It is ok.Go ahead and call me a DI**HEAD

Well,I know I am going to get alot of frowns with this post but if it helps one person then it is worth it.Last year I had the brilliant idea to go out and have afew drinks and ride my bike.Don't worry thou my seca is ok.I took out my 86 gsxr instead.I hit the local boobie bar and started drinking thinking that I could handle it.After looking at afew dozen nice sets of hooters after about 4 hours of drinking I decided to head home.Well I made it about half way when I rearended a car(a police car to boot).I ended up sliding about 50ft going about 50mph or so landing on my head and shoulder,breaking a bone in my neck and slicing open my head in a few spots,and getting a bit of road rash on various parts on my body.I was in the icu/burn unit for 7 days.I recoverd thou really well.Almost fully recovered except for a big ol scar on my shoulder which is about wallet size and looks kinda nasty when I take my shirt off.The total for the hospital stay is $186,000.I ended up getting a dui.This was back in september.I just went to court and have togo to jail for 30 days and house arrest for another 60 days,followed by 3 years of probation.I had to pay for a lawyer,a fine,and court costs,plus a 20$ fee per day for the jail time I serve and the house arrest.I have to take alcohol class,and safe driving classes as well.I jsut learned monday that I got fired from work due to the fact I have no drivers license.

 

I just lost a job earning about $60,000 a year.It really sucks as I don't have any real skills that will allow me to earn that kind of money right now.Thank god I had my insurance from work to cover the hospital charges other wise I would really be screwed.I am jsut really happy to be alive,it sucks to lose my job and the money can be replaced but I am alive and greatful for that.

 

I don't really know what to say.
It takes some people longer to get the message, myself included.
This obviously wasn't your first DUI, judging by the sentence.
After my third in ten years, I never drink and drive, ever.
I have no social life but, if you want to come over on a Friday night and watch my 100" Screen and have a couple you're more then welcome.
Cheers!

 

You guys aren't alone. I had 3 in 12 years. I did get fairly 'lucky' on the last one. It came 2 months after my first went off the record and 2 days before the new laws kicked in. My sentence was only 5 days jail, 3 years probation, counseling, $3000 fine + costs and $4500 for the lawyer. Kinda makes the $30 cab ride seem reasonable, wouldn't you say.

With the new laws here in Nebraska, I would have had a felony due to being over twice the limit. I blew a .288. I am grateful to God that I never hurt anyone, and, like Hound, I DO NOT drink and drive ever!!

If I get a third, it is an automatic 15 year revocation. Not gonna happen. I call a cab, have a driver, get a ride, walk (stumbel) home, anything but get behind the wheel.

One thing I have never done, though, is ride after a beer. Not even one. There are way too many idiots in cages here.

 

Thanks guys for sharing these tough experiences. It just might get the wod out to someone and save a life!

Alkasmeltzer you made the most poignant statement so far in this thread:

One thing I have never done, though, is ride after a beer. Not even one. There are way too many idiots in cages here."

There was a thread a few months ago something along the lines of running from the law. There seemed to be a common thread about drinking and riding that just didn't make sense.

Fact: one beer causes some level of cognitive impairment (more for some less for others but some none the less)

Fact: it takes all of our skills all of the time to keep the bike upright, between the stripes, and out of the gunsights of the blind/too busy shaving/ applying makeup,/reading the paper/ lighting a smoke/ adjusting the radio etc cage driver

Fact: they're all out to get us, or at least it seems they are. We gotta watch every one of them!

If you accept the above 3 facts as true then why would would you have even one and then ride?

Iced tea, ice water, soda all taste good when you're thirsty!

Signed,

Aunt Bea

Andy of Mayberry
US television early 1960's

 

+1 on the idiots in cages comment.... i am glad yall are all still alive .... i drank and drive a couple times.... one time i scared the crap out of my self and never did it again. but never on a bike. i very seldomly drink even now 10yrs later.

 

Dude I know was out drinking and then headed home on his VTX1800. Well, about two minutes from the bar he got T-boned at an intersection. He now is half human / half frankenstien. Walks with a cane forever. lost his license for 10 years (3rd dui). Now he wants to rebuild the bike so he can ride it with his twin brothers license. What a dummy!

 

I never drink and drive, my better half is there to bring me home safely. When I ride 0% alcohol. Why take a chance ?

 

Beanflicker; Thanks for telling your story.. I am a new rider, and I enjoy my beers. I know the 2 don't mix but reading about it really hits home!! So bike and NO BEER!!!! Galamb you are right.. Why take a chance??

