The King is Dead, Long Live the King or ATGATT

[Jeff Higgins]

It's been awhile since I've posted here but, then again, it's been awhile since I've been able to type. You see, my wife and I recently suffered a rather serious motorcycle accident while riding our old 2000 Harley Road King. Without getting into a great deal of detail, suffice to say that it was the classic motorcycle / oncoming vehicle collision - the oncoming driver did not see us and made a left turn in front of us. Banged both of us up pretty good and totaled the bike. We both have had reconstructive surgeries and are looking at extensive physical therapy. That's about all I'm going to say about that - this is almost certainly headed for litigation, we have an attorney, and we are settling in for the long haul.

I guess my real point in coming back and posting is this: "ATGATT" - all the gear, all the time. Please, please - you folks that ride - learn from us. We both had armored jackets and gloves, full face helmets, riding boots, and those kevlar lined "Draggin' Jeans". They had to cut much of it off of us in the ER; it was all pretty trashed. But, inside of it all, we were both alive. A little worse for wear and tear, but alive. I'm convinced, by the nature of the damage to our riding gear, that if we had been in tee shirts, jeans, and those bullsheist beanie helmets so popular among my Harley riding kin, I would not be typing this right now. Or, at best, with a pencil in my mouth...

Anyhoo, enough of that. Just delivered (I can't ride yet, so the dealer was kind enough to deliver it), I am the proud owner of a brand new 2013 Road King. Harley has made a number of noteworthy improvements over my 2000 model. Displacement is up to 103 ci from 88, tranny has six instead of five speeds, the frame was completely redesigned in 2008, it now has fuel injection instead of a carb, and it has Brembo brakes. I can't wait for the casts to come off and the strength to return so we can ride it.

The new Road King:



The old bike, in happier times:



I will miss the old girl. Just over 110,000 happy, trouble-free miles we spent together. I could not have asked for a more faithful, reliable companion - at least a mechanical one. We had some great times together. The new kid in the garage has some big shoes to fill...

The King is dead, long live the King...

[speeder]

Wow, really sorry to hear about the accident and glad to hear that you survived.

I was in Minnesota and a few other "no helmet" states this summer. When I see people riding with shorts and flip-flops and a bare head on the freeway, I would physically cringe sometimes. All I could think of was Darwin.

[Heel n Toe]

Glad to hear you were both wrapped in that gear, Jeff. A big thumbs up for all of that, and for spreading the word here. I don't do motorcycles, but if I did, it would be in the safest gear available; it's crazy out there. That whole style-over-function world of the skull bucket is for the birds.

Best wishes on your rehab and the legal stuff.

Also glad the man who brought us all "The Higgins" is still here.

[HardDrive]

Holy crap! I was wondering where you had went.

Sorry to hear what happened, and I hope your recovery goes as smoothly as possible.

+10,000 regarding gear. I just moved to Ohio. No helmet law. Stunned to see idiots with no helmets in shorts flying down the highway. Nearly all of them. I would say 5% of wear helmets.

[trekkor]

Glad you are on the mend.

We were driving through Sacramento today . There was a motorcycle wreck on the freeway.
We were early passing the incident. Two riders were laid out on the asphalt getting medical attention.
Their bike was wadded up and scattered.


Again, glad you are going to make it.


KT

[Rick Lee]

That sucks. Get well soon. I rode through a swarm of bees at 60 mph and came away without a single sting because I was in full gear. Those guys in t-shirts and jeans behind me didn't fare so well.

[cruisin]

Boy I wish I could get some of my Harley friends to take heed of what you say about ATGATT. Most of them won't wear helmets at all and certainly not any of the other gear. A few of them will wear protective gear but only when it is cool out and they need to stay warmer. When it is hot they are in T-shirts and jeans thinking they are plenty safe. Glad you lived to tell your tale.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I was thinking the other day you hadn't been on in a while and wondering if you'd quit the forum or whatever...

Very sorry to hear about what you both went through and grateful you're more or less okay. I am a huge advocate if ATGATT and it drives me crazy that here in NH (a no-helmet-law state) that there are so many idiots who voluntarily choose to ride about sans helmets and often in shorts, "wife beaters" or plain t-shirts, flip-flops, etc. I don't think the state is at all wrong (the solution shouldn't be more laws) but its disheartening to see that so many people obviously don't "get it" and choose the path of stupidity. I wonder how many end up in the ER with me and my taxes paying for their medical expenses later on...

The ones that really gall me are the imbeciles who ride up from Massachusetts (which has a helmet law) and stop on the side of the road 50' after crossing the border just to remove their helmets and tool about with a perfectly good helmet on the back seat doing nothing for them.

Like I said, I'm glad the state doesn't mandate it (I really like NH and its "less is more" approach to regulation in most things) but it bugs me to see so many people being stupid with the liberties and choices they're given.

Rant out. Glad to hear you're still with us and please stay safe out there! I hope you're still able to get a medical certificate and fly! I'd be crushed if I ever lost mine!

[Oh Haha]

Glad you both are doing ok Jeff. Best of luck with your recovery for the injuries.

While on our way back from the Dream Cruise last week my daughter and I had a sport bike rider do several stunts which were impressive but he had absolutely no safety gear on. Well, he DID have ear plugs in.


Ride safe on the new King!

[Chocaholic]

What some guys won't do to get a new bike. Glad you're both on the mend. Not easy putting on the gear in hot weather but do it every time. Vanson perf leather is a god-send.

I think often that I should quit pressing my luck and give up riding, but can't do it.

Be safe, have fun and enjoy the new King.

[Rick V]

Get well soon. I am glad to see you are still among the living.

[stomachmonkey]

Glad to hear you and the missus are on the mend.

[billybek]

Glad to hear that you are doing OK after that kind of accident.
Having the right equipment on makes you luckier.
Hope you are both back in the saddle soon.

[Zeke]

I guess this proves it's not IF, it's WHEN. I don't think it proves that you have to get back on the horse. But, that's you — not me.

Get well soon.

[Laneco]

Holy "HIGGINS"

Sure glad you both came out of this relatively intact... The new bike? I'm not a Harley/cruiser bike fan, but that is a DAMN fine looking motorbike.

angela

[fanaudical]

Thanks for the reminder. Get well soon!

[bivenator]

That was a close one. So glad you and the missus are on the mend. Best of luck on speedy recovery. I am impressed that you have purchased a new bike while still rehabbing. That's love of riding.

[9dreizig]

Glad you're going to be ok Jeff,, nothing like getting right back on the horse!!!

[creaturecat]

Jeez.
Hope you and the wife are all healed up.
ATGATT for me.

[nostatic]

Yikes - sorry to hear and glad you're both on the mend. You're preaching to the choir on the AGATT - no one gets on the bike without it. I have added a nuclear yellow vest over my jacket as well in hopes of avoiding inattentive drivers.

Heal quickly.