2005 FJR & rider down

[wheatonFJR]

Hey Crew,

Sorry to hear about your accident. Sounds like you reacted the right way to get away with as little injury and bike damage that you did...

I had a similar scenario - someone pulling out RIGHT in front of me out in rural Indiana last fall...

Take care of yourself...

 

[NoCage]

Hey Crew... damn it... that sucks. You trying to keep it a secret about being in B'ham.?

I hear you... I commute in this f*ing traffic every day. I too need to reconsider that daily gamble. These "multi-tasking" drivers are pissing me off.

So... no injuries, excellent. The knee re-hab must've gone well...BTDT.

Like Scab said, we gotta get together and ride... and NOT in F*ING rush hour.

 

[hux]

Basically, even if hit from behind, if you're hit while you're performing a maneuver(as opposed to straight line travel), it's your fault.

First and foremost, glad yer OK. It could have been a lot worse, as you know.

You likely don't need anyone to tell you this but I'll say it anyway. Right of way kills a lot of people

As far as what you did wrong, it sounds like you already know. I heard a guy say once "ride like yer in a video game", meaning that assuming yer invisible isn't enough - ride like they're out to get you. Like they're just waiting for you to get into range so they can stomp the gas and get ya.

Anyways. Best of luck to ya. Take some time to get yer nerves back under ya...some folks decide not to ride any more after something like this and that's cool. None of us can judge without having been in your position - just like non-riders can't if you decide to crawl back on.

Chin up, you survived it

 

[crewof1]

Hey Crew... damn it... that sucks. You trying to keep it a secret about being in B'ham.? I hear you... I commute in this f*ing traffic every day. I too need to reconsider that daily gamble. These "multi-tasking" drivers are pissing me off.

So... no injuries, excellent. The knee re-hab must've gone well...BTDT.

Like Scab said, we gotta get together and ride... and NOT in F*ING rush hour.

Nahhh, it's no secret that I'm here in Bham, I just don't get to do many group rides because I am on call over 50% of the time 24x7. I am required to stay more or less within 30 minutes from home or work when on call and certainly within paging/cell range. I am also a divorced Dad of 2 young teenagers that are with me a good bit of the time too. I guess I am lucky that I EVER get to ride anywhere except to work and back. I was going to go to the AMA races here at Barber's last month but I had a conference beginning that Saturday.

Yes, the knee rehab went very well. The docs & staff here at UAB did a fantastic job, like it never happened.

I would like to meet you Alabama guys & ride sometime, but I gotta get a bike fixed first and even then, I may have to turn down a few opportunities before the planets line up and I can actually go.

 

[Rogue]

That sucks but good that your allright.

 

[seaeagle]

Maybe someone should start a "crash discussion" section...move this thread right on over there.
Me and my '05 FJR had a collision with a guy driving a big Ford pickup today that pulled directly into my path at point-blank range from a gas station, I was doing maybe 30 in fairly heavy commuting traffic.

The thing is, I had already decided that this guy was going to stop and look before entering the road. I am still trying to figure out why I thought that, 'cause it never happened. Best I can figure is, maybe he slowed a little approaching the road in the gas station parking lot. Fact is, he never looked my way at all and kept going straight into the road at what seemed like just 10 feet in front of me. I stabbed the front brakes but it was already too late, I had nowhere to go(traffic all around) except into the left rear corner of the truck. At impact, our relative speed difference was very low, he was accelerating, I was decelerating madly, less than 10 mph by the time I hit him so the collision between our vehicles was not too hard. The subsequent fallover actually happened at about 15-20 mph, and caused most of the bike's damage. I couldn't even find any damage that could be attributed to the impact between our vehicles, but I haven't looked with a clear head yet. I still can't figure out where the orange size dent in my gas tank came from, it's opposite the side that was dropped. Unless it was my knee.

So far, I consider myself very lucky to walk away from a collision with a big pickup. I was wearing a first gear mesh jacket & gloves, a Schuberth helmet, Alpinestars boots, and the requisite Dockers commuting pants (I know, I know). I have a sore *** and a skinned knee and that's pretty much it. I've had worse carpet burns on my knees from, well, uhh, never mind. Tore up my Dockers, though. Maybe I'll use my moto pants next time...

Next time? Now I must re-consider the wisdom of daily commuting. Pleasure trips are one thing, but it's pretty scary getting one-on-one daily with all the commuting cages. I'm divorced, but I still have kids that depend on a live Daddy. I'm sure I'll hash and rehash those and other thoughts over the next few weeks. I'll also go through the accident over and over again in my head, and my friends will have to listen to all my various ramblings on the topic. That's what friends are for, eh?

I know your sick...and i am very sad for you...just brood and get over it...get it fixed...will his insurance pay the damage...or do both of you incur the loss? i dropped my tryin' to get on a trailer...we could have pushed up on the trailer but i decided to ride...gotta forth of the way up the trailer (as it was slanted or you pull a pin and the trailer goes up to let the back down) wasnt goin fast enought i guess and stopped...couldnt put my feet down...to high in the middle...rolled down and fell over...pride, ego hurt, and embarrassed. did all this in front of my family...awful experience...it scratched it up...nothing that cant be fixed...glad you are ok...could have been worse...as they say...

 

[galxy5]

WOW Crew ,,

sorry to hear about your "incident" ,, glad to know your ok ,,

the bike can be repaired ,, we all just have to remember that no matter how vigilent we are someasshat is out there talking on a cell phone weaving into your lane ,, not looking before entering a street ,, pulling the nose of their Grand Marquis half way into the street cause they need glasses or just can't see over the wheel ,,

just glad you did not become one of those bad film at 11 news casts ,,

BTW a pair of overpants will prevent having road rash on your knees ,, don't ask me how I know ,, I just do



be well !!!

