Tis the Season

[BlueMoto]

Well I was fininshing up a long trip from Austin, TX thru AZ, NM, CO, and UT when my buddy and I decided to stop for a cold drink at the A & W in Chinle, AZ. We were in the center turn lane and a young lady ran right up my tail pipes. After a short ride to the Navajo nations Hospital I was released with a AC shoulder seperation and told I would probably need surgery when I got home. It was a night mare trying to arrange to get the bike to a safe place. There is nothing in Chinle, AZ. Three days later after my wife flys to Albuquerque and rents and car to come get me and then we drive back to Albuquerque for a flight to Austin. I am finally home. Surgery on the shoulder, bike is probably going to be totalled. This is the second time someone hit me from behind on this bike.

I think I am going to be happy to see it totalled even thought I really love the bike. It was a great ride.

Bob

 

[DailyCommuter]

I know what you mean, sometimes its better to start fresh with a new one. They are never the same

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

That so sucks Bob! Heal up. I hope you change your mind eventually, but whatever you decide to do I hope you hop back on a ride. I can't imagine how hard it must be to end a great ride like that. I wish people in cages would start paying attention... and the second time! sheesh!

Other than checking your six, is there anything you'd do differently? Reflective panels on the bags, back-off, anything you can think of to have helped? I'm heading out for a month in July on a long trip and these stories give me pause. Anything I could learn?

Again heal up mentally and physically. I wish you the best.

 

[ctfjr]

Bummer - hope the surgery goes well for you & you're up & bouncing around soon.

 

[Av8rider]

Other than checking your six, is there anything you'd do differently? Reflective panels on the bags, back-off, anything you can think of to have helped? I'm heading out for a month in July on a long trip and these stories give me pause. Anything I could learn?

Riding a motorcycle is a bit like flying a plane, you plan, train and prepare to mitigate as much risk as you can. It doesn't really matter if your 500 feet off the ground or 5000 when an emergency happens. An accident like this could have just as easily happened a block from your home on your way back from work as it could 29 days into your one month trip.

Bob could have been driving a semi and still been rear ended, sure she would have probably been hurt - not him, if she was distracted on a cell phone who knows.

A rule of thumb for me is that whenever I turn into a middle turn lane I never actually stop. This forces me to turn in sooner, to slow down sooner which gives anyone considering making the same turn behind me more opportunity to see me. Generally people notice moving things before stationary ones. Also, I never point myself into oncoming traffic, that way if I am hit I'm not forced into an oncoming car and because I'm already slowly moving, hopefully I have an escape route in front of me or if I am struck the impact is less. We don't have as many center turn lanes in Southern California as in other sates.

Obviously every scenario is different, which is why this is a rule of thumb. And in this case it may not have made any difference.

Bob, I hope this person had good insurance, and after a speedy and full recovery you reevaluate and decide to purchase a new FJR and continue riding. This must have been very traumatic for your wife as well, does she ride?

Good luck with whatever you decide, feel better and give our best to your wife.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Bob

Sorry to hear it & heal fast!

Center turn lanes are a bitch. Glad she didn't knock you into the oncoming traffic.

Bob

 

[SilveradoSlick]

Shift! Helluva way to end the trip. Glad you made it home & hope the surgery works. Heal mentally and physically.

 

[madmike2]

"Oh dang!" He said, shaking his head in disbelief. :blink:

Heal soon, me biking compadre.

 

[eeksnake]

So sorry to hear about your collision Bob. Heal fast. Here's to hoping your insurance company has a healthy supply of common sense.

...I never point myself into oncoming traffic, that way if I am hit I'm not forced into an oncoming car and because I'm already slowly moving, hopefully I have an escape route in front of me or if I am struck the impact is less.

I never thought about this one... Good point. I have a natural tendency to point toward oncoming traffic (getting ready for my turn-in I guess.) Gonna have to work on that.

 

[rogdeb]

Sorry to read this Blu Moto. Glad you're OK --- new Black Raven ??

 

[sullivan]

Or granite gray.

 

[Scythian]

Other than checking your six, is there anything you'd do differently? Reflective panels on the bags, back-off, anything you can think of to have helped? I'm heading out for a month in July on a long trip and these stories give me pause. Anything I could learn?

Other than staying away from drunken indians anywhere in the Navajo Nation?

I live in NM. The drunk indians kill a hell of a lot of people up there: https://www.gallupindependent.com/2005/nov/112205nndwi.html

8100 DUI arrests in one year! With Chinle as one of the worst.