my first freeway crash

[indywar360]

I get on the freeway to go to work last Sunday. It's overcast and pavement is damp.

I'm in the #1 lane going about 60 mph. Gradual curve to the right, I decide not to pass on the curve.

Good thing too because as I come out of the curve and accelerate to pass, a Jeep Cherokee comes to rest broadside immediately in front of me. I'm flying straight for it. Not enough time for me to stop on wet pavement. Other cars are swerving and skidding their tires and looking with "oh shaZam!" expressions that I can sense even as I'm computing what to do.

I baby the brakes down cause I'm afraid to skid, I come up off the seat, and slow to a more or less acceptable crash speed before impact.

The right front of my bike hits her front bumper with a big CRACK!, bounces off onto pavement, I go over the hood, after my private parts get hung up on my windshield.

I hit the ground and get up. Mostly ok, mainly pissed off, balls ache and feel torn, finger got pounded, nose mashed, but otherwise ok.

Bike looks finished. (I posted pics at www.myspace.com/bs_kyle_k, under the "things to do in portland" blog.)

Nevertheless after cop takes info I get on my seriously mangled GS and finish driving to work.

Here is the part that chafes: In Oregon, if you are behind someone on the road and hit them, it tends to be at least partially "your fault". Regardless of the fact that she totally lost control of her Jeep, causing me to crash into her. Regardless of following distance, if you come around a curve and an SUV is blocking your lane, you're screwed. f%$k her, it's her fault, and damned if I'm gonna pay for a single penny of it.

So Im still waiting to hear about the shared liability issue. Ridiculous.

So do you think this is a freak accident or do I really need to buy a f%$king car?

Parts quoted at $2300. That's not counting the gas tank (prior dmg) or any labor whatsoever.

[makenzie71]

Just about everywhere if you hit the person in front of you it's your fault...and if you think about it, it is.  You hit the chick because you were riding faster than both your braking distance and, obviously, your vision.  You get a ticket and this is how it works out when you fight it:

You: It's not my fault.

Judge:  Were you riding slow enough that your braking distance was equal to or lesser than your line of sight?

You:  Well, no...

Judge:  Then it's your fault...and, for coming in here trying to fight it like an idiot, you now have to pay fees and fines exceeding what you would have had you taken the ticket like a man.  You can start by bending over for me, and again when we let your insurance company know you were at fault.  Thanks.

[indywar360]

I didn't get a ticket.

And although you may be right, if a Jeep spins out into your lane on a fwy someday, I wish you the best mate.

[indywar360]

.

[makenzie71]

I didn't say it was avoidable for you...but I can gauruntee you it wouldn't have happened to me.  I try and make it point to be able to see where I'll stop at all times.  Outriding your line of sight in an uncontrolled enviroment subcatagorizes with the number one cause of all vehicular accidents; doing something stupid.

What the idiot behind me does is a completely different story.

[Jarrett]

I don't know who will be at fault if she spun out.  I have been told in the past that you are responsible for the front end of your vehicle no matter what.  I once rear ended a lady and caused her to hit the back of a Brinks truck.  I was responsible for her rear end, and she was responsible for her front end and the rear end of the brinks truck.  I'm just glad you made it out ok.  As far as buying a car goes, I don't own one now, and don't plan on getting one any time soon.  Life is so much easier when it's just you and the bike.  Nobody asks me to help them move stuff or haul something around.  I'm not the D.D. anymore.  An old friend called me today and asked me to give her a ride from the airport.  I told her no problem, as long as all she flew with was a backpack.  She had baggage literally and figuratively so I couldn't do it.  Didn't want to anyway so that was great.  What is busted on your bike?  23 sounds like alot of money.  You can buy a bike with a busted motor for 600 or less and swap out parts.  If you've never used bondo this would be a great time to learn how.  That stuff can fix anything.  I'd think you can get her back on the road in good shape for way less than $1000 if the frame and engine are in tact.

[Jarrett]

Freak accident?  Naw, I see stuff like this unfolding on the road at least once a week.  But like Mac said, you just have to be ready for it at all times.  I was drving last night and a Suburban (probably Drunk) just locked up the brakes in front of me.  We were in the middle lane of a 3 lane road.  I slowed down and manuvered to pass on the left and then he started to turn left into my path.  I was going slow enough to come to a full stop, but he saw me and veered back into his lane.  I rolled on the throtle and passed him up and all was well.  Could have been alot worse if I hadn't slow to a crawl before attempting the pass.  Just gotta stay safe and remember that people are idiots and will kill you if you give them the chance.

[indywar360]

christ. good job avoiding that guy. I see cars moving to my lane then swerving back when they see me all the time.

the shop listed every last part, but the essential items are: front cowling, right cowling, LH/RH turnsignals, clutch/brake levers, handlebar. Muffler has a large dent. Not sure if I'd replace it right away on my own dime.

The shop listed pretty much all plastic and all parts dinged, and at 15% markup, but so far it's just a quote. That's the $2300 figure.

Also the handlebar won't lock now for some reason (not from lack of room to rotate). As long as the frame and forks are straight, which the shop guys said, thats my main concern. Although when I let off the handlebars at speed, it lists to the right now... shop guy said it's probably just the handlebars bent.

