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<font face="georgia">Well, it finally happened. No, I didn't get laid off. Did get laid out, though.
Just to jump ahead, I'm fine. No ibuprophen at all to day, and while there are some aches and pains, hardly noticable.
Going home from work, on an overpass that crosses the Amtrak tracks. Going about 25-30MPH, on a road that's two lanes each way. Since the right lane backs up a lot more than the left, I generally make the right turn onto the street going to the freeway and get to the left lane. As I'm coming up to the stopped traffic in the right lane, I notice I'm about to pass a car that's nosediving to a stop. Looked like he might make it, but just in case something gets shoved, I scoot a bit to the left as I prepare to pass. He decides, as his antilock brakes are engaging, that he's about to rear end the car and bails out to the left lane...where (Surprise!) there's me. In the corner of my eye I see him coming, but there's no time to react. The bike and I part ways, with it leading into the oncoming traffic lane. No cars coming, though. Kind of foggy from that point to where I'm in serious pain (from having the wind knocked out of me) hoping that what ever is really hurting will stop soon. I do recall hitting my helmet hard, and the tops of my knees. Someone said I flipped (summersalt?), but I don't recall any gymnastics. I have to believe I did, though.
Eventually, the pain went and the crowd gathered...somewhat carefully to see if I was conscious. I was, could talk, and wanted to get up. Never argue with a crowd when you are on your back, you want to get up, and they say "No!" Just laid there until the paramedics showed up and checked me out. Then I was allowed to get up (somewhat to the amazement, it appears, to the police and fire guys that were there).
I did screw up a bit. I got up over to the curb, and told the crew to call off the ambulance. Dumb, dumb. Nothing has come of it, but if you get that much interaction with the pavement, even if it's minor, take the ride. Would have made the medical exam a lot easier to get done...but I did get it done Friday. Aches and pains were confirmed, nothing else. X-rays on Monday just to confirm.
Bike. Maybe totaled. Right-side carrying-case is toast, turn signal is gone, mirror on the right is gone. Front faring is cracked all over, can't be repaired. Don't know if the frame is bent, don't think so, but can't really tell. The motorcycle is a K75RT, which is a three cylinder engine that is lying on it's side. The oil pan, such as it is, is the right side engine cover. It's cracked. The engine is fine, I believe, but there's some concern over contamination getting into the crack and into the engine. I hope it's not totalled, as I'm really enjoying riding this thing everywhere. Well, everywhere except where someone decides I'm not there and my spot is their spot...
Next week, I find out what the police thought of the whole thing, who the insurance co. is for the other guy, what the X-rays say, and what the damage is to the motorcycle.
I'll let you know how it all turns out.
Wizzard
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Damn Wiz! I am so glad you are ok.
Sorry about the bike tho. But damn glad you are ok.
*careful hugs and hugs and hugs*
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Ow, Wizz, holy cow, but I'm glad you're okay. Bummer about the bike but it can be fixed (or parts replaced). And I'm glad the crowd wouldn't let you move, sometimes it takes awhile before the nerve endings wake up and let you know something's busted.
Take care.
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Holy Shit Wizz! Glad your not completely broken. I've been where you are. It truly sucks. Unfortuantely, it was the last time I owned a Motorcycle. Some jerk had taken a left turn from oncoming traffic and I went right into his right rear quarter panel. Did the imfamous flip in the air and landed on my back and butt. Sliced my leg good on his car and was nicely bruised and sore.
Glad you came out of it OK. YThayts the thing about riding...definately gotta keep an eye on the other guys. Good to learn serious defensive driving also.
Hope you aches and pains are nice and numb by now. From what you mention about the damage, yeah, as long as the engine is working and the frame is not bent...then it shoiuldn't be totaled.
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Wizz, ouch, I just read this. I hope you feel better soon, but I am very glad things didn't turn out much worse.
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Update.
First, though, thanks for the good words. At my age, the bruises heal a bit slower, but that's ok, considering what might have been.
Police report essentially says the car driver was at fault. Pretty sure that was the case, but you need the report before you can take that sigh of relief. Bike repairs are right at the upper blue-book value, so I'm probably going to have to get a replacement. That's ok, as I can't really tell if there's any hidden problems.
One witness (EMT trainee) had just passed in the opposite direction, said it was a miracle that A)She didn't hit me (last car through the red light down the end of the overpass) and B)that I wasn't hurt after flipping over. She watched in her mirror as I did a complete flip, and landed on my hands, knees and helmet...apparently to the good, as it put my weight on all 5 points, and nothing had to carry the weight on it's own. Also, if you know about water skiing, first thing you learn when you fall is to let go with your hands (let go of the rope!). Second, relax and the water is forgiving, stiffen up and you are going to bounce. Life jacket will keep you afloat, and the boat will come back to you. Same thing happened. I relaxed and let the helmet, jacket and pants take the bounce and the slide, then waited for the emergency folks to come to me. While I don't remember that much, the one witness and the cop both think it something short of a miracle. The driver that hit me had to have someone follow him home to make sure he got home ok...that's how shook up he was looking at me on the pavement. So, I'm really thankful.
One thing left I need to do, though. That's to get back on and ride around a bit, see if I'm spooked by anything. I don't believe I am, but the proof is in the doing. Fortuately, BMW offers demo rides, so this weekend, I'll see how things go...unless it rains.
Wizz
Wear the gear...always!
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Glad to hear you are doing well Wizz.
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Glad you're still okay, Wizz, and I hope your "check ride" goes well.
What you said about the guy who hit you needing an escort home reminded me of the fellow who clobbered me in the jaw with a golf ball some years back. I was okay, really, needed stitches but was fine. I thought he was going to need sedation.
Cheers.
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Ecellent Wizz. Let us know how thing turn out in the ne4w bike dept. Also, I did the same thing. As soon as I coyuld bend my lag again, I got back on a bike and went ariound the same dabgerous corner, albeit slower, and overcame part of a fear. I still, cring from time to time when a go around it. Kinda like a flashback.
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Jeez, look what happens when I'm away for a week!
Take it easy Wiz, some of those aches and pains can keep coming back every so often.
Glad to hear that you are okay though [img]smile.gif[/img]
