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Sprintst
Posted on Saturday, May 05, 2012 - 12:10 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

13,000 on the clock, just had the valves checked, fresh rubber front and rear, pretty new front brake pads. Highly unlikely to have been a mechanical issue.


Survived my virgin trip to the Snake and the Dragon with flying colors.

Last April 25th club dinner ride. I remember meeting most folks at a local cycle shop, but don't remember meeting the last people to arrive, or leaving the shop.

Apparently I crested a hill about 40 to 45 mph, probably with the front a bit light, saw one of the group stopped in the road and lost the front. While doing a low side slide, I clipped the rear of his bike and sent mine into a high side tumble.

I only remember the ride in one of the ambulances, then being in the ER.

2 days in ICU, 2 small brain bleeds, 5 broken ribs, 7 days total in the hospital

Home recouping now. Will add some pics of gear as I can get them. Broken ribs make my upperback back feel like a bowl of rice crispies - snap crackle & pop - not fun.

Gear did it's job, a few minor abrasions, hands/wrists are fine, few bruises. ATTGATT pays.

GEAR LIST
  • *Bell RS-1
  • *First Gear Scout leather armored jacket
  • *First Gear Scout leather armored over pants (nothing under though)
  • *Cortech Adrenline Gloves
  • *Sidi B2 Gortex full boots



here are some bike pics. Can't tell if it's a total or not, I'm thinking it probably will be















(Message edited by sprintst on May 05, 2012)

(Message edited by sprintst on May 05, 2012)
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Jcjohnson33
Posted on Saturday, May 05, 2012 - 01:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Glad your ok for the most part. Never had broken ribs so I dont know how that feels. From the pics I see the sub frame look tweaked but as long as the frame is unscathed the insurance may not total it.
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Timebandit
Posted on Saturday, May 05, 2012 - 02:26 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Brother, I feel your pain. I had very similar injuries when I was T-boned at an intersection by a car going about 60 in a 30. Witnesses say I got launched about 40 feet, landed on my head and then tumbled across the road onto a shoulder. My boxer twin got launched almost as far and slid along behind me. I got the closed head injury and some cracked ribs, and I spent a week eating percodan after I got out of the hospital.

Just FYI, I was also wearing a Firstgear Scout (I) Jacket and a pair of Firstgear Nevada bib leather overpants, a Shoei Duotec, BMW armored boots and non-gauntlet gloves. The gear did great. The leathers took the slide without serious damage, the Duotec took a big gouge on the top, and the boots and the horizontal jugs protected my feet well. In addition to protecting my foot, the right jug punched a hole in the guy's radiator like a cookie-cutter, and the left jug acted like a giant frame slider. The bags and the front/rear subframes took most of the hit, and the bike looked "tweaked" like yours. My only point in telling the story is to congratulate you for wearing ATGATT and to share my experience dealing with a bike that had a similar amount of damage.

Have you given any thought to whether you want to total the bike or not? When my BMW got whacked, my dealer asked me if I wanted to keep the bike or total it -- apparently there was enough latitude in writing things up that he could tip the scales either way depending on how much I wanted to stay in or get out.

In my state I could exercise salvage rights and force the insurance company to sell me the bike for 20% of the total settlement. In other words, I got the choice of 100% of the settlement and giving up the bike, or 80% of the settlement and keeping the bike. Since my motor would crank but not start, the insurance company decided to total it. They weren't even willing to pay the dealer to determine the cause, they just wanted out. The dealer's tech put his ear to the fuel tank and told me that the fuel pump noise was coming from the wrong side of the tank, so I took a chance and bought it for salvage and got it back on the road. It turned out that the crank/no-start problem was caused by a fuel pump that got whacked off of it's mount. Engine was otherwise OK. It helps to have a good relationship with your dealer.

I'm really glad to hear that you're dong OK. I hope that my experience might help you to find the silver lining in the dark cloud -- sometimes totalling the bike and buying it for salvage isn't such a bad option if you have good insurance coverage and you don't mind rebuilding.

Get well soon.
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Reepicheep
Posted on Saturday, May 05, 2012 - 02:44 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

USAA totalled my Uly as well. I fixed it all, rode it a while, then fixed a bunch of stuff that was caused by the accident before but took a while to manifest (including a broken rear head), and am riding it again.

So they know what they are doing when they rush to total it. And you can win if you buy it back, if you have patience.
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Punisher1125r
Posted on Saturday, May 05, 2012 - 11:06 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

It sounds like you took the worst of it lol but thank god your built like a rock. I'm sure you will be up and riding in no time. The bike actually doesn't look all that bad to me but they will most likely go on the current sale value so most likely they will try to total it. This is a good time to catch up on all the video games . By the way if you want to get rid of your saddlemens keep me in mind.
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Sprintst
Posted on Saturday, May 05, 2012 - 12:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)


quote:

Have you given any thought to whether you want to total the bike or not?




I actually would prefer they total it, then I'll prolly buy it as a spares and just get another.

I don't want to have to worry about hidden alignment issues biting me down the road
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Sprintst
Posted on Saturday, May 05, 2012 - 12:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)





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Syonyk
Posted on Saturday, May 05, 2012 - 12:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Looks like the gear worked to me!

It's amazing what the human body can put up with in good gear.

The damage doesn't really look that bad. 1125s crash very well, it seems. But I'd definitely be concerned about the frame being tweaked. If the actual frame/swingarm are tweaked, that's very different from just the subframe being beat up.

