Something I Learned The Other Day

[Dinero]

Originally Posted by Margarita

Glad you're okay, Jim. I need you around a bunch more years to share genealogy stories and to snag an occasional visit with. You're on my regular Texas family visit list and you can't crack up at least until you get up here so we can return the hospitality you've shown me.

I've always worn a bike helmet; took up wearing a helmet when riding my horse after my last bad fall a couple of years ago. I've had enough head injuries over the years that the cumulative effect is beginning to catch up with me.

(Yeah, no one is surprised about that, right? )

Discovered today that it is not my knees that are getting me but my hands. By the end of an eight hour ride it takes several minutes and some real hot water to get my fingers to straighten out and look normal.

1. You can't get rid of me that easily. I'll be here.

2. I have been using the palm heel rest on my throttle for years. It really helps. You can find a Throttle Boss almost anywhere.

[OKC Fatboy]

Originally Posted by MrSurly

Dammit, Jim!
Glad you're OK. Smacking concrete even due to a slip while walking can be very serious.
I've slowly changed from a 30% to a 98% lid guy.
I'm told that wearing a lid is what the smart guys do.
Jim, you're a very good and very experienced rider. You don't know this, but you've taught me and others a ton about riding.
I'll be your wingman anytime.
If you're wearing a helmet, I'll be a more comfortable wingman.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This^^^^

Don't be afraid to think trike as well. 3 yrs ago I rode the pig trail and a Harley trike was pulling away from me. They are good bikes and you don't have to put your feet down at stops. Something to think about.

Bob

[Uesque]

One of the studies that I usually quote found that 75% of motorcycle head impacts are vertical onto a flat surface from less than 6 feet. So yours and the others listed are what helmets are designed for.

If you still like the luggage capacity, take a look at an FXRT/D. They have the handling of an FXR and we can give you a cool kid membership card if you get one.

[Big Cheese]

Originally Posted by BillyB

Glad to hear you weren't seriously injured Jim. I ride with a helmet more and more these days.

This

[ms_tapestry]

Originally Posted by Dinero

Fast forward to 2014 and I'm realizing that I don't have the strength I used to have and I have to use more finesse and less brute strength. It took me a long time to get used to only having one foot down at a stop but it allowed me use of the rear brake as a control. At my age I'm just not as secure in the belief in my old legs and I find that I automatically put two feet down when I come to a stop.

What this does to me is cause me to use my front brake to "finalize" my stops.

No problem, eh?

WRONG!!!

You couple the weight of my Ultra with the duel disc front brakes and the surprise element of not getting your front wheel straight and voila, it wants to knuckle down and I'm left laying there looking up at the sky.

.

Curious thing here is that I've never had the upper body strength to throw my bike around. I have always had to use finesse and less brute strength. I've always had to be aware of the position of my front wheel before applying the front brake at slow speeds. (How many times did I dump Tawanda in parking lots?)

The awesome thing is if I can learn this, so can you. Love ya madly and I'm glad your punkin' head is relatively okay.

[DAK47]

Damn Dinero..... Just seen this!! Glad nothing worse and a Hot Rod Dyna could be fun!!

Dirk

[Turbo Turtle]

Glad to read you made it without damage. I'm already dreading the day I consider selling the Glide. I believe I'll get a smaller scoot when that time comes.
I will also start making a habit of wearing something besides a ball cap upon my balding head.







BOB

[stupidglide]

After all of the racing I've done, quite frankly, I'm uncomfortable WITHOUT a helmet anymore.
Glad to hear you escaped, with all but your dignity and pride, intact Jim

[Boston Keith]

I have been the pallbearer of too many friends who died of brain injury. I will always ware a helmet
I am glad you are okay

[Dinero]

There's an old saying:

“He that is born to hang never drowns.”

[Margarita]

Unless he gets hung up in his fishing tackle and goes overboard on a deep sea fishing trip.