3 Things I Did Wrong When I Crashed My Harley-Davidson

[@Supermankev2001]

Being visible is so important. I like that you did this and explained what happened. Ride safe Bruce thanks for sharing this. Having a very good rider explain mistakes helps us all.

[@Zulu_117_ST]

All valid points - I think reflecting on the situation helps a lot. Don’t beat yourself up too much, I think as long haul riders, we just focus on getting there in the right amount of time for the next day, and we forget about fatigue. Target fixation…. yup I have experienced it on a horse… ran straight through a barb wire fence, not ideal. Glad you are here to tell the story and I’m sure Relle is so grateful to have you around!

[@MisterKiwiRider]

You're right, I think we do forget about fatigue a lot. Moreso in a group when you just want to keep up and not hold anyone up. I'll definitely be more mindful in the future. Going through a barbed fence on a horse does not sound ideal! Relle is definitely grateful to have me around...when I'm not standing in front of a drawer she wants to open! ;D

[@bodog3209]

I’m glad your still on this side of the dirt. Hope you get riding soon. But this is your winter so it maybe a blessing. Ride safe!

[@MisterKiwiRider]

You might be right on the whole winter thing as a blessing but I really do need to get back on the horse. The repairers are just waiting on the bars to arrive and then I can get my bike back

[@bodog3209]

@@MisterKiwiRider I’m glad you feel that way. Get back on the bike. My bike is in the shop for a set of chubby apes. I know summer is a bad time to do mod’s but the bike is helping me get through a rough patch in my life. Cancer took my beloved wife in March and getting my bike back where I want it is helping me cope. Your charity is a good one. I’m a Shriner and we love helping kids. I’m taking one to the doctor tomorrow. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow. Round trip maybe 12 hours. Good luck on your ride.

[@upnorthrider]

Nice vid brother, that’s done really good points you raised mate. Target fixation is so hard to not do because it’s a natural reaction… Fatigue is a real issue when on long journeys, and sometimes we need to rest even when we don’t feel like it! Northland’s roads have a lot of those switch backs where they go over the brow of the hill, they’re dodgy alright. Hopefully you’re on the mend and will be back roaring along the highway’s soon! Cheers 😎

[@MisterKiwiRider]

Well said. I have to admit that despite my mishap, I really enjoyed riding in Northland. Mostly the roads were good to us, even in the pouring rain and as for the people...well...absolute salt of the earth! :D

[@upnorthrider]

@@MisterKiwiRider thanks mate 👍😎

[@RidingintheOzarks]

Glad your healing up, my Girlfriend had a wreck when we were out riding and I caught it on the go pro and remember going thru the footage trying to understand what happened. Don't beat yourself up but grow from the experience, glad your healing up and hope everything get right for you quickly.

[@MisterKiwiRider]

Thanks!

[@OpenRoader]

Thank you for sharing your story. Yet another reminder to never be complacent while riding. Easier said than done. Glad your healing up and congrats on the new bike!

[@MisterKiwiRider]

Thanks for your support brother. Yes, I figure if I'm not learning from my mistakes they are wasted. Looking forward to laying down some miles on the ST. Also really enjoying your Open Roader Garage and car vids 🤟 Cheers!

[@OpenRoader]

@@MisterKiwiRider Thanks man, one day, we're all gonna sit down for a beer and trade road stories 😃

[@Brian-wy7ts]

When I first started riding, I was going too fast for an uphill s-bend. There was a flat part in the middle of the bend where the railway line crossed the road. As I crossed the lines the bike jumped and I was heading straight ahead for long grass with trees in it, fixated on them. I landed somehow between the trees, put on throttle and managed to ride back up onto the road still upright. it happened very fast, and it taught me to firstly slow down to match the road, and also to look for an empty space. In the 35 odd years since that happened, I have had several close calls, my instinct now is to get the brakes on to buy some time and look for an empty space, then either brakes off and steer maybe accelerate to avoid or just keep trying to stop altogether

[@HughBeRiding]

Great vid Bruce. Good reflection points and it always helps to analyse and learn from these moments especially in a forum like this so the rest of us can also absorb without necessarily having to go through the physical trauma. Glad to hear you're healing and hope you're getting excited about getting back riding, that's going to be the best therapy for you ! Ride on 😎🤘

[@MisterKiwiRider]

Cheers brother! If it helps someone avoid a spill that's a great bonus :D

[@kidmoto22]

