Out for a ride this afternoon and came up on this 4 way intersection. Was going about 35 and this guy in a pickup pulled out and never saw us. He freaking panicked and stopped right in the middle of the intersection. I locked em up and the rear end slid a little and that was it. Slammed into the rear of his pickup and we both got thrown off the side. We were wearing our fugly bobblehead 3/4 helmets and they did their job. We both remember how friggen hard that payment felt when our heads hit it.
The guy in the pickup told the cop he never saw us until he was in the middle of the intersection. I couldn't believe he pulled out and then just stopped. Bike is pretty wrecked up fairing got ripped off, front fender smashed in saddle bag banged up and scrapes and busted stuff all over. Man I just can't see wanting to get the dam thing fixed back up as I gotta believe it just isn't going to be the same. Don't know what they declare as totaled these days.
So pissed we are getting married in 3 weeks and had a 2 week trip planned down the blueridge parkway, the dragon etc.
Guess we should both be grateful not to be in the ICU.
As I sit here in the ER waiting to be seen, I keep wondering if I had just been going slower into the Intersection or somehow maneuvered around the back of his truck, I could have avoided the whole thing.

 

Glad to hear that you two are ok!!! Bikes can't be fixed.

 

"Fugly Bobblehead 3/4" helmets Huh! Well, what would've you looked like without them? Would you have ridden in an ambulance to the ER? Maybe just a few bodies in the intersection with yellow blankets over them?

I'm not trying to be an a$$, I've just taken up the torch by riding with a full face modular. I don't hate it. I just don't love it! Kudos for not laying it down and being under the truck. And, yes, a proper swerve might have saved you the ER visit. Still would've needed to change your underwear, but thats a whole different issue.

I've been researching this phenomena where motorists fail to see us. I believe that riding with the viewpoint that motorists are simply looking for an "Absence of a Car" before pulling into an intersection, will help us all be safer. Think to yourself, Am I riding in a spot that looks like an absence of a car to oncoming motorists? Thats the danger zone.

Mike

 

the pickup owner's insurance may pay for a rental bike while yours is being repaired...so you can still take your trip. next time you come to an intersection-- let off the gas, cover both brakes, look for possible escape routes, and assume that some one is going to do something stupid. most accidents can be avoided if you are prepared...having the right of way means nothing.

 

^^^^^yup!

 

Wow.................what a coincedence.....i am on day number 5 in icu as i type
....6th gear wot, she never saw me, be vfortunate you had lids as i did not....bike skid 232yards......rental costs will be covered by their ins

 

Glad it wasn't worse.

They'll look right at you and not see you. They're unaware. They're looking for a car or truck. Hell, they run into trains from time to time.

If I see a car at or approaching a stop sign from either side I'll weave in my lane to get the headlight pointing at them then away from them so there is something to get their attention. A moto cop told me about that a few years ago. I always ride with my hi beam during the daytime.

 

I had a very similar event on a country road. Teenager oncoming then suddenly pulled a left headed for her boyfriends gate. Could have been texting him or just didn't look. It seems typical that when they do see/hear you, they slam on the brakes, half way between the turn, in the middle of the road.
I didn't fair as well as you, although I did have a FF and it hit hard. I almost made it behind her but caught my toe on the rear fender and it smashed my lower leg back into my kick start arm as it crushed against her bumper. 12 screws and Titanium plate, I don't walk so good now.
First trip to the ER in 49 yrs of riding.

 

I wasn't knocking 3/4 helmets. Most people we ride with use brain buckets. Me and the Mrs are the standouts whenever we go on a ride. We are both OK with that and even more so now. We have been considering Modular helmets and will resume the search now that both of the 3/4's have been slammed.
Continental drifter I wish you the best in your recovery. Yeah maybe its time for the advanced riders course. As close as we came to missing his truck, a little more experience or training may have made the difference. Been riding for 25+ years and had 35K on this bike with not a scratch. Of course the question about getting back in the saddle creeps into our thoughts. We both love riding too much to hang it up. That new Ultra Limited I looked at this past weekend may become a reality quicker than we thought.

 

I do this with every vehicle I encounter, be it side roads and/or same road