I went down

[munchmeister]

As a frequent visitor here and occasional poster, I thought I would let you all know of my recent crash, Sunday afternoon, April 29, 2007. I usually get out for a ride on the weekends and the curves of the Poudre Canyon Highway west of my home in Fort Collins, CO are one of my favorite places to go.

My memory of the event is nil, but I rounded a decreasing radius turn on my 04 R1150R and went down. The bike ended up on fire and the first person on the scene apparently had to pull me away from the burning bike. I ended up with severe 3rd degree burns on both legs, 13% of total body and spent 2.5 weeks in the No. Colo. Burn Center in Greeley, getting grafts, etc. I broke no bones, only had a right shoulder separation, and nary a scratch to my skin and a slight concussion. Needless to say, all the gear, all the time saved my ass. I have no idea how fire started and it seems odd, given the usual physics of crashes, that I stayed on the bike the entire time. Of course my beautiful R is a total loss and my life is definitely different now.

My daughter and her boyfriend are proving care for me which includes ~ 1 hour a day of wound care, etc. not to mention learning to walk all over again. I have another skin graft op coming up.

But I'm alive and getting stronger every day and plan to get back to 100% as soon as possible.

Will I ride again? I've got lots of time to think about that. I have my trusty F650GS in the garage. But I will miss the joy of riding my R.

Be careful out there. Everything can change in an instant.

Here's a photo, taken just the weekend before the accident. RIP RR.


--Doug

[toner87]

Doug,
Holy Crap! I don't know what to say but thank God you're alive to write about it. Heal well, heal fast and thank you for sharing your experience with us. This is the first I've heard of a bike catching fire like that... That's f-ing scary, as if going down isn't bad enough...
Toner AKA Cliff in San Francisco

[Biff's R]

Sorry to hear about the accident and your injuries, but at least you are here to tell about it. I hope you have a speedy recovery, and don't hide from us here on the board.

[DJ Downunder]

Dear Doug.

What a bugger..Both about your crash..and about your bike...

Jeeez...it sounds very nasty...I'm glad you're still with us...I hope that in time you will look back and think of it as one of life's hurdles.

Thanks for the post...I hope you're feeling better soon..real soon..and also hope you get another beautiful R1150R to replace the one you had.

DJ

[GypsyRR]

Doug:

I am so sorry to hear about your crash. I know that you must be in a lot of pain still, mentally as well as physically. I was just wondering the other day why we had not heard from you in a while - never even thinking something like this had happened. Again, I am very sorry. I hope you heal quickly and that even in the pain, you can find joy each day.

Kristi

[yjleesvrr]

Man, that sucks! I'm sorry to hear about your laydown and especially the burns you suffered. It seems like too many of us have gone down in the past year. Myself being one of them.

You had a nice bike. It's sad when there is one less R in this world. Your accident could have been worse, so I'm thankful that you didn't get more hurt.

I hope you get back on a bike. While I wasn't hurt as badly as you, I had a bum knee for five weeks, a broken finger that is still in the healing process, and several deep bruises. I got back on my motorcycles within two weeks of my laydown to not let fear build up. It was a little comical as I hobbled to my bike, threw my right leg over it awkwardly, carefully folded my left leg (the dinged up one) onto the footpeg, and took a spin around the neighborhood a few times before hitting the open road.

I hope you're able to get back on soon.

[MIXR]

Get well soon. What else can be said. The bike's irrelevant in such matters, at least until you're better. Cheers mate. Mick.

[R4R&R]

Wow - sorry to hear about that accident and I'm glad you're making a good recovery! Fire, not good news. Do you think it could be related to a failed quick-disconnect or leaky fuel line crimp?

Good luck on your recovery and keep us updated.

[sjbmw]

Wow. I am so sorry about this news.

But you are alive, and here to tell us, warn us, and be a friend to us, still.
For this we are grateful.
I hope you have everything you need to heal as fast as possible.

I just had my QD's replaced for free in April during a annual service, with a expired warranty, and I never asked for it.

Did you have the original clamps? I would investigate this.

[wncbmw]

Doug - the bike was beautiful but can be replaced. You can't and we are glad you are still kickin'!

Concussions can sometimes be a gift in accidents but it would seem with the fire, it worked against you. I know the pain must be terrible. Feel free to come on the board and vent! Don't be a stranger and get well soon!

[Capt. Blackadder]

Ugh... crashing sucks. Glad you're alive and healing!

[Sunbeemer]

Bummer!!! Sorry to here about your low-sider and wonder what caused the fire; was there a hole in the tank? Glad you are still kicking it though and hope you recover quickly and decide to ride...life is what you make it.

[TonyT607]

Munch - Holy Crap ! So sorry to hear about the get off but as others have said you're here to tell us about it ...

Heal, relax, think, get your body and spirit back together.

Let us know if you need anything, and of course keep us up to date on your progress.

[NoRRmad]

What were you wearing? I've heard a lot of bad things about wearing nylon in a fire; the stuff melts into the burns and makes cleanup a hard thing to do. I worry about my Aerostich in a crash-and-burn...

[rdsmith3]

Doug

Best wishes for a full recovery. Glad you are here to tell us about it.

[iowabeakster]

Doug,

I am so glad to hear your in one piece and here sharing this with us!!!! Your attitude and optimism are inspiring.

I would also like to give props to all those people who have been helping you through this. Burns are.....well........(words fail).

Lastly, I would like to buy a drink for the stranger who pulled you from the burning bike. What an amazing self-less act of compassion.

I wish you good luck, good spirits and patience.

[taosports]

Doug,

Best wishes to you in your recovery.

[munchmeister]

Thanks everyone for your wishes. I feel like I know all of you... as friends and your thoughts and replies help me get through this. One more skin graft operation on 5/31 and that should be it. Dr. tells me all is looking good and the first grafts are healing well. Its tough but getting better every day.

Thanks again.
--Doug

[cruiser]

Get well soon Doug... so glad to read you're on the mend after your profound experience. To reiterate what others have already so eloquently stated... you have many like-minded friends from all over the world who are thinking about you during these difficult days.

[Harry]

Terrible news, Doug.

Fire is such a scary thing. Wicked fast. I carry a mini fire extinguisher in the glove compartment of my car just in case...

I hope that if I ever come upon a fire such as yours, I'll have the composure to remember it's there...

Cheers, bro.