wrecked my bike

[tripntx]

Bike was wrecked returning from Arkansas vacation 28 June 2009, we were pulling luggage trailer, a couple in their seventies didn't see us and broad sided our trailer (barely missed hitting us directly). Trailer tried to flip, causing bike to slap down on right side fracturing my wifes right foot, then trailer tried to flip the opposite direction causing bike to then stand up and slap down on left side. I walked away with lower back pains but have recouped fine, wife's bones have mended, but she wears a size 8 shoe on left foot and a size 9 on right foot because it is still swollen that much, yeb, over three months later and her foot still gives her problems. Complete exhaust, both side bags, dauntless hitch, skyway sliders (with highway pegs), large right fairing, and foot brake peddle had to be replaced. Strapped bike on a uhaul trailer to get it home (rented 10 foot box truck as well, luggage trailer went in box), didn't have any other way to secure the front end other than going around the grips with ratchet straps, towed it this way for 500 miles.

 

[fjrwalker]

Wow! Scary story. You're certainly lucky it wasn't a lot worse. Hopefully the elderly couple were properly insured and sincerely apologetic. It's frightening and immensely irritating just how little attention some people pay to their driving.

 

[tripntx]

The old couples insurance company, USAA, has paid us for a new trailer, and fixed the bike. Haven't replaced hitch or bought a new trailer yet, unknown at this time if I will.

Had holeshoot headers with stock mufflers on. Replaced with original stock headers (after cutting out cats) and holeshot slipons. Really love the sound. Purchased the holeshot decimal silencers, but prefer the sound without them.

 

[Silver Penguin]

Sorry to hear about your misfortune but glad you're OK. We had some dealings with that insurance company, and no problems. They paid the claim quickly and with a minimum of hassle towards our attorney.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

How the hell can someone not see a large bike, two riders and a big-assed trailer? All with reflectors and such? It just boggles my mind and scares me.

Glad you are ok and hope your wife gets better soon and is compensated for her pain and suffering.

 

[SCWatts]

Glad you came out as well as you did, hope your wife's foot fully recovers soon.

That was a great trailer!

 

[bigjimbiker]

Wow, scary scenario...good job you were in a neighborhood and not on the highway.

I have USAA for my car and home and they do a great job. Wish they did motorcycle

insurance but they have a deal with Progressive and those guys were very expensive.

Ended up with Geico. Hope your wife's doing better. BTW, like your trailer...bigjimbiker

 

[Fred W]

Glad to hear that you fared as well as you did.

It could have been a lot worse.

Especially considering the riding gear that you and your (lovely) wife seem to favor.

Dude... get some gear for you both. Don't think it won't happen again.

 

[Patriot]

are you considering a Swivel Hitch next time ???

 

[FJR-RemingtonRider]

Wow! Glad you guys are okay and wife getting better.

+1 on gear, may have prevented fracture.....no lecturing here though.

Never seen a FJR masquerading as a Goldwing'er....wandering with the extra weight, how does it fare alongside the goldwings w/trailers.

Happy Riding.

 

[DELETE-PLEASE]

Glad you guys came out ok. This definitely speaks to me as I'm planning on a trip myself pulling a trailer pretty much EXACTLY like that one.

It looks like you did take some precautions to ensure visibility. You have some lights on the front, some stickers and reflectors on the back. Do/did you have any visibility stuff on the side aside from that bright orange milspec vest (unbelievable that they missed that!!!!)?

Like Patriot noticed, I think this solidifies my choice to get a swivel hitch. I was about 80% sure I was going to, and I'm now 100% sure I'm going to. But depending on the speed, I'm sure that a trailer twisting and going sideways behind you would have made you guys go down anyway due to pulling that rear end of the bike sideways.

Well, you guys had a mishap, that sucks. And you guys definitely took some steps to help you against it and prevent it. And now just go back, use that wonderfully clear-vision of "hindsight" and make any necessary changes you think might help some more. Maybe some reflective stuff on the sides of your bike, maybe even going as far as painting your trailer fluorescent green instead of a low-key silver (after seeing this thread, I've decided to definitely make some sort of bright markings on my trailer when I get it).

And definitely get and wear more gear. Uncomfortable? Sure. But no matter WHAT you do to increase visibility and precautions you take, there are always people checking only one direction while pulling out, assuming that a side street in a quiet neighborhood never has traffic, backing out of parking spaces/driveways without really looking cause they've done it for years without any traffic, or (in my very wierd and scary case), coming the wrong way down a one-way street because it's too far to go ALL the way around the block to get to a certain cross street (boy was I confused on how to react to THAT one...just stopped in the middle of the street while checking my rearview to make sure noone slammed into me and watched a car come at me and then make a right turn on the sidestreet in front of me.)

While it's nice to be fashionable, I think I'm definitely just going to say "to hell with it" and basically mark a bunch of stuff all over my bike and myself to make it as unique and headturning as possible. From what will probably be a black/yellow striped trailer to eventually a bright yellow full body suit.

Alexi

 

[FJRONAMISSION]

ItHow the hell can someone not see a large bike, two riders and a big-assed trailer? All with reflectors and such? just boggles my mind and scares me.
Glad you are ok and hope your wife gets better soon and is compensated for her pain and suffering.