Either way, it's probably worth keeping - you can part it out for the other Buellers.
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Avalaugh
Posted on Saturday, May 05, 2012 - 12:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thats nothing but cosmetic damage, glad your ok. I had similar damage but worse a few years ago (only bike damage). Dont claim, just buy some spares, if your handy with the spanners its easy. If you do start to repair it you'll become closer with the bike, fixing stuff up is like bonding with your kids : )






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Froggy
Posted on Saturday, May 05, 2012 - 01:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

While it is hard to tell from just pictures, it does appear to only be cosmetic damage other than a tweaked subframe. Hopefully it will be easy to fix

I see you also had a lot of padding in addition to your gear : D
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Sprintst
Posted on Saturday, May 05, 2012 - 01:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)


quote:

I see you also had a lot of padding in addition to your gear




Very nice way to dance on that! Yes, but that weight probably helped break my ribs as well.


I tell you, if they total it, I'll probably just buy another. I was very very happy, not sure what I'd like more, and if you factor in the cost, it's no contest imo
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Timebandit
Posted on Saturday, May 05, 2012 - 02:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Wow, that's a huge bruise you've got there!

Just wondering how the face shield held up on your RS-1 helmet -- I have a Star and as much as I love the helmet, the windscreens on those things seem pretty thin.
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Craigg
Posted on Saturday, May 05, 2012 - 06:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Looking at the pictures it seems that you could put it back together.

Looks like the sub frame is off. Since the Light isn't center with the tire any more.
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Sprintst
Posted on Saturday, May 05, 2012 - 06:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Rear subframe definitely bent

Bell face shield is gone. No idea what it broke into
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Pariah
Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2012 - 03:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Sorry to hear about your spill... hope you're 100% before long.
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Rogue_biker
Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2012 - 03:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yup. YOu may have to replace the subframe.
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Timebandit
Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2012 - 03:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"Bell face shield is gone. No idea what it broke into."

Yikes!!!

Now I'm having second thoughts about my Star helmet. Definitely don't want a face shield that disintegrates & disappears when you hit the ground.

That sucks for a modern helmet. Compare that to my old Simpson Voyager, with the "bulletproof" 0.125 lexan shield -- you could hit the face shield with a hammer and the hammer would bounce off.
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Sprintst
Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2012 - 04:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Time - my friends may have removed it in one piece, for all I know.

Don't read anything into this, I don't remember a damn thing
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Yobub97
Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2012 - 10:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Sprintst,

I am very sorry for your mishap. I too was surprised one foggy morning when turning right at about 35 MPH, the front end just washed out and I was on the ground sliding across the asphalt. My right shoulder still hurts from the impact every morning! I was surprised because I don't remember being on the brakes before it happened - it just went down fast. For me, while the bike spun sideways and hit the curb, the damage was light and I rode it home. I had Pirelli Diablo Corsa II's with good tread on the front. I have since switched to Michelon Pilot Road III's. Just curious, what brand of tires were you using?

Get better ... it takes time. I would celebrate the fact that you are still breathing! Not your time yet!
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Bobbuell1961
Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2012 - 10:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Glad to know you are basically in one piece
*First Gear Scout leather armored over pants (nothing under though) you could save the mental pictures!
Check the frame where the subframe bolts on, They are known to break.
If they total it if you want to sell those pretty adjusters let me know, if they don't let me know and and i'll send you a Buell key tag to replace that godforsaken HD tag!LOL
Peace and heal well, Bob
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Sprintst
Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2012 - 11:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I did have underwear on. : D


Adjuster is seeing it in the am. About an hour drive for me, but I'd like to be there. Still in pain, but think it's worth it

Using Dunlop Q2's. 2nd set, very happy with them, very familiar with them. In fact, that set just did the Dragon. Both tires had very low mileage, less than 1k each.
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Sprintst
Posted on Monday, May 07, 2012 - 09:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

It's totaled. No doubt

Probably pretty repairable though
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Timebandit
Posted on Monday, May 07, 2012 - 01:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Do you know what your salvage rights are in your state? If the price is right, you could repair it, keep it for a parts bike, or part it out.
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Sprintst
Posted on Monday, May 07, 2012 - 04:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Not sure what the salvage rights are, I need to find out.


FTW - the face shield is 100% intact

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Sprintst
Posted on Monday, May 07, 2012 - 04:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

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Timebandit
Posted on Monday, May 07, 2012 - 05:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Doesn't look like the face shield even took a hit.

what is that in the drive cover? dirt?
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Nuts4mc
Posted on Monday, May 07, 2012 - 05:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

check the "bosses" where the rear sub frame bolts to the main frame...if they're cracked/ broken = totaled...the bolts are large and there isn't much material left after machining.
Easy to fix with JB weld and some smaller dia thru bolts and nuts - works well on mine.
glad to see your OK - always need a "high visual horizon" when you ride with a group in order to plan that escape route ( if there's room for one!)
good luck
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Sprintst
Posted on Monday, May 07, 2012 - 05:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

No, and despite initial reports, the chin guard shows no damage either

My ribs were hurting too bad to figure out the "dirt" on there

I have no memory of the ride, so can't begin to speculate on what happened. Seems way out of character, but stuff happens
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Timebandit
Posted on Monday, May 07, 2012 - 06:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

the "high visual horizon" is a good idea. coming to a hilltop at speed always bothers me -- I can't tell you how many times I've come to the crest of a hill to find someone stopped in the worst possible place. last time it was a station wagon that was stopped just beyond a set of railroad tracks, so that i coudn't see her until i had crested the tracks, and there she was, right at the bottom doing a 3-point turn to change directions. aargh. stupid people -- stopping in blind spots.
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