I got whacked

Post by **rdsmith3** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 3:51 pm

I am really busy at the moment, but just wanted to report that I got rear-ended yesterday. Grrrrr...

I was in stop and go traffic at about 6:00 PM on I-80 westbound in New Jersey. It is the worst kind of traffic, where you get up to about 35 mph and then stop. I was in the far left lane. My mistake was not watching the mirrors vigilantly. I was bored sitting there.

Then I felt a thunk. A very young man in a very large SUV just clipped the left side. He knocked off the left system case, and the J.C. Whitney top case http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=8142. The turn signal was also dangling.

The impact on the left side made the bike lean right and I could not hold it up, so it slowly fell to the right. The right case got scuffed. Some passerby helped me pick up the bike.

Total damage: broken latch on left system case; broken latch on J.C. Whitney top case; scuffed right case. Turn signal was fine - I repaired that.

I suppose someone called the police because they were there quickly. In fact, there were two state police cars, one local police car, two ambulances, and one fire vehicle, all during rush hour on a major road in NJ. I never saw so many flashing lights. I thought the kid was going to faint.

After all the paper work was taken care of, I strapped the cases to the bike and rode to my brother-in-law's house, as he lived just a few miles away. I left the cases there, then rode the rest of the way home.

Post by **MikeCam** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 3:55 pm

Bob,

Whew! Glad you are okay. Glad it wasn't worse for you or the bike (or the perp for that matter). Glad I don't live in an area where I must risk that kind of traffic. All the best. MCam

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 3:58 pm

Wow, I'm glad you're not hurt Bob. That could have been a lot worse. Being a rider of New Jersey roads myself, I know the volume of traffic you have there. Hope the insurance settlement is a quick and painless process for you. You'll have to let us know how motorcycle insurance policies handle incidents like this in a no-fault state like NJ.

RForestR · Post by **RForestR** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 3:59 pm

That just plain Sucks.

Glad you're okay, and sounds like you're taking it right, chalk it up to another bit of experience, albeit bad this time, on the road.

Better a close call than the alternatives...

Cheers, and keep the chin up,
Chris

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 4:03 pm

Bob..that's a bugger...glad you're not hurt...and valve cover or bar-end damage..if not..why not?

DJ

Post by **rdsmith3** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 4:04 pm

thanks.

Fortunately, there is nothing preventing me from riding the bike. I just don't have any luggage except my tank bag.

Oh, yes, I am just fine.

Post by **JCsman** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 4:52 pm

Good to hear nothing REALLY important (you) got hurt. Everything else falls under the nuicance category.

Ride safe(r).

Post by **iowabeakster** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 5:12 pm

RD,

Glad to hear you're Ok.

Sorry to hear about the damage.

ebiker · Post by **ebiker** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 5:59 pm

I'm glad to hear you're OK. The bike can easily be fixed but human body damage often takes quite a bit longer to repair. BTDT.

BTW, did the Police or EMT ask you if you were wearing a helmet??

Post by **wncbmw** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 7:18 pm

Bob - I'll echo the chorus of 'glad you are OK'. Bike parts are replaceable!

Frankly, I am surprised that you guys that ride in the big city traffic don't have that happen all the time! You have my admiration!