 Going down ain't fun.
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 208
Adjunct
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 208 |
A buddy of mine had bought the wrong sized item in a "Outdoors Wharehouse". Knowing that I used the same item in the size he had bought, and as I was due to ride out to his place in Pahrump in about a week, he asked me to purchase the item he needed and we would swap.
I willingly went to this "Shooter's Mecca" as I wanted to go this new store anyway. We have a lot of gun stores out here but few places where you can buy reloading components to make your own ammo. I went there but as with most items related to firearms they had none......thanks BHO!
I wandered arounf for an hour persusing all the goodies that I could not afford and decided that I would be back soon.
The bike had been sitting for an hour and the pipes were pretty cool when a block away a cager entered the road from my left via the drive exit of an "IN N' OUT" BURGER.
He crossed over two north bound lanes, then another pair of turn lanes, then one southbound lane and then into "MY LANE".
He was doing all this under full acceleration with the tires squealing and smoking. I noted the odd behaviour and had been going about 35MPH and I began to slow down but as this was sharp right hand curve I did not slow down enough.
The reliable sphincter ring alarm responded and I quickly realized that in my haste I had neglected to disable "THE ROMULIAN CLOAKING DEVICE" and there was a strong possibility that I was about to be T-Boned from the left side very soon.
At this point I applied all the brakes I had, both front and back and of course the bike slowed down to maybe 20 MPH and then the asphalt came up from the right side and CLYDE began his 25 foot spark fest down the roadway with me aboard thinking this is really gonna hurt tomorrow if I survive this.
We ended up on our right side about 2 feet away from the concrete curb. The engine dresser bars/crash bars and the rear leather saddle bags kept most of the damage confined to the highway pegs and right mirror. However when I finally was able to hit the kill switch {I do not remember when I shifted to neutral,if at all} I realized that I was in a world of hurt, on a busy roadway, at night, on a nasty curve and that I did not want to scraped off the underside of a Chevy Suburban whcih I remember to be right behind me.
By this time the sparking had ceased and the carbs had begun to eject their precious fuel all over my right leg and between the screeching of the tires {remember the Suburban?} gave me an incentive to get out from under the bike and onto the nearby sidewalk ASAP.
Do you realize how heavy these SPEEDMASTERS are? I could not begin to pull out my right foot from under the bike. I was stuck badly and at about this time I realized that I really was in a bad spot.
I had a good Triumph jacket on and the fabric had some damage over the elbow armored insert {this was noted many hour later} and my whole right side was numb and soon to be really painful. The left thumb was hurting like H<>? and I was rapidly going into shock/panic and it was all I could do not lose control of that muscle group that first warned me of impending doom.
Having now been trapped under this 500 # bike for about a minute along come a teenager with his buddy and they ask me "Are you alright?". My reply was actually pretty good under the circumstances "Not really, I am trapped under the bike, the pain is getting really bad, I cannot get up and could you please get some help and get this Motorcycle offa my leg?"
Enter the Chev Suburban from stage right. It had finally stopped about 2 feet behind me but was at an angle. The middle aged pilot had the presence of mind to run the vehicle halfway up onto the sidewalk rather than turn me into road kill. It was a nice gesture on her part.
About 5 people got the bike off me and between all of us got it up onto the kickstand as I had the presence of mind to lower the stand prior to achieving a vertical position.
I straddled the seat and the GOOD SAMARATIANS pushed me off the roadway and up onto the sidewalk.
Somebody stuck a card in my hand and offered to be a witness as he had seen everythng from the sidwalk. He said that the car was packed with teenagers and apparently the driver was showwing off to his peers but had realized that he had caused an accident since he deliberately went through a red light about 300 feet down the road to flee the scene.
The damage to the bike was minimal and the damage to me is to be determined. I doubt I broke any bones but I know I will not be walking on that right ankle for a few days. I incurred some minor owiees on the right knee, thigh, elbow and left thumb. The riding gear worn, including the 12" laced up tight boots, gloves, full helmet, riding jacket with armour and BDU pants with double fabric on the knees and buttocks saved me from some serious injuries not to mention road rash.
