Hi Reg 6 - I was down & almost out

[nnjhawk02]

Hi to all

I meet some of U over the years, but have not been to many STN meets, anyway, I was in a bad cage accident in early Oct.

The readers digest version;

I was driving home from a friends house & was in north NJ on a hiway & a driver was going the wrong way, w/out lights on, & we hit head on -I don't remember.

I was in Hackensack Hospital for a month & now in rehab closer to home in Pa.

broke both lower legs, left femur, had a bruised spleen, collapsed left lung, & bonus 5 broken ribs.

Thats all for now, got to go to PT

catch up later

hug ur wife & kids, U never know what happens...

UPDATE - April '12

Well its been a while.  But here is where I'm at - have been able to walk since about Jan. w/ a walking boot on left leg (see pic).  I've graduated to a cane now, but only good for short distances, otherwise leg hurts & swells.  Right leg is pretty good, can be full weight bearing, but do not have 100% feeling back in certain areas.

And to kick dirt in my face, my boss called about 10 days ago telling me that the company is releasing me, since I've been out of work since Oct.  Oh well, I guess when he told my wife & I separately, don't worry, we'll have a job for U when ur ready, didn't amount to a hill of beans.  So now I'm factoring where to roll my 401k to & waiting on COBRA insurance info to see how much thats gonna costs.  And where to work next, when I'm able to.

And of course when U have a life altering experience, other stuff comes up to.  Such as wife isn't happy w/ me anymore.  Oh well, life is full disappointments, I'm just 1 of em.

Thus, can't walk, have no job, 4 kids, bank trying to repo casa, no health insurance, maybe heading down Divorce road and the best for last settlement $ that comes my way, will probably go to medical bills, since they're higher than settlement $ and my company was self insured, thus ERISA rules apply.

See didn't I make U feel better - ur not me.

Well at least my buddies are taking me away in 4 weeks & paying for the trip - good to have good friends.

Rant over - go back to ur regularly scheduled programs

[Scratch33]

Shit.  

Sorry to read that.  Hope you heal up over the winter.

[Cheddarhead]

Wow...

Glad to be able to read your words...instead of reading about you.

Good luck with the rehab...stick to it..it'll get better as time goes by.  And make sure that you "pay it forward..." with your partner and kids.  They too are going through some tough times...

Keep us posted...and don't be too proud to ask for help.

Cheddar

[garry]

Shit.  

Sorry to read that.  Hope you heal up over the winter.

+ a brazillion. Heal well!

[Cablebandit]

Yikes.  

[Rincewind]

Cars driving at night without headlights are a nightmare of mine.  Glad you survived your accident and best wishes in your recovery.

[Cablebandit]

Glad you weren't on a bike.  Sometimes the cage is good to have.  

[Mr. Whippy]

Shit.  

Sorry to read that.  Hope you heal up over the winter.

+ a brazillion. Heal well!

Absolutely this ^.

I don't know what to say, but wanted you to know I read this thread and I'm hoping you have a full recovery.  

[Frankienuckles]

Sad to hear this, but I'm glad your'e on the mend. Get well soon!

[scottzilla]

Dayum.
Glad you are slowly coming along.

[maddjack]

 

Heal up soon !

[FiremanBob]

Am glad you're able to write about it, and hope to see you on your bike next year.

Jeez, cars are dangerous - I'm going to stick with motorcycle riding.

[Skee]

+ a brazillion. Heal well!


Absolutely this ^.

I don't know what to say, but wanted you to know I read this thread and I'm hoping you have a full recovery.  

+1 Exactly what I was thinking.  Heal up soon.

[tthompsr]

Wow! Thank god you survived, and good luck with your recovery!

[ConPilot1]

Jeebus christ dude, that's some awful injuries, heal up fast.

Godspeed to ya. Glad you're still with us. Shit, I hate hearing stuff like this.  

[JETSET]

Sorry to hear of your accident. I wish you a full and speedy recovery.

[JamminJere]

Hawk...

We met at the Turkey Trot in Mertztown a few years ago.... Sorry to hear about your cage crash, but really glad to hear you are gonna pull through..  Godspeed and a quick recovery to you...  

JJ

[cbsnbiker]

Ouch. Heal well.

It reminds me of the time when I was driving southbound on an Interstate highway in the area, in the right lane of a six lane highway. It was evening, in a snowstorm.

A car went by me heading in the other direction on my side of the highway!

None of us had a cellphone (this was over ten years ago), so we pulled over at the next exit, found a pay phone (they were more common back then), and called 911.

[Mastros2]

I am very sorry to hear but glad you are making progress.  

Heal fast

[et]

Hoping you have a full and fast recovery.

