Had my first riding mishap yesterday

[EvilScooby]

Well I knew it couldn't always be perfect.

Yesterday on my way back from work cruising 55 on a 2 lane straightaway. a hubcap popped off of an oncoming car and hit me directly on my helmet. (Thankgod)
I am not sure how I held on to the bike and kept her up, but I was very, very lucky. It popped me on the left side of my helmet smashing my faceshield and jerking my head and body back almost to the point where i was laying on my back on the bike with no hands on the steering. But somehow I was able to hang on to the bike and keep it from going down and pull over safely. Whew.

The weird thing is that I watched that damn hubcap pop off the car and bounce down the street right at me and I could not move in time.
The car didnt even stop, jsut kept on going. 2 cars behind me stopped to make sure I was ok.

I was jsut getting to feel comfortable and confident riding and now I and going to be freaked out for a while

Thank god I am still in one piece and was wearing all my gear. I'll never ride without it

[GVH]

Don't freak out to bad. You kept your cool and kept control of the bike. Soiunds to me like you did great.   If you work out the combined speeds of you and the hubcap ity was a very hard hit with little chance to avoid.

Good job keeping it together.
GVH

[scratch]

Glad you're allright! All kinds of things to avoid on the road!

[EvilScooby]

Thanks.

Its jsut my luck though all the whacky things happen to me, its never normal

[Skim]

Just a question, to what extent of impact can a helmet take before you have to replace it?  Just remember people saying if you accidently drop your helmet on the floor while walking, you should replace it.   If this is true, should you replace your lid?

Anyways, glad you're okay and didn't buckle up.

[EvilScooby]

Yea, I think I will need to replace the helmet
It was brand new too, only 3 weeks old and cost me $229

[Greg Gabis]

Al,

Try Holeshot Motor Sports in Wilder, KY. They usually have good deals on closeout helmets and it wouldn't be too far out of your way. About 15 mins. from downtown Cincy.

859-572-0300

[jnosal]

I wonder if that would be something that could be claimed on insurance?

jnosal
Yellow 99 GS500E

[Skim]

Yea, I think I will need to replace the helmet
It was brand new too, only 3 weeks old and cost me $229

Whoa.. only 3 weeks old? that sucks.  But then again, the helmet was well worth the investment. (It did save your head afterall).  It's good you were wearing a fullface helmet.  Maybe you can try online stores for the same helmet (since you know the fit and size).

[brandiwine]

it depends on the brand of the helmet, but if it was an arai, i think you can send it to the company and they will professionally check it to see if it needs to be replaced.  i'd have to check their website, but i believe that is a service they provide.

[perfdrug]

i think shoei will to, reguardless of the helmet brand. if the shell's bad, you get your helmet back in 2 pieces.

[EvilScooby]

It was a Beiffe helmet
I will check their website.
I do have an older one I could use for the time being

[JohnNS]

Imagine if you'd had an open-face helmet.  

Glad you're ok, good job staying on too...that must've been one HELL of an impact! I know even big bugs are a bit of a shock sometimes...can't imagine that!

[cummuterguy]

sorry to hear about your close-encounter-with-the-hubcap-kind..

isn't it amazing how slowly everything happens when someting like occurs, yet it seems you are powerless to do anything?
I once had a suicidal sparrow fly straight at me while driving about 60 or 65 mph... i saw it coming, couldnt even duck... took me square in the chest... if not for my jacket, i think it would have broken my sternum... i couldnt breathe for like 3 minutes, barely kept hold of the handlebars, slowed to a stop and puked in my helmet (couldn't get it off fast enough)

anyway, definately either get a new helmet, or use you old one til you get your beiffe checked.  200 bucks is cheap compared to what a forehead cleaved in half would be...

[Sportbilly]

Congratulations.  You had a real nasty encounter that could have been much worse.  You exercised prudence in wearing gear, and you kept control of the bike when it could have gone drastically awry.  

I think you should be proud of yourself.  Also realise that it doesn't stop here, we all have to keep learning and practising.

Well done, keep making the right decisions, and one day you'll be just as crusty as the rest of the old buggers.  I'll remember your story next time my buddy wants to ride helmetless.

[pantablo]

The weird thing is that I watched that damn hubcap pop off the car and bounce down the street right at me and I could not move in time.

That is target fixation.

Good thing you were wearing a helmet! glad you survived. Must have scared the sh.t out of you.

[mp183]

A few years a go a person got killed in a McDonalds parking lot.  A whole wheel came off an 18 wheeler.  The poor person was not even driving.  The truck driver did not even know that he had lost a wheel.
Consider yourself lucky.  Just think if you were crusing on your Harley in one of those tiny helmets.

[patricia]

ES, It scared me to see this post from you.  I know just a couple weeks ago you were nervous about riding but just remember, when your exposed like we are on a bike, $*#! happens.  Remember my post about the phone or electric wire coming down in front of me and sliding over my helmet?!  You and I seem to have these kinds of experiences when we ride, huh? :kiss:

You did great!!   AND you stayed on the bike!  Do Not wait to get back out there.  You will be shakey at first but just go around your neighborhood at first or something, anything.  Just don't give up or I'll have to rag you bad  :kiss:

[EvilScooby]

Do Not wait to get back out there.  You will be shakey at first but just go around your neighborhood at first or something, anything.  Just don't give up or I'll have to rag you bad  :kiss:

I was a little hesitant but I went right back out the day after and was riding away without any problems. I am feeling very comfortable riding and know these things happen. I am very cautious at intersections and especially when i notice a car coming up a driveway.

[ghettorigged]

 that is crazy shiznit!

Thank goodness you and the bike are ok!