Arkansas Flying Ladders

[KevinsFJRPartDeux]

Don't cash any checks from the insurer until you're satisfied. Cashing a check is acceptance of the claim settlement amount, and you'll never get more.

Really? None of the checks? So far, we've received 3. One for the FJR, one for Kevin's personal property and one for my personal property, by which I mean our gear, helmets, clothes.

They're are still some pretty sizeable medical bills yet to be paid, and they've "hinted" at pain and suffering to him. Offered me under a grand for the same - remember I wasnt hurt. I figure to me it's worth the cost of the vacation and time lost from work. Without anything "tangible" like medical bills, they've really nothing else to put into their bean counter machines and come up with any better figure.

They've not even touched on pain and suffering with Kevin. I chatted with an agent I know who said that typically they will pay between 2 and 2.5 times the value of the healthcare incurred. That would be a tidy sum, and no doubt go a long way in the Farkle Fund!

I know that the law says that we must be made "whole". The trick is deciphering what that constitutes, then slugging it out with the Adjustor of the Day on the phone.

 

[wfooshee]

You'd said earlier they weren't paying for an accessory on the bike. Cashing the check for the bike means you accept the amount, and you're done. You can't add that in later negotiation.

Obviously different states have different laws about such things, but that's what I've always been warned. Of course, adding a lawyer to the mix could be more than the accessory you want covered, so it might not matter anyway.

 

[Big Shasta]

I'm not sure you need to add a lawyer but I would certainly state that you are looking into it if 100% isn't paid including EVERYTHING damaged in the accident, and acceptable pain and suffering settlements are reached. Minus comfort items???? ...that would really anger me!

The nerve of these people. Why can't they just be fair.

 

[dpryan]

Holy smokes! Quite a story! I guess you never know what could come flying at you, or be laying around in the road. (I seem to recall an incident around here awhile back where a woman on a motorcycle hit a mattress on the highway?)

Ditto on the armored gear. I've ridden short distances with jeans on and it just feels weird to me. I'll take the protection and if it's really hot out, well I'll just be hot.

Glad this didn't dampen the enthusiasm for the bike for either of you!

 

[Fred W]

After reading this thread earlier, wouldn't you know it but, this afternoon I'm tooling along on the FJR and some jerk wad pickup pulls out of a side street right in front of me. I only had my regular 3-4 second gap between me and the car I was following but apparently that was an invitation for this butt nugget. As soon as I see that he is coming out I roll off the throttle and gently brake to keep a decent distance and immediately notice that he has a big aluminum extension ladder on the topp of the truck. The front was supported by a rail over the cab, but the rear was angled back and just resting on the raised tailgate. There was some sort of a webbed strap tie-down affair holding it up near the cab. I just backed way off in case that puppy decided to slide off.

Sometimes it takes reminders like yours to keep us thinking opf all the possibilities.

 

[Big Sky]

We dodged an extension ladder, too, about a 20-footer that came off the pickup ahead and traveling in the same direction. I had a hunch when I saw it, for some reason, and was not surprised at all to see it actually slide off and land on the highway, spinning like clock hands. We were in the left lane and scooted by. I have also, while riding behind pickups, seen a half tree (alright, a big *** tree branch) fall out and one truck with a flatbed lost a shovel. Yes, always use caution when behind anything with a load. Glad you lived to tell about this one.

I'm going to go ride Arkansas soon. Is spring better than fall? Summers hot?

 

[krashdragon]

Wow... sure glad you guys are ok.... sounds just a bit too exciting....

anyway.... Ill leave the insurance stuff to the guys here, they do seem to have pretty good knowledge...

As far as gear... even tho I dont' have an FJR anymore, just one of those unmentionable HD's, mesh gear is great for the summer (although I cheat, and take out some of the armor)

and if you like leather, check out Fox Creek Leather. their stuff is heavy duty and great. I rode there to try on the jackets, (hey... any excuse for a trip!), Very comfortable to about 95-100F with all the zips closed and vents open, above 105F I don't care what you're wearing, it's hot out!