[MrsCablebandit]

Positive vibes and healing thoughts coming your way!  

[nnjhawk02]

Thanks to all for well wishes.

I've been in rehab since Monday & making slow but steady progress.

Currently bed & wheelchair bound only & weight bearing on right leg only - have a rod where tibia used to be.  In PT I use hand bars to support me & hop on right to move me down the bars, can do 7 steps now.  Hoping to get better sometime next week, so I can use toilet instead of bedpan  


I think next spring I'll be selling the Superhawk & getting a proper sport tourer, probably used.

Now what should I get? And what should I stay away from?

I want something that is not too heavy, but w/ hard bags, heated grips & something that I can change oil / plugs, etc., w/out having to take off half of moto to access.  Also, that I can have a passenger, at times on it.  Finally, looking to stay away from those bikes w/ venting problems (don't need to cook myself w/ riding)

So STNers - what do I get?

[cbsnbiker]

Keep up the good rehab work.  

As for a bike, that will depend on what will feel comfortable for you as you heal from your injuries. Will an upright seating position be best for you, or tipped forward, or something else? How much leg room will you need? Etc.

One starting point: the BMW R1100R/R1150R/R1200R (depending on your price point, whether you want to buy new or used, and other factors). They're not too heavy, the valves are very easily accessible without removing any plastic, the oil is easy to change, they come equipped with heated grips or can be easily retrofitted, a passenger readily fits on the back (and an aftermarket seat will make the passenger happier), hard bags are readily available, etc. They have no fairing, but windscreens, both OEM and aftermarket, are available.

There are faired versions, of course.

One question: what do the doctors say about you riding a motorcycle in the future? I hope it's favorable.

When I was hit by a car while on my motorcycle several years ago (and suffered far, far less than you have), I asked my doctor how long I should wait before riding. He responded that, after he sustained similar injuries when hit by a car on *his* bike, he waited several weeks. So that's what I did.

[nnjhawk02]

As for a bike, that will depend on what will feel comfortable for you as you heal from your injuries. Will an upright seating position be best for you, or tipped forward, or something else? How much leg room will you need? Etc.

One starting point: the BMW R1100R/R1150R/R1200R (depending on your price point, whether you want to buy new or used, and other factors). They're not too heavy, the valves are very easily accessible without removing any plastic, the oil is easy to change, they come equipped with heated grips or can be easily retrofitted, a passenger readily fits on the back (and an aftermarket seat will make the passenger happier), hard bags are readily available, etc. They have no fairing, but windscreens, both OEM and aftermarket, are available.

There are faired versions, of course.

One question: what do the doctors say about you riding a motorcycle in the future? I hope it's favorable.

I think a standard position will be better for me, been riding the VTR, since new in '02.  have not spoken about riding w/ doctors yet, but will when I see them.

as far as Beemers are concerned, I have owned old Airheads - loved em, but needed more TLC than modern bikes.
I don't have any experience w/ Oilheads.

I was looking to spend up to $8k for a used bike, maybe more, maybe less, depends on what I decide on.  Was looking along the lines of a FJR, ST,etc.  Just not sure whats better, what model years to stay away from.

Finally, I'm 5' 11" w/ a 31" inseam, thats standing up & laying down

[Mastros2]

What about a VFR?  Gen 5 or 6?  I'm 5'10", 30.5" inseam at 170#.  All day comfort.

Also try the c14 or bandit.  

[cbsnbiker]

I think a standard position will be better for me, been riding the VTR, since new in '02.  have not spoken about riding w/ doctors yet, but will when I see them.

as far as Beemers are concerned, I have owned old Airheads - loved em, but needed more TLC than modern bikes.
I don't have any experience w/ Oilheads.

I was looking to spend up to $8k for a used bike, maybe more, maybe less, depends on what I decide on.  Was looking along the lines of a FJR, ST,etc.  Just not sure whats better, what model years to stay away from.

Finally, I'm 5' 11" w/ a 31" inseam, thats standing up & laying down

Hmmm, maybe a dual-sport or dual-sportish bike would give you a standard riding position without putting too much pressure on your injured leg. Maybe a GS?

Oilheads are good machines, and are modern. (I own an airhead and used to own an oilhead. My brother owns an R1150R -- he may see this thread and comment.)

I was steering away from bikes such as the FJR and ST because you said that you want a lighter bike, and one where you don't have to take lots of stuff apart to get to things like valves. The R1100RT/R1150RT/R1200RT is more comparable to them, and will still allow you to adjust valves without taking fairing pieces off.

[Meemuh]

Wow - glad you're still around to tell us about it...sounds like you've got some work to do, stay positive - & let us know what cycle you end up with.

[nnjhawk02]

Still have a long way to go before fully mobile, getting better by day, by its a slow process.

