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Buell Forum » Knowledge Vault (tech, parts, apparel, & accessories topics) » Crashes and Mishaps » Archive through August 03, 2002 « Previous Next »

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Blake
Posted on Tuesday, June 11, 2002 - 10:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Dan,
I wasn't suggesting the quickest way to stop, I was offering advice on avoiding a moving obstacle.

And as to standing the bike up and clamping on the brakes... that's fine if first, you have enough pavement available to the outside of the curve on which to slow/stop, and second, if in a righthand curve you can clearly see that no vehicle is approaching.

Standing the bike up and clamping on the brakes is the usual panic reaction is it not?
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Onlyblue
Posted on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 12:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks Blake and Buelliedan for the advice. I've heard from others that the MSF courses are well worth the effort. I do beleive I'll take one as soon as I can.
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Steve_A
Posted on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 01:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"On June 1, 1951, Col. Stapp survived an unprecedented 48-g deceleration."Text

The good Col. had chest pains after that ride, which were concluded to be from a bruised aorta. There's a ligament that attaches to your aorta that helps hold your heart in place. Get a big enough deceleration, and the ligament tears away from the aorta, leaving a hole that will kill you in a couple of minutes. It's happened to stock car racers, and it came very, very close to happening to Stapp. They didn't run any higher G decelerations after that.
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Rick_A
Posted on Friday, June 14, 2002 - 12:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

That happened to a friend of mine. He hit a tree doing 30-40. He somehow survived, but with over $100,000 of medical bills.
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Buelliedan
Posted on Friday, June 14, 2002 - 04:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Blake,
No the usual panic reaction is to just grab the brake full force while still leaned over causing you to of course go down immediately.

Dan
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Blastin
Posted on Monday, June 17, 2002 - 01:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well I started off the weekend with my given nickname, “Banana Boy” but finished out the weekend with a new nickname, “Banana Flip”.

My weekend started off Friday night heading down to Chicagoland (western suburbs) in the rain. Right laned it all the way staying 5 to 10 mph below the speed limit. No troubles with the rain, dodging Chicago traffic, and potholes.

Saturday morning headed out with my brother and several others, ten bikes total. Everyone else is on big V-Twin Cruisers including a 113”. Everyone else is in traditional
Harley garb, no jacket, no helmet, no gloves, sunglasses, etc. Me I’m on my yellow Blast wearing a yellow jacket, full fingered gloves, and a yellow helmet. It always makes for quite a sight. We head out Southwest to get out of Suburbia and stoplights, beautiful weather and the sun is shinning.

We get about 75 miles of straight roads in and finally come to some very slight curves. The first stop was going to be at about 80 miles. The road starts going downhill and turning to the left, gradually at first then decreased in radius, but NOT tight at all. There is a gully on the right side of the road about 15 feet down. Speed limit was 30 mph. I was going 30 to 35 mph, just downshifted and slowing. I was the second bike in the line up; my brother was the first.

Here comes the part that I’m still figuring out. While rounding the curve, I went wider than I needed to (I’m still trying to figure out what the hell I was doing out there) and either got into a few stones or the edge of the road itself. My next thought was, “Oh Shit, here I go”. I think I rolled at least 2 to 3 times, maybe more. The bike went down on the left side and slid down the gully. It was facing the opposite direction when it came to a rest at the bottom of the gully; it must have rotated on the foot peg.

I came to a stop on my back in somewhat of a sitting position on top of the edge of the gully. I sat for a few seconds and stared. Then I checked to see if everything was in working order. I started with the right hand, all the digits worked and I could move the arm. I was resting on my left arm and sat up, left hand and arm OK, but very sore. I moved my right leg and it slipped on the hill. It had been raining on and off for the past week and the ground was still somewhat soft. I have one problem knee normally and the other one is usually OK most of the time. I was able to move both legs and wiggle all my toes. My head was feeling fine. By this time everyone had stopped and ran over.