I will heal and the bike will be repaired when I get around to looking it over in daylight. In the meantime, my new friend "MRS. ICEBAG" and myself are getting really intimate on my bed and it promises to be a faithful although short relationship.
All I can say is that we are invisible on our bikes and that I need to make my mufflers loud, rude, nasty and obnoxious like those on a Harley and maybe it won't happen again like this.
07 Speedmstr, Long Tors, bags, sissy bar and rack, windshield, engine bars, 2 ww lights, 2 fast eddy stickers and a .45 ACP.
|
|
|
 Re: Going down ain't fun.
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531
Loquacious
|
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531 |
 Glad you and yours were not seriously hurt......Kids and Cages....  don't get me started
|
|
|
 Re: Going down ain't fun.
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 94
Member
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 94 |
Bad news fella. Hope you mend well and soon.
|
|
|
 Re: Going down ain't fun.
|
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463
Loquacious
|
Loquacious
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463 |
Glad you and your bike are repairable. And I could rant about old people not looking...... 
Gina
03 America - Pretty stock - except the TBS wheel... 
06 America - missing, presumed in bits. With it's TBS wheel... 
09 America - It's very blue....
|
|
|
 Re: Going down ain't fun.
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,440
Learned Hand
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,440 |
Hope you're feeling better soon. I slid over at ~50 MPH a few weeks ago, but didn't get so banged up. My biggest problem was the stupid woman who called 911 without asking if I wanted assistance. Thanks to her I didn't get away in time and ended up wasting 20 minutes with the cops. 
'08 America Blue/White; Custom Headlamps, Custom Lowers, Clearview 20", Bafflectomy
|
|
|
 Re: Going down ain't fun.
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
|
Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
1) glad your "ok"! 2) thanks for the entertaining write up of your incident.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
|
|
|
 Re: Going down ain't fun.
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,933 Likes: 3
Learned Hand
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,933 Likes: 3 |
Dang Dan! Sorry you had to endure the event, but thanks for the the brilliantly written tale of your misadventure!
Did anyone get a description that will help in tracking down the miscreants? That is what really sucks is that in a car full of kids...no one has the character to think past their own selfish interest and see if they may have actually hurt someone. No sympathy here for low life's of that order.
eddy
|
|
|
 Re: Going down ain't fun.
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
|
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Eeh! Shake it off, kid!!! Don't worry! Remember: You've got FIVE WHOLE MONTHS to heal up and to fix that Triumph o' yours BEFORE I expect to see you ridin' up my driveway in Prescott for the third annual Southwest Triumph Fest! What?! You expected some sort'a sympathy comin' from me or somethin' here, dude?!  (okay, okay...sorry to hear of this, and glad to hear you're doin' pretty darn well, all things considered...is THAT better???) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
|
|
|
 Re: Going down ain't fun.
|
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2
Loquacious
|
Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2 |
Sorry to hear that! Hope you & the bike are OK. Ride safe folks, they're nuts out there.
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
|
|
|
 Re: Going down ain't fun.
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 140
Adjunct
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 140 |
Glad to see your ok. It's good to hear the cager behind you had that much presents of mind to stop in that manner. That is my biggest fear that the tailgating cager will end up causing me the most damage. There is a lady around here that rides and she has a plate (sign) on the back of her bike that reads: If you going to ride my a$$, at least pull my hair.
Kendall
"When you drink the water, remember the man who dug the well." Chinese proverb
2008 America Pacific/Aegean blue w/long slash cut TOR's, and stock carbs rejetted.
|
|
|
 Re: Going down ain't fun.
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420
Oil Expert
|
Oil Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420 |
Bummer man. Glad you're OK and hope you heal well. I got run out of my lane on a 70mph highway by a pick-up last night and had no where to go accept between the car next to me and the idiot pick-up. Basically, I was driving on the stripes. When I finally got a lane position, this guy realizes I'm there, rolls his window down, and proceeds to flip me off like it was my fault. I hate that people don't respect our space or existence at all on the road.
|
|
|
 Re: Going down ain't fun.
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 208
Adjunct
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 208 |
DunnSpeed: If you had been packing some visible heat, like I normally do your space may have not been taken.
