T-boned yesterday.

[den1953]

I've been in some motorcycles accidents where my bike was totaled but I essentially walked away hurt but alive. Whether or not your Spyder is total or fixable will be up to the insurance adjuster but at least you're still around to get back into the saddle again. I'm convinced in riding to survive and making myself visible by wearing wearing red, yellow, orange or safety green shirts and having my spot lights on with my headlight. I even considered a yellow Spyder RT once just to be more visible. All of those things and maybe a louder horn could make a difference. Glad you are OK.

[MelloYelloSpyder]

Bummer, glad you're relatively OK. Don't settle with the insurance co until after you have consulted with some very good orthopedic specialists. I had my right ankle broken in 1970 when a drunk ran a red light and hit me on my bike. My ankle bent the frame and tank. The doctor that worked on me said "you're gonna have trouble with that when you get old. Boy was he right, I had to have my ankle fused about 20 years ago and need a total replacement now. Hurts with every step. I don't say this to bum you out, but rather don't settle for cheap like I did.

Agreed, DO NOT settle with the insurance company. Take them to court and get the best bang for your buck. I too was hit when I was 21 (30 years ago) by someone that did a "California" stop at a sign on a military base no less. I was young and dumb and took the settlement. My ankle pop and snaps every time I rotate it due to it not healing properly. The ankle was repaired my a civilian sport injury/orthopedic doctor because we didn't have a doctor on base that could do this type of work. I can still ride but I am dreading the day when this ankle gets too bad that I can't.

[MelloYelloSpyder]

I've been in some motorcycles accidents where my bike was totaled but I essentially walked away hurt but alive. Whether or not your Spyder is total or fixable will be up to the insurance adjuster but at least you're still around to get back into the saddle again. I'm convinced in riding to survive and making myself visible by wearing wearing red, yellow, orange or safety green shirts and having my spot lights on with my headlight. I even considered a yellow Spyder RT once just to be more visible. All of those things and maybe a louder horn could make a difference. Glad you are OK.

If only it were that simple. I have a Yellow STS and people still pull out in front of me or come into my lane. Had a guy a couple of weeks ago start creeping into my lane and I laid on the horn until he got back where he belonged then got along side of him and looked and hit and just shook my head. He stayed back from me after that...maybe it woke him up and he will pay better attention but I suspect not..

[Capt. Bob]

Very sorry to hear about your ankle injury. I hope that you heal quickly and get the very best medical attention available.

It just reinforces my perception that EVERYBODY in a cage is trying to whack us whether it be intentional or not.

[Gray Ghost]

I was just looking at some pictures from 5 years ago on facebook. We were both hit on the same day just five years apart. Bright lights and a loud horn didn't help me, and I miss that bike every day. Best of luck to you in the healing process, and hope that if you do have to replace the bike that you can find a good replacement.

[smokedtires]

Thanks for the words of encouragement everyone. I thought my bright orange spyder would be hard to miss but obviously not.


You can see between the footpegs where my foot went through the frame. My sneak was tucked in there.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Unfortunately you can't PREVENT people who are not paying attention to what they are doing.....They may say
" WELL I JUST DIDN'T SEE THEM " .......when in reality they wouldn't have seen " ANY VEHICLE " because they weren't paying attention.............again Glad you are OK........Mike

[Gator37]

Thank the Good Lord you were not killed. There are people out there who should not be driving anything and we have to be on the lookout for them all the time. Sometimes they will get you anyhow. I get kind of a kick out of Washington State signs, usually in a construction zone: "Motorcyclists use Extreme Caution." If you are doing that all the time you should not be riding.
Ken

[Wildrice]

Godspeed your recovery--prior advice is correct--take your time in settling with the insurance company--it's been my experience that bad drivers have no coverage or minimal coverage--keep us posted on your progress.

[HayRog]

Smokedtires,

Loads of good advice on these two pages -- glad you're OK.

[Sam Mac]

One little tip I'll pass along is try to make eye contact with those around you. Where they are looking is where they are going. If they are looking at the cell phone texting or playing Pokémon all bet's are off.

[smokedtires]

Unfortunately it was an 89yr old woman who probably shouldn't be driving.

[Lamonster]

Unfortunately it was an 89yr old woman who probably shouldn't be driving.

Very sorry to hear this. Had a few close calls on my last trip. Hope you heal up soon and you haven't lost your fire to ride.

[Derk]

lot's of prayers going your way for a speedy recovery.

[Peteoz]

One little tip I'll pass along is try to make eye contact with those around you. Where they are looking is where they are going. If they are looking at the cell phone texting or playing Pokémon all bet's are off.

I'll be watching the cars and the road up ahead (and around me) rather than trying to make eye contact to see which way someone's eyes are looking, Sam

[SteveLaoyster]

I don't know if this would have helped in this situation but I ride with my high beams on during the day to make me & the bike more visible. Does anyone else do this?

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I don't know if this would have helped in this situation but I ride with my high beams on during the day to make me & the bike more visible. Does anyone else do this?

High beams, LED bulbs, and modulator. It gets people's attention!

[smokedtires]

That's great advice. I actually got my step father to start riding with his high beam on during the day.

The woman that hit me was coming towards me and was turning left in front of me to go down a side street. The police report states I was riding a bright orange motorcycle and she didn't see me until she hit me.

I don't know if the part of the frame that my foot broke is a vital section or easily replaceable. I fear if I was on my 2 wheeler she would have ran me over. Very glad I was on the Spyder. I'll be calling my insurance tomorrow for the bike. It's currently at the towing company's fenced in yard. I haven't been able to see it yet.

[Major spyder]

Well I've had my F3s for about a month and a half to two months now. I have almost 2100 miles that have all been great. After riding for 30 yrs on the rode I just had my first accident. A woman turned right into my path and hit me. She crushed my ankle with her car between my bike. Aside from that I am ok. I feel this would have neen much worse if I was on 2 wheels. I have a long rode ahead of me. I don't know what the shape of my F3s is but I will worry about that at another time.

Get well soon... What a bummer... And I know that doesn't get you feeling better

Howard and Ann..
montana

[jaherbst]

Unfortunately it was an 89yr old woman who probably shouldn't be driving.

Macular Degeneration comes to mind here. Look it up. I fear this more than people texting or on cell phones. Usually unable to see any peripheral vision. A lot can still pass a vision test with DOT because it is strait ahead vision only. Becoming more of a problem in aging people.

​Jack

[Kraut]

the more I look at your photo two thoughts came to mind: 1) even though your ankle is crushed, just the right combination of speed and angle could have made it so much worse; 2) sometimes all the armor in the world won't help. Good luck on your recovery and hang in there on your road back.

[bronzeflex42]

Glad your ok and wish you a speedy recovery!!

[bruiser]

One little tip I'll pass along is try to make eye contact with those around you. Where they are looking is where they are going. If they are looking at the cell phone texting or playing Pokémon all bet's are off.

Doesn't always work. I was sitting at a light in a double right turn. That is two lanes make the right turn. I was on the inside lane, a lady in a cage was in the outside lane next to me. I was on my Vulcan, wife was behind me on her Spyder. The lady looked directly at me and my bike as we were sitting at the light. When the light changed and we started moving, she started coming over in my lane. She actually pushed me in to oncoming traffic. I finally kicked her door to get her attention. Unfortunately she turned in to a Wal Mart parking area. I couldn't get turned around to catch her.