Total Bummer

[SilveradoSlick]

A week ago Tuesday driving on two-lane blacktop I came up on the end of a short parade. Car in front puttering along at 25 with his left turn signal on. Car behind him. We putter along. Speed limit's 35. We putter along. Speed limit changes to 55 somewhere around here. We putter along. I observe that there's a concrete barrier on the left side of the road and he can't turn left. I pull out and pass the car following him and will soon be past the slow poke. He comes to the end of the barrier and turns left. I had time for one "Oh Shit!" and was thinking another would be appropriate... And then I was picking myself up. Bike was on its left side facing in the opposite direction we had been traveling. Car's left rear door was seriously damaged. FJR wasn't looking too good - damage to bags, mufflers, right and center fairing, slider and brake pedal bent. We exchanged info. The damage appeared to be mostly cosmetic so I tried riding it. Felt fine so I drove to the gas station. Gassed up and then headed home. Drove the bike down to the shop a couple of days later. It felt good. I wasn't dragging pegs but I had it up to 80 on the freeway and it felt perfectly fine. I was kinda bummed when the shop said 9,000 and counting and the insurance company said totaled.

SWMBO is encouraging all my friends to give me shit about my stupidity but she's also said I need a new bike. Excellent woman!

 

[Craig in Denver]

DAMN! You might catch a lot of crap for this story, but not from me. I HATE getting caught behind someone puttering along. Speed limit +5 or I go bats. The narrow canyons west of Denver get some brain dead drivers and most of the good roads are double yellow. Glad you're OK.

She sounds like a keeper, does your wife have a sister?? :cownoy:

 

[Just Plain Dave]

I hope the insurance antes up enough to get you on a new one. Glad to hear you weren't seriously hurt. I enjoy riding right on the speed limit. If the sign says 70 mph and the traffic is doing 30, then the speed limit is 30 mph. If the sign says 70 mph and the traffic is going 80, then the speed limit is 80 mph. At any speed, I am happy just to be on a fine performing machine. You rarely save much time if you get a bit impatient. I'm retired, I have plenty time. No hurry to get anywhere.

 

[RonC]

On the way through Idaho in May, I was behind a 10 mph tractor who was pulling a large farm implement. He had his hazard blinkers on, but no left turn signal. I was looking to pass on this two lane road, but saw a dirt drive in the distance on the left. I just had this nasty feeling... Rather than blasting past him, I slowly started my pass and, sure enough, he turned left right in front of me. I put the ABS to use and stopped short of the blades on his device he was hauling.

If I had surged past quickly, I would have been shish-kabob. Maybe there is something to this 'look and think 3 and 12 seconds ahead.'

Ron

 

[Thug]

Bugger! Glad you are ok though!

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

DAMN! You might catch a lot of crap for this story, but not from me. I HATE getting caught behind someone puttering along. Speed limit +5 or I go bats. The narrow canyons west of Denver get some brain dead drivers and most of the good roads are double yellow. Glad you're OK.
She sounds like a keeper, does your wife have a sister??  :cownoy:

Nothing is worse than wasting a ride up Co Hwy 7 (Morrison Road to Evergreen) behind a putter...or is that putterer?

Glad you are healthy Silverado!

 

[Craig in Denver]

Nothing is worse than wasting a ride up Co Hwy 7 (Morrison Road to Evergreen) behind a putter...or is that putterer?

HEY, being in Calif: how do you know?? B)

 

[gryphon68]

So if I understand this correctly, you were lane-splitting/sharing passing two cars, and you t-bone the guy signalling a left turn in his door?

Were you cited for a moving violation?

 

[Lauden]

Sounds like he's already gave himself a citation for 'less than stellar thinking.'

We're all guilty of it sometimes, here's to hoping it won't catch up with us.

 

[zorkler]

hey look on the bright side your fine and you now have a parts bike . you could be less one leg and really fucked up . now its in the past and a learning lession .

 

[SilveradoSlick]

Highway Patrol didn't issue a citation.

Insurance Co. hasn't made an offer yet. Don't know if I'll go new or used - probably depends more on availability since there's not a huge price difference between new and used.

Sounds like he's already gave himself a citation for 'less than stellar thinking.'

That's the truth!
Craig, the wife has a sister but she lives in Cincinnati.

 

[twowheelnut]

Highway Patrol didn't issue a citation.
Insurance Co. hasn't made an offer yet. Don't know if I'll go new or used - probably depends more on availability since there's not a huge price difference between new and used.

Sounds like he's already gave himself a citation for 'less than stellar thinking.'

That's the truth!
Craig, the wife has a sister but she lives in Cincinnati.

Jus so's ya knows, CalCoast Motorsports has two on the floor in Ventura - both new and at least one is ABS.

805-642-0900

They've been there for a while, so they may deal...

 

[Craig in Denver]

Craig, the wife has a sister but she lives in Cincinnati.

RATS!!

 

[madmike2]

Darn! Drat! Heck and pshaw! Charles....Charles...Charles.....

I'm glad you're alright. I hates "dumb lessons"! You did take notes to self, didn't you?

I guess that means I don't have to ask if you're joining us for WFO-4.

 

[wheatonFJR]

cincinatti.

that's just a short feejer trip and bring her back!

No, I guess those customs moved on a long time ago.

Glad you're okay Silverado. I've been in your situation before, and have done similar things. One time the RIGHT turn signal was on but they turned left.

 

[Coyote]

Death to the engines of those who won't let others run at their own pace.

It'll only cost them 5 seconds to pull right and let faster traffic by.

If they wanna be a cop.... take the f...kin' test and get a badge.

Rant over....

 

[SOUTHERNMAGE]

Expect the unexpected. Really glad another rider isnt hurt. We can replace the machines and plastic parts. My own impatients has clouded my driving judgment more than once.

The School of Hard Knocks is a rough place.

 

[Yambone]

SilveradoSlick, thanks for posting and manning up. Fact is, the FJR is chomping at the bit in the type of scenario you laid out. And it is sooooo tempting to goose it, and slow poke begone in just a second or two.

Its a good lesson learned for us all to watch it a lil more, since we have the power.

 

[azbikergirl]

Oooh, bummer. Glad you're OK. I've feared that exact scenario myself. But the insurance will pay for another bike, right?