 

I'll echo wamaxim's thanks for sharing - you may convince some others.

I never got a DUI but in my much younger days I can tell you I wound up at home behind the wheel with no recollection of how I got there several times. I remember starting out and getting there. That convinced me I was too stupid to drink responsibly so I quit completely over 28 years ago. Can't say I miss it.

Be safe folks - a bike is dangerous enough stone sober on the roads these days.

 

I made a promise to my mom never to drink and ride but I got caught up in the moment of bad decision making.I was taken to the er at about 2 at nite.I don't really remeber to much of the accident due to not having a helmet on.I do remeber the ambulance that came to pick me up and them kinda being a ass to me by saying "do you know what we call people like you?" and not being the 1st time I wrecked answered oyeah I know "organ donor".The guy was a real smart ass and said no"we call you guys road kill".So the next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital to a teary eyed mother thinking the worse.Later that day I got to have my wounds scrubbed out of all the dirt and debrie.Talk about gettin burned twice.Thank god I have work insurance,disability,and not alot of regular steady bills.I was really good about drinking and driving as this is my 2nd dui.I made it just shy of 10 years when this happened.I was real strict about drinking and gettin near a auto but just started hanging with a crowd that were abit more accustomed to drinking.But like I said I am greatful to be alive,and thank god I didn't hurt anyone else.

 

That's a heart warming story and hopefully there was a lesson learned by it.
I too have friends that drink and ride their bikes, which I don't quite comprehend. They wonder why I never joined them in any of their rides? It seems that when they ride, it always involves backing their bikes in front of some bar and spending the better part of the afternoon inside. WOO HOO, that sounds like fun. Then get on their bikes (if they can get them off the kickstand) and try to ride home....in the dark...after hours....on a bike...with alcohol in them!!! No thanks. I'll pass.
I guess I've learned from others mistakes. I don't drink while riding my bikes or driving my other vehicles. It's just asking for problems.
I see now that the weather is warming up, the bar across the highway from me is getting it's collection of bar bikes parked in front, on display and the owners are inside for most of the day. Then at a late hour, they are all back out, reving their engines and going balls-to-the-walls with open headers (or atleast loud exhaust of some kind) down the highway on their way home (or to one of the other local establishments that serve alcohol)
It's no wonder us bikers have a bad name among some groups. It only takes a few to screw it up for the rest of us.
Do us a favor and just DON'T DRINK and RIDE!

 

I have done some really stupid things in my life, drinking and driving was never one of them. If we go out and drink, we have a DD, or we use public transportation. If we go to a friend's house, we plan on staying the night.

When my boyfriend first got his bike he swore on a stack of bibles he would never ever drink and ride.

He had a friend that was at a bar, drank, picked up a girl. Both of them drunk, got on his bike and hit a concrete barrier head on at 120 km/h, roughly 75 mp/h

They are both lucky to be alive. They both had tears in their aorta which required open heart surgery to reattach, and numerous broken bones. She required skin grafts on her legs. The bike was in pieces. What was left of it when we picked it up, could stand straight up on the front forks.

He was charged with impaired driving. I'm not sure of his sentence, but he is still under house arrest.

Some learn from the trials of others. Some learn from experience.

I chose the former.

 

I made my mistake and lesson learned at the same time. I just had my 89 EX500 repainted by my brother and decided to take a 6-pack with me to drink while I put it back together. When I finished the bike looked so good I just had to take it for a ride. I jumped on the bike and took off, my brother was watching me so I decided to show off a little. I did a donut then a burnout and took off down the road. Turned around and did it again but did not back off as I passed him going into a 45mph rated curve doing 125mph. I could barely keep the bike out of the grass on the shoulder but could not get it back on the other side of the white line all the way thru the curve. When I came out of the curve I slowed down and did not go gover 35mph the rest of the way home. I sobbered up on that curve and almost lost my nerve to ride again. I quit ridding that year and now 10 years later I have a bike again and will never make that mistake again. Now that I have kids I don't really drink anymore any way.

That was the first and last time I have had a beer and got on a bike.

Lesson learned the hard way that beer and judgement don't go together.

 

My buddy bailed himself out last sunday morning. Blew a .14, layed his venture down while looking for his girlfriend. 2nd in 4 years.... I promised him I WOULDN'T vist while he's in jail. He got lucky. Didn't hurt anyone, including himself, only got the DUI not the Metabolite/THC double DUI, and they waived the no insurance ticket.
I hope they throw the book at him, I don't really feel like going to anymore funerals.

