User talk:Hawaiianhogger

Surviving a near fatal motorcycle crash
I'm 62 years old and have been in at least three near fatal motorcycle wrecks. The first in 1967 when a Lincoln Continental turned in front of me. I was on a Yamaha 80 cc bike and collided with the car at approximately 45 MPH. I fractured my skull, crushed my right foot breaking many bones in it and broke my C-5 neck vertabrae. I lived to ride again. In 1973 I crashed a 1961 Harley Davidson after losing the traction of my rear wheel in a sharp turn on Hwy. 50 at Cave Rock at Lake Tahoe, Nevada. I fractured my T-6 Vertabrae, re-fractured my skull, and still recovered. In 1986, I dumped my 1948 Harley Panhead in a slow turn with a passenger ( unharmed ) but suffered a ligament and meniscus tear in my left knee resulting in 5 subsequent surgeries and finally a knee joint replacement. The first two wrecks were actually life-threatening but I made it back because of my youth. The last one was the most stupid, avoidable, and most painful to recover from. The first two happened before a helmet was required in Nevada. The last one I had a helmet on but didn't need it (never hit my head ) but I still think helmets should be required. Now I'm permananently disabled with spinal arthritis & no longer ride. I've been in other crashes where I was able to get up, restart the bike ( only a Harley can stand this abuse) and all involved a "lay down " or slide before the impact, whether on purpose or by physics. There is no positive outcome of any bike wreck. Just " good fortune or luck of your draw" Drive wise & watch out. ALWAYS look way ahead of you. Always look for people who do not see you. Go figure. LJ Hawaiianhogger (talk) 07:29, 4 June 2012 (UTC)