First Motorcycle Accident

Just got back from a weekend away and read this. Very glad you are Ok. Like others have said, the bike can be fixed. You already know it inside and out.

Tornado said:

It's unfortunately common these days for drivers not to perform an actual shoulder check before changing lanes. Either they glance in mirror or rely only on their peripheral vision...so anything in the blind spot area is in danger. I've had close calls when going past highway on ramps with cars entering the highway, not bothering to shoulder check before crossing into my lane. Even a few with those fancy automatic lane change warning systems with LED lights on their side mirrors, clearly visible to me they were picking me up, yet driver came across anyway.

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Or some folks just fail to pull their heads from their arse, or ass (depending on your orientation to the Atlantic) before starting their cars and driving off.

illf8ed said:

Thanks for the story Richard. Sorry about the accident and it has been on my mind lately. I’m 53 years into motorcycle riding and have not had an incident yet. I know I’m not as talented as I have been and falling off at my age would really hurt. Just not willing to make a five year plan that ends the thrill yet.

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Yes this will be a test . With apologies to Clint Eastwood I am afraid I may start “ letting the old man in” . I still surf and just last week I was out early with a couple others and when they went in for the first time in my life I was uncomfortable being out in the ocean alone .
I used to relish the solitude .

I am sorry that you went through this; I do hope with the others that your physical injuries heal quickly and that you will not let this incident influence your resolve to "get back on the horse".

I have had 4 such affairs on motorcycles, 2 I rode away from, 2 broke bones, I have been pitched off 2 horses which shook me to a greater extent. My riding instructor ran out to see if I was OK. I told him he could walk the horse back to the barn, he turned around and told me: get back on the SOB and show him who's boss or he will just do it to some other student; I did and quickly realized that the horse was just looking for another place to plant me; I gave the horse a taste of the crop and the feel of my boots in his withers, we got along quite well after t

I was happy to hear that the young driver stepped up and took responsibility; a rare example of a good upbringing. Most of the assholes in Massachusetts would quickly dig for their Victim card and as quickly would become "truth challenged".

New Jersey is a tough state to ride in because everyone is in a hurry; get better and get back on.

Let me know if you need any parts, I have a ton that I will be selling soon, but your money is no good at RPC.

Best!

PS: get a good attorney, her insurance will make a lot of insinuations and will roll many low-balls your way, don't even think about talking with them...

Richard. Glad it was a relatively minor encounter! I ride mainly back roads and secondary highways to limit exposure to distracted and mindless drivers. Unfortunately, there is another worry in this area--the deer population. Hoping you and your Norton mend well and are soon back to 100%.

Glad you’re OK Richard.

FWIW, if you’re not ready to give up motorcycles yet, my advice would be to get back on one as soon as you can as the longer you leave it, the harder that might be, as with horses.

Regarding the bike, so long as the throttle wasn’t jammed open as it was lying on its side with the wheel in the air, causing sky-high revs and bent values, it’ll be just fine inside.

Hope you’re back in the saddle soon.

Hope body and head return to normal ASAP.... I too went down this year, but as I'm only 64 and it was a low speed spill, rider and bike bounced reasonably well....
Also restored my belief in wearing proper protective clothing at all times when riding, no shorts, t-shirt and sandals here...

Thank for sharing this, Richard.

I hope (and suspect) the young lady was NOT texting. I believe she truly did not see you as a result of either not looking or looking, but not seeing. When looking for car and truck, the motorcycle is sometimes not seen.

I marvel at the beauty and precision of your writing and wrenching! Please get well!

Bill Walker

I hope you heal up fast and get back to riding soon. Don't let the old man in......he isn't welcomed yet.

It happens all too quickly... Sorry you had to experience this, but really glad you were not hurt any worse than you were. I find that the rattle to the confidence is the one that takes some time to get over.

I think your motor will be fine. I had a really serious accident nearly 20 years ago (t-boned a car that darted out in front of me with no warning at highway speeds). I flew over the car, the bike stopped dead, and laid on its side with the throttle cables pulled to wide open for about 3 seconds (seemed like much longer), but the lines were also ripped off the carbs, so it ran out of gas quite quickly.

I was very worried about the same thing. The bike was fully repaired, and 20 years later, it is still running great.

Derek Wilson said:

It happens all too quickly... Sorry you had to experience this, but really glad you were not hurt any worse than you were. I find that the rattle to the confidence is the one that takes some time to get over.