I guess I can do the rest of the stuff myself, probably for under $1000. Actually, you could say I was lucky, in a convoluted way.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Hmm.. I hit a car at 30mph, and my forks are f%&ked. But my frame is straight (I think... not gonna have it checked). Good luck with everything. If money is a problem, convert her to naked for now, and replace the fairings later.

[Jarrett]

here ya go. 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-Suzuki-GS500F-Right-Side-Panel-NR_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35583QQihZ004QQitemZ140043038768QQrdZ1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuki-Genuine-Part-2004-2005-GS500F-Cowling-Body-Blue_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35583QQihZ005QQitemZ150047703744QQrdZ1

About half this board, including me, has stock bars that we'll never put back on.  I'll get rid of mine for the cost of shipping.  levers are dirt cheap.  You can get some flush mount turn signals from cyclegear for about $20.  You're looking at less than 400 for cosmetic damage if you ebay it.

[My Name Is Dave]

Is that 26, right between the tunnel and the zoo?

[blue05twin]

Good thing you were not seriously hurt.  If you didn't get a ticket then who did?  In Ga. unless an accident happens on private property then the person at fault always gets a ticket.

I see stuff like that every three days to a week here, it's unbeliveable how people do not pay enough attention to driving.   So no you don't need a car

Just wondering you don't have full coverage on your bike?  Everycar / bike I have ever owned has always had full coverage.  I know full coverage is an optional thing once the bike is paid off, but when you think of all the crap that can happen and how much money a person can lose haveing full coverage seems like a no brainer.

[pandy]

Glad it was your bike that broke rather than your body (if anything has to break, that is). Yes, sometimes it really does suck that "rearending" makes one responsible. Ceekie and I were involved in an 8-car(give or take) pile up a few years back. I was fortunate enough NOT to have rearended the car in front of me. I was in front of the pack, and probably the only one who didn't have to pay anything. There's just nothing as special as knowing you're going to hit someone, or looking in your rearview mirror and knowing you're going to be hit...that....CLUNK....CLUNK...CLUNK.....as the cars pile up behind you....

I don't think it's time to hang up two wheels and go to four, but it's always time to reflect on what went wrong, learn from it, make any necessary corrections, and move on.

[thirdman]

I'm glad you lived!

What gear were you wearing?  How did it hold up?  How much is it going to cost to get your 'privates' reattached?

[annguyen1981]

I didn't say it was avoidable for you...but I can gauruntee you it wouldn't have happened to me.  I try and make it point to be able to see where I'll stop at all times.  Outriding your line of sight in an uncontrolled enviroment subcatagorizes with the number one cause of all vehicular accidents; doing something stupid.

What the idiot behind me does is a completely different story.

+1 to everything Mak said.

I too look for spots to stop or manuever to just in case something in front happens.  The rear is a lot more difficult.  That's why I was rear-ended two weeks ago.  But I knew enough to look in my mirrors while slowing down.  I saw them coming up fast, so I rolled on the throttle.  Unfortunately, I wasn't quick enough, but at least it minimized the situation.  I didn't go down.

[indywar360]

here ya go. 

About half this board, including me, has stock bars that we'll never put back on.  I'll get rid of mine for the cost of shipping.  levers are dirt cheap.  You can get some flush mount turn signals from cyclegear for about $20.  You're looking at less than 400 for cosmetic damage if you ebay it.

Jarrett you rock man, thank you. I already have a spare stock handlebar but will take your suggestions for the rest... good idea. my bike came with drag bars but they put my crotch to sleep sometimes. Ill see if the dorky stock ones are comfy.

And re: Thirdman, what was I wearing? Fieldsheer jacket (armored), the pads did a great job when I hit pavement on my elbows. Shoei RF-1000 helmet, which hit pavement too. Minor scuff but probably should be replaced. And otherwise, jeans and long johns. I suppose armored pants with a codpiece would be better.

re blue05twin: No tickets issued. Lady didn't even have her insurance info with her.

Dave: yes, it's 26-west on the end of the second curve to the right, out of the tunnel toward Beaverton. Look at the pic on my blog and you'll see where it's at.

Thanks again Jarrett

[My Name Is Dave]

Dave: yes, it's 26-west on the end of the second curve to the right, out of the tunnel toward Beaverton. Look at the pic on my blog and you'll see where it's at.

I looked at the blog, that's how I came to that conclusion. Glad you're alright man. I'm f%$king glad that didn't get on the news; my mom and girlfriend would have a shaZam! fit and think it was me, considering I ride that road everyday.

[scottpA_GS]

but I can gauruntee you it wouldn't have happened to me. 

Yea... right... OK  And you would know that how?

Every situation that happens on the road is not always avoidable. Even if you are at fault.. Thats why its an "accident"

[indywar360]

/quote]

I looked at the blog, that's how I came to that conclusion. Glad you're alright man. I'm f%$king glad that didn't get on the news; my mom and girlfriend would have a shaZam! fit and think it was me, considering I ride that road everyday.

Yea its a sketchy stretch east or westbound cause it's fast, curvy, on a gradient, and shoulderless. Plus slick surface that day. If I feel I have time I like to take skyline or even Beav-Hillsdale Hwy across the hills. Nice to hear you haven't bit on that stretch yet.