Guys, a day has arrived which I never thought I would see - bidding you all farewell. Yesterday, I helped load the Duchess onto the back of the pickup truck of a forum member and watched her drive off. The best motorcycle I have ever owned in my life, and I was only beginning to scratch the surface of what she could do. Unfortunately, my days of apex strafing are over; I am no longer able to tolerate the bumps and shock of riding on the edge, the result of an injury and surgery that I am just not recovering from. Thanks to everyone here who helped me with issues; this has been the best cycle forum I have had the privilege of being a part of. When I came back a month or so ago, it was with the hope of getting back in the saddle, but a flareup of my ongoing pain symptoms and a day in the Emergency Room a couple of weeks ago have convinced me that I am likely not to come out of this anywhere nearly as able as I was. I bought an ST1300, a bike I have had before, hoping the weight and smooth ride will let me take some short jaunts on my good days. Here are just a few of the literally hundreds of images that show the damage that can be done by one unthinking person in just the blink of an eye:

Titanium in your neck is not as cool as titanium on your bike:



MRI image of my thoracic spine showing bulged discs:



One of several discs showing healed fractures through the anterior body of the vertebrae:



And one last of the same:



Again, safe riding to everyone, and remember, as long as you have a SuperDuke, everything else is just a minor detail!

Hey Zenbiker,

It's been good to have you around and read your posts over the years. Wishing you all the best and a good recovery.

First person drone racing.

that sucks man
good luck with your recovery

Farewell and may you ride again


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I will miss seeing your avatar. Good luck in the future and hope you sort out the pain and find other things to do that bring you pleasure. It's people like you who made this site what it is. You can always drop in and participate where ever you are and what you are doing. Don't need a 990 to be a Superduker!

Cheers mate.

Comrade Zen: Yes as has been said above you've been around for a long time and you had your share of faithful readers. Changing brands aint no reason for excommunication. That neck is never going to be pain free but hopefully you find a space in which you feel comfortable. Don't just disappear.

I hope wherever you are right now turns out to be a happy place.

Oh and remember, whatever the biking question Harley Davidson is never the correct answer

Hey Zen: If you do get one of those Skully Helmets don't forget a review for the comrades.

Absolutely.

Well I hope you stick around. I've always enjoyed your posts. I got rid of my SD awhile back( now on a B-King), but I continue to hang around here like a bad smell...
Mainly I hope your injuries heal properly, that looks like a whole lorry load of ouch!

Like I said, this has been the best motorcycle forum, if not the best internet forum I have ever had the privilege to be part of. The more I think about it, the more I missed it while I was dealing with medical issues. I've enjoyed being back aboard the last couple of months, and just don't want to "leave". I'm going to pin the forum to my Safari page and drop in here and there. Had a chance to help a new SD owner with some issues, and it felt good to lend a hand. I think I'll make it a point to drop in on a regular basis. This place feels like "home".

Yo Zen,

Just got my SD out of the shed after a half year lust with a the Honda Black Bird XX 1100.

There is a weight difference between the two, and the SD is easer to move around when sitting still, which you might miss.

I will have to say the SD is a buck board ride compared to my Big Bird or your ST.

What might work in you favor is the KTM SM which has more front fork travel and could be softened up a bit.

Cheers,
DF