Ditto!!!

 

[TruWrecks]

Wow. Glad you two are okay. It could have been much worse, but it could have been better also. Look into textile gear with good venting. It can be pretty comfortable, and cost much less than a skin graft. Try on several brands and types.

 

[Patriot]

Sorry, I neglected to say I'm so glad ya'll are more or less OK and not worse off. Glad the at fault driver has insurance to compensate ya'll and put you back to a level field again.

As many have said, get some textile gear for both of you. I have a big order about to be placed for all new hear for me and my AIW (Angelic Italian Wifey). I require CE armor for our shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees and a back pad. I'm getting all Tourmaster Gear for both of us. Separate warm and cold gear for me and Tourmaster Flex gear for AIW which has panels that zip in and out over mesh for an all season setup. Perfect for us in the deep south which doesn't get particularly cold much.

Boots are also important...there are armored boots that would have protected an ankle...I'm partial to SIDI, but wifey if happy with Tactital or Combat boots with side zippers from ebay or an Army Surplus store.

Swivel Hitch: Beside you unfortunate experience, I know of two good outcomes that seem to favor the swivel setup:

1) Goldwing towing a Leezure Lite pop up camper with swivel hitch on the

tongue...went down on Run For The Wall when the front wheel washed out

coming to a stop at an intersection with moldy, algae, slimy surface

(Goldwing was non ABS - duh, had $32k min into it and didn't get the $1000

ABS option, but that's another story). The bike went down to the left, spit

Nick off who came to a stop in a muddy ditch just off the road, and the bike

laying on it's side against it's crash bars went sliding diagnonally across

the intersection. The swiveling hitch towed the trailer along like it was

upright and the bike came to rest off the road in the grass. Trailer was

perfectly fine behind the bike.

2) HD Ultra towing a small utility trailer with installed swivel hitch and

car top and ice chest(s) attached. Vehicle turned left toward the bike

going down the road at 35mph in the right lane. Car hit the trailer

broadside on it's left and knocked it over to it's right. The bike stayed

upright with no twisting moments (force) and came to a stop in a short

distance dragging the sideways trailer with it. Vehicle pickup truck had

insurance to cover the trailer damages.

Sincerely, thanx for posting and sharing. That's a good thing and we appreciate it.

hope this helps and wish ya'll quick healing to perfect health and recovery

let's ride safe and be careful out there,

Mike in Nawlins'

 

[tripntx]

We both will wear more protection from now on. We have argued about her always wanting to wear shorts and tennis shoes, she's been riding as my passenger for 14 yrs, I've always given in, but this accident has made her realize she needs more on. We always were helmets with flip face down and i always wear gloves and high top hiking shoes. I plan on wearing a lot more from now on.

I always wear the orange milspec vest and have my high beams plus hella fog lights on. We were traveling 30 mph (posted limit). Saw them yield at sign and in hind sight wished I would have laid on the horn (have randy's harness plus aftermarket horns so it is loud), but for what ever reason I didn't, just thought: they see us. That thought will not happen again.

My AE towed that trailer extremely well. No problems, towed it from south of Houston Tx, up into Oklahoma, across the talimena scenic drive into Mena Arkansas, then up to Mount Magazine state park. The trailer never slowed us down, even while going up and down the mountians. Trailer loaded weighed approx 220-250 lbs. The accident happened on the 8th day of our vacation while heading home.

When I get another trailer, a swival hitch will be adapted to it. No if's, and, or buts about it.

 

[Patriot]

We both will wear more protection from now on. We have argued about her always wanting to wear shorts and tennis shoes, she's been riding as my passenger for 14 yrs, I've always given in, but this accident has made her realize she needs more on. We always were helmets with flip face down and i always wear gloves and high top hiking shoes. I plan on wearing a lot more from now on.
I always wear the orange milspec vest and have my high beams plus hella fog lights on. We were traveling 30 mph (posted limit). Saw them yield at sign and in hind sight wished I would have laid on the horn (have randy's harness plus aftermarket horns so it is loud), but for what ever reason I didn't, just thought: they see us. That thought will not happen again.

My AE towed that trailer extremely well. No problems, towed it from south of Houston Tx, up into Oklahoma, across the talimena scenic drive into Mena Arkansas, then up to Mount Magazine state park. The trailer never slowed us down, even while going up and down the mountians. Trailer loaded weighed approx 220-250 lbs. The accident happened on the 8th day of our vacation while heading home.

When I get another trailer, a swival hitch will be adapted to it. No if's, and, or buts about it.

good for you...I always am concerned (like when it's me victimized) that I / we're get on the posters nerves with advice and analysis instead of just listening and offering sympathy. You, sir, are a class act.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[highcountry]

Wow - - close call! Glad you and yours came out of it in reasonable shape.

To all - - You never know around what corner/curve/intersection that danger lurks, be careful out there!

 

[bigjimbiker]

good for you...I always am concerned (like when it's me victimized) that I / we're get on the posters nerves with advice and analysis instead of just listening and offering sympathy. You, sir, are a class act.

Cheers,

Mike

Good on ya', Mike, well said...bigjimbiker :clapping:

 

[Mcgyver74]

Wow, glad U are ok