I think your motor will be fine. I had a really serious accident nearly 20 years ago (t-boned a car that darted out in front of me with no warning at highway speeds). I flew over the car, the bike stopped dead, and laid on its side with the throttle cables pulled to wide open for about 3 seconds (seemed like much longer), but the lines were also ripped off the carbs, so it ran out of gas quite quickly.

I was very worried about the same thing. The bike was fully repaired, and 20 years later, it is still running great.

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Glad to hear you’re relatively ok
Hang in there!

Join the club. I've been hit a few times, thankfully all insured.

47 years without an at-fault accident till last year, and I was uninsured for my personal injury!

I hope the young lady had GOOD insurance...

I couldn't care less how contrite she was. Meaningless. Engage a solicitor.
Related note: today a road warrior type on a bicycle held up a line of cars (and me
on a motorbike) but they all dutifully passed him by going all the way into
the oncoming lane. I was the last to pass and went down the white line.
At the next give way he blew past me and two stopped cars and carried on!
So much for rules. But immediately after this car ahead of me pulls away
slows for the bicycle now ahead again and suddenly turns INTO him. It was
close but I don't believe it was intentional just some sort of distraction.
Point is that this is how dangerous it has become out there and I don't live
in a built up area. Most people do NOT look and are not 100% actively driving.
Just like your little princess. WE have to be aware as a fighter pilot.

Onder said:

elated note: today a road warrior type on a bicycle held up a line of cars (and me
on a motorbike)

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I refer to these types as "Lycra Lizards"...

Best.

RoadScholar said:

I refer to these types as "Lycra Lizards"...

Best.

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Lance Wannabees

Richard Tool said:

Lance Wannabees

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C'mon now...

I've been hit 9 times, sent to the hospital in the back of cars, ambulances, and a helicopter - none of which were my fault. 3 drunk drivers, one unknown driver (I was found wandering in the road with a head injury, a wrecked bike, and no memory of the incident--still don't know what happened), three hit-and-runs. If a rider doesn't assert themselves at least somewhat, they are road pizza, with the "left hook", or being clipped at speed by a drivers who don't see or care. We share the same dangers with all two wheeled road users.

There are some real entitled a-holes out there, as with any group, but slowing down for someone else never hurt anyone.

Sorry to hear for your misfortune. It's a shame, and no one is calling you a Valentino wannabe.

I'm sure I'll take some lumps for this one, but that's fine. The lack of humanity these days is disturbing.

RoadScholar said:

I refer to these types as "Lycra Lizards"...

Best.

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or MAMILs - (Middle Aged Men In Lycra)

t ingermanson said:

C'mon now...

I've been hit 9 times, sent to the hospital in the back of cars, ambulances, and a helicopter - none of which were my fault. 3 drunk drivers, one unknown driver (I was found wandering in the road with a head injury, a wrecked bike, and no memory of the incident--still don't know what happened), three hit-and-runs. If a rider doesn't assert themselves at least somewhat, they are road pizza, with the "left hook", or being clipped at speed by a drivers who don't see or care. We share the same dangers with all two wheeled road users.

There are some real entitled a-holes out there, as with any group, but slowing down for someone else never hurt anyone.

Sorry to hear for your misfortune. It's a shame, and no one is calling you a Valentino wannabe.

I'm sure I'll take some lumps for this one, but that's fine. The lack of humanity these days is disturbing.

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You‘re not gonna get any flak from me, that was a well worded repost sir.

Most cyclists are indeed fine human beings, its the minority that spoils it, just like motorcyclists !

The thing with some cyclists is this strange behaviour whereby they take HUGE umbrage with every other road user for any minor indiscretion, yet then proceed to jump red lights, ride at night with no lights dressed in black, ignore one way rules, race through pedestrian areas etc, etc. Well, at least that’s the case in Oxford.

However, cyclists do seem positively angelic next to the new scourge on society… E SCOOTER PILOTS…

I got admonished by one of the: 'holier than thou' versions for failing to react to his presence until the last moment.... The fact he was dressed in black in a dimly lit street with no lights on his bike at midnight was totally lost on him!
Were I not in a sign written van I'd have happily lamped the tw*t.

My Missus came up with a good idea, all bicycles should have permanently fitted and working lights, by law, and all new bicycles sold must be sold as such.

But then I realised, what’s the f*cking point? It’s already a legal requirement for bicycles to have working lights at night, and a working bell to warn people as they approach. Many cyclists blatantly ignore these laws … and plod does nowt about it.

And thats the real root cause IMHO, if people who flout the law are NEVER challenged for it or brought to account, it can only create a culture in which such laws are meaningless. Because, well, they are!