Now you’ve had the time to heal, rest and reflect. The next important step is when you begin to ride again do so with caution but not fear. If your too fearful it will not allow you to grow in your riding skills and mentally recover from the wreck. Taking another rider safety course can be helpful in allowing you to reinforce your skill set and rebuild the confidence. Gand you were not seriously injured. Take Care and keep the rubber side down….👊🏼

[@MisterKiwiRider]

I think that's very good advice brother. I feel ready to get back on my bike, although, it is still at the repairers at the moment, which is maybe a good thing due to the cold, icy weather here currently. Also, just watched the 5DB episode on the negatives of content creation last night and really enjoyed it. You all made some very good points and it was actually what motivated me to get up and make this vid

[@kidmoto22]

@@MisterKiwiRider I’m glad you enjoyed it! Hope your recovery continues to go well….stay positive man…👊🏼

[@Moz42]

Glad you're healing well, I sure Relle is grateful that you're healing. Good identification and evaluation of the causes. I always try to look at where I want to go, particularly in cornering. Having said that, I have experienced target fixation...it sucks. I've also experience a micro sleep half way through a corner.....which scared the living proverbial out of me. As soon as I realise it's happening I look at where I want to go. That helps me out. Ride well. Cheers

[@MisterKiwiRider]

Great advice there Moz. I'm wondering if I may have experienced a micro-sleep. I've not heard of it before. It was certainly a quick and noticeable loss in concentration anyway.

[@dadandmad]

Really interesting to hear your breakdown and what you’ve taken from the experience mate. The accidents I have had in the past have involved a third party, such as being rear ended by another bike and being side swiped by a car moving over on me. It would be easy to blame the third parties but I realised there were things I could take from those experiences. I now ride more defensively than I did back then, did more research on observations and how to better react to what I see and I’ve become a better rider for it. Glad you’re healing up mate.

[@MisterKiwiRider]

I feel better for having looked at what I did wrong and what I could do better in future and hope I can adapt to the situation quicker if I ever need to

[@whatsstefon]

Man, glad you’re okay, albeit a little bit twisted. But we already knew you were, at least from the neck up. Great video, especially to analyse why you came unstuck. It’s also awesome to see someone being honest about their mistake. I have experienced target fixation, but luckily always say to myself “look where you wanna be”. We’re never perfect, so it’s always something I’ll remind myself. Even after decades of riding. Rider fatigue is also a real thing for sure man. One of my friends who just started riding a few years ago loves riding. I did a big ride with him and he just wanted to keep going. I told him it’s better to arrive alive, and not fatigued. Preferably in daylight so we could set up camp while the sun was still up. Sadly every night of those 2000km was the opposite. I hated every minute of that ride and unfortunately I don’t ride often if at all with him. No point in hating your ride. The merch looks awesome mate. Sign me up. I’ll message for a shirt to Australia.

[@MisterKiwiRider]

Hahaha, yeah, we're all a little twisted I reckon, to put a couple hundred kgs of metal wrapped around an engine between our legs and thrust it foward at high speed ;D Cheers for your feedback. Sometimes we have to make tough decisions about who we ride with, for our own safety. Been there. Cheers!

[@whatsstefon]

@@MisterKiwiRider Indeed man. Next time I'm in NZ we'll have to arrange a day of riding somehow.

[@MisterKiwiRider]

@@whatsstefon Always up for meetups!

[@ThrottleFiend]

Glad to hear you're on the mend, Bruce! As others have said, try not to beat yourself up too much about it. I was 114% (see what I did there? ;)) NOT at fault in my wreck, but I still blame myself and think of what I could've done differently - even though there wasn't anything I could've. I've had target fixation a few times myself that thankfully I snapped out of in time to avoid an accident, but they were close. I don't think there's any magic to it, we just have to stay situationally aware and take each situation as it comes to us and deal with it in the moment. You're right, fatigue probably played a significant role, but we've all been there. I always say that it's never a mistake if we learn from it. Not only have you done that, but you've put your ego aside and shared that experience with the riding community in hopes of someone else taking heed. I commend you brother. Let me know when that FXLRST arrives, we got a package to get to you! Stay shiny side up, brother!

[@MisterKiwiRider]

Great feedback brother. I hope you are well. The ST has arrived and I signed on the dotted line on Saturday. I was looking at a used Sport Glide two-up seat that was in the store at the time but I'm not sure on that one. I really appreciate your thinking of me with your seat and, trust me, if you were to send it I would be hugely appreciative, however, I did want to reiterate and say that I do not hold you to anything and do not want you to be put out in any way. I do worry a bit that if I found that it wasn't quite right for me that it might be a bit of a wasted exercise for you. That being said I also know the feeling when you say you're a man of your word, as I am the same way. I will forward you my address on Instagram and leave the final decision to you. Wishing you and yours all the very best especially around your July 4th celebrations.

