It happened like lightning! Very slight left hander with a transition from asphalt to chip-n-seal on a road I take almost every day. The road was wet so I was already being cautious, speed probably wasn't over 25 or 30 miles per hour. In the space of a heartbeat the rear was all the way out and I was full lock to the right. I already saw the low side in my mind, but then snap - a high side! I'm pitched ahead of the bike in the superman formation, landing on my chest and left side and sliding on the wet pavement. AGAT - the Joe Rocket Ballistic 5.0 pants and jacket are doing a great job separating me from the road, and oddly, my helmet never touches the pavement. I slide for about 100 ft. with the bike following behind. When it all finally stops, I sit up, take stock of my condition and jump to my feet. By this time several workers from a nearby landscaping business come running over to help, and together we stand the bike up. A broken mirror stalk, scatterd bits of red plastic, a streak of oil on the road - it appears I've fared much better than my VFR. The adjuster comes Monday, and I'm insured to the moon, but I think she's likely totaled.
Lessons learned:
1) 40 years of motorcycling and all the experience and training in the world won't prevent every accidet - the only way to never fall is to never ride.
2) If you choose to take the risk (which likely all of us here do), wear the gear - your body and your family will thank you for it.
The accident was yesterday, and today, praise God, I am suffering no ill effects what so ever! I was planning some upgrades and service this winter, but now it looks like I'll be shopping for a new(er) vfr. Ride Safe!
[image: 11-8-11 wreck.jpg]
awwwwwww...........
but you walk away from it, that is all that matters.......
Sorry it happened, but it's Awesome You Walked Away!!!!!!!!!!!! Especially a High Side, my only high side ended in two broken legs! :ohmy:
If you still like the bike it doesn't look bad if you care to fix it! :rolleyes:
BR
Could ave been alot worse...........your fine
..and its not as if it had gear driven cams and naca ducts :-) :-)
Sorry for you mishap......... Like you say it can happen to anyone no matter how good we are......... I don't care for the chip-seal even when it's dry.
Bad luck m8.
Why look for a newer VFR? My VFR was side-swiped by a car at 70mph 5 years ago. Luckily I didn't come off, but the bike was written-off as the whole RHS was damaged. Luckily mostly plastics but the radiator too. A friend rebuilt it for me (and took the opportunity to improve it by upgrading the suspension too) and I got back a bike that was better than the one that crashed. 68,000 miles later, she is still running sweeter than a sweet thing.
Just a thought.
Bad luck.
Glad you're OK and enjoy your new bike!
And you're right. We all "sign the risk waiver" to get into the sport.
I have been always scared of riding over freshly chip sealed roads. Like when they did it a couple of times in the last few years on Skyline (Hwy 35) going up to Alice's from SF. There were many times I felt my rear end going wide on even some of the slowest turns on the stuff and after experiencing it enough I made a decision to never ride on it again by finding other routes if I can.
Chip seal = danger for motorcycles!
Hope you get back on the road soon!
Beck
95 VFR
I'm so sorry to hear about your bike. But first thing is first, that you are okay which I'm glad to hear. Bike's replaceable, you aren't.
-Mike
[image: View Post]Baileyrock, on 09 November 2011 - 03:28 PM, said:
Sorry it happened, but it's Awesome You Walked Away!!!!!!!!!!!! Especially a High Side, my only high side ended in two broken legs! :ohmy:
If you still like the bike it doesn't look bad if you care to fix it! :rolleyes:
BR
Understood! By your standards I'm not sure my mishap counts as a real accident!
I really did like this bike. Of all the motorcycles I've owned over the years, this was my favorite. Not as cushy as a Gold Wing, and certainly no 929 or Super Hawk, but I loved the look and it always made me happy to be riding it. We'll see what the insurance man says - how much they pay off and then the salvage price. I know at 40k, by your standards, it's not even middle aged yet :fing02: so I am considering a rebuild - but - there are some really good deals on 6th gens out there too. I believe it's reasonable to think I could pick one up a few years newer with a lot less miles - and likely a few upgrades - for little more than the insurance payoff.
Glad your OK. Dont know how you didnt hit the road with your helmet and I wish you could show me how you did it. I have 3 Shoei helmets with scratches down the sides from road contact.
Geeeeez! Sorry to hear about your mishap. Very happy to read that you seem to be fine. Please make sure you check your helmet very carefully, as they are expensive and it is hard to believe that, as heavy as a head is, it did not touch the pavement if you slid 100 ft! But you're the only one who knows.
Bikes can be rebuilt, nothing to worry there.
Good luck with the rebuilt or the purchase of a newer one.