I removed my gloves and no blood or torn skin or anything like that. I felt the helmet, no big dents or cracked plastic shell. I felt that it was OK to take off the helmet. I removed the helmet and thank God everything was intact. I sat for a little while longer and then stood up.

My brother and a few other guys went down the gully and were able to start the bike up and get it back on top of the road. At this point the local friendly police officer rolled by and asked if anyone needed an ambulance. I reassessed myself, and nothing was swelling. I have had experience with falls off of bicycles and usually, if things are wrong they start swelling immediately. Then came the 50 questions and accident report. The police officer was pretty cool and relaxed about the whole thing. Had to take a trip to the police station to fill out a report, blah, blah. At least I could say without a doubt to the officer that I had not been drinking. I made a promise to my wife that I would not drink while I was out riding, and I do not like breaking promises to my wife.
The bike was rideable on initial assessment. The front windscreen was smushed in on the left side along with the headlight.(My Erik Buell signature has been scrapped off the windscreen though) The left mirror, clutch lever and control housing had rotated down but nothing was bent or broken. It rotated right back into position. There were some scrapes on the left side, but there was a lot of dirt on the side of the bike also. The toe shifter had snapped off but the lever arm was OK. The left front directional housing(not the arm/stalk) had come off leaving two wires complete with connectors hanging. Someone found the directional housing intact and gave it to me. The bike started and there were no unusual vibrations. Shifting would be a little difficult with out the toe shifter, but manageable.

My physical assessment. I was sore but everything was intact and working. I actually had a tiny bit of abrasion to the underside of my left forearm. My left shoulder and right hip were very sore but functioning. By the soreness of my body, I could tell that my left forearm hit first followed by my left shoulder. I then rotated and hit my right hip. I am still not clear how many times I rotated but my tailbone has also gotten sore. I am still amazed how I did not hit my head. My helmet shows no sign of damage and my head has felt no worse than it normally does. Thanks Joe.

I was able to continue on the ride and rode back the 80 miles back to my brother’s house.

While I was sleeping on Sunday, my brother started going through the bike. Cleaned it up first and started assessing. I went out to help a little later. This is what we found. The fairing bracket was bent in on the left side. The headlight bezel had cracked at one the screw holes. The headlight adjustment ring had bent at the adjustment screws and we were able to bend it back and readjust the headlight. We were also able to bend the fairing bracket back into a good position to mount the windscreen back. I have since looked at the service manual and found out in order to replace that bracket, you have to remove the forks. Since all the part of the bracket that bent does is hold the windscreen, I don’t think I will be replacing that anytime soon. I was able to reinstall the left front directional and it worked without any problems. There was an intermittent starting problem. The bike had power, but the starter would not engage. We tracked it down to the start button. Took the control housing apart and were able to jump the switch. As far as we can tell the starter button is connected to a spring which makes contact when pressed. The spring must have been jarred enough to put it out of whack. Readjusted the spring and it appears to be operating OK now. The toe shifter had snapped off leaving the threads in the shifter arm. I got lucky and was able to get the remaining part out and we installed a bolt temporarily to aid in shifting. The frame had some scratches right near the end where the plastic rear fairing starts. There was a small divot in the Corbin seat. Looking from behind the bike you could tell that something was twisted. The license plate was slanted and the left rear of the tail section was pushed down.
The isolators appeared to be OK.

Does anyone know of any tricks to checking the isolators on a Blast?

I had to ride back to Milwaukee yet on Sunday night, so we put everything back together. I felt every bump and pothole on the way home.

When I got home I assessed my helmet again to make sure. I will probably look at it several more times as well. But I can still not find anything. I will possibly send it to Shoei for their assessment. I looked at my jacket and there wasn’t a scratch that I could find on it. I was still wondering about the very small abrasions under my left forearm. I took out the armor on the left elbow and left shoulder. The left shoulder armor was ok. The left elbow armor was intact but the foam on the inside was compacted and the cloth that holds it in was ripped. The jacket and armor had done its job. I don’t know what my arm or anything else would have looked like it if the jacket hadn’t been there. I will be replacing the left elbow armor. My gloves were no worse for wear.

