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Not reading the road signs again. Too fast for 90 degree, 20 mph right turn. Hard braking locked the rear tire and caused the bike to slide. After letting up on the brake to regain control speed was to great to stop. Road turned right but had another road coming in from left to so it was shaped like a "T" and I was heading to the top of it. Guard rail to protect headstones in grave yard ahead of me. Can't stop. Going 20. To the left the guardrail was not as long because of gravel road leading into graveyard. So since I had slide to the left when when the rear wheel locked up I tried to go in that direction. So it turned out that 20 mph down the gravel graveyard road was the best part of my ride that day. But the day before I stopped on the side of the highway to put in my ear plugs and thought I had put down the side stand and had not so when I went to get off the bike over it goes down causing me to lose my balance and stumble out into the center highway. I think I will sell my 02 with 12k before it really bites me but good.

Nah, you don't need to sell. It's all about presence of mind. Sounds like you aren't all there when you're riding these days. Take care of what's occupying your mind and spending most of your "attention currency", then go riding again.

Post fall riding is a most difficult endeavor mentally. After several weeks of short trips I am just starting to feel comfortable again.

A good friend (who would never get on a motorcycle) told me I had ONE BAD day and to give up something you love over ONE BAD day is not going to make one happy in the long run. Nice to have friends with that kind of wisdom.

On the other hand, if you find that mentally you cannot get back to the place of mental dicipline and riding zen rethinking the hobby is normal. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Oh, my riding buddies laugh and tell me I "made my bones".
Psychos they are. I broke 9 of them thank you very much, no mas.

Hill,

You really do not need to sell the bike. From your explanation, you just need some moderation with your driving style. I like to drive "spirited" as well. I had a scare like then when driving around West Virginia. Turn indicated 20 mph and I was thinking "Take it hard". Went into the turn around 50 mph. Turn out to be a blind hairpin where I really had to push the bike over to get it into the turn and not to mention a car was coming the other way.

I now carry a picture of my wife and son on my tankbag. When I think of doing something risky, I glance down and remember that I want to be around for them both for many years to come. So far, it had worked

Heck, don't sell her!!!
Great wisdom has been acquired by people on motorcycles. I meditate, relieve stress and sooth my soul in the saddle. I would never give that up due to the risk of a crash! Some people spend years in therapy, not to mention all of that money to get what we (riders) have right beneath us.
I too daydream and my attention drifts from time to time, just reel in your concentration more often than not and all will be well. Everyone who rides makes errors, just learn from them and go to the next level.
Don’t quit!!

It's not clear from your description but you indicated that you let up on the brake because of the rear wheel skid. Were you using full front wheel braking? We all have lapses of concentration so I wouldn't give up; there are days when I leave the house on the bike and find my mind wandering so I just take it back and park it.

If it's only a fall that made you become pessimistic, then take advice from horse back riders: get in the saddle right away, it's the best way to do away with your fears.
However, if you don't feel mentally into it, then get rid of it. That may not mean to sell it, though. But, I believe if you are not completely focused on your riding, and giving it 100% of your attention, then you are running the risk of killing yourself. Period.
According to riding school instructors, people with alot of experience, safe riding books etc. your ride should start before you get on the bike. What they all say in a nutsheel: don't get on the bike if you had a drink, if you didn't have enough sleep, if you are too cold, if you are upset about something, if you feel you are in a hurry to get to your destination etc.
People who are telling you to deal with the issues that are making your rides unsafe are giving good advice, but I have to diasgree with those who say "it happens!".
I haven't forgotten Yahooboy, and the lengthy threads that went on telling him to keep her, fix her, you will enjoy her etc. We know what happened to him.
Now, if you feel you are trying to hurt yourself, then YOU WILL. Put her aside, deal with your issues, think again about your reasons for riding then if you feel like going back then enjoy.

Just my 2 cents.

Hi Popgazer. I agree totally with your post apart from the last sentence. The implication is that Scott (YahooBoy) was killed as a result of less than good riding (or atitude). As I remember, a vehicle pulled straight out into the path of his motorcycle.

I had a similar occurrance three years ago, but I was lucky. It's not very nice hitting a Range Rover at 60mph!

Ride safely,

Rog