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So here is the story.
I went for a 80 mile ride today with a friend on the back. On the way back into town, it started to rain which made the roads slick, but I was being uber careful. I was riding on the freeway in town behind a Goldwing when I noticed he went onto the shoulder from the center lane. I found that peculiar, so I looked over. All of a sudden, my passenger started hitting me and started yelling, "YO YO YO!!!" In front of me, someone came onto the freeway from a 3/4 circle on ramp SIDEWAYS!!! He spun so much that he hit a truck in the passenger side door backwards. There was one car between me and the wreck, and he slammed, and I mean slammed, on his brakes stopping aprubtly. I hit my brakes, mostly front, but not wanting to slide my front tire. I then hit the rear, pumping, but every time, it would slide out. At that point, I decided between rear ending the car infront of me, or laying the bike down. DOWN SHE GOES!!!
So, I start it sliding to the right, but the wheels grip and I high side flip it, we both go flying through the air, land on the pavement, and slide a good amount. I personally was rolling, my friend was skidding. While rolling, I saw all the shrapnel from my bike and thought, "NO, MY BIKE!!!" As soon as I stop, I jump up, yell at everyone else who stopped, "I'm fine, leave me alone" and rush to my friend. His hand was injured (as he decided it was too warm from gloves and took them off). There were three big holes in the back of his hand and bleeding. I had a LOT of blood on my hand, but didn't care as I was concerned for my friend. All he could say was, "Get my shoe, get my shoe" as his shoe fell off and he wanted it bad. We move to the side of the freeway (we were in the center lane) and wait for what comes next. Someone moved my bike over to the side as well.
The cops show up and the first thing the cop said was, "I didn't tell you this, but nothing is going to happen to that guy legally, so I would go over there and punch him in the face." Being somewhat rational, I did not do that. The information was taken, the guy who caused the crash was cited for wreckless driving and driving without insurance! OH NO! But here in Oregon, it is the law that you have insurance for uninsured drivers, so I will be covered.
So in the end, my friend went to the ER and got bandaged up. No stitches, but some drugs. I had a cut on my hand and minor road rash. We literally walked away from something that could have been really bad.
My gear is ruined and will be replaced. I had a Cortech mesh jacket with leather padding. It has a hole in the mesh, the leather faired well, but definitley shows wear. My helmet was a 3/4 helmet with face shield. The only part that was scuffed was the face shield. I will be getting rid of both items, but will be getting a full faced helmet (I got lucky). I was wearing jeans and there is no sign of anything on them. But from now on, gloves, gloves, gloves!
My bike really isn't that bad. Here is the breakdown:
I will fix her. Not too bad considering a high side flip at 45-55mph. If anyone has some of those parts for an 82 850G, PM me. I need them. If not, thats cool too.
I have a jet kit and pods in the mail right now. I will continue working on this bike, it is not a loss. Any support would be great.
Again, my friend and I are fine. It was essentially a miracle that we walked away from this, but I am going to jump right back on that horse. My friend, who currently does not have a bike, is even more determined to get one now.
I'm just sharing my story and hope that someone can take something away from this. Please share your comments and suggestions for riding safe as I think that is top priority.
-Schuyler
I went for a 80 mile ride today with a friend on the back. On the way back into town, it started to rain which made the roads slick, but I was being uber careful. I was riding on the freeway in town behind a Goldwing when I noticed he went onto the shoulder from the center lane. I found that peculiar, so I looked over. All of a sudden, my passenger started hitting me and started yelling, "YO YO YO!!!" In front of me, someone came onto the freeway from a 3/4 circle on ramp SIDEWAYS!!! He spun so much that he hit a truck in the passenger side door backwards. There was one car between me and the wreck, and he slammed, and I mean slammed, on his brakes stopping aprubtly. I hit my brakes, mostly front, but not wanting to slide my front tire. I then hit the rear, pumping, but every time, it would slide out. At that point, I decided between rear ending the car infront of me, or laying the bike down. DOWN SHE GOES!!!
So, I start it sliding to the right, but the wheels grip and I high side flip it, we both go flying through the air, land on the pavement, and slide a good amount. I personally was rolling, my friend was skidding. While rolling, I saw all the shrapnel from my bike and thought, "NO, MY BIKE!!!" As soon as I stop, I jump up, yell at everyone else who stopped, "I'm fine, leave me alone" and rush to my friend. His hand was injured (as he decided it was too warm from gloves and took them off). There were three big holes in the back of his hand and bleeding. I had a LOT of blood on my hand, but didn't care as I was concerned for my friend. All he could say was, "Get my shoe, get my shoe" as his shoe fell off and he wanted it bad. We move to the side of the freeway (we were in the center lane) and wait for what comes next. Someone moved my bike over to the side as well.
The cops show up and the first thing the cop said was, "I didn't tell you this, but nothing is going to happen to that guy legally, so I would go over there and punch him in the face." Being somewhat rational, I did not do that. The information was taken, the guy who caused the crash was cited for wreckless driving and driving without insurance! OH NO! But here in Oregon, it is the law that you have insurance for uninsured drivers, so I will be covered.
So in the end, my friend went to the ER and got bandaged up. No stitches, but some drugs. I had a cut on my hand and minor road rash. We literally walked away from something that could have been really bad.
My gear is ruined and will be replaced. I had a Cortech mesh jacket with leather padding. It has a hole in the mesh, the leather faired well, but definitley shows wear. My helmet was a 3/4 helmet with face shield. The only part that was scuffed was the face shield. I will be getting rid of both items, but will be getting a full faced helmet (I got lucky). I was wearing jeans and there is no sign of anything on them. But from now on, gloves, gloves, gloves!
My bike really isn't that bad. Here is the breakdown:
- Crashbar took most of the impact (must replace!)
- Handlebar bent (replacing anyway)
- Exhaust skuffed (4-1 sitting in garage)
- Turn signals ruined on one side (planned on replacing anyway)
- Headlight smashed (yamaha, was going to replace anyway)
- Front brake line injured at banjo bolt (fixable) with slight skuffs on resevoir and brake handle.
- Front fender has a ding (need a new one)
- Tachometer obliterated (need a new one)
I will fix her. Not too bad considering a high side flip at 45-55mph. If anyone has some of those parts for an 82 850G, PM me. I need them. If not, thats cool too.
I have a jet kit and pods in the mail right now. I will continue working on this bike, it is not a loss. Any support would be great.
Again, my friend and I are fine. It was essentially a miracle that we walked away from this, but I am going to jump right back on that horse. My friend, who currently does not have a bike, is even more determined to get one now.
I'm just sharing my story and hope that someone can take something away from this. Please share your comments and suggestions for riding safe as I think that is top priority.
-Schuyler
Cheers,Simon.
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