Thought I'd give you guys a story

[skwidd]

Because I'm new to the forums and all...

Second f'ing day/night I have my '04 GS500, some 16 year old kid pulls out of a u-turn and cuts me off.  I was heading to the pharmacy to get high blood pressure medicine (yes, the joke is i really needed the hbp meds at this point).  I pretty much anticipated it because he almost pulled out on the bike ahead of me.  (I found out from his dad today that he didn't see the first bike, his passenger alerted him to the first bike, and he didn't see me, but his passenger again alerted him too me, albiet too late).  I almost managed to get the bike stopped, but the kid took a right turn onto a side street.  I locked up the rear wheel, took the turn with him, but couldn't turn sharp enough so I made the turn while leaning on his car (as in, the bike was on his car and I had my left hand trying to push off his car...made for some wild dents).  He panics, turns away from me and I fall to the left.

I had to be going only about 5mpg when I went down.  Lost my rear view mirrors, handle bars are slightly bent, clutch lever is broke (about 1/3 of it snapped off), crankcase cover is scratched, fairing is scrathed, cowl is scratched, and I have some really nice road rash on my left arm and a tiny bit on my left knee. I didn't break any body parts, so I'm happy about that.

The kid's whole family rides bikes, so he's freaked and is catching a lot of flack from his family.  (He had been driving 4 months.  This happened 2 weeks ago and his punishment was he could not leave the house for 2 weeks and he has to re-take driver's ed.  After he takes driver's ed, his dad will not let him drive alone until his dad is comfortable with the son's driving.  I think his dad is a responsbile parent.  His dad said that the son had passed driver's ed with flying colors and is a good student in high school...regardless, he had a lack of attention...which hopefully won't happen again.  The kid is especially freaked because the accident could have involved his dad.  Smart kid for realizing that.) 

His dad told me to get an estimate and he'll pay to have the bike fixed. Today the dad and I spoke and the dad had a little sticker shock, but I'm ordering from online, so I pointed out that a dealership would have been a lot more.  I'm just waiting for the check.  Total damage was close to $1K, with cheap labor as my mechanic is wonderful on labor.  Hopefully dad (who rides a really nice triumph) pulls through. 

I was wearing jeans, a t-shirt and a full face helmet, thus the road rash.  I did, however, shortly thereafter buy a new fully padded Joe Rocket mesh jacket with removeable liner that I will wear whenever I decide to go for a ride, no matter how short.  I haven't ridden in a while and, while I anticipated potential defensive manuveurs, never anticipated on my second ride on the new bike this would happen.  Hopefully I have paid my karma, or generated good karma.

Read a few stories about you guys and gals getting into much worse accidents and I hope you all are doing ok, especially the runner who got hit almost head on.  Glad to hear you are up and about and getting sprints in. 

Anyways...that's my story...and I'll get some pics when the bike is repaired.  Getting integrated tail light from madrazo and some flush mount turn signals from some online place.  Mechanic already eliminated the rear fender, so hopefully the bike comes out looking nice.

[yamahonkawazuki]

thats excellent to know, ya ive always suggested using dealership estimates, on NEW parts, however if youre so inclined, and capable, can do most of teh work yourself, trust me on that IT IS NOT hard 

[ohgood]

good to know you're still with us. sounds like the kid's parents actually care about others (hey, they ride!) safety, and will pull through. if nothing else, karma should scare them into paying up.

the father's intentions to school his son more about driving sounds great. i've seen kids take their test online, walk in to the DMV and print their license, then be allowed to drive, by themselves, on the streets. you know, new car, new driver and within a month their first wreck, if not earlier.

fixing your bike will be cheap. the stuff you listed if you don't mind the scratches could be fixed for <$200 clams easy. that might be why the father had sticker shock. of course it's your choice though.

I'd do it myself, and put the extra cash into gear. leather gear. good gear. safe gear. EFF the bike, if it's scratched or even wadded up it won't matter. you skin will. skin grafts are insanely expensive, and nothing like what ya got from God.

thanks again for stayin alive , enjoy the ride

[Unknown]

Why is it every friggin time the bike gets dropped the clutch lever always breaks?! lol... Order it from online, as it will be cheaper and faster than getting it from the stealership

http://www.clawsonmotorsports.com/ecbasket.asp?fveh=7247&section=300604&year=2004&make=Suzuki&model=GS500F%202004-2006&category=Motorcycles&sid=04553644X6K18K2008J10I49I22JAMQ2665R0

...First day I got my bike I took it up my parents steep driveway and forgot about gravity while I took it perpendicular to the hill

I have integrated rear signals, but I want to get actual turn signals -- If you arent doing anything with the signals you take off I'll take em 

[blue05twin]

Glad you came through in one peace thats what really matters

[skwidd]

good to know you're still with us. sounds like the kid's parents actually care about others (hey, they ride!) safety, and will pull through. if nothing else, karma should scare them into paying up.

the father's intentions to school his son more about driving sounds great. i've seen kids take their test online, walk in to the DMV and print their license, then be allowed to drive, by themselves, on the streets. you know, new car, new driver and within a month their first wreck, if not earlier.

fixing your bike will be cheap. the stuff you listed if you don't mind the scratches could be fixed for <$200 clams easy. that might be why the father had sticker shock. of course it's your choice though.