 

Bean...

my hat is off to you for 'manning up' and admitting your mistake...

at the risk of sounding judgemental (i really dont mean to) i never drink and drive because i dont drink...

i have drank some, but i was younger, in the Air Force and too concerned about my career. the worst i ever was when i spent an hour on the phone cussing out my best friend half a continent away on HIS dime...

that was the last time i drank and it was 15 years ago...

im glad youre going to be okay albeit a bit lighter in the wallet for a while. for everyone else whos posted, be careful (my dad coming out!) and thats all im going to say on the matter...

 

I'd just like to say thanks to all that contributed to this post... I'm not one to D&D... actually I'm not really one to drink. But reading these post are definate eye openers and hopefully those who do D&D will actually listen to these warnings!!!

Fred

 

Not really saying things have gotten any worse but now my grlfreind is pregnant.Hooray.

 

It can get worse... is it YOURS?

 

lol.SHe says it is so we shall see.

 

I don't know how many young riders come to this site but if all these experiences could be shared with kids just starting to ride it would save a lot of lives, injuries and life changing criminal records etc.
Bean, you could try and make a huge positive out of your nightmare by sharing your story with high school kids and the like.
Without getting to "deep" here, you may have survived for a reason. You new baby is probably one of them...

I'm half cut right now but I'm in the garage, listening to tunes and trying to finish off a whack of mods.
In fact, here's my new tach faceplate...

 

Back in 74 (yeah, I'm older than dirt) I bought a brand new 750 Honda and one night me and the boys in the barracks were loaded and wanted some KFC. Next morning I woke up and saw an unopened dinner pack of chicken on my desk. Found out from the boys that I got on my bike, rode downtown and brought chicken back for all 6 of us from KFC (stuffed inside my jacket). I have no recollection of this but it scared me so bad that since that night, I have NEVER operated another motor vehicle if I've had more than 1 drink. I took on a part time job at night to keep me from partying all the time which helped a lot. Unfortunately 2 months after the "chicken trip", a real good friend of mine was killed on his bike while driving under the influence...I sold my bike after that and never owned another until 2000.

 

I turned against alcohol when I was 24. Not because of getting into an accident or getting a DUI but because I drank way too much on a Friday night and I was sick all weekend. I'm glad that happened because I did a lot of REALLY stupid things before that and I was lucky I didn't hurt someone or end up in jail.

 

after having several friends die on bikes and being dumped off a few myself I have never ever drank and rode my bikes its just to dangerous as it is at times. unfortunatly i shoulda done the samething with my car no Dui thank god but i did total it. thank god it was a block from my gfs house soo i limped it to her parking lot :cry: Since then I havnt drank been sober for 5months? lol No social life but its worth it not being dead. I got lucky, BUT DONT DRINK AND DRIVE!!!

 

D******d!!!!

***Edited by Robert, mind the language please! Thanks!***

 

Well you did say it was ok to call you one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I don't mind but the mod does.

 

Thanks Robert!

 

Well, the fact that your here to post about it is good but drinking and driving is fail.

My mum is a nurse and scared the heck outa me with tales from the ER about drink drivers brought in.

Having been a vollie fire fighter for 13 + years has also been had a sobering (excuse the pun) effect on my partying! (I can tell you some horror stories!)

2 stubbies (330ml) of beer is my limit, then its taxi time!

 

Hey D***heads (you know who you are <grin>),

I am glad you all survived your attempts at suicide by motor vehicle.

I learned to drive in Germany. At the time, 1 DUI meant no license for a year. A second offense cost the ability to drive for life not to mention any jail time for either offense. I am a big fan of this type of enforcement of DUI.

Sometimes I wish we could require all DUI's to do volunteer work in a trauma center or ride alongs on ambulances. People hear the horror stories but they are meaningless to until they encounter them first hand, either by themselves or a friend/relative ... things change when you have to watch bodies being scooped up from the pavement, pulled out of a windshield ... its even worse dealing with their victims who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I was an EMT, I also did volunteer time in an ER at an army hospital.

I was never one to drink, never got into the party scene, when I got a ride from my brother's friend back when I was in high school. We were in Germany, so no drinking age, and he had his hot Beamer ... I swore I'd never get in the car with a DUI again. 30 years later I still haven't ridden with someone who's been drinking and have never driven under the influence, not in a car, not on a motorcycle, not on a bicycle ...