I also have a Warm-N-Safe heated jacket liner, another couple of fine folks (stopped in San Diego to try on the jackets...ok, so I like to shop in person!)

You can also check at New Enough, they have some pretty good gear ( and yes, it's new.)

https://www.foxcreekleather.com/

https://www.warmnsafe.com/

https://www.newenough.com/

I got a light blue/silver mesh jacket this summer from New Enough for a trip to Kansas last July. Super service from all three companies.

Somehow the black mesh jacket I had just was too warm... Hey, I live in Texas! It gets a mite warm here in the summer....

Take care,

Mary aka Krashdragon

 

[KevinsFJRPartDeux]

We dodged an extension ladder, too, about a 20-footer that came off the pickup ahead and traveling in the same direction. I had a hunch when I saw it, for some reason, and was not surprised at all to see it actually slide off and land on the highway, spinning like clock hands. We were in the left lane and scooted by. I have also, while riding behind pickups, seen a half tree (alright, a big *** tree branch) fall out and one truck with a flatbed lost a shovel. Yes, always use caution when behind anything with a load. Glad you lived to tell about this one.
I'm going to go ride Arkansas soon. Is spring better than fall? Summers hot?

I was in Ark in the fall, haven't seen the Spring, but I definitely hope to do so this next year. I assume the summers are as hot as they are here in Central Oklahoma. By mid July the mid-day temps are in the upper 90s, usually. This year was freakishly hot early in the year. Was a rotten year for tomato growing!

Either NW Arkansas or SW Arkansas are equally beautiful. In SW Arkansas the Talimena Scenic Drive is a way fun ride, for this neck of the woods. It spans beautiful highways from Mena Arkansas to Talahina Oklahoma.

I'd really like to ride straight east thru Ark to the Great Smokeys. Wouldnt that be a fun week!

Mary

 

[copron]

We dodged an extension ladder, too, about a 20-footer that came off the pickup ahead and traveling in the same direction. I had a hunch when I saw it, for some reason, and was not surprised at all to see it actually slide off and land on the highway, spinning like clock hands. We were in the left lane and scooted by. I have also, while riding behind pickups, seen a half tree (alright, a big *** tree branch) fall out and one truck with a flatbed lost a shovel. Yes, always use caution when behind anything with a load. Glad you lived to tell about this one.
I'm going to go ride Arkansas soon. Is spring better than fall? Summers hot?

I was in Ark in the fall, haven't seen the Spring, but I definitely hope to do so this next year. I assume the summers are as hot as they are here in Central Oklahoma. By mid July the mid-day temps are in the upper 90s, usually. This year was freakishly hot early in the year. Was a rotten year for tomato growing!

Either NW Arkansas or SW Arkansas are equally beautiful. In SW Arkansas the Talimena Scenic Drive is a way fun ride, for this neck of the woods. It spans beautiful highways from Mena Arkansas to Talahina Oklahoma.

I'd really like to ride straight east thru Ark to the Great Smokeys. Wouldnt that be a fun week!

Mary

YES.......it gets hot in Arkansas, we usually have a few 100+ degree days with 98% humidity in the summer,even your sweat,sweats........if your ever in the N. central part of Ar. around Greers Ferry Lake look me up......most riders around here know me .....we'll show you some great backroads.

 

[RayW]

Glad everyone is ok and everything else seems to be working out.....

your story reminded me of a talk show I saw MANY years ago where they were interviewing some biker couples.

The crowd was getting really down on the harley guy because he treated his bike better than his wife....

until she told how during an accident he had pushed the bike away as they were sliding and pulled her on top of him.

Then everyone liked him. :lol:

P.S....I spent 1.5 years at Altus AFB back in the mid 70's. Still have some good frineds that live in OKC. I prefer TN and, so far, GA though. Not as many stock yards. :lol:

 

[highcountry]

Don't back down from the bottom-feeding insurance company on anything. That is their mode of operation to nickel-dime you to death. If you feel that they are being unfair, get your attorney of choice to write them a nasty letter intimating some large demands.

