Rear Ended on way to work today

[burgo11]

While stationary at a T intersection waiting for the traffic to clear I got rear ended by a 4WD (SUV) this morning on my way to work. Must say that I was pleased to be on the ST1300 as I am sure on most other bikes I would have received injuries.

Damage to bike noticed so far is:
Right Pannier in pieces.
Tail light lens and assembly in pieces.
RH muffler dented (where the pannier belted it).
RH rear cowl damaged.

The woman was unable to explain why she didn't stop (just burst into tears and apologised).
Thank goodness I was not injured at all.
Just hope there is no hidden damage, guess I'll find that out at the repair shop.
Must say it sure got the blood pumping! I Didn't see it coming and was lucky enough to keep it upright.


Burgo

[Mellow]

I'm assuming you are okay and it sounds like you didn't even fall off.

Very good to hear the driver's remorse in what her inattentive driving could have done, she'll notice bikes a little more from now on.

The bike, hey, it's plastic with a little metal thrown in here and there, it can be fixed. Just glad you are okay.

[burgo11]

I am fine (no injuries at all) and luckily didn't fall off. Just disappointed that the bike looks so sad and beaten up (but it is only plastic and can be repaired).

Gotta be grateful for that as it could of been worse.

Burgo

[bamspringtx]

Glad you are okay... I must say I am watching my mirrors more and more at a stop. Seems like there has been a rash of this type accident going around. I too have been tagged, it was on my old Sabre a while back. Tail light cost $300. And yes I agree it does get the blood flowing!
Always keep your head on a swivel.

[sirepair]

Glad to hear you're OK! Make sure to pay close attention to any aches and pains that develop over the 2-3 days, as sometimes adrenaline will mask minor injuries. You may want to get to the Dr. a.s.a.p. just in case.

I hope you got information from the driver and that the ST can get repaired, too.

[GRN]

Glad your OK man... good reminder of the stratagey I emphasize to my BRC students... when at a stop identify an escape, stay in 1st gear, surf your mirrors and be ready to get the hell out of the way until you have several vehicals completely stopped behind you...

That stratagey saved my life once. The car that tried to kill me (and just grazed my left pan as I swerved :eek: ), hit the car in front of me so hard that it hit the car in front of it hard enough to again hit the next car up... 4 cars in all involved, drivers of the first two cars both hospitalized with significant injury, and I was in position to originally be the first hit. I had a small scratch from the car grazing my left pan, and a small scratch on the right side of the front lower fairing where I leaned up against the guard rail a bit coming to a less than smooth stop at the end of the move. I did however total my underwear, and unfortunately it wasn't cover by my insurance.

Stop in a position that gives you an escape, stay in 1st, surf the mirrors, assume you will have to save your :butt1: , it can save your life.

Count your blessings and take the lesson to heart bro... :)

[johnSTamela]

Glad you weren't injured. Like the others, I'm constantly aware, maybe even paranoid especially when I have to stop fast. But alot of times you never know if they are going to stop or not, especially if they are slowing down. Often I inch forward, usually toward my escape angle and watch and pray they will stop in time.

[Mark]

That is definitely a bad news/good news story.

Let us know what the shop says about hidden damage.

Mark

[uptoblackwood]

Glad you are ok!!

Forest

[BlkMax]

Damage to bike noticed so far is:
Right Pannier in pieces.
Tail light lens and assembly in pieces.
RH muffler dented (where the pannier belted it).
RH rear cowl damaged.


I am glad to hear that you are OK. What sirepair said is correct. The aches and pains can come later... I know as I was also rear-ended last week.

Based on what they are finding on my bike, have the shop take a close look at the pipes. I am assuming that you were hit relatively high on the back of the bike, but if the pipes were driven forward, make sure that they look at the crossover pipe and the 2 into 1 collectors. If any of those are pushed forward it can cause exhaust leaks later, or be a real bugger when you have to take them off, and it "springs".

Also have them look for damaged plastic in the tail section (they may have to disassemble the back end to find all possible damage). It is possible to have plastic cracks that do not actually break until you have more miles and time on the bike. Good Luck.

From the tone of your message, I assume that she was insured.:)

[John Anthony]

Glad you're OK. Hopefully her insurance company will do the right thing in getting your ST all back together.

John

[SupraSabre]

Damage will be replaced by her, your health is top on the list and just very glad you didn't get hurt! :22yikes:

[Britman]

When stopped I am constanly on and off the front brake until any approaching vehicle stops behind me. If they stop too close I will move forward into the gap I have left for this purpose.

I will also keep on the brake. I believe the automatic response from 99.9% of cage drivers when they see a brake light go off is to remove their foot from their brake letting their vehicle move forward.

How many times have you seen a car move forward when a green turn arrow comes on BUT they are sitting in the straight ahead lane facing a red light? :confused:

These reflexes can hurt us riders.

I have a Kisan rear brake light modulator and hyperlites wired into the brake. So all of these flash when either brake is applied. :)

[Sylvain]

Hello,
I have the habit of flashing the rear brake light. I added a LED bar to the rear brake light. I applied reflective tape on the rear of the pannier. And I always try to watch what the cagers from behind are doing.

I only hope that they are not distracted by the Ipod, the cell, or "whatever" they are doing. Just looking ahead like if they were driving a vehicle would be nice :rolleyes: .

[Blue STreak]

I almost got creamed last night coming TO a stop. The light turned as I approached an intersection, so I braked pretty hard to stop (there was a motorcycle cop at the intersection, so I figured running it wouldn't be a good idea). Fortunately, I'm in the habit of checking my rear views when braking, because it was very obvious the Honda (Accord) behind me assumed I was gong to go for it.

I had to let off the brake and stop on the far side of the crosswalk, well past the official stop line. I don't think the cop even noticed.

As they said on Hill Street Blues: "Hey, hey, hey! Let's be careful out there."

[MGDaversa]

Glad you are okay. I got clipped from behind myself earlier this year and like you, I never saw it coming. My guess is that we'll both be checking the mirrors a lot more often for some time to come. Take care.
MGD

[bikeguy]

Holler out from the Bikeguy
Sorry to hear about what happened. Hopefully, you'll be back on the road soon again. I don't sit in traffic and I don't follow. When I'm waiting, I'll set between cars, so that I don't get hit from behind especially on off-ramps and on-ramps -- very deadly.

Take care

[dteel]

Burgo, I want to add to the sentiment that I'm glad you're ok. I hate to hear about stuff like this. I feel most venerable from cagers from the rear. In hind sight, is there much you could have done?

Would also like to second the opinion that it's gratifying that the driver was obviously feeling remorse for her actions. Not much comfort to you I'm sure, but in today’s world some would take the position that the accident was your fault for getting in their way. I'm sure her insurance company will try to find you at fault...

[tarfin]

Glad to hear you're OK. Hope the bike turns out to be as well. +1 for getting a THOROUGH inspection by a technician with a clue. :eek:

[burgo11]

Here are some photos of the damage caused by the rear end I had. As you can see the damage is just the plastic bits. Quote for repairs is Aus$6,600.00. Apologise for the quality.

Burgo

[motomac]

Glad you weren't injured. +1 on GRN's comments on staying in 1st gear and scanning the mirrors. I see so many guys shift to neutral and sit there with their arms folded over their chests in a very vulnerable condition in the every day world. Some on STs at SToc events. If any of you reading this are one to do this, please rethink your stopped condition.