Hit At Light Last Night.

[Nocturnal 1776]

Last night I was waiting at a red light just getting off NJ parkway and all of a sudden boom. I felt bike jump out and sideways. I had to kind of walk legs forward and use all my strength to hold bike up. Then the guys car was like right on me and I had no room to straighten the bike up. I yelled to back the @*@#$@ up and he did. I was not injured just extremely pissed. I didnt want him to take off So I introduced myself through his window and made sure in my own way he didnt leave while I escorted him to back off his Toyota Corolla. I memorized plate and finally was able to pull bike out of roadway. He followed. I let him know he was a complete idiot and that I was displeased. Bike had no damage I can see. Cops came and did report. Just telling the story to again let people know to be careful. Not that this could have been avoided. people are truly crazy, lazy, and stupid. Lets just try to keep it in mind. God speed people. :blink:

 

[user 213]

Glad you're ok and the bike appears to be undamaged.

You MUST watch your rear at lights, especially off ramps, and plan an exit strategy in case someone isn't slowing down behind you. Parking yourself in the middle of the lane and 4 feet from the vehicle in front of you is bad. Aim for the edge of the lane, watch your mirrors and plan where you can go if you need to move fast. You won't always get a warning of screaming tires when some idiot is about to run into you. Until you have a couple of cars behind you, maintain your mirror scans.

 

[Patriot]

Really, really YOU and the bike are OK

Vent ya guts out, that's what we are here for

I'm guilty not taking my rear exposure seriously and getting lazy in the heat at stops, putting the bike in neutral and standing up and stretching body, arms, and hands ignoring the rear quadrant.

Thanx much for sharing your experience and allowing us to learn from it.

I don't believe it's profitable to preach now as the trauma is too fresh

A discussion about what's next should come at a future time when ya ready

Take care

I too, during insomia times, take what my buddies call my "Vampire Rides", especially in the summer when the daytime reaches 100+ degrees. Midnight to 4am are the coolest part of the "day" and stay in the mid eighties.

let's ride safe and be careful out there,

Mike in Nawlins'

 

[Scarman]

Wow, glad you're OK. I've been hearing more of that happening the past couple years. An acquaintance of mine was killed a few months ago from the same situation. Stopped at a red light and a pickup truck goes right over the top of him. I have my Hyperlites but if a red stop light doesn't get their attention, I'm not sure they'll do me much good in a similar situation.

Earlier this summer I was sitting at a red light waiting for the green to make my left turn. Cross traffic stops and my light turns green and as I start to go I looking left again before pulling out. Sure enough some lady in a SUV comes rolling through (even though everyone in the lane next to her is stopped at the red light) totally clueless that she just blew through a red light. Fortunately I stopped before entering the intersection and blew my Stebel horn at her as she went by. She just kept driving without a clue.

 

[lonerider]

Had the same thing happen to me a couple years ago, stopped at a stoplight just a couple miles from home on my Madura. No warning whatsoever, just tires squealing a split second before a giant boot kicked me and the bike into the middle of the intersection. Bike landed on top of me and pinned me (with gas leaking on me). The jerk that hit me walked up to pull the bike off me and I didn't even wait till I was free to start cussing him. No injuries other than bruises (gear helped there), his insurance bought me a new fairing and paid for the bike (and me) to be completely checked over.

 

[happyPuppy]

I do not get it, I think 10-15 years ago drivers were better or less preoccupied. I stay close to the center or if I have to the right to avoid idiots and becoming a sandwich. Glad you are OK. At least if there was any damage it can be fixed, he is stuck being an idiot forever.

 

[rushes]

Glad you're ok and the bike appears to be undamaged.
You MUST watch your rear at lights, especially off ramps, and plan an exit strategy in case someone isn't slowing down behind you. Parking yourself in the middle of the lane and 4 feet from the vehicle in front of you is bad. Aim for the edge of the lane, watch your mirrors and plan where you can go if you need to move fast. You won't always get a warning of screaming tires when some idiot is about to run into you. Until you have a couple of cars behind you, maintain your mirror scans.

+1

I've been preaching it for years...

They're all trying to kill you. Never let your guard down.

 

[mscott]

Glad that you are OK! I would check everything on the rear of the bike very well. Swingarm bolt/bearings, rear wheel bearings/axle/bolts, run-out check that tire/rim. Make sure there is no wobble. A tire will sometimes seperate belts after a hard impact. Just a few things to keep in mind. Just remember...It could have been worse! Be safe.

 

[Big Shasta]

Damn...glad you're ok.