 

[highcountry]

I was in Ark in the fall, haven't seen the Spring, but I definitely hope to do so this next year. I assume the summers are as hot as they are here in Central Oklahoma. By mid July the mid-day temps are in the upper 90s, usually. This year was freakishly hot early in the year. Was a rotten year for tomato growing!
Either NW Arkansas or SW Arkansas are equally beautiful. In SW Arkansas the Talimena Scenic Drive is a way fun ride, for this neck of the woods. It spans beautiful highways from Mena Arkansas to Talahina Oklahoma.

I'd really like to ride straight east thru Ark to the Great Smokeys. Wouldnt that be a fun week!

Mary

Head west to Colorado, Mary. We will promise you great temps with spectacular twisties and scenery.

 

[KevinsFJRPartDeux]

I was in Ark in the fall, haven't seen the Spring, but I definitely hope to do so this next year. I assume the summers are as hot as they are here in Central Oklahoma. By mid July the mid-day temps are in the upper 90s, usually. This year was freakishly hot early in the year. Was a rotten year for tomato growing!
Either NW Arkansas or SW Arkansas are equally beautiful. In SW Arkansas the Talimena Scenic Drive is a way fun ride, for this neck of the woods. It spans beautiful highways from Mena Arkansas to Talahina Oklahoma.

I'd really like to ride straight east thru Ark to the Great Smokeys. Wouldnt that be a fun week!

Mary

Head west to Colorado, Mary. We will promise you great temps with spectacular twisties and scenery.

We went to Silverton, Colorado late last fall, where we took the Jeep. Did I mention that besides motorcycles and 4-wheelers, Kevin Jeeps! So, I'm not typically terribly fearful, but seriously... I HATE heights. High burned out lightbulbs stayed burned out in my house! But, Kevin loves Jeeping the passes of Western Colorado, and I love Kevin, so i said I'd join in.

Honestly, this is beautiful, awesome scenery. Where the whole Purple Mountain Majesty thing comes from, right? First day, we head out. I'm in the front seat beside Kevin, his parents in the back. We head up Black Bear Pass (you dont have to be crazy to drive this road, but it helps, to quote C.W. McCall). We've traveled maybe 1/2 mile, straight up, when panic sets in. I begged to move to the backseat, where I scrunched down in the seat and played with the GPS, squeeking everytime I felt the tires slip. But it wasnt too bad.

Now before you roll your eyes, remember... I'm the same chicka who just slid nearly 200 feet down a highway ... and I never so much as whimpered! I'm NOT a wimp!

So, we made it to Telluride, I spent too much money, we ate lunch, and Kevin tells me we have to climb Imogene Pass to get home, but not to worry, it's not nearly as bad as Black Bear Pass. Ok I think... I can do this. So, off we go, I'm taking pictures out the Jeep window, it's beautiful ... until I see it. That section of the pass that's hanging of the side of the ever-lovin mountain -- sheer cliffs straight up on the left side, sheer cliffs straight down on the right. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD... ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!! THIS IS NOT FUN!! Then, that freakishly narrow tunnel??!!! This road was made for mules, people... NOT AUTOMOBILES!

This is more than panic, I felt terrorized. It was all I could do to stave off hysteria. Took hours, we stopped at the Tomboy Mine, and then headed down. Ordinarily, I'd have loved all that history, but I couldnt even think to pay attention. By the time we got back to the RV, I was a basket case, seriously.

So, when you invite me to Colorado to motorcycle ride, I have just one question... are there mountains there?

Mary

 

[wheatonFJR]

I understand the heights thing...and know those feelings from my own experience.

However in 08 during the NAFO trip, I did colorado on my FJR. For some reason, the fear did not get to me as bad as being in a car. It didn't go completely away, but it was much better.

I now love Colorado...BY FJR.