First and hopefully last

[Shaun]

Hey everyone.

Just a quick message to let you all know that I was involved in an accident with a SMIDSY last Friday. There I was, riding in the left lane, with a line of cars in the right lane, some wishing to turn right, and at least one who didn't. Said driver merged into my lane all of a sudden right in front of me, without exercising the option of a quick glance to check if the lane was currently occupied.

Crash, bang, leap, roll, crap, ow

Safety gear spared me a lot of superficial damage, however, ended up with break in left hand, shoulder popped out and in, extensive right flank damage, compressed ribcage, knee and ankle something or other. And a sad looking bike.

After a few days in hospital, was able to walk out, which when it is all said and done is a pretty good outcome for this accident. Guy is of course uninsured for the damage to my bike (CTP only). Of course. I only have 3pp, so on my own there, but no worries, done that before too (chasing a drink driver who thought my parked car was a parking spot).

Any tips on good places in Sydney for quotes for bike repair, given also the degree of extra tinkery and paraphenalia on the bike? Also, any advice on how to get the bike to these places? I am afraid this is all rather new to me. :)

Cheers, Shaun

[StinkyPete]

Hi Shaun, Sorry to hear about your "off" and I'm glad to hear you are on the mend.   I can't help with your questions, but just wanted you to know that we're thinking of you as you spend time recovering and getting your bike back on the road.

[Brock]

Get well soon, hope the coppers did a number on the numpty what hit you. 

[ST2UP]

Buggara !!! Glad to here your mostly ok and will ride again another day 

And a massive GRRRR !!! to the oblivious and irresponsible cage rider   


cheers

[Shiney]

Sorry to hear about the run in (I hope that moron gets whats coming to him ) it sounds like it wasn't just a little crash if it put you in the hospital , I hope you are fully recovered soon and manage to get the insurance/repairs sorted without too much stuffing around.

Cheers
Shiney

[Sicman]

  Sorry to hear of your off Shaun - It comes as a bit of a shock when it happens all so quickly.  Someone closer to the Sydney area will know of a repairer. Sounds like you might need to hire a trailer to get it there, but at least afterwards you will be able to ride it home 

[Shaun]

Thanks for all the messages of support :)

I will wait a little while I think, until my body is up to it and then try to organise a trailer to get it around to the various places. One place I got in touch with wanted $60 for the tow (around 3 km) and then another $60 "quote fee", refundable if I decided to get the repair there. If this is typical, then...ugh...

Mug's game, this.

[saaz]

Ouch!  Sorry to hear Shaun. I nearly got taken out the same way on the way to get the first service done. I was already on the brakes and getting away when the car quickly stayed in it own lane. Funny how a big blue bike with bright lights and a rider with a white helmet is invisible. I have had the same thing happen on the white ST1100 as well.

[Marcus]

WOW Shaun, sorry to hear about your off.... But I'm glad your alive to talk about it...

How fast were you travelling at the time? Just curious, as to body damage list compared to speed. Did you go over the car? head on? what pants did you have on?

[Shaun]

Yeah, saaz, amazing how invisible I was on a bright lit up loud bike. Guy behind me (an off duty paramedic if you can believe that) could not believe it. Guy just pulled out in front of me...its true what they say about the whole slow motion thing...I was actually able to kinda half jump off and reasonably control my collision with the unforgiving asphalt.

Marcus, not overly quick, the guy behind estimated something like 30-40km/h. I was buffering left and was wary of the traffic buildup on the right, so was well under the limit. As for pants...my trusty kevlar lined draggins were most helpful...and thankfully they didn't need to cut them up to attend to me...

[tj189]

good to hear that you are up and around Shaun, make sure you take it easy for a while

[Marcus]

Marcus, not overly quick, the guy behind estimated something like 30-40km/h. I was buffering left and was wary of the traffic buildup on the right, so was well under the limit. As for pants...my trusty kevlar lined draggins were most helpful...and thankfully they didn't need to cut them up to attend to me...

Thanks for answering, it's great news that the draggins worked as advertised. "extensive right flank damage" what does that mean?

[gibbo57]

Always sad to hear when something like this happens, glad your ok mate.
Cheers
 

[Shaun]

Thanks again everyone! :)

Before I go and organise a hire trailer and all that smeg, does anyone in the Sydney area happen to have one or know someone who does? Worth an ask I think! I am in inner west.

Also, no recommendations as to a good repairer? I was less than impressed with the one I have gone to so far, and my usual guy has upped shop and moved to Hornsby. The bugger.

Cheers, Shaun

[HunterTodd]

Why does the law allow vehicles on the road without full insurance. If you can't afford to insure a car to cover other road users you shouldn't be driving.

 And what's worse if the accident had been your fault that a'hole would have been covered.

[JuST Peter]

Thanks again everyone! :)

Before I go and organise a hire trailer and all that smeg, does anyone in the Sydney area happen to have one or know someone who does? Worth an ask I think! I am in inner west.

Also, no recommendations as to a good repairer? I was less than impressed with the one I have gone to so far, and my usual guy has upped shop and moved to Hornsby. The bugger.

Cheers, Shaun

I'll ask around Shaun.

[Gadget]

Glad to hear yo are on the mend.  Sorry to hear the bike needs some TLC.  I know how that feels, fortunately for me it was insured with Swan Insurance and I could ride it in to get repairs.  Waiting for parts meant it was off the road for 3 months. 


Here in Brisbane I've used Brisbane Motorcycles for both my bike and my wife's and they have been brilliant.

Had a very near SMIDSY myself this morning with a white RAV. 

MY STeed has Flouro Yellow stripes, my helmet is Black and Flouro Yellow and so is my Jacket. One of the Severn Dwarves decided that coming thought the dual lane round-a-bout behind the tip truck doing 45 km/h was too slow so on immediately exiting the round-a-bout he pulled into my lane despite me already being there.  I'd had an inkling it was going to happen so I had my thumb already hovering over the horn button.  Despite the Stebel Air-Horn blasting continuously he kept on coming  and only looked over his shoulder at me when I was already on the Safety line.  He kept coming  and I just kicked down and ran up the safety lane and pulled back in front of him.  I rode on just shaking my head and    inside my helmet.

[Biggles]

I just kicked down and ran up the safety lane and pulled back in front of him.  I rode on just shaking my head and    inside my helmet.

Just be careful of inciting road rage.  If the cretin drives like that they might just have enough sense of entitlement and invulnerability to choose to run you down from behind when you stop checking your mirrors.
Ironically, if a traffic Cop just saw the last bit, you're the one who gets pulled over.

[Gadget]

Be assured Biggles I was leaving him behind and checking my mirrors.  Didn't trust the Bar steward.