However there is a down side. If I had worn my 1911 in his customary position on my right hip last night he would be in pieces strewn across two lanes of asphalt. That really woulda been the icing on the cake. He was hiding inside the right saddlebag in his holster and suffered naught. I wish I could say the same.
07 Speedmstr, Long Tors, bags, sissy bar and rack, windshield, engine bars, 2 ww lights, 2 fast eddy stickers and a .45 ACP.
|
|
|
 Re: Going down ain't fun.
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
|
Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
Glad you lived to tell the tail
Ray(UK)
|
|
|
 Re: Going down ain't fun.
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 768
3/4 Throttle
|
3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 768 |
Quote:
Going down ain't fun.
Does bring you down to earth with some bump...!
Hope all's healed and you're back on the roads again soon 
|
|
|
 Re: Going down ain't fun.
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
|
Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
If'n you find this car full of kids, I wonder if there is any legal recourse for somebody who "causes an accident"? Thanks to the good samariton and glad you're okay.
Fidelis et Fortis
|
|
|
 Re: Going down ain't fun.
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 247
Adjunct
|
Adjunct
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 247 |
Glad you didn't get hit by either the car or truck and now you know the "when" part of the equation. Hope you feel better soon. Maybe you should go out to the garage and put some ice on your Speedy so it doesn't feel so bad either.
Chip Sciarra "07" America, N.C.Switch Blade windshield, Moto Lights, Tri. Off Road pipes
|
|
|
 UPDATE
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 208
Adjunct
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 208 |
My ex dragged me to the hospital at 1830 hrs as the pain was moving up my leg in addition to all the swelling. I have broken the Fibula which they tell me is a necessary structural chunk that we all need to walk around. I will be in a cast for a while and maybe looking at a surgery to implant some metal mending items like bolts, screws and the like.
I will be forced to put up the bike for 3-4 months whilst I mend and my Ford F 150 will my mode of transport for some time to come. Hey I was lucky not to have been T-Boned and really hurt bad.
07 Speedmstr, Long Tors, bags, sissy bar and rack, windshield, engine bars, 2 ww lights, 2 fast eddy stickers and a .45 ACP.
|
|
|
 Re: UPDATE
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 740
Adjunct
|
Adjunct
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 740 |
That SUCKS for you.... Did anyone get a plate of the car that did this to you?
Bill.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered."
-George Best
|
|
|
 Re: Going down ain't fun.
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,440
Learned Hand
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,440 |
Quote:
I wonder if there is any legal recourse for somebody who "causes an accident"?
Absolutely, but the burden of proof is more difficult when only one vehicle is damaged. At the very least, it requires a credible witness capable of convincing the court that the damages/injuries incurred were the direct result of a reasonable course of action that was necessitated by the recklessness of the other driver. Not easy, but it does happen.
'08 America Blue/White; Custom Headlamps, Custom Lowers, Clearview 20", Bafflectomy
|
|
|
 Re: Going down ain't fun.
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,883
Learned Hand
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,883 |
Glad you're okay. At least broken bones mend, and the bike will be repaired. I hope you can catch the guys that cut caused the accident. This kind of disregard for other vehicles/traffic in general makes me so angry.  Cheers, Brent
~Brent
-----
"Nothing you can be is more terrible than what I am." ~ 2007 Black Speedmaster!!
|
|
|
 Re: UPDATE
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,226 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
|
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,226 Likes: 62 |
Quote:
My ex dragged me to the hospital at 1830 hrs as the pain was moving up my leg in addition to all the swelling. I have broken the Fibula which they tell me is a necessary structural chunk that we all need to walk around. I will be in a cast for a while and maybe looking at a surgery to implant some metal mending items like bolts, screws and the like.
I will be forced to put up the bike for 3-4 months whilst I mend and my Ford F 150 will my mode of transport for some time to come. Hey I was lucky not to have been T-Boned and really hurt bad.
Not advising you do this but my best friend growing up broke his leg as you describe and rode anyway with his cast on. It was even his kick starter leg and he just started it with his other leg and we rode!
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains. Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
|
|
|
|
|