[@BoDean52]

Thanks for reliving this and thank God your okay. 🙏 as you keep working thought things I am sure

[@MisterKiwiRider]

Cheers BoDean, things are looking up :D

[@andrewrobertson972]

Thanks for your insights mate. Glad you're on the mend.

[@MisterKiwiRider]

You're welcome, thank you!

[@dennishardy4402]

Thanks for the honest and useful analysis. After close to 1mil klm of riding in godzone and around the world each of those points is one I can claim to having fallen victim to. PS. I have just ordered a new LRST but in gray. With current shortages it was the only one available. Hope to have it in a couple of weeks. Hope you're still enjoying yours. Catcha Ned

[@MisterKiwiRider]

Thank you for your honest feedback. I hope you love your ST!

[@silverlining9077]

Well said . I'm not sure if you can ever be prepared for every situation. An animal on the road , rock slide, a tourist stopped on a blind corner taking photos. The list is endless . I've been a licensed rider for 51 years and still have moments when I think "fuck me that was close" You can only be as careful as you can be, any more careful and its not fun anymore. Fix your bike and get back on the road where you belong. I've watched all your vids and you appear to be a safe rider. Cheers

[@MisterKiwiRider]

Thanks for that feedback, I appreciate the honesty. You'll be pleased to know that I rode for the first time since the crash today and all went well. All the best to you!

[@jeanettebridger5596]

Great watch, yes I was involved in a bike accident, out riding with TNMC crew at the time, on our way to watch Stacy Te Huia break his shearing record. We were heading over the hill out the back of outram when the accident happened, and I think was a combination of a few things. I could see it unfolding but nothing I could really do, well hindsight is a great thing. I dislocated my left shoulder and right thumb, broke right thumb in 4 places. My left thumb was injured, Hurt my right foot and injured my back. I've had surgery on my shoulder and now the movement is great but still get pain. My right thumb has had 3 operations and is fused at the base, and possibly needing a 4th operation, will know early August, it's in a splint at present to see if that helps. Me left thumb has had a cortisone injection which improved it for a short time. My back is omg where do I start. If I carry anything to heavy I end out with massive back pain then a migraine and I'm normally in bed the next day, same if I hold my granddaughter for 2 long standing or play pool or walk to far just to name a few, my mental health has been dodgy as I'm used to working 60 to 70 hours a week to doing nothing. Even down to every day living costs on acc is not easy. Now I stress as I had this acc 3rd January 2020, that I'm getting older that I may never get a job. Some days it's like wtf, but I'm still here and there are people worse off than me. Pleased your doing great, you were very lucky, I look at the what ifs, what if a car had of been just that split second earlier, I looked at my riding gear and thought Holly shit, but hey wasn't my time.

[@MisterKiwiRider]

Cheers! Yes, I remember that day. I was at the shearing comp and I think it was your bike that showed up on a trailer. Everybody was very concerned for you. I got off really lightly in the grand scheme of things. Wishing you all the very best

[@jeanettebridger5596]

@@MisterKiwiRider yes that's right, it was my bike on the trailer. Thankyou

[@FlipandTheBlueMule]

I had that happen to me once after about 50 years of riding. As everyone knows I just ADORE RED HAIR.... I was out riding with two friends on their bikes and the bike just in front of me was a young lady with lonng red hair ,flowing in the wind... we were riding somewhere I hadn't been b4 ... some nice twisties... And Im riding last (sweep) in the group... watching her hair blowing in the wind.... as we came into a HARD RIGHT SWEEPING TURN (We drive on the right) I crossed tthe line and almost hit an oncoming car at about 40MPH... Got very lucky the driver of the car was paying attention to the road and that they weren't looking at her hair as well. Funny but soooo close to scary 👍🤘❤️ Hi to Relle

[@MisterKiwiRider]

Oh wow! Those redheads will be the death of you one day! Hopefully only figuratively! ;D

[@BigBert]

Great to see you on the mend Bruce. Hope to see you back riding soon 😎👍🏼

[@MisterKiwiRider]

Cheers BB! Yes, I hope I can get my bike back soon. Still waiting on replacement bars 👍

[@gasmann6746]

That was a great review of what happened glad you are able to reflect on it and hopefully it doesn’t happen again . Look at everything focus on nothing 👍🏻🇦🇺

[@MisterKiwiRider]

Cheers! Look at everything, focus on nothing is a good way to put it. Good advice 😎👌

[@rob7105]

I dropped my bike about 5 years ago, loaded full of gear heading to a camp spot at the Twizel canal's, sun was just about down and I couldn't see where the road surface changed from sealed to loose gravel ended up with my front wheel sliding out from under me and my left wrist getting completely destroyed, an impatient 8 months and a couple operations later I managed to get back on the road again. Shit happens everything you do in life comes with risk's just be thankful we have a health system that has our backs and don't let the risks be inflated by fear, think of how many corners you've taken on that bike that didn't go wrong.

