Beam me up Scott.....

[CrazyFrog]

Well after a run of 20 years two wheeled commuting,  and an average of one 'off' every year,  my luck finally ran out yesterday. A stupid woman did a u turn about 40 feet in front of me, I instinctively grabbed a big handful of front brake, and once the speed had dropped to about 15-20mph, from 30, the locked up front wheel washed out and down I went.

The good news is that every other time I've had an off due to someone else's stupidity, I've never managed to claim anything back from the third party's insurers. This time there were two independent witnesses and the police were called, so it should be a cut and dry case.

The bad news is that I've dislocated my shoulder, may have to have an op, and off bikes for 6 weeks. That means I'll miss over half the summer and rally season. 

[manxie]

Bloody hell, what a nightmare for you, hope you`re ok? It`s beyond belief what these no b-heads are thinking! I believe that every person who wants to learn to drive a car SHOULD BE MADE TO ride a bike / scooter for six months beforehand .... to let them know that motorcyclists exist.

My mate, nearly two years ago now, had something similar happen to him. He was going a lot faster, in a de-restricted area (no speed limit over here....out of the towns) when a car did a U-turn right in front of him...oh, on a clear straight road too. My mate didn`t survive it.

The driver was prosecuted but I can`t exactly remember what he got?

I hope all goes well for you and it gets sorted ... take it easy, Steve 

[CrazyFrog]

Thanks Steve and sorry to hear about your mate.

I guess I got off lightly and tbh I've been very lucky and only ever sustained cuts and bruises before. I wouldn't mind,  but about 50 yards up the road was a car park where she could have turned in total safety. It's easy to see what happened though - quick check in the door mirror and she clocked the car behind me, but not me, and thought she had time to swing round quickly. Hey ho, the police were called and there were eye witnesses, so the insurance should be cut and dry.

Cheers,

Pete

[SteveC#222]

Sorry to hear about your 'off' Pete but at least it wasn't as bad as it could have been, your still here and it looks like the insurance will pay up.

Some drivers just don't seem to think, when I had to commute every day it was a nightmare some winter days when the road was covered in ice/snow and some gormless Rep was 6 inches behind my numberplate wondering why I was only doing 35!!

Hope you and your bike are on the mend soon.

[timbo]

Good luck with your recovery Pete, and really sorry to hear about your accident. There are so many ignorant, *******ty drivers out there. Nothing surprises me anymore.

[Moto63]

I believe that every person who wants to learn to drive a car SHOULD BE MADE TO ride a bike / scooter for six months beforehand .... to let them know that motorcyclists exist.

Hope your recovery goes ok Pete, having been on the recovery ladder for the last 10months you have my full sympathy mate. These people really shud be MADE to ride some form of two wheeled mode of transport like Steve says, I really couldn't agree more. Plus I feel if they (the powers that be) started to come down harder on the offenders of these "accidents" then maybe just a few people would stop and think twice before they made the manovoures. Like I say mate all the best with the recovery and stay positive.
Cheers, Michael

[SteveC#222]

I forget where I read it, but some years ago some Government Quango transport hotshot was explaining how it perfectly safe to ride motorcycles in snow and ice as the because as it only had 2 wheels it cut through the ice and snow down to the tarmac rather like the blade on an ice skate!! ....not a bl**dy clue!!

.....it may have been the same f%$k wits that suggested the idea of lap belts on bikes to stop the rider being throw clear in the event of a crash!!

[themoudie]

Sorry to read of your incident Pete and I hope that you mend, without long term consequences. Whilst navigating the second debacle today (see elsewhere) in the outside lane at a steady 15 - 20mph filtering speed in 2nd, I had a small tour coach up my chuff, the (?) at the wheel sounding the horn and revving the engine, as I wasn't making the "progress" (?) thought appropriate when approaching the incident. Within 50m of the incident the police held the traffic and I took the opportunity, dismounted and turned towards the bus and glared! Not another peep from a rotound, palid, sweaty palmed individual! The "blue rinse brigade" passengers weren't pleased and I suspect their verbal hand bagging was worse and had to be endured for longer!

I would agree with the 6 months on a 125 before anything else would likely make the penny drop, but the sheer arrogance of many behind the wheel of a vehicle today, both female and male can only be changed by forefeiting the licence, and convincing everybody that it is not a "God given right", but a priviledge to be allowed a licence to drive a vehicle. There should also be a ban imposed for using and automated cut off of all mobile device signals once they exceed 5mph. A plague! 

GGGGgrrrrrrhhhh! Black rum and cocoa required afore hitting the hay!  move to the 'Rant' if moderators see fit.

My regards, Bill

[Moto63]

I would agree with the 6 months on a 125 before anything else would likely make the penny drop, but the sheer arrogance of many behind the wheel of a vehicle today, both female and male can only be changed by forefeiting the licence, and convincing everybody that it is not a "God given right", but a priviledge to be allowed a licence to drive a vehicle. There should also be a ban imposed for using and automated cut off of all mobile device signals once they exceed 5mph. move to the 'Rant' if moderators see fit.

My regards, Bill

Defo not a rant Bill, just a well put side of an argument/debate. Yes they must in this day n age be able to bring something out that disables all electronic devices once someone gets behind the wheel of a car. I,ve just taken delivery of my shiny new van, the guy who sold it to me couldn't believe that I didn't want sat nav, blue tooth plus a host of other electronic gizmos. I chose to av alloy wheels instead for the same cost....the sales guy was speechless. Sign of the times I suppose.
Cheers, Michael

[iansoady]

I agree with much that's said but looking at the antics of the local kids on their mopeds they don't learn an awful lot in the few months they keep them......

[Smithy]

Sorry you've had an off mate, never a nice thing to go through. Don't let it put you off though, remember the good times they'll soon be back.

Ian

[CrazyFrog]

Thanks again for the kind thoughts everybody. Got the bike back home yesterday, and itching to get it sorted and get back out. Beautiful biking day too today....

[johnr]

thats bad news mate, but, trying to look on the bright side, you walked away (or hobbled away) and in the greater scheme of things, rgardless of blame, claim or prossecution, thats all that matters in the end. so, its a shitter, but youre ok, if a little bruised and battered. i suppose you need the internet, a pen and paper and then start making lists of what youre going to do next.

[BrendanO]

Glad you're ok and got witnesses.

DO keep in touch with them/buy them each a bottle of wine to say thanks for being witnesses (even better, get yr partner to go round with it)...it guilts them out so they don't melt away when needed. I once had a great witness, but a few weeks later, when needed, she failed to respond to letters or calls. If the other party had dug heels in, I would ave been in trouble.

How's the bike?

[Moto63]

Glad you're ok and got witnesses.

DO keep in touch with them/buy them each a bottle of wine to say thanks for being witnesses (even better, get yr partner to go round with it)...it guilts them out so they don't melt away when needed. I once had a great witness, but a few weeks later, when needed, she failed to respond to letters or calls. If the other party had dug heels in, I would ave been in trouble.

How's the bike?

Sound advice indeedy I say....flowers, wine, beers.....whatever it takes to keep these people on your side. Sadly nobody ever really wants to "get involved" these days. Fingers crossed it all goes your way. A friend of ours (myself and propellor) was knocked off his bike by a guy who pulled out in front of him "I didn't see you mate" luckily he had a witness and the guy kind of had to admit it was his fault....it took three years of legal wrangling before he got paid out....apparently that's now the normal procedure. Anyway on that cheery note hope ya feeling a bit better Pete and like I say stay positive.
Cheers..Michael