 

[donaldb]

oh man that just sux! I'm glad your ok. Such situations make you shake your head and think why am I doing this, do I want to keep riding, etc. I had a close encounter just last week, I almost ran up under the *** end of a pickup truck. I got stopped w/only a foot or two to spare. I think that it somehow makes us better riders, more conscious riders from such experiences. Not eveyone is so lucky, but those who are seem to live to enjoy--for the most part--RIP Larry Grodsky. Hope your confidence and bike both heal very soon! The bright side is that you now have time to catch up to TWN while your bike gets fixed.

 

[rogdeb]

Just glad you're OK. Time will heal the wounds, Dairyland the bike.

The last cager to pull out in front of me (I was the ONLY vehicle driving down the road at the time), made eye contact with me at about 50' away -- AND STILL PULLED OUT!! I stopped 3' away from his side door and watched his eyes get as big as saucers.

Some of 'em just don't see us.

Fortunately I was prepared as I never assume they will stop.

"Catch TWN" :lol: :lol:

I think he has employees who post for him.

Huh? Tim ?

 

[throttlejockeyTJ]

It definely could have been a lot worse. +1 for the overpants. Hope the MC gets fixed Ok. I will also say it didn't have to happen. Reading Hough's Proficient Motorcycling books will make you aware how to stay safe riding in traffic. Worth the read. Ride Safe! TJ

 

[bkbennett]

Sorry about your accident.

You sound like a very sensible, appropriately cautious person who enjoys the freedom of riding a motorcycle. I'm certain you did well in avoiding a major calamity. Don't beat yourself too hard. Maybe you didn't hit the brakes as early as you wanted, but you DID hit the brakes and it did make a difference. Breaking down the SEE acronym, you Searched well, you made a slight miscalculation in the Evaluation, but you compensated by Executing well.

I've been in the saddle in a major way for a year after many years of not riding. Every day I think about the potential for being in the situation you were in. You were in a life-threatening situation and you came out okay. Be thankful my friend; I would be if I were in your shoes.

Brian

 

[FJRottie]

Glad you are alright Crew.

Makes you wonder sometimes about the commuting in heavy traffic areas.

I don't see really heavy traffic in my 25000 pers village, but the peak times can be scary with all the ******** rager cagers out at the same time.

Sounds like he would have cut you off no matter what you would have been driving and was suffering from hurry-up-to-get-nowhere-itis.

 

[AdamJ]

The accident description is the classic scenario where most motorcycle vs car collisions occur. Car driver either making a left turn across MC's path, or pulling out from a side road. Car driver looks, but doesn't "see" the MC so continues, violating the MC's right of way. There's tons of psychological studies and writeup around why this happens.

The first thing I did on the new bike was swap SilverStar's in place of the OEM bulbs, install a modulator, and a pair of PIAA 1100's. I've been a daily MC commuter for many years with no serious mishaps (knock knock) in California, where 3/4 of the population seems to have sprouted permanent cell phones on their ears.

I had a spare Kisan modulator which I recently gave to a buddy who rides a Triumph Trophy. He's fairly new to street riding, lots of dirt riding experience though. After installing it, he was following his wife in her car for a bit on his way home. Her comment was that it was "annoying". Ding! Ding! Ding! That's exactly why they work, helping to shake brain dead commuter's out of their stupor and make them realize that "not a car = not a threat" object actually deserves a second glance and slice of their attention. My response to my buddy was "you know what's REALLY annoying, is when a car pulls out in front of you because they didn't 'see' you, and you have to spend a month or two in the hospital".

But even with attention grabbing lights, you still have to assume they don't see and plan accordingly.

 

[Ari Rankum]

Just catching up after a week out of town. Sorry to hear about the wreck. I hope all is better by now. Regards.

 

[weekend rider]

Like all the other comments about your wreck it sucks but the prescious cargo did not get hurt and your childrren will still be able to play with you with out any medical problems.

Now quit beating your self up and feeling sorry for your self and go ride that damn bike.

Forget all the other stuff and live life to the fullest you only go around once.

Don't stop communting just start ridding more aggressively when you are around the cagers.

" there are no bad rides just bad drivers "

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I'm glad you're okay! Thanks for sharing these stories. They help us all to visualize the occurrence and look for that kind of thing more carefully. I'm sure you saved at least one of us from the same kind of incident just by sharing!

 

[ONE MORE BIKE]

Sorry about your incident. Glad u're ok. Did this guy ever stop and acknowledge what happened? How many lanes of roadway were there? Don't let the terrorist dictate your life style.

 

[teerex51]

Crewof1

Just caught your post...

I've just finished fixing my own FJR and I do sympathize with you.

There's a zillion f***ing idiots out there who'll cause an accident with their careless driving manner and never own up to it.

At least the LEO has written a report that's favorable to you. I guess the pick-up's insurance will foot the whole bill.

Hope your ride is not too badly damaged.

Stef

 

[aquaholic]

I've heard that accidents happen when you least expect them. I've decided to expect them all the time especially since 95% of my riding time is spent commuting on Long Island. I share your concerns - I have three kids I would love to see grow old.

 

[gr8eyes]

Crew, sorry about the accident. And I'm glad your daughters still have a dad. I had an accident inOct of 04 and haven't been back on a bike since. I paln on getting an other FJR on the next go round. I've got 4 kids and they were terrified of me riding again immediately after the accident. They've kind of gooten over it a bit and I've been breaking them in slowly aboutr me getting another bike in the future.

I'm glad you got slowed down enough to not get hurt any worse than you did.

Ride safe

Glenn