met him at an old job and later moved in together. Of course his parents are saying they're essentially going to disown him if he doesn't give up riding (he's 26), and everyone is telling him how lucky he is to get the chance to give up riding. I've been talking to him in the hospital and he says that while he wants to get back on the bike as soon as he physically can, he's afraid that his confidence will never return. It's understandable, I was a little gun-shy after I laid my bike down a few years ago, though I walked away from it. He's leaving the hospital today, but has to go home to his mom's house because our apartment is upstairs.
So I guess what I'm asking, for those of you who have been there or had friends there, how did you help them back on the horse? Or don't you? I don't want to pressure him back into riding if he's just not comfortable on it anymore, but at the same time riding was this kid's life, I can't see him ever wanting to give it up.