C
Yeah, glad to hear that you are OK. Accidents can happen at any moment...on my recent trip to North Carolina with my brother (been riding for 40 years) and my son (his first trip) my brother crashed...in a corner where we were going maybe 25 Mph. The road was dappled in shade and the corner was semi blind. The bad thing was that there was gravel accross the road and it was the same color as the asphalt and lit by the sun. He never saw it. Lowsided his FJR and spun off of the road right in front of me as I avoided the gravel. Lucky that I saw it or whe would have both went down as I was on the same line he was.
FJR was totalled even though all that was broken or rashed was plastic and the left engine cover.
Very glad you are well!
I also learned it is a lightning quick event a few weeks ago and yes it can happen to any of us. I was on the BRP near Roanoke when my GPS slid out of the map pocket of my tankbag.(Not my normal carry for GPS) Not realizing what was bumping my leg as I rode I looked down and saw it was my GPS swaying in the wind hanging on by the power cord. Without really thinking I leaned over to grab the swinging GPS, it was difficult so I looked down again. I got the GPS but when I looked back up I was in the grass at 45 - 50. It happened so fast I, did not see the shallow leaf covered paved ditch just beyond the grass. When my bike entered the ditch it immediately lost traction and layed on the bikes left side in the ditch throwing me off to graze the grass and slide down the road on my left side, the bike continued in the ditch. The speed and violence of the crash was unreal. Thankfully I was wearing my safety gear except for some BDU pants. I was also blessed, a broken thumb right hand, broken index finger left hand and some broken ribs with a skinned up knee. Guess I was reacting on adrenalin because after a safety check of the bike I rode it 70 miles back home with tore up fairings, broken miror and limbs aching... Not smart I know, but thank God we can learn from our mistakes. Again, glad you are fine and my 2005 looks very similar to yours at present but on the left side!
It must have been really slippery to slide so far from a moderate speed.
The main thing is you weren't hurt. The bike can be easily replaced or repaired.
A friend recently broke his collar bone, got it plated, not yet able to ride again.
The bike got off easy. A few hundred for parts on Ebay. I think he would be happier if it was the other way around.
Much cheaper than doctor and hospital bills too. :smile:
THANKS FOR BEING ANOTHER ATGATTer! We don't need any more memorial rides!
Glad to hear you OK, sounds like a nasty spill. I never walked away form a highside (3 that I remember, all ended in the hospital)
When insurance comes to take a look at the bike make sure to show them every last piece of gear you were wearing, right down to boots and gloves, they will pay for it as well.
In my case when I got hit by a car they sent independent adjuster and he was not interested in gear so I had to deal with them direct over the phone, they asked for receipts and I only had one for the Vanson which I got few weeks prior, so I went online and found dealer list price for the Arai helmet and Boblbee. They paid me the full price for those items, but Vanson was purchased on sale and I got back what I paid for it. In hindsight should have just showed them dealer list for the jacket :) Also forgot to add Boots and Gloves (probably another $600) but I don't really care, I was happy with a settlement and didn't have to deal with ambulance chasing lawyer, was glad for it to be over. Also none of the gear was destroyed, just scratches, so I still use it.
One thing that does not add up
[image: View Post]DaveM, on 09 November 2011 - 02:41 PM, said:
speed probably wasn't over 25 or 30 miles per hour. (snip) I slide for about 100 ft.
I crashed many times, as recent as last Friday when I lowsided my KTM at about 25mph and slid maybe 10 ft,
to slide 100 ft you'd have to be doing about 80 unless if just seemed that you slid forever.
Keep the bike, repair the damage, and get a full set of RWB plastics. It'll be just like a new bike to you then.
Or go custom paint maybe. Make it something that screams your name every time you look at it.
You see a wrecked bike. I see a blank canvas. Make some lemonade there my friend.
Oh, and glad to hear you're OK.
[image: Posted Image]
Glad to hear you walked away. I got my first roadcrafter (used) a couple of weeks ago and stories like this are why. Good luck with the insurance company and with the new(er) bike!
[image: View Post]Dmitry, on 10 November 2011 - 09:13 AM, said:
One thing that does not add up
[image: View Post]DaveM, on 09 November 2011 - 02:41 PM, said:
speed probably wasn't over 25 or 30 miles per hour. (snip) I slide for about 100 ft.
I crashed many times, as recent as last Friday when I lowsided my KTM at about 25mph and slid maybe 10 ft,
to slide 100 ft you'd have to be doing about 80 unless if just seemed that you slid forever.
30 paces from where she hit (and snapped off the right rear set) to where she and I came to rest. That whole road surface was like a wet tar snake - and evidently both Joe Rocket textiles and VFR plastic both slide very well on wet tar! That said, my speed is a guess but 80 up to that section would have been impressive!
30mph 80mph? let it slide.............