I'm factoring that if all goes well, I should be able to ride next season.

Plan to sell my much modified & beloved '02 VTR & the new moto might be a 2012 V-Strom, looks a bit nicer than the original ones, plus it doesn't weigh too much, unlike a C14 or similar touring motos.

Take care STNers

[scraperman1]

Hey hawk, I just read about this today. I'm sorry to hear you are in a piece of trouble, but glad you're still above ground. The V-strom is a good bike, but my recommends are to maybe go to a motorcycle show and sit on a lot of them. NYC IMS is Jan 21st weekend, but I don't know what kind of shape you will be in by then. Rehabbing back from something bad is so variable, prayers here for a quick recovery,

[lionlady]

Glad you weren't on a bike.  Sometimes the cage is good to have.  

+1.

Jeebus! I had to reread the initial post. Got chills, thinking the same thing... good you were in the car. Make good use of the down time of winter and here's hoping you're back out and about come Spring.

P

[Mastros2]

The V-strom is a good bike, but my recommends are to maybe go to a motorcycle show and sit on a lot of them.

Forgot about the v-strom.  New design for 2012 as well and the 1k is coming back.  

[cbsnbiker]

If I owned only one bike, and I were on a bit of a budget, and I had a better Suzuki dealer near me, I'd seriously consider the Strom.

Another one to look at: the BMW F800GS.

[Cablebandit]

No need for a dealer once you get the bike.  The strom is pretty much bulletproof.

[cbsnbiker]

No need for a dealer once you get the bike.  The strom is pretty much bulletproof.

Yeah, but I won't give the local dealer my money.

Of course this is not important for nnjhawk02.

[Cablebandit]

Buy used, or buy from another dealer.  Seems easy enough to me.

[Mastros2]

Buy used, or buy from another dealer.  Seems easy enough to me.

There you go with being rational again!

[Cablebandit]

Character flaw....

[MGoBlue]

Plan to sell my much modified & beloved '02 VTR

Aww shucks. I sense regret in the distant future. Any chance you could share some pics of the bird?

Hell, I hope you can get back on any bike for that matter. Get well bro.

[nnjhawk02]

Aww shucks. I sense regret in the distant future. Any chance you could share some pics of the bird?

Hell, I hope you can get back on any bike for that matter. Get well bro.

MGo - check old ride report here, for moto pics, as I'm in rehab joint & dont have access to pics on my laptop.  Thanks for well wishes


http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,44379.0.html

[MGoBlue]

Weird, vtr and a jeep  
Apparently we have similar tastes...

That's @ the Bantam Jeep-Fest. If I remember correctly, that was an 891 on the rti.

[R Doug]

I am sorry to hear about the cage crash.  Heal up and stay focused on getting back on a bike!

[nnjhawk02]

Update

I'm heading home today, Yahoo

Insurance company was booting me to nursing home, but I'm as far along as I'm going to get for now, so I figure I'd rather go home.  They're sending me all the equipment, walker, wheel chair, etc. to get around.

I get to spend Turkey Day w/ familia, so that's a big plus, or maybe not  

Anyway thanks again to all for good thoughts.

I will keep all updated, plus now that I'll be on home computer I can send pics of my legs to ya

Happy Turkey Day to U & urs - hug ur family & friends

Rhino

[Scratch33]

I get to spend Turkey Day w/ familia, so that's a big plus, or maybe not  

Woot.  Congrats!

[Meemuh]

Happy Thanksgiving Rhino - glad you're on the mend.

[nnjhawk02]

Well I've been home a day & a half, different from rehab foh sure, good to see family & my dog has gotten BIG.

He's an Anatolian Shepherd and @ 10 months is probably 80 pounds.  Problem is he laying next to me bustin ass.    I'm calling rehab to see if my bed still warm.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

[scraperman1]

Hey rhino,

       Glad to hear you are home. My Great Dane used to be a stinky beast as well, enough to clear out a room. Here's hoping you'll be riding soon,

[nnjhawk02]

See 1st post for update.

Oh & I'm probably not going to sell my VTR, I love it too much & I know I'd miss it BADLY.  I actually rode it in neighborhood last week doing shift w/ back of boot.

[Mastros2]

Really sorry to hear of the road you are going down.  Keep your spirits high and heal up.  

[Frankienuckles]

This sucks big time! You seem to be pretty upbeat given your circumstances. This is really good and important. IMHO. I can relate to some of your sad tale from personal experience and all I can say is to keep your head up! On another note, I don't know if this could help you, but my attorney and myself were able to negotiate a split of available funds with the "health care fund" in my case (also an erisa insurer). Still no big payday, but better than zip. Best of luck to you!