 

Drinking and driving anything dont mix. I spent 11 years as a Police officer and I use to drink until one night 8 years ago. I worked a head on a motorcycle and a 18 wheeler. The bike hit the truck at a speed estimated at 150mph+ the only thing we could tell was a body part was one leg we also found a 3/4 helment with nothing in it.
The smell of BEER in the BLOOD made me sick and I havent drank since.

 

ouch i was hungry for lunch

 

And my students think disections are gross.

 

1 more weekend then the jail time is over and I start with the home monitoring.The girlfriend had a miscarrage over the weekend,while i was serving my weekend.The fetus never developed.Had bad news 3 weeks in a row,hoping to catch a break soon.

 

Hey guys, I haven't been around much lately as I have spent most of my time on another forum. There was a post a couple months ago and when I read it I thought of this post. It has to do with the topic at hand and demonstrates the effect alcohol has on ones ability to handle a bike on a closed course after consuming measured amounts of alcohol. I asked the author if he minded me posting it on this forum and he gave me permission to do so just last Friday.

Anyone interested?

Loren

 

Sure...

 

Bean, sorry to hear of the baby. I'll be thinking of you and the little lady.

don't get in the dumps, though. I went through a big depression about 21 years ago after my wife left me and my daughter. After a bout with the bottle one night, I let everything get me down. It really solves nothing. I thought a 20 ga in the mouth oughta do it right. I thank God each and every day that my daughter picked that exact moment to wake up. She was only 6 months old and she saved my life. Now, I am PaPa to Victoria (I call her Lil Bit) and I could not be more pleased with my life.

Just remember, there is a reson for all of this. You just don't know what it is yet. It will be clear to you eventually. don't despair.

We're all pulling for you. Keep your stick on the ice!!

 

Oh, yeah. Loren, post away. I'm interested in seeing it.

 

This type of miscarrage is more common than you think. People often just don't talk about it. We had three like this before we finally gave birth to a wonderful boy. I know the pain you feel, but remember, its usually worse for her. Not that anything I or anyone else can say will make it better, sometimes just knowing that your not alone is the best we can do...

 

I wii post the article with the title: Dip your beak and die? Drinking and Riding. It is LONG but worth the read.

 

Thanks for the support.

 

Bean, I didn't post this to add even more misery for you. Just wanted to provide a little more info for those who might think it's ok to ride after just one or two.

On a more positive note you are well on your way to getting the situation behind you. A little more time and money will cure this one for you.

Take care and keep looking forward. You've learned from this and will come out on the other side a better person for it.

Aunt Bea
(Loren)

 

Being a teenager I often go to partys with drinks that aren't legal for us. I usually don't drink at all and if I do I sleep in the back of my suv for a few hours until I'm certain I'm completly sober then I wait another hour just to be sure. Most of the time i volunteer to be the DD just because I don't want to attend a funeral. I showed this post to a friend and he finally gets it. Thanks for sharing

 

Tiny is a hugely smart fella!

 

Well I finished with the weekend jail stint that feels really good,it was just a hassel going there.Beleive it or not I met some good guys like me just in a bad situation.My story seems to have been one of the more severe.There were 2 new guys that came in for my last weekend and they jsut couldn't beleive my story and or stupidity,hopefully they are greatful that things are not as bad for themselves.They couldn't believe how positive i am about my situation.I just told them that i came close to dying and i think that put things into prespective.Well things are starting to turn I guess,looks like I have the xj sold so that should be $1200 in the bank if all goes well.Didn't really want to sell but I will not be able to ride for another 16 or months.I have to move soon as well so I have to liten the load.Thanks to all for there kind words and support.John

 

HEy this is me.It is so weird to see posts from almost a year ago.Almost brings me to tears.Needless to say things are going good.

 

thats good, glad to see you back

 

Glad you're doing better!!!

skillet

 

Bean, glad to hear things are good now. Not sure if you moved, but SilverSeca will be cruising thru EPete later this afternoon. Let me know if you're up for a visit or maybe a burger at Chanceys?

 

Shooter,what is up brother?still using my harley pipes I sent ya?
Hey silver,Was painting my deck all day sat and sunday I heard lots of bikes going by.I am not riding due to suspeded license.I sold my xj but do have a harley and older gsxr.I can 72 from my backyard,the church and grave yard(think is the mennonite church)by graystone rd.