Hard one, worst thing is you cant control the morons, only what you do....if you are more aware its a good thing, especially when ya hear locked brakes behind ya....always have an escape route and when your about to be creamed the law dont mean squat.....Smooth Roads To ya.

From myself who had lots of prangs as I spent many years racing bikes and some of that as a profession.Everytime you get on the bike now remember and keep thinking why you enjoy riding and feel the pleasure and the thrill.Keep thinking and feeling all that is good about riding,the wind in your face ,the sound and the vibration you feel and all those things that made you ride in the first place. Focus on all those things around you.Blank out the negative thoughts with positive thoughts until the time when you realise that there are no negative thoughts and all your confidence is back.And I would wait till then before I put my lad back on the bike !!,because you will be over compensating and putting yourself in risky situations..Just my opinion

I think maybe your over analyzing things. There's no magic formula for getting back in the groove.

It's hard at first, but try not to think too much about the negatives, and just enjoy the actual ride.

It maybe tricky where you live, but my first few rides back after an off, I just stuck to quiet country roads.

I used to be fearless and fast, now not so fearless, which may not be a bad thing !.

I still haven't been game to look at my X-rays. At least all the hardware was screwed in from the outside, so when they took it out, there's no steel work left inside  

Just persist and you'll come good if it's meant to be.

I was cruising along in the right lane about 10/15 m behind a wagon, he indicated to turn left and started to slow, I then was going past, a commodore turning right from that corner then come out into my path, obvious not seeing me, I hit her just behind the front wheel arch, luck I stayed on the bike.

Now I cant sit be hind a car in the right lane, and EVERY car that I see approach or is stopped on a left hand corner is (in my mind) is coming out and I get the brakes ready and on some occasions have started to slow, I think "what the heck are you doing" and that stupid feeling you get in the stomach. I reckon anyone who has had an off will be affected, although most wont tell you about it

And a smart ass wife don't help with "got ya spooked didn't it" bloody woman is full of compassion

That is what I meant by talking to someonewho's been-there-done-that. If they haven't experienced the situation, they can't appreciate your problem. Don't let on around her, talk to a friend who has had a similar situation, car wreck, hurt at work, football injury, that kind of stuff. You'll find someone with similar feelings and then have a beer and talk about it. See if you can pick out things they say that help you to deal with what you are going through. I think when you wake up tomorrow you will be comforted knowing you talked (wrote and read) to someone in that same boat. I can't make what happened to me go away but I can try to deal with and get passed it. Don't know if I ever will but I'm much better now having gone to groups where others have the same hang-ups I do. In this case, time is your friend, you'll come good. Don't ponder on it while alone. When it starts nagging at you, get on your scoot and go for a putt and you'll kit it's ass sooner or later, but don't let it beat you, ever.---jack

when i come of my ducati i was shit scared to get back on a bike but had to ....

i went for a ride come home shakeing like a leaf ..... then said fuck it jumped on it and went to one of the most twisty tight roads i know and went as fast as i could got my nerve back may not work for you but it did for me

I had a major accident back in 1996 that from all reports should have finished me off. I hit a stationary vehicle at about 90kph. The accident left me with injuries that I am still getting treatment on.  I've got permanent damage to both arms (both in plaster & fibreglass casts for 12 months after),  smashed bot hands with the impact, damaged right knee & hip (i'll trade them in for new ones in a couple of years ), & left shoulder with rotary cuff damage (In September I get both hands operated on (can't wait) & my rotary cuff done in early 2011 (shoulder pops out often).               

When I recovered enough I rebuilt a bike from what I could salvage & I was always making excuses that it didn't feel right. I sold the bike & had a 3 year lay off. Then I bought a Harley, did a stay upright course & started riding again. Mentally though, I get in a lot is situations that remind me of the accident & I pacic a little however I ride with some good people that know what I went through. If the ride doesn't feel right or my head is noy in the right place I go home (play it safe). The most important thing is that I ride at my own pace & happy to do so.

I hope ya dont think my previous reply too flipant, its not my intention to suggest your concerns arent real, ive been riding too long to think that. But my reply is concise, when iam pulled up iam either in front of a line of the fourwheeled death traps, hoping to use them as a buffer or iam pointed between the beggars....that way i can motor forward if i hear impending doom. The rest of the time the road is mine, i know what i can control and ride within my limits (mostly) and i paid for my bit of road so you can be damn sure iam controlling the peice ive got and intend to take....it might sound aggressive, i ride with my 8yr old on the bike the same way, when i back off and am not 100% the Bstrds will try and muscle ya.....therefore, my road my rules if ya dont like it....pull me up and tell me about it. I call it riding safe, when they can drive as good as i ride (now i sound like a knob) ill ride less offensivly

Mate, you are having a normal reaction to an abnormal event - so guess what your normal.

Been in the same type of accident and also had a guy run a red light and one just damm pull out on me so I know how you feel.

What I did was ride for a while with a group (3-4) of good riders and we would talk about defensive riding (not about the accident) this way you slowly get your confidence back.

Tell ya what, jump on your bike and come for a ride to Vic and I'll ride back with you for something to do

Your confidence will be back by the end of that run

Cheers

Comrade Poddy

I am probably one of the slowest riders you will see...I like to stay at the back and ride at my own pace so even if there are a few of us I am still basically riding by myself...I don't try and keep up,never have and never will.I know where we are heading and if it takes me an extra 10min to get there who cares..I am there for my own enjoyment...Take your time and enjoy your ride and it will all come back to you...

 

Cheers...Sparra

Time .........It takes alot of time to get over a accident and to trust other people ....It took me a good 3 years not to slow down if

someone was coming up to a corner on my left......even on a highway...I know I had it bad for a bit.......but you will get over this.

Had a fuck-wit do a u-turn directly in front of me, he didnt even look.

Get 2 or 3 of your good mates that you know can ride well and hold there line etc and start doing short trips with them

slowly make these longer your confiderce will return....worked for me......stay safe and get your ass on your bike....cheers.