I'd do it myself, and put the extra cash into gear. leather gear. good gear. safe gear. EFF the bike, if it's scratched or even wadded up it won't matter. you skin will. skin grafts are insanely expensive, and nothing like what ya got from God.

thanks again for stayin alive , enjoy the ride

Well, the crankcase cover is a little ground up and it wasn't before.  And the left fairing is scraped badly along the top corner.  Plus the handlebars are bent and who wants to ride around with bent handlebars?  That's easily over $200, even online.  Bike wasn't like that before and I hate scratched up crankcase covers and fairings.

I'm slowly getting all the gear I'll need.  I'm looking into boots now since I already have the riding jacket.  After the boots, I'm thinking about getting a brighter colored helmet.  Found one that I like and I just need to ask the stealership to order it so I can try it on and see if it fits right.  The current helmet is fine, but I don't like black helmets for 2 reasons: 1. they are harder to see than a lighter colored helmet, and 2. they absorb more heat than a lighter colored helmet (and I live in New Orleans, and it's just freakin hot here.  hehe).  I think I will, as per a friend's suggestion, put some type of reflective tape on any helmet.

Clutch lever on mrcycles is ~$9.50.  Anyone have experience with that website?  I'm probably going to order parts from there

Thanks, guys.

[Unknown]

Clawsons was the only one I could think of at the moment, I remember getting my clutch lever for 8.34 on another site but I cant remember which one it was..

Hehe, I dont have problems being seen anymore:





I'm going to paint the plume to make it look more like a Greek Helmet

[GeeP]

Well, it sounds like Dad is taking care of business for once.  That's a freash breath of air and good to hear.  Hopefully he stays honest and pulls though for both you and his son.  However, I hope you got a police report just in case Dad changes his mind.  Without it, your crash never happened in the eyes of the law. 

I second Ohgood on the gear business.  Healing to your sheets is NOT an enjoyable experience.   

Lol at catching crap from all angles, that's great!  I betcha the little shaZam! cringes every time he hears the word "motorcycle" by now.   

Unknown, does that thing add any drag to your lid at freeway speed?  I might need one...   

[Unknown]

I took my bike over 90 on the twisties where I live and the drag from the wind is minute -- its not a big deal, but its there

skwidd, exactly how bad of rash did you get? Things like this make me want a helmet cam

[skwidd]

Not bad rash at all.  I've probably done worse wiping out on a 10-speed.  ;p

[Unknown]

Well ya know what they say about 10 spdz

I dont care if I'm riding a friggin moped to the post office, I always gear up for the legions of stupid people out there..

I'm wanting to get rid of a Joe Rocket Blaster 2.0 if your interested 

[skwidd]

No...I don't know.

Bought a jacket last weekend.  Thanks for the offer, though.

[Squirrel]

OHMYGODIFREAKINGLOVEIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

Clawsons was the only one I could think of at the moment, I remember getting my clutch lever for 8.34 on another site but I cant remember which one it was..

Hehe, I dont have problems being seen anymore:





I'm going to paint the plume to make it look more like a Greek Helmet

[Squirrel]

My times coming, I know it.  It hasn't happened yet, so it's always in the back of my mind.  Glad you weren't too hurt and the family is so nice and cooperative.

[switch]

so if you don't mind me asking. did you find a nice site to order a lever and crankcase cover from? i need a new cover and brake lever myself.

[Unknown]

so if you don't mind me asking. did you find a nice site to order a lever and crankcase cover from? i need a new cover and brake lever myself.

http://www.mrcycles.com/fiche_select.asp?vcc=Motorcycles&mfg=Suzuki&year=2004#SDOWN

[Jon The Buddha]

HaHa on the mohawk!  Now I feel kinda bad for seeing those advertised in the past and wondering "what kind of dumb-ass would buy something like that?"

[skwidd]

Man, I love the mohawk.  That's just too freaking cool!!!

I'm ordering parts from mrcycles.com.  I ordered the brake lever from oldbikebarn, but they took too long to ship...as in, I ordered 6/6 and they mailed out 6/19.  I understand not having stuff in stock, but they told me it shipped last week.  The guy I spoke with 2 days ago told me it was not in stock and they were shipping thursday.  It's fine...I'm just a little bummed the first guy, the one I spoke with last week, didn't know what was up and told me what he thought I wanted to hear.  And they upgraded me to FedEx freight, which is as slow as USPS.  Meh...probably won't buy from oldbikebarn agian.  Actually, hopefully I don't have to buy brake levers, body parts, etc, ever again, unless I knock the bike over.  hehe.

Received the check from the kid's dad today.  I'm ordering parts monday.  Hopefully I'm all good to go by next weekend. 

Only problem is I have to wait for a mohawk to ship.     That mohawk is just so awesome.

[GeeP]

Only problem is I have to wait for a mohawk to ship.     That mohawk is just so awesome.

[skwidd]

Sorry...looked at my last post and I mentioned a brake lever.  I ordered a brake lever because there was a non-stock bent brake lever on the bike when I bought it.  I just realized switch was asking about a clutch lever.

Switch, I'll let you know how cool mrcycles is.  As I said, I'm ordering monday.  From the web prices, mrcycles is much cheaper than stealerships (who isn't!).  But I'll let you know how good they are on getting your order out quickly and/or on time.

Squirrel: I hope it never happens.  If it does, may it happen at slow speed with protective gear on.