No doubt he should be paying your dealer to do a thorough inspection of the swingarm/wheel/tire and all components therin.

 

[Toecutter]

Good thing you didn't get plowed. Bikers die that way on a regular basis. The cagers really plow when the driver is busy texting. Calif. just outlawed it, but enforcement seems lacking. I guess local municipalities have to wait to get grants to enforce the new laws.

When I can't share up to the front, I pull behind the left corner of the vehicle ahead, leaving a getaway path to it's left. I use my left foot to balance the bike, while my right foot keeps the brake lights lit and my hands are ready to launch the bike, which is left in gear. Pulling to the left side keeps me from putting my left foot down into the oil slick that usually inhabits the center of the lanes....

 

[08FJR4ME]

Last night I was waiting at a red light just getting off NJ parkway and all of a sudden boom. I felt bike jump out and sideways. I had to kind of walk legs forward and use all my strength to hold bike up. Then the guys car was like right on me and I had no room to straighten the bike up. I yelled to back the @*@#$@ up and he did. I was not injured just extremely pissed. I didnt want him to take off So I introduced myself through his window and made sure in my own way he didnt leave while I escorted him to back off his Toyota Corolla. I memorized plate and finally was able to pull bike out of roadway. He followed. I let him know he was a complete idiot and that I was displeased. Bike had no damage I can see. Cops came and did report. Just telling the story to again let people know to be careful. Not that this could have been avoided. people are truly crazy, lazy, and stupid. Lets just try to keep it in mind. God speed people. :blink:

Maybe you need one of these? Lights oscilate side to side and flash several times when brake is on.

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?s...119674&st=0

 

[Dblhelix]

Nocturnal - I am curious if you have a topbox w/lights or any other added reflectors etc that help make the bike stand out at night? I believe added visibility to sleepy night cagers really helps. I try to always ride with my lighted Givi top box at night (most of the time acutally) but really make a piont at night...Glad to hear you are OK.

 

[Geezer]

That oscillating tail light is a good idea, as are the reflective bag decals and anything else you can think of to make you more visible at night. In my opinion, something unusual is what will grab their attention. I have the bag reflectors and reflecting fabric in my jacket as well as super bright LED brake lights on the back of my Givi tail trunk.

Even with the reflectors and lights there is no substitute for vigilance and a planned escape route.

 

[user 6393]

I try and avoid riding in the dark. Just too many bad things can happen, this being just one of them.

Glad you are ok. Amazing restraint you showed.

 

[Intech]

Damn glad you are ok. Cool if the bike is good too. Should have it checked by the dealer though. Insurance should pay. I put tail light spinners on. they spin when brake not applied and then flash bright when brake applied. Anything to make better visability.

Always have an exit strategy. Even when riding. You never know when some asshole will pull out. Happened to me not to long ago and was actually witnessed by a state trooper. He pulled us both over and let the guy know, in a much nicer fashion than I would have, that I had the right of way and he needed to look more than onec before pulling out. It was acceleration that got me out of that one.

Best defense is to not be there when the accident happens.

Ride safe all.

 

[Nocturnal 1776]

My bike is stock. I had on a Tourmaster jacket with all kinds of reflective materials. i was to the very right of the road near a curb actually. The guy stopped at light behind me. I do check my rear quadrant. I was safe. he stopped. Then he must have took foot off brake and hit me slow. i figured once he stopped i was safe. I dont stare at what is behind me although i do scan. My scan was obviously not behind me. No other cars were behind him. He admit he was texting and took foot off brake once he was able to talk again, (I will leave it at that.) Thanks for all the support. It's nice to share the experience for others to be aware. The sad part is that i am a responsible rider and practice to get better all the time. You can never be too careful. But dont be scared. Riding is supposed to be for our fun and ability to unwind for me. So keep riding and having fun. i know I will. Thanks again everone. God Speed. Jimmy D.

 

[brazos parker]

While we're discussing rear-enders at stoplights, remember that the incidence of rear end collisions increases exponentially at "camera enforced" stoplights. This is probably because drivers slow down or even stop for stale green lights. In one case, the yellow light times were shortened (accidentally...).

 

[canucklehead-biker]

Glad you made it out unscathed... could have been much, much worse.

Griff

 

[Bounce]

glad you're okay. get that bike inspected as it's not designed to absorb impacts like that. there might be some damage to the rear subframe or the drive train depending on what took the hit. better to spend $100 now for a detailed inspection than to find expensive stuff messed up outside the window of response.