So, I've been the proud owner of an 81 GS650 GL for a grand total of about a month. Now I've got to look into repairing it instead of tuning it, since I got backed into yesterday. I'm really rather frustrated.
I went for a ride yesterday, and was on my way home, on my own street about 200 yards from my driveway (why does it always happen so close to home?) when I was hit. Ironically, part of my ride was going out to a deserted area and practicing the MSF techniques. Quick stops, swerves, slow maneuvering.
It's a 2 lane residential street, and there was a car in front of me. He came to a stop in the middle of the street, next to a lady who was walking her dog. I came to a stop behind him, about 10-15 feet back. I figured he was going to chat with the lady, so I was going to wait a few seconds to see if this was just a quick hello, or if I needed to go around him. So imagine my surprise when I see his backup lights come on. I lay on the horn, and damned if he didn't speed up. Still laying on the horn when his rear bumper makes contact with my front tire. Got pushed backwards about 5 feet and the bike went down on it's left side. I went down with it, then scrambled out of the way in case he kept going. He didn't, got out and the first words "I didn't see you!"
Well, no s#!t Sherlock. You obviously didn't hear me either. Turns out he was going to back into his driveway. If he looked in his rearview, there's no way he could have not seen me. I know where blind spots are, and I was definitely not in one. Hit dead center in the middle of his bumper. Normally, I have several outs when riding. I'm always looking for someone to pull out on me. I didn't have a decent out on this one. I left room to go around if he was going to be stopped there. I didn't have enough room to avoid or swerve once he started closing the distance. If I did, he would have still caught me, but at an angle instead of straight on. To the left, I might have run into the lady and her dog, and to the right was a ditch.
To his credit, he was very apologetic. Called the police, and did an accident report. The responding officer was also a rider, and a motorcycle cop part of the time. He gave him a pretty good lecture. Because the guy had a good driving record, there were no injuries, and was taking responsibility, the cop didn't cite him with a ticket. The driver was noted as being at fault in the accident. I'm fine. Bike didn't land on me, and I pretty much did an ungraceful dismount.
As for the bike, front fender is busted. A few new scratches on the engine cover, and scratched mirrors. A very small scrape on the back of the exhaust. The center stand lever and the peg took most of the weight. On the bright side, I now know I'm strong enough to lift the bike very easily. It still runs. Started right up. The steering is a little torqued. Doesn't appear to be any fork damage, but the stem is twisted about 5 degrees. Not sure where yet, if it's just on the stem or if it's at the head tube. (Also not sure of the terminology, so apologies if that doesn't make sense. I'll get someone who knows more about it to take a look this coming week sometime)
That's my story and my first drop/collision. Could have been worse, and now I know not to assume that a cager might not just stop in the middle of the street and try to run me down in reverse.
- Jason
Comment