To Motorcycle No More

[JESTER]

As I sit here, with my arm in a sling, and hand screwed up, I feel this is the end of riding a motorcycle for me.

I am heading up the road going to the bike shop, to order brakes. No, that wasn't what caused it. What caused it was this old lady in a Cadi coming toward me. I see her get in the left turn lane, and I knew she was gonna turn in front of me. She did.

I smacked into her rear passenger door and flew up over the roof of her car. Lucky for me I landed on my head. I screwed up my face a little, but the Shoei did it's job well.

The way the officer was talking, I'm gonna get screwed. The witness said I was "getting it." Which I was when I passed him on the other highway. I was only doing about 50 mph when I hit her, I think it is a 45 mph zone. I have to go talk to my attorney tomorrow. Insurance is gonna get step, if I have to eat three more points (I have three now). I had my friend get some pictures of the sceen, for the lawyer.

I hate riding in ambulances. Anywho, That was my day

[Zebrahead]

Wow.

That's the most common accident in motorcycle/car collisions. The motorcycle's right of way is violated. What color is/was your bike? Jacket? Helmet? Was your headlight on?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm buying a bike on Thursday, and I'm trying to do all the research possible to reduce my risk of accident as much as I can.

All I can say is its unfortunate you've decided to quit riding. Is it because you no long have a bike, or you no long have the willingness to do it?

Nick.

[DAEDALUS]

Exact same thing happened to me. I didn't get off quite so easy, and I was only going about 25. Right of way is right of way. A good lawyer can make that very clear, in spite of what a single witness might say.

[slw240sx]

if you were gettin on it she should have been able to have registerd that speed and knew her bass boat couldnt make the turn, did she even realize you hit her or did she wonder why you were on the ground on the other side of the car! ?, my friend got tee boned by some old lady one day just crusin down the street and she ran a sign hit him and just kept on, kept gunning it , pushed him completely across the road over a mail box and into a phone poll, then though it was his fault! the cops counlnt keep from laughing the whole time. it totaled his car and she didnt know what was happening, their were rubber patchs from her car and skid marks goin sideways to the curb it was a funny shlt!

[Cyberkreig]

similar thing happened in my family, my uncle was just riding along minding his own, goin a little over the limit, woman pulled out of a road-side parking space, he slamed right into her, he spent a few months in the hospital. Made front page news in York!

[Zebrahead]

if you were gettin on it she should have been able to have registerd that speed and knew her bass boat couldnt make the turn

The sad truth is the lady probably didn't even see him. In most cases, the motorist isn't even aware of the rider until the accident. That's why its vital to be as visible as possible; i.e. wear bright clothes / protective gear, drive with your lights on (brights during the day), use blinkers, bright colored bike, etc.

Nick.

[lessthanjakejohn]

ouch that is why I'm scared to get a bike, too many old women driving around in fancy cars talking on their cell phones and calming down their kids in the back seat.

[JESTER]

Well the bike is FUBAR. My friend says he can fix it, thou. Red bike, high beam, red black and grey helmet.

Appearently I had my cloaking device activated. I just cant do it any more. This is my fourth wreck, 3 totalled bike.

Question: was I a jerk for turning down some kind of kick as perscription?

[SmithSR]

Jester: I'm not sure I understand your question there...?

Zebrahead: Dood!! I've got a red/black '98CBR 600!! 11,000miles and *Zero* mechanical problems.

EDIT: knock on wood

I'd suggest as an easy yet useful tweak to get some Goodridge or similar brand braided brake lines. You WILL feel the difference.

[JESTER]

I was offered drugs by the doc and didnt take them.

As far as the brake lines, Hell, I would actually have had to hit the brakes for that to have helped.

[DAEDALUS]

LOL kick-a$$ prescription! I alwayse took my leftovers with me when I went snowboarding, just in case.

[SmithSR]

Jester, my man, I was talking to Zebrahead about the brake lines....sorry for the confusion there...

Anyways, Jester, I hope you don't give up on bikes just yet. Oh, and why not take the prescription?

[JESTER]

I'm retarded. What can I say.

I have interfaced with the pavement too many times. I gave up on bikes at about 1:45 pm. About the time they were taping my head down to the back board.

But hey, I have decided it is time for a quick car, to replace the TL-S.

[hannibal]

Sorry Jester, thats some bad luck!The reality is no matter how careful and alert you are, no matter how good a rider you are, your putting yourself at the mercy of the stupidest, poorest trained driver on the road.It sucks to be cautious and do everything right, then fall victim to some 90 yr old grandma in a land yacht.I'm even more sorry youre giving up riding. But hey, if you quitting with all your limbs intact, then its worth it.

Jay

[96240inNOVA]

Im glad your ok, i've balled up on the road but never been hit by a car *knock on laminate* The important thing is that you are ok. Alot of us don't make it past the first total, let alone 3. Take it easy for a couple days. I fractured a vertabre in a car wreck, and they didn't find it until 3 weeks later when I had a back spasm so bad it made me pass out from the pain.

[Radian]

Yeah dude, that bites!You sound like you were doing everything reasonably, jacket, helmet, high-beam. There is not a lot that can be done to avoid situations like that.I don't really think anyone could blame you for giving up bikes, especially w/ 3 collisions. Have you thought about getting a different type of bike? Maybe a tiny 70s Honda CB125 to go to the corner store and get milk on sundays.Boooo Cadilacs!!