I started looking at the tail section of the bike. I removed the seat, tail plastic, and license plate bracket. The rear subframe (bolt on) was pushed down on the left side. I removed the subframe, and as far as I can tell the backbone frame is OK. I may have that checked anyway.

Total damages of things I will replace.

Headlight Bezel: $28.75(for plastic? Huh)
Toe Shifter : $ 0.95
Rear subframe : $72.00


Sorry for the very long post, but it helps me sort out what happened. I am pretty sore, but I cannot be thankful enough to be able to WALK away and ride home. If I had tumbled down the gully with the bike, well……….I’m not going to think about that.

I’m starting the replay thing over and over inside my head, and I think I have come to the conclusion that it was all operator error. I became fixated on the curve, as in Target Fixation. I couldn’t even tell you what was on the other side of that curve at the moment. Looking through the turn had escaped me at that moment in time. Boy am I starting to feel really aware of what happened. Repeat after me: LOOK THROUGH THE TURN!! LOOK THROUGH THE TURN!! LOOK THROUGH THE TURN!! One of the most basic fundamentals and it still caught me off guard. I feel really dumb at the moment, but alive and well thanks to dressing for the fall in summer.

Thanks for listening,
Jerry
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Mikej
Posted on Monday, June 17, 2002 - 02:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

1st off, very glad you got off as well as you did.

I'm going to guess that it was an off-camber turn, real common on downhill left handers. And real easy to tend to drift wide in those types of corners.

You probably low-sided, tapped your forearm, then did a hip roll/flop centrifically gyrating about your middle, head probably was upright the whole time, and your legs were probably doing a worm dance type of thing.

Your bike probably did a sideways nosedive over the edge, then pogo'd into a tail-plant that flipped it around. Check your head bolt motor mount very closely.

Bottom line: you walked away and rode home. Things could have been much worse. Let me know if there's anything I can do.

MikeJ.
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Sarodude
Posted on Monday, June 17, 2002 - 02:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Blastin-

Sorry about your fall but I'm glad to see you're ok.

Feel free to order up one of those new headlight / fairing brackets. It's possible to replace by simply popping off the top triple clamp. Had to do this on Loli's bike and it was a relative no brainer.

-Saro
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Rdes65
Posted on Wednesday, June 19, 2002 - 09:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The once was Buell, is totaled, I am considering
bying it back from my insurance, they want $1400.
The bike was flipped over backwards and took on
alot of damage, It was a slow crash but still messed
it up pretty good. I can't decide wether to buy it or
not. The thing is a 2001X1 with PM polished wheels
and it only had 3100 miles on it. In all actuallity someone could have it rideable with a grand probably.
The dealer was real cool in replacing every single part
that had a scratch, only thing is it totaled up to $5200
in parts. Im trying to decide to buy it for $1400 and sell
it as is for about $2200 or part it out or just let it go. Do you think I can make my $$$ back
if I part it out? How much does the motor got for? THANKS!!!!!!!!!!

Heck I cant make up my mind.

Ron.
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Blake
Posted on Wednesday, June 19, 2002 - 11:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Rdes65,

Thanks for posting the above in three different topics. It was so very captivating each time I read it.

For redemption, how about a play-by-play of your get off? Post that here.
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Mikej
Posted on Monday, June 24, 2002 - 09:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thrown object from car report.

Up in northern Wisconsin this weekend heading back south on Sunday afernoon. Following hwy-49 and detours, stopped near Rosholt to take off the raingear. Headed southbound on hwy-C getting back up to speed when a northbound small pickup driver threw something that looked like a tie-rod end out his window at me. I braced for impact and the object slammed into the fairing on the S2 taking two good chunks out of the paint near the lower left corner of the headlight opening.

