Don't stop short in traffic!

Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 11:33 pm

Well, it happened. I was riding my beloved Blackbird to work this morning when a schoolbus stopped sort of quickly 1 car up from me. The car stopped, I stopped, but the car behind me didn't. I was thrown over the fairing and landed on top of the car in front, a 2001 Posche 911, and my ass went right thru the rear window. The Blackbird was destroyed, front and back, and the chassis was bent up about 1 foot shorter. The car that hit me was a 1999 toyota and it was totaled too. Bike took the brunt of the crash thank God. I had an aerostich suit on and it did a great job minimizing bruising--wish I had the back protector though! Back is very sore, but OK per xrays. Guess I'll have to get the 900f running better, since it will now be the only bike, until I buy something else suitable. I already try to pull to the edge of the lane when stopping short, but it wasn't enough. I will also make a point to be very sure not to tailgate even a little, and to watch the rear view mirrors more than I do already. Stay safe out there guys!

Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 11:38 pm

Jesus.... Man I'm glad you made it out alive. That is always on my mind when someone isn't stopped behind me at a light. I hope you heal up soon

Hawk Joined: Aug 18, 2006 Posts: 272 Location: Alsip, Ill

Ouch!

Hope you feel better soon and back on a bike as quick as possible! I am always watching for tailgaters, I can't believe the amount of people that ride way to close to me. Usually I just slow down so they pass me, but the thought of having to stop short and have the guy in back of me hit me is always in the back of my mind. Couple a weeks ago I was coming to a light it changed yellow I started stopping when I saw a guy turning left before the light changed red, the guy in back of me started screeching his tires, had to go home and change my underwear. Shocked

Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 11:57 pm

I'm glad to hear you didn't suffer too much physical harm. Sorry about the blackbird. I hope the brain-dead Toyota owner gets the book thrown at them.

Good job those Porsche's don't have the giant whale-tails anymore or you could have been cut in two Shocked

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 12:10 am

Areostich suits are awesome and I want to buy one... all I have to do is save $1000 first!

Im really happy to hear that you are ok. Hopefully, insurance money aside, you'll be able to find yourself a new Blackbird!!

take care

oh, I watch my mirrors almost more than I look forward.... people are freakin idiots.

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 12:16 am

Yea Mike..Glad to hear your allright. Hope you get well soon.
Keep us posted.
Best wishes.
..Jeff

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 12:19 am

Glad to hear you walked away. That and someone pulling out in front of me are my biggest fears. I always watch my mirrors when stopping and pull to the right of the lane for a quick getaway. Take care.

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 12:31 am

Thanks for all the good wishes! When I think of all the scenarios that could have played out, I got off easy, and I thank the Lord for that. At least it wasn't the 900f that I worked on all winter. The Blackbird was a great bike, but there are suitable replacements out there. I might just buy another one, or a VFR. Meanwhile, I'll have my 900f running good very soon I hope.

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 12:51 am

I know in Boston, its illegal to split lanes. But for things like this that may be life threatening, you may want to consider diving into the lane between cars. Especially if you know someone is back there and they will NOT stop in time. That has saved me from getting hit at least once on the freeway. I split in between and WHAM. Rear-ended the car next to me.

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 1:35 am

eatpasta wrote:

I know in Boston, its illegal to split lanes. But for things like this that may be life threatening, you may want to consider diving into the lane between cars. Especially if you know someone is back there and they will NOT stop in time. That has saved me from getting hit at least once on the freeway. I split in between and WHAM. Rear-ended the car next to me.

I always try my best to stop at the edge. And when I stop quickly with someone hugging my ass, I automatically pull around the car in front of me. Screw the laws that say lane splitting is illegal. It saved me once a year or so again, and might do it again.
Getting rear ended is my worst fear. Second would be getting side swiped at highway speeds on a multi lane highway. Third is the infamous bastard than turns left in front of you.

Glad to hear you are alright man. You are lucky to be in such good shape.

