Could it be time to end riding
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@Notsluggo has it exactly: You have PTSD. You can't talk yourself out of it or through it because it's a neurological, not a rational, reaction. Behavioral therapy can minimize it, maybe ameliorate it so you can ride with it. Regardless whether you decide to ride again, you should speak with a PTSD-trained counselor.
Sounds right, im perfectly fine thinking about riding, sitting on the bike is fine, as soon as the helmet goes on and the bike is running, my mind is just saying nope not going.
I did take a Slingshot for a test run, I was fine the entire time, it was a blast.
Although I'm sure it's meant well, in this situation "suck it up" is terrible advice.
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I had a similar experience a couple of years ago but unlike you I was not involved in any accidents One day like always jumped on my wing to go for a ride Don t know what happened but after about 10km or so I just wanted to turn back and go home my legs were tingling and my breathing was kind of weird I think for me work and everyday life issues always in a rush etc got to me it took a little time but now I am OK thank god I would suggest take little steps at a time try not to take any medication for it and hopefully in time you are going to be OK to go for rides again 
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If it is that bad, I really think you should hang it up, at least for while. The more you think and dwell about it the more prone you are into making it worse. This next time you may not be so fortunate. My wife was in accident, not her fault, many years ago. She was not hurt, but all she could think of is what could have happened. She was afraid to get into another vehicle, let alone drive. Took years and 'baby steps" like just sitting in the car, then driving around the block, and driving further each time to finally get over it. She still plays back seat driver when in the car with me.
She also quit riding with me for years. Finally she realized that I was also not riding as much because my partner wasn't with me. I told her I was going to sell the bike, I was serious, and we did the same type of baby steps. Slow relaxing rides in the country away from traffic. We both realized how much we were missing.
She also quit riding with me for years. Finally she realized that I was also not riding as much because my partner wasn't with me. I told her I was going to sell the bike, I was serious, and we did the same type of baby steps. Slow relaxing rides in the country away from traffic. We both realized how much we were missing.
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Probably the best advice would be to not being overly cautious and over think every thing that could possibly go wrong. Doing so will make you create a situation that isn't good. If you can, get out on some county backroads even if you have to trailer the bike there. It's not that you don't know how to ride, you're just slowly becoming one with the bike. Take your time and it will be good again.
Believe me, I consider myself very blessed that I have had the time I have. I have been through a war, 2 nasty motorcycle wrecks, and about 38 years of riding motocross and road racing, and made it pretty much unscathed.
If its time, im good with that.
It just confused me more than anything, trying to understand what was going on.
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No one can tell you it's time to quit riding, that's up to you...as for me, I realized that I didn't feel comfortable with my ability to ride a "Wing" & that's all I wanted to ride, so I quit...and I tried a Trike but that wasn't for me, then I tried a "Slingshot"..and that was a blast...
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I am going to be 71 next month I started riding at 14 .When talking with friends and they ask Do you wish you where young again? My answer is NO I made it the first time don't know if I can make it again. Did some crazy thing when i was young.
Don't push it you will know when your ready.
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Riding a motorcycle is something we choose to do, not something we have to do. When it is no longer enjoyable for whatever reason, it just may be time to reevaluate our commitment to it. In my 50+ years of riding, there have been times that I had to just step away, ive always come back. Not because I forced myself to, but because to me the enjoyment from it has always outweighed the risk.
The activity does present a element of danger, and there are times I feel like everyone is out to get me. But I always remind myself that my time here is limited no matter what I'm doing. Might as well live it doing something I enjoy. You really do have to define your own comfort level and how much risk you are willing to accept. Good luck.
The activity does present a element of danger, and there are times I feel like everyone is out to get me. But I always remind myself that my time here is limited no matter what I'm doing. Might as well live it doing something I enjoy. You really do have to define your own comfort level and how much risk you are willing to accept. Good luck.
If you don't totally enjoy riding anymore, I would consider giving it up. I have the opposite problem in that I feel fine while riding but I get uneasy thinking about it when I'm not. I think this will be my last year. When I was young some of my friends would say they were thinking about getting a bike. My advice was always for them to get one only if they really like bikes, but it wasn't worth the risk if they were doing it on a lark. I'm surprised the onlookers didn't stand there & record your predicament. That seems to be the procedure anymore.
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I outlived my riding buddy of thirty years. We always had a deal that if we noticed the other one showing diminished abilities we would discuss and evaluate the future from the conversation. His ability never was in question, but pancreatic cancer made the decision for him. I have the same agreement with my occasional younger riding friends, so far, no comments from them. The other vehicles and in your case, pets will always be a wild card. When that becomes too much a part of your thinking, address it (lot's of good advice here) or move on to something else. Your call. Best wishes for the future, on or off the bike.
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I was hit on my bike back in the 80's. After healing up I went for a short ride and found myself trying to stay away from all the traffic - to the point of almost constantly changing lanes. I let the bike sit for a couple of months and then found a couple of easy but scenic roads away from town. I found myself enjoying the ride and not thinking about anything else. It worked for me but you have to walk your own path. Maybe it's time to hang up the helmet or maybe you just need a little time. You do you.
Look at triking your bike. It sure helped me
Unfortunately I have seen that too many times when responding to motorcycle crashes, people just drive around a downed motorcyclist until eventually someone will stop. As for not wanting to ride I agree with some others who have posted above, it takes small steps and the anxious / nervous / borderline scared feeling takes time to ease off, but may never completely go away. The 2004 Superbowl was in Jacksonville Florida in early 2005 and my unit was part of the escort for all the team owners. On I-95 near the MLK the Redskins Limo changed into my lane for an emergency evasive maneuver (driver was DWHUA) stopping across my lane as I was passing the group of Limo's to get back to the front. Needless to say my and my Road King went over the Limo and the road king landed on me as we proceeded to slide down the interstate. Obviously I was out of work for a while and when I did go back I had to take it easy, which meant no motorcycle. When I was cleared to go back to work on it I thought I was ready until I geared up and got on board, "uh oh this isn't good" and I just sat there for a few minutes. Wife and I had a long talk and she convinced me to just get on and go. Like you it was not easy at all, but then I really didn't have much of a choice like you do and I'm kind of glad. I didn't do enforcement action that day, I just rode with the others and got back into it a little at a time. I think it made me much more cautious and the anxiety took a while to ease off, it just sort of "did" until I didn't really think about it anymore. It's your decision in the end. Either way I am glad you came away from the crashes not physically harmed.
Touch your machine while you're tripping. You will know at that exact moment whether or not you will/should ride again. Go out at 4 am when there is no traffic. Mate with your machine.
My dad always says "why would I jump from a perfectly functioning aircraft?"
Riding a motorcycle is almost the same. Why would you ride a death machine like this?
have you seen the KTM 300/350?
My dad always says "why would I jump from a perfectly functioning aircraft?"
Riding a motorcycle is almost the same. Why would you ride a death machine like this?
have you seen the KTM 300/350?
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