I stopped, spun around, and took off after the punks and caught up with them at the intersection of hwy-66. Told them to pull over in the parking lot on the corner and wait for the police to arrive. They just smiled at my words then took off westbound on 66. I gave pursuit to get their license number and as soon as I got close enough to read the plate around their trailer hitch ball on the bumper the driver threw another object out the window at me. I slammed on my brakes and hit the shoulder gravel, pulled out the cell phone and called 911. Gave a description of them, the license number, a description of their truck, and what direction they were headed.

Didn't know what town I was in so I told the dispatcher that I'd call right back, and then headed another mile or so into the small town. Called 911 back and gave them the town name. Waiting for the sherrif to arrive the clerk in the Conoco whom I'd told the incident about as I bought a soda from her, she came out and said the police were on the phone wanting to talk to me. The dispatcher said the plate number I gave her came back to a small pickup from Eland (about 20+ miles north of there).

The Sherrif asked if I could meet him in a park towards Stevens Point to save time and to fill out the criminal report. I zipped down there, filled out the report, gave him a very good description of the punks in the car (who all looked like your basic clean cut small town USA farm kids), and a good description of their pickup, and a detailed play-by-play of the assault (which is what it was).

I then headed north up to Eland to just drive through the area to see if I could find their truck, and to let them know if they were someplace in sight of the main road, that I know where they are from. I'll let the police handle this one, partly because the driver and the kid in the bed of the truck were between 16-22 years old, and partly because the younger brother in the front seat was maybe 12-14 years old, and mostly because it's not worth me going to jail if they turn out to be sub-18 years old.

So, if any of you are out riding east of Wausau, watch out for a small dark pickup, about a 1992 Chevy2 or Ford Ranger, occupied by two or three clean cut looking punks. They may fling something out the window at you.

Near as I could tell, what they threw might have been a hand-sized chunk of truck tire they picked up off the road. But with me going around 40mph, and with them going probably 60mph, that makes a 100mph impact speed of the object. And I don't care if it was a chunk of rubber, if you get hit in the head or body with a 1-5 pound lump at 100mph, you're going to be in a world of hurt.

Review and retrospect in case something like this happens again.
1. Maintain control of the bike.
2. Catch up with them and get their license plate number first.
3. Watch them closely in case they come up with a gun or hit reverse or their brakes as I approach.
4. Identify where I am and call the 911 people first.
5. Have a note pad or grease pencil or china marker handy to write things down with, either on a tank mounted map pouch or on the tank itself.
6. Then maybe give cautious pursuit to follow where they go at a very safe distance until either the police arrive or until they stop.
7. #1 is to stay safe, #2 is to get the bastards by whatever legal means you can, #3 to to tell the DA and Judge that in no uncertain terms will any plea bargain or leniency be acceptable because of the potential lethal risk the punks presented by throwing heavy objects at oncoming traffic.
8. Do some searching to see if any other incidents have been reported by other riders or drivers of motorcycles or RV's, or any reports by bicyclists in the area, and if there are any description matches.

Side note: I also learned that there have been some gang-related shootings and such in that area around Rosholt by Hmong and rivals. Small town USA has big city problems. Just because the scenery is nice is no reason to let your guard down.

Be carefull out there people, sometimes they are out to get you. And now I'm out to get them by whatever legal means are at my disposal.

Sorry for the length of this, but this being prime riding season I thought it was prudent to post the heads-up of potentially the latest new punk game in town.

MikeJ, with a dinged S2.
(How hard is it to color match white pearl paint, guess I'll be finding out.)

ps, assuming the police find them, if the courts go limp wristed, I may arrange a regular tour of bikes through their neighborhood. Nothing bad, just a regular flow of bikes to let them know we know where they live. A minor detour for riders heading up to Tomahawk, a short ride through a scenic loop on meandering country roads, and a regular reminder to the residents that some punk kids from their neighborhood just might be random killers of motorcyclists and bicyclists.

I've had people throw things at me while I've been riding my bicycle as well, so I am very motivated to see someone go to jail over this. Very motivated. Go ahead, make my day.
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Sarodude
Posted on Monday, June 24, 2002 - 09:47 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mikej-

I'm really glad you're alright and I'm terribly sorry about your new baby getting nailed. Sounds like you kept your kead glued on through the whole affair. I hope the law enforcement folks around that area actually do something about it...