Good luck with the insurance and bike.

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 2:22 am

Glad you're ok. People fall asleep following buses, and kids today dont walk ten feet so the damn things stop at every mailbox sometimes. I hate getting stuck behind a bus, and you just confirmed the worst possible outcome. Again, glad you're alright, the papers have been filled with guys who werent so lucky this past weekend.

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 2:27 am

eatpasta wrote:

I know in Boston, its illegal to split lanes.

Geez now I feel guilty for lane splitting like a mofo today. Riding around Boston metro today and ended up riding with some random guy on a Ducati, he lane split and I gained much confidence about doing it myself. I really think that if done in a safe manner, what is the harm?

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 4:37 am

glad you are ok.
my kid bought one of those back protector, Icon field armour , it feels good riding with it. i borrowed it everytime i can.
most of the time we use the compression to slow down the bike, so i use the front brake just enough for the brake light to go on,
more than once, so the stupid driver in the back can realize that i am slowing down, i wish i could throw some ball bearings when they
get to close

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 5:00 am

Sorry about the Bird Mike but damn glad that you came out with everything you showed up with!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 5:13 am

Good to hear you're OK. Sorry about the bike.

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 5:14 am

Wow, I am very sorry to hear of your misfortune. I am very glad you are alright though. I am always looking at the people asleep at the controls behind me and it saved my bacon twice last year.

Make sure they cover all of your losses because maybe they will get a clue and pay more attention next time. My son just went through a crash in his car and it was totalled. The idiot who pulled out in front of him is contesting their citation but I told my son it is all of our best interests to go to court and be a witness so she doesn't get off thinking she had not broken any laws as well as the hit on her insurance.

Again,
just glad you are Ok and can ride again another day.

Dave

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 12:42 pm

Glad you're okay. I worry about that all the time. Cagers don't seem to understand that a bike can stop much quicker than a car and tailgate all the time around here.

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 12:50 pm

I am real sorry for your bad luck there Mike, I hope you get super compensated unlike what I went there with my accident.

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 4:29 pm

Bummer to hear that! Glad you're walking around, sad about the bike.

When I lived in Texas the cagers mostly seemed antagonistic about bikes, rode my ass all the time. I think in California they are much more aware of us and don't tailgate so much because there are more of us, and they see us lane splitting all the time, and they're seriously afraid of being sued into depravity if they hurt one of us. Wink

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 7:14 pm

genesound wrote:

Bummer to hear that! Glad you're walking around, sad about the bike.

When I lived in Texas the cagers mostly seemed antagonistic about bikes, rode my ass all the time. I think in California they are much more aware of us and don't tailgate so much because there are more of us, and they see us lane splitting all the time, and they're seriously afraid of being sued into depravity if they hurt one of us. Wink

Wish that was the case here.
My mom calls me every day almost because she hears of a fatal motorcycle accident on the news, and wants to make sure it's not me.
She is pretty sure I am going to get killed by some maniac, and to tell you the truth, it is a crap shoot out there every day. I miss living out of the city.

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 8:21 pm

count your blessings...your a lucky man it sounds...1st thing came to mind was"phonewhale"

a blackbird too...man o man. Crying or Very sad

sound like the old "F" is like the kid on the bench just waiting to get out there again and play ball Razz

ill head warning too..more mirror glancing

Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 12:42 am

thanks again for all the good wishes. I feel better the 2nd day-still sore but less so. It's good to tell these stories because we all learn from each other's experiences. Gotta start looking for a replacement for the Blackbird. Not too many around anymore on the used market. May return to my VFR roots--there are a few of those around. I also thought about a cbr929 or 954, but they don't look passenger friendly. They are probably more abused than VFR's or Blackbirds on the used market.

Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 5:21 am

That's a pretty rough deal, Mike. Glad you are ok. Always good to be reminded to keep track of those important little basics. Hope the VFR hunt goes well. I am sure you can find one. Best of luck finding a Blackbird first.

Jose