Dave walked away, nothing else matters :tongue:
I lost front end once at the end of front straight at Loudon, touched the brakes and it was gone (DOT tire in the rain) best guess I went down at around 90mph (reach about 110 in the dry) slid easily 200' in the wet, just went on forever, splashing across the puddles, watching the corner worker wave the yellow as she is watching me sail past her station, 4th and 5th place rides trying to avoid me, I just kept sliding. If you asked me then, thought I slid a mile, but the whole front straight is only 1/4 mile and I went down at the very end. It was probably the fastest and most painless crash I ever had, even my leathers barely had any marks, water is a great lubricant
Hey Dave, so glad you survived in one piece. Sounds like a heck of a crash to walk away from. ATGATT saves hides again! I've been in similar circumstances and have rebuilt my machine several times. Insurance companies use retail prices to determine the cost of repairs in determining if the machine is totaled. I have been able to rebuild for much less than insurance costs using my own labor and getting parts on-line for about 60% of retail. One source you could check out is PowerSportsCompany.com out of Beaver Dam Wis. They have had every part I've needed for my '01 at on-line discounted prices. Don't give up on your machine yet. Good luck.
Well, damn it! I was just about to go down and replace my totaled VFR that happened a year ago with a GSXR. I'd rather not go through a divorce right not though.
Your get off sounds like mine only my VFR was wrapped around a tree at only 30mph. It looked like it was hit by a 155mm shell. Totally destroyed. I was relieved I didn't have to fix it. State Farm also paid me WAY over retail book so if it had to happen, I got my money back. Glad you weren't hurt. :smile:
Hey Bent, what happened to you? Sorry to hear you lost your viffer. Hope you came out uninjured. Please don't tell me you will not be at T-MAC next year. I am planning on attending and was hoping to ride with (behind) you. Still remember the lessons learned from you ( get off my seat) (get my head close to the tank). I vote for no divorce.
Yup - it's totaled (no big surprise). Progressive will give me $5,246 to total it and $4,591 if I keep it and rebuild it. If I choose to rebuild myself it won't be a "salvage" title - evidently they don't claim the title on a bike that old, but if I wreck it again they will devalue the next payout.
As best I can tell, I can buy all the parts new, including $650 tank for about $3,500 (worst case) which leaves me $1,091 in extra fun cash. OR I can buy a 2003 with less than half the miles and brand new Leo Vince cans for $4,000 + 6% SALES tax which once again leaves me with about $1,000 in extra cash. I could probably do the rebuild cheaper, but OEM plastics and tanks on Ebay are all rashed and therefore require bodywork and paint - which means more $.
I hate to say it, but I am seduced by Ebay after market plastic - I'd love to hear someone who owned a set comment. Seems like everything you hear about it is from a guy who knew a guy that tried it. If it looked decent I could cover the rashed tank with a tank cover, do the whole repair for about $1,000 and have $3,500 left over for extra goodies - like a new shock, fork rebuild and set-up, full set of stainless brake lines, etc.
I am perplexed!
It's a no brainer to keep and build it Dave! Especially w/keeping a clean title. :rolleyes:
I wouldn't buy New Honda bodywork for this bike though, there's been several full sets for sale here of new take offs in the $1-1.5k range. So if your not in a hurry you might find some premo items, otherwise buying all used and light scuffed eBay parts and having them pro painted for $5-800 would work as well. I think you can easily stay under $2k rebuilding it and have another $2k+ leftover.
I'll help in any way, I've built no less than 50 wrecked bikes and 10 Vtecs including my current bike.
BR
[image: View Post]DaveM, on 14 November 2011 - 08:51 PM, said:
Yup - it's totaled (no big surprise). Progressive will give me $5,246 to total it and $4,591 if I keep it and rebuild it. If I choose to rebuild myself it won't be a "salvage" title - evidently they don't claim the title on a bike that old, but if I wreck it again they will devalue the next payout.
As best I can tell, I can buy all the parts new, including $650 tank for about $3,500 (worst case) which leaves me $1,091 in extra fun cash. OR I can buy a 2003 with less than half the miles and brand new Leo Vince cans for $4,000 + 6% SALES tax which once again leaves me with about $1,000 in extra cash. I could probably do the rebuild cheaper, but OEM plastics and tanks on Ebay are all rashed and therefore require bodywork and paint - which means more $.
I hate to say it, but I am seduced by Ebay after market plastic - I'd love to hear someone who owned a set comment. Seems like everything you hear about it is from a guy who knew a guy that tried it. If it looked decent I could cover the rashed tank with a tank cover, do the whole repair for about $1,000 and have $3,500 left over for extra goodies - like a new shock, fork rebuild and set-up, full set of stainless brake lines, etc.
I am perplexed!
i bought a set. nothing like factory. i have never ended up using mine as it would take more effort than i wanted to put into it as the tabs/mounting surfaces were crap. i personally would not buy another set.
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