-Saro
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Court
Posted on Monday, June 24, 2002 - 11:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Wow....that's incredible and you did PRECISELY the right thing.

I recall, whilst being trained to fly, the serial order to follow in an emerggency...

1) AVIate
2) NAVigate
3) COMMUNIcate


Many perfectly good aircraft are FLOWN to the accident scenes by pilots who have provided a PERFECT desciption of where their remains may be collected.

I am aware of a similar incident, in Sand Diego, where a bud of mine (Joseph Gaspard, VFR) had a road rage incident, got the tag, went to the house and had daddy arrested and charged with felony assault. The "intentional" component changes everything. "Daddy" (an upstanding business man, did time).

By the way....I have a brand spanking new Ice White Pearl S-2 fairing in a box (stored in Aaron's barn) if you need to borrow one whilst yours is in repair.

Glad you are alright.

Court
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Mikej
Posted on Monday, June 24, 2002 - 11:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. Looking at the damage, it appears the object hit the fairing in the only spot where it would do the least damage. That is one tough corner on the fairing. Another inch in any direction of impact and there'd be a big hole, or I would have been riding home lightless.

Things could have definitely been a whole lot worse. Time to call the Portage County sheriff for a followup.
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Blake
Posted on Monday, June 24, 2002 - 12:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mike,

If the criminal courts fail to act, take the civil court route. Sue them for the damages and whatever else you can get. I certainly would.
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Ccryder
Posted on Monday, June 24, 2002 - 12:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mike:

Glad to hear that your ok! Those encounters sometimes don't end up that way. Hardware and such can be repaired but skin and bones are not always that lucky.

I had an incident about 25 years ago with some Teens on an overpass with a 1/4 concrete block. They decided to test their aim. Fortunately for me I was behind a Windjammer fairing and it took the brunt of the impact. Unfortunately for them an Oklahoma Hiway Patrol was 2 car lengths behind me. After the initial shock I slammed on the brakes cut across the median and trapped them on the overpass with the OHP corraling them in from the other end.

They oldest Teen who was 17+ got 5 years for attempted man-slaughter and the other 15y.o. got 2 years in juvinille. The Father even threatened me at the courthouse in front of the OHP officer! He got 2 weeks in the county jail. There was little satifaction anywhere
Color me watchful of overpasses and 4-wheeliers with arms dangling .

Neil S.
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Blastin
Posted on Monday, June 24, 2002 - 12:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mike,
Glad your OK.
Most of the time on back road 2 laners I worry about people coming over the line on my side while passing/sleeping etc. I haven't really given much thought to having stuff flung at me.

My in-laws live about an hour west of Wausaw and my mother-in-law's sister lives in Wausaw. I'll put the word out to see if anyone else has heard/witnessed anything similar recently.

I do know that "way-up-north" (Eagle River) that the kids like to go to McDonalds and get chicken nuggets with LOTS of extra sauce containers. They then go out and throw them at oncoming cars and watch them go splat.

Jerry
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Mikej
Posted on Monday, June 24, 2002 - 01:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Time for a little recon work. The deputy who took the report is off for a week. The Lt. who responded today said they ran the plate number and it didn't come back to a matching vehicle. Yet, the dispatcher could come up with a close match. Sooooooooooo, looks like I'll be doing a few side trips during my northward jaunts. Let's see, next Saturday maybe head up there and have a sheriff in Eland escort me to the house of the initial matching vehicle for a visual i.d. visit.

Or maybe I'll just set up a lemonade stand on the corner and "wave" to the punks when they drive past.

Oh well, this is now off topic as I'm now in Recovery/Prosecution/Investigation/Survey mode, and no longer in the Crash and Mishap realm.

(Okaaaaaaaaay, now where'd I put the sunglasses and trenchcoat, or maybe rig up a ghille....)
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Lake_Bueller
Posted on Monday, June 24, 2002 - 05:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mike,

Glad to hear you're okay!!!!