[@MisterKiwiRider]

I appreciate that bit of perspective there Rob. Any fear I might have had quickly disappeared last Saturday when I got back on a bike for the first time. It was just like old times ;D

[@impoppa9647]

Excellent video, great points and yup, my son is just starting to ride and I constantly tell him, the bike will go where you are looking! But i have done the same in a tight corner a couple times, hit the corner too hot, and started to look at the cliff face instead of the ride ahead. Got lucky both times (Thank you ABS brakes) and i got the bike stopped in time. Gives the heart a huge work out.... Three days riding max of up to 600KM's in good weather is plenty and take a full day off the bike. In bad weather and higher stress riding, two days on the bike, one day off and or a much much shorter 3rd day and then a day off. Makes for a longer trip, but more enjoyable. Keep doing the things which make healing easier and get back in the saddle soon. Any further word on when you ST will arrive?

[@MisterKiwiRider]

That is really great advice regarding the time frames for ride vs rest. I am going to have to manage fatigue much better from now on and that is a great guide. Cheers!

[@zzrrf]

Gidday Bruce, Big Thumbs up on the video, No Pun intended LOL. Great too see you are on the mend and good on you for discussing and sharing your experience for all to see. Yeah when you come across fatigue, target fixation and complacity on a motorcycle, Something is bound to go wrong, but Fatigue on a motorcycle is the killer. Just end up on saying, its one thing to crash, but it's another thing to have people around you like Relle who controlled the situation and the Ambulance and the Up North Rider who assisted. Last words. ill be wearing a Ride against Teens suicide at the March Hare , Great cause, Ride Safe, Cheers paul

[@MisterKiwiRider]

I am pretty lucky to have had Relle there to manage things. I'm forever grateful to Up North Rider for taking us in and to and all the other people involved. As much as it is straining at the moment, I think we're lucky to have the health system that we do in NZ. Thank you for supporting 'Ride Against' and Riders Against Teen Suicide brother. Churs to you!

[@kiwibadger7826]

TF happens. 1. Realise you are fixated. 2. Force yourself to look where you want to be and 3. DON'T TOUCH THE BRAKES. NB: using a little throttle can seem counterintuitive but the old saying "if in doubt, power out" can help. My TF always comes from complacency of entering a corner too fast.

[@MisterKiwiRider]

Great feedback Badger! If something like this ever happens again I hope I can be better prepared. Cheers!

[@Viper6-MotoVlogger]

I’m just glad you’re ok mate.

[@MisterKiwiRider]

Cheers V6, me too 😎

[@Steve-Debs]

I remember one of your other vids, it was maybe a drizzle run, but it was cold, you were wondering about your limits. Did you reach them on that run, you thought you had, you knew your limit then, pull back, do what I do and start off with the longest run on the first day getting shorter as days go by, leaving a short 200km on the last day. As for object fixation, my instructor said the same thing, look at the stone on the road and you will hit it. With that one I don’t know, I’ve hit a few stones. Hope to meet you on a run sometime. DSKC

[@MisterKiwiRider]

That's pretty solid advice. I struggled on the drizzle run with no heated clothing. I'm pretty sure I did reach my limit on that one, yes. Cheers, catch you on the road!

[@shortround8688]

Have I ever been in an accident.....hm not that I can remember 😂 Im glad to see you getting better, ribs are a b*tch I can only imagine how sore broken ones must be. I'm glad it didn't go worse than what it already it

[@MisterKiwiRider]

Cheers Shorty! We're overdue for a catch up. I need to head your way and show of the new bike soon ;D

[@Philo-Rides]

Always learn from a mistake Brother. Lucky 🍀

[@clarkie1450]

Welcome back

[@MisterKiwiRider]

Thank you!

[@lulounz]

Would love to get a t-shirt hopefully they make some fitted womens tees soon , I'm a tiny person and swim in men t shirts 😁 glad you on the mend again 👍

[@MisterKiwiRider]

If you let me know which design you'd be interested in I can see if it can be ordered in women's cut 👍

[@FreedomRider1982]

👍💯