Not sure if this is the right place to post this but here's the story.

This is not intended to convince anyone of anything, just my story and what happened to me.

On June 17, 2024 I was riding on Interstate 84 south of Boise, Idaho, USA. I usually stay away from Interstates but I was trying to make time to escape ice cold weather (including snow flurries in the forecast) further north. Speed limit was 80MPH and I rode slightly over that speed on my loaded BMW F750GS.

I was hovering beside another vehicle and decided to nudge the throttle a little to get by and move over. The bike started wobbling and I eased off as I have done in the past. The wobble got worse and I soon lost control in a dreaded death wobble. I remember seeing the bike under me as I went over the handlebars. I have no recollection of hitting the pavement but I do remember sliding down the highway as the bike slid past me. It ended up about 100 feet ahead of me according to a witness. To this day I don't know if I hit something, if the acceleration had something to do with it, if I just somehow gapped, or if there was a tire inflation issue. I never saw the bike again after this.

Within about 20 seconds I was surrounded by people taking care of me and calling 911. The ambulance arrived within 15 minutes and I was on painkillers soon after.

My first warped thought as I was flying over the handlebars wasn't "I'm going to die", it was "shit, my trip is over". My second thought while in searing pain lying on the highway was "how am I going to tell Patti" ...my partner; then when the ambulance ground traffic to a halt my thoughts were "no! don't block all the traffic!"

Multiple people kept asking me the same questions about my name, where I was and who's the president. The paramedics from the ambulance immediately offered me powerful painkillers but couldn't find a vein until I was in the ambulance. While lying on the road I faintly tried to protest as they cut away my jeans, riding jacket, fleece jacket, sweater, heated vest and t-shirt. I just gave up when they got to my bra and just accepted that I was now in full view on an interstate highway in only my underpants.

Off to St Alphonsus Trauma Hospital in Boise I went, where I started panicking when I couldn't find my insurance information. But it did get sorted in the end. The total cost without insurance would have been CDN$82,000. Craziest medical system in the world if you ask me.

I spent 7 days in the hospital until my insurance company sent down a paramedic to escort me back home. I ended up with 14 fractures in my vertebrae, ribs, right foot, both hands and wrists, including surgery and 4 temporary pins in my right hand. I've been off work for 4 months as a result. The hospital in Boise was just as crappy as the ones back home but they did keep me pumped full of oxy and the actual nurses and other staff were doing the best they could. Food was surprisingly good. Communication was nearly non-existent aside from making sure I had insurance.

Idaho does not have mandatory helmet laws. When I looked at my helmet after the crash it's obvious that parts of my scalp would be missing and my face might have been disfigured if I hadn't been wearing one (thank you Schubert). My riding jacket and both gloves were destroyed but mostly did their job. My riding boots delaminated with the impact and probably made the injuries less severe. My legs and knees had serious road rash that looked like raw hamburger meat. Yes, I wasn't wearing proper riding pants, only jeans.

ICBC (our provincial automobile insurer) has been mostly good in providing support and income replacement. Beacon Insurance (my insurer for the bike itself, and the gear) has been awesome.

I will not ride again without proper riding pants, especially in higher speed situations. Nor would I ever ride without proper travel insurance in the USA.

Hoping to be back in the saddle next year.

...Michelle

I am sorry for you about your crash Michelle.

Hope you heal well and get back on the road soon.

Patrick

Holy moly what a sobering story Michelle. I’m so glad you’re mending, and processing thoughtfully. Best wishes to you and yours!

Mark

Thanks for sharing your story.

Speedy recovery!

Ouch! That sounds horrible and like every riders nightmare! Getting a serious wobble incident at past 80 mph is nothing one desires to experience.

Glad to hear you came out alive and not too mauled by the Idaho asphalt. Ans thanks for sharing a sobering story about protective gear.

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

"I will not ride again without proper riding pants, especially in higher speed situations."


I agree completely.

I often ride in hot weather.
And people ride in shorts, snikers, T-shirts and an open helment (since that is the law). In Wisonsin(if I remeber correct state. Could have been Illinois)The only law was that you have to protect your eyes. Sunglases mandatory. But not helmet)

I always ride with my Rukka gear with full protection,(Used to be leather jacket+ pants.) boots, full face helmet and good gloves. In any temperature

At any speed.

A friend og my tokk his bike out of the garage for a short test ride. Dressed in jeans.The throttle was hanging. And he slided on his side. And the arm was a mixture of flesh, blood and jeans cotton...

If you tip your bike and hit your head in the tarmac, That is the end, Even if you are standing still.

I hope that you recover.
Vaya con Dios

(I am under recovery myself. But not due to an MC-accident)

Wow, that's a big one. Good to hear you're healing ok now Michelle.
It can all go so bad so easily. I empathize with the hamburger knees - been there done that - went through two layers of leather on my knees going over the handlebars when the (drum) brake on my road racer locked at about 110+mph - long before armour / padding of any kind. A second layer of leather on the knees and elbows was "optional". Very painful - but hang in, they heal, I can't even see the scars anymore.

And I echo your comment re wearing all the gear - yeah, ATGATT, you just never know.
FWIW - for a wobble or weave, generally easing off doesn't always help - best is to lie down on the tank - 99% of the time that will solve it. Wind acts as a lever pushing you back and loading the rear suspension and lifting the front end - less weight on the front wheel = bad, and leaning forward adds weight to the front, stabilizing it.

Take care, heal well and fast, and I hope you'll be ready to ride again in the spring. Got a new bike picked out?

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

If you're going to crash, might as well make it a good one! I hope you heal well and quickly

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FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...

Thank you all for the well wishes. Not something I would wish on anyone but something we all have to think of in our travels.

Definitely healing and getting better but also realizing that there is most likely some permanent damage to my right hand. Middle finger, no less

As for future bike? I am heavily leaning towards the CF Moto 450. Checks a lot of boxes for me.

Right now, even riding a bicycle is out of the question since it hurts my wrists. Day by day, and I consider myself to be lucky to be alive. Eventually I'll be twisting that throttle again ...but not too much next time around.

On the day of my unfortunate crash I told my wife, in tears, that I would never ride again. I later ended up realizing that I was lying while in a state of shock and under the influence of Demerol and Oxycodone. After sobering up I realized that quitting riding isn't an option.

BTW, Patti has been absolutely amazing through all this and I can't even think about how to repay her for her support throughout this ordeal.

On a positive note. I ended up getting more money from the insurance on the bike and gear than I was trying to sell it for before I went on my trip. For those in BC, Canada I highly recommend Beacon Insurance. ICBC even made up for the devalued Beacon payout on some of my riding gear since they considered it "clothing". ...helmet not included.

Healing is a process which includes dealing with psychological effects as well as the physical. I had a bad (non-motorcycle) accident after which it took 18 months to be able to walk unassisted, and still causes me to be in pain and have a limp if there's a sudden shock to my leg or when I'm tired ... I had to give up dancing, which was the one real passion I had all through my life up to that point.

I adapted and now find joy in doing other things, but more importantly I learned to be more flexible in how I approach life - life rarely remains on a constant and predictable path, and nobody's body lasts forever, so those who can bend in the wind can thrive under conditions where those who are inflexible would be broken.

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FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...