Luckily, I've never had anyone throw stuff out car windows. I did have a piece of gravel fly out of the back of a dump truck and hit my faceshield about 3 years ago. It didn't penetrate but put a nice little hole in the shield. I can't imagine what would happen if I wasn't wearing a helmet

Good luck finding the punks!!! If you need a posse, give me a call.
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Sybren
Posted on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 04:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Is it also a crime when cars use their windhield spraything while driving in front of a biker? When you get the full load, you will not be able to keep your eyes fully open, or react to traffic in time. Stupid cagers.
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Blake
Posted on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 10:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I've been hit by cagers' window wash spray more than once on clear sunny days. I always suspect they are messing with me. Probably just cleaning away bug guts though. Still, not very considerate.
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Andrew
Posted on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 12:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I hesitate to mention on list for fear of giving dopey ideas to folk.

However, be glad the guy in front wasn't dumping pepperspray or foam out the window. Even with 'training' you'd have problems getting stopped with out damage to you or the bike.
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Buckinfubba
Posted on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 10:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

well shit I went down again because of a car...well actually a mini van...atleast this time I didn't hit the damn thing...came out ok this time a few brusies and pissed off....no they didn't stop hell they probably didn't realise what with all the sight seein they were doin...the xb came out ok ....I got lucky and got her to the grass and dug her in before the drop off of the cliff....she only traveled abotu four feet in the grass and came to rest halfway over the edge...
I was up on rd 221 in the moutains of nc like most sundays....a tight blind curve...2 of my ridin buddies in front...they disappear around the corner...I get to leanin in and then hum that mini van it will turn....and they did after they took up half of my lane...well lean back right to miss them but the bitch of this is its a tight left hander...anyway its a choice hold on like a james bond movie and fly thru the trees or lay her down and take yer chances....so down she goes...up and over I go....tumbling down the hill....rocks trees rocks trees rocks trees....oh yeah please god don't let the bike be followin me...came to rest...I don't know why I ain't feelin no pain thank you god....oh shit the bike is 40 or 50 feet up the hill and it sounds like shes runnin at red line....so up I jump and scurrying up the rocks and dirt...not easy for a fat old man...get her shut down and stad on the edge of the road for the tail draggers....her they come thank god....we get her uprighted....unbeliveable...bent handle bar...and throttle grip...right front TS...gone ...front brake lever off the bike dug in the dirt...right footpeg broken off....and minor scratches....jeeze that ain't bad...well move the passenger footpeg down and off I head for the 80 miles home.....damn by then the wrist and ankle are rteally startin to hurt...but her it is wendsday and I feel pretty good....less than $300 cosmetic damage.... have her fixed up today and ready to roll...
moral of the story blue ridge mountains in the summer are so freakin beautiful...people like to sight see and sometimes miss there turns...
By the way the drunk bastard that hit me last year and left the scene on feb 18th 2001 is finally goin to trail in august....he wouldn't take the plea so its gettin ugly for him...he must still be drinkin
seesya
BUbba
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Jim_Sb
Posted on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 02:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Bubba,

Sorry to hear about your close encounter - glad to hear you're going to be okay.

Unfortunately, it seems like every time I ride my favorite mountainous roads I go around at least 1 blind corner and am greeted by someone coming the wrong way partially in my lane. I've been greeted that way be RV's (ouch), trucks, cars and sportbikes. I really wish they would stay in their own lane. The sportbikes scare me as much as anything because they are going so fast the closure rate is incredible - leaves me less time to correct for their screw up....

In order to avoid said close encounters I have changed my riding style. I now mentally split my lane in half and use only the far right side of my lane in blind corners (either direction). I also do late entries into corners to provide as much visibility as possible through the curve.

I had changed my riding style before the aforementioned RV encounter. It was a 35' coach and had 3 of it's 6 wheels well into my lane on a blind right hander. I would've been a statistic had I not been well to the right. The look on the old timer's eyes as he realized he was about to splat me on the front of his windshield was enjoyable because his panic will probably make him think a bit more next time. But because of my lane positioning I was able to easily swerve even more to the right and avoid the doofus comfortably.

