Checking Your Mirrors Doesn't ALWAYS Work

[parallel]

Well, its not exactly official, but I finally got the bike to the Triumph dealer. After they had the chance to access the damge they called and left this message: <--LINK

When I called them back they said that they hadn't even gotten to the back of the bike yet when the cost of parts and labor were over the cost of a new scrambler. So... it looks like I was correct and the bike will likely be totaled. Of course, the insurance company has to make that official.

 

[Scrapper]

Thanks for the personal news coverage. Glad your ok. Can't be too carful out there on the roads.

I still am amazed that police officers get run over while on the side of the road writing someone a ticket. How the heck does that happen.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Good to hear nothing serious.

When on my bike I'm always nervous as a long-tailed cat in room full of rocking chairs until there's a car stopped behind me.

 

[joebiker]

I see so my distracted drivers these days it scares me. Put the damn phones away. Glad I can not ride on two wheels anymore. Hope all goes well and you feel better soon.

 

[Rastoff]

No way a bike in this type of accident is not totaled. It's just too easy to do serious damage to a bike. I'm glad you survived.

It's not always inattention. Even the biggest bike is small compared to a car. Case in point:
I was driving home from work the other day. I was passing a big rig. I was in the left lane and doing about 70MPH. I checked my right mirror and activated my right turn signal as I got passed the truck. Just as I started moving to my right, I was passed by a motorcycle on my right. If I had moved .001 seconds sooner, he would have hit me. He was doing at least 90MPH.

In CA it's legal to do what they call lane sharing. This means a motorcycle can ride between cars on multi-lane roads. When the traffic was standing still, I've done this myself. It's the most dangerous thing you can legally do on a motorcycle.

However, doing this on a freeway, at close to triple digit speeds is not just insane, it's stupid. It risks the life of the rider and the lives of those in cars around them.

Guys, be careful out there. They're out to get you and they don't even know it.

 

[Marshwheeling]

I thought lane-splitting at speed was illegal even in California. But in bumper-to-bumper traffic moving at a crawl, I think it is safer than riding in the lane with cars ahead and behind. Splitting lanes at stop lights is a good idea wherever you are, as it gives you cover from being rear-ended. Filtering to the front at lights is also not a bad idea, although it can draw hostile reactions from unsophisticated commuters.

 

[Rastoff]

I thought lane-splitting at speed was illegal even in California.

A lot of people think that. Just like with guns, there is a lot of mythology about it.

The reason it's legal is because there's simply no law against it. So, there is no limitation on speed. Some think it's legal for air cooled bikes, but not water cooled; false. Some think only the police can do it legally; false. Some think it's only legal below X MPH; false.

There is a movement to make it illegal like other states, but it doesn't have a lot of support.

Surprisingly, not many motorcyclists are injured while doing it, but there are a few fatalities every year from it.

 

[pittpa]

I was involved in the investigation of accidents for 29 years. I rode a bike for a while, but more recently, I started seeing more bikes get rearended. I don't think it is just texting or talking. Navi systems and complicated controls and touchscreens on the dash of new cars take attention away from the road.
One of the worst scenarios I saw was this: You're sitting stopped in the left lane as an SUV approaches from behind you, at speed, tailgated by a car whose driver can't see ahead of the SUV. Not far behind you, the SUV slides over into an open spot in the busy right lane. The car behind the SUV is now looking at you, and does not even have time to hit the brakes, and can't move right or left due to traffic in the lanes. Happens all the time.

 

[allthumbs]

Glad you're here to talk about it. I gave up riding a few years back after 40+ years on 2 wheels, I have bad knees and hips for 1 thing and the other thing is people are so stupid, careless, reckless, mindless, thoughtless and dumb that you're bound to get in some type of accident no matter what you're driving, 2 wheels makes the injuries much worse, I've been down several times and the fact is I just don't roll like I used to lol. Heal up quick and be careful.

 

[revolver59]

I hate seeing it, I hate hearing about it, but I am glad to hear that you will be ok, and want to give you my best wishes. I got in a bad one in 1979 and know the feeling very well! I still ride, and I enjoy the hell out of it. I also feel like my life has been god's gift to me, specially after November of 1979, and am very thankful to him for that!!

Headlines on ksl news today! Very sad!!

(Motorcyclist dead after colliding with pickup truck)

(SAVE A BIKER, OPEN YOUR FRIKKIN EYES)

 

[4barrel]

Glad you came out ok. I used to like to hill clime on a tt500. I bought a 1200 Suzuki in 1982. It is a matter of time when it is your time. I love on & off road bikes. The insurance company totaled your bike. You have the option to buy it back. Cell phones cause major problems. My best friend got hit by a guy using a phone. He was riding in the right lane & a person using a phone came into his lane & hit head on. The guy had no insurance no drivers license & no inspection sticker. The car was in his grandmothers name. He had a rented set of 24 inch wheels on it & because he had less than nothing the law did nothing. You cant get blood out of a turnip.

 

[Big Cholla]

Well, I'm 77 y.o. and I'm still riding my Harley Dyna daily. I was in one serious rear-ender accident while driving a Toyota Land Cruiser. That experience has made me doubly or even triple aware of what is coming up behind me no matter if I'm riding my bike or driving my big diesel pickup. When on the bike I stay well back from the vehicle in front of me and I move to the 'best' side of the lane that would allow me to drive forward to get out of the way of a on-coming likely rear-ender vehicle. That habit has saved me once and maybe twice here in the bumper car like traffic of So. Nevada. ............

 

[Darkstar888]

Got to do a head check before changing lanes. Drivers Ed 101.

 

[Rastoff]

Got to do a head check before changing lanes. Drivers Ed 101.

Absolutely correct and you still won't see a vehicle overtaking you on the right that's traveling 20-30MPH faster than you are.

 

[the ringo kid]

Ive only a sec to say glad your good to go. The next dozen doughnuts are on my dime.

 

[parallel]

Got to do a head check before changing lanes. Drivers Ed 101.

Ummm... okay, I agree. What I'm wondering though is what does this have to do with my situation and the information found in this thread?

 

[amazingflapjack]

Yes-I agree. It doesn't make much difference if your pinned in behind someone at a stop, and you have been stopped for a while when someone just comes up behind you and slams into you. In our case, the 82 year old woman who hit us, twice, walked up next to the car in an otherworldly calm and started to ask if we were hurt, and that she was concerned about our welfare. I am a trained observer, and this was definitely inappropriate affect. While this was happening, I am on the other side of the car screaming! My sternum really had my full attention, and within the hour we learned that my back was broken in 3 places; one area was more that 50% displaced. She was either over medicated or had dementia would be my guess. We never found out. The second lick was worse than the first! I am grateful my Wife was not hurt; that we both had the Lord, and that there is a trauma center at Ocala regional now. This state needs to do a much better job of weeding out unfit drivers, but they want to remain friendly to retirees $$$$$.

 

[chud333]

Good to see you are relatively OK.
Count your Blessings.
People are too distracted these days behind the wheel.


Chuck

 

[model70hunter]

Glad you survived.

And that is why I quit riding on the street in 1973. Almost bought it twice in one week by other drivers.

It's been that long and I still miss it.

 

[BUFF]

Crashed motorcycle repairs are crazy expensive and even worse than cars. I hate to think what it would cost to build a new bike out of OEM parts. I bet a new front fork/wheel/brake assembly for that Triumph would run $5,000 in parts and labor.

I am foggy on the exact numbers or year, but I have a memory of an article stating that, when you could buy a brand new Chevy Impala for $12,000, just the parts bought at retail would total about $35,000.