Why do these folks do this? Sightseeing? Stupidity? Laziness? I don't know.

I suppose my tactic slows me down some. But I'm determined to avoid those knuckleheads. Regardless of what they drive or ride.

Good luck Bubba. Heal fast and ride safe.

Jim in Santa Barbara
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Spiderman
Posted on Friday, July 05, 2002 - 10:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ok this last wend. the 3rd. A car did one of thoes "Oh shit i missed my exit" cut over and on to the off ramp i did some evasive riding almost saved it, hit a rut off the road. Long story short High Side. Well when i got the bike home me and my room mate figured we would do some cool new stuff to her, hell why not, she is all ready wacked. I figured Just some new lights bars a few minial stuff. Untill i looked closely the next day. The Head was cracked right where the front isolater arm mounts. I have a new head on order, Just wondering if any one else has seen this or had it happen to them, Could the frame be bent? I when down doin about 40mph so it wasn't that fast ( yeah i Know physics says it took a lot more of a wholop Mass+Velocity YADA YADA YADA) Any help would be apricated.
Thanks Spidey


Make all donations out to:
Get Spidey's ass back on the road again campaign.
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Madstuka
Posted on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 12:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well, never thought I would be "lucky" enough to post in this section, but..... I was 17 miles N of Key West on US 1, heading for Chicago, first day of leave, first leave in a year. My S3 was safely tucked away in an enclosed trailer. A southbound car crossed the northbound lane and was driving along the shoulder doing a rolling mapcheck while driving on the wrong side of the road. I noticed the bonehead wasn't paying attention and slowed. Right before I reached the spot, the bonehead punched it to cross back over. She was looking north, never even looked south, but she was completely perpendicular to the road. PSYCHO! I made it around her with my van by an inch or two, but she T-boned my trailer. The trailer was knocked completely sideways, ripped the fender off and nearly tore the right wheel off. I pulled to the shoulder, checked the family, they were all fine. Ms Boneheads rental was wasted, the front end was lying in the road. She was a visiting German so I welcomed her to our country in a few well chosen words. I moved to Key West from Germany last year, what a coincidence. Anyhow, my S3 took some damage. The bike was struck on the right side, took an impact to the pipe and air cleaner. Lost a turn signal, scratched the cases. Now, it won't idle. I've been trying to adjust the Mikuni to get it to idle, but it doesn't seem to respond.
Anyhow, I plan to have the damage assessed by a proffessional while I'm on leave. Any suggestions? I'm up in Chicago now, had to buy a new trailer. Can't ride my S3, came up here to do just that, this, is no vacation!!!!
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Blastin
Posted on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 09:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mads,

Give Illinois H-D/Buell in Berwyn a call they should be able to help. I'll post this over on the Windy City Brag section, they're all good guys and would probably be able to point you in the right directions.

Jerry
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Grndskpr
Posted on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 11:17 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hey Mad, loose my email, drop me a line at behling@cdnet.cod.edu, i am going on vacation on the 17th(wedensday) so if you just want to get it going or need some spares drop me a line, maybe i can even help with the carb not sure thought, otherwise maybe we can work something out
drop me a line
Roger
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Rick_A
Posted on Saturday, August 03, 2002 - 03:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well, not a motorcycle accident...but a two wheeled crashed nonetheless...
this is what happens when you miss a double jump by a few inches:
rash
a 30 mph belly flop. If it were not for a once sturdy helmet...I'd of been in the hospital for sure. I had the wind knocked out of me for some time...my head, chest, forearm, wrist, chin, jaw are all feelin' some hurt...and that tat on my shoulder got some damage. I added gash #4 on the chin. Builds character, aye? You can't really tell by the pic...my whole belly is rashed.

The mountainbike is fine except for a bent seat
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Blake
Posted on Saturday, August 03, 2002 - 04:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Cool skin art ya got there.
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