Speaking of Intersections,,,

[kawiman]

I pulled up to a light Saturday and watched as the traffic came up behind me and came to a stop. I'm sitting there, first in line waiting for the light to turn. I see the light across the way turn yellow and I release the brake and get ready to take off. The light turns green and before I can get moving this guy slams into my rear knocking me about 15 feet forward.

He told the officer his foot slipped off the brake! Ya, sure, right on to the gas!!! The guy had insurance and I was not injured. Looks like a new rear fender, tailight and lense, and possibly the right side bag if it leaks water, I havnt checked it yet.

Not sure if there is anyway to prevent this. One person I told about it said "you cant fix stupid" lol

Anyway, just something to think about when you're sitting there at the light next time.

[dantama]

Sorry to hear about your incident. Glad you didn't get caught under him.

I'm always worried about the cars coming up behind me at a light, but once there are 2-3 cars stopped behind me, I relax. Wouldn't have considered getting hit by the guy that is already stopped behind me once it goes green.

I hope you come out well with your insurance claim. Make sure that you are made whole on every scratch and ding, and I'm glad that you weren't injured.

[audiogooroo]

Boy, that is something to think about. I'm like Dan, after the traffic behind me has stopped, I tend to relax a bit. Didn't really think about some bonehead trying to push me into the intersection from a complete stop.

[socwkbiker]

Sorry to hear about your accident. That's one reason I bought the back-off taillight modulator. It helps people see me better, but you never know when someone's foot will "slip".

[damark115]

I am very nervous about this situation. I have almost been hit more than once. I think that since the bike is so small, the driver behind me is looking at the traffic light and not at me or doesn't really see me. They just see green and mash the gas. I hate being first in line at the lights.

[dantama]

I'm not saying that this is what Kawiman did at all, but just another thing to watch out for at lights.

Make sure that you look left, right and left for red light runners (the first car to hit you will be from the left), and move out as soon as it turns green. A lot of dopey drivers will move forward as soon as the car next to them moves. If the car next to you moves before you do, that leaves you getting hit by those type of drivers.

When I was a teen and dopey myself, I'd bait flirty girls into running a red. If they were paying more attention to me, than the light, I'd start to move forward like I was going, then stop after about 3 feet. The flirty girl would see me move and head out running the red. I'd laugh and have a lot of fun baiting them.

Dumb to do, and would never do it now, but a lot of us were probably dumb teens.

Point is, watch out for drivers who go when the car next to them goes, not when it's safe to do so.

My red light routine goes like this. See my light turn red and start slowing flashing the brake light to get the attention of the cars behind me. No racing up to the light and hard stops, give the car behind a chance to slow so that they aren't racing up on you. Pay close attention till 2-3 cars are all the way stopped behind you.

Read the lights to the side and wait for the yellow, then do a lot of left, right, left looks; checking for possible red light runners. Time the light and if there is nobody in position to run the red, move out as soon as it turns green.

Also watch for what looks like a stopper in the right turn lane that is across the intersection to your right, many times they want to jump in before traffic gets across the intersection, but right in front of moving traffic.

Sounds like a lot to do, but it's what I always do. I love being first at a light. If all of the above is done, and you don't have an incredible dopey driver behind you, you can safely get out in front of traffic by accelerating faster and then you are riding with clear lanes next to you.

[rksaw]

Bummer about the bike 'man. Hope it doesn't take too long to get fixed. I know that I have a tendency to wait when my light turns green and I'm in the #1 slot (I had an accident in '92 where a guy to my left ran the red), but maybe I'll consider speeding up my routine as you suggest Dan.

[bebop]

I've been 4 "accidents" after all these years. Fortunately they were all while I was driving a car. 3 of them were getting rear ended while at a stop sign or red light. They were either drinking or on a cell phone. The other was a slow head on when a driver decided he like my lane better (drinking and drugs again). If there is a next time and I am not seriously injuried I will stagger out of the car or off the motorcycle and fall on the ground while calling for medical help. I've never sued anyone and I am not interested in suplimenting my retirement in that way but it's the only way to get some people's attention. The money can be contributed to organizations for motorcycle awareness. I'm getting less patient with inconsiderate people as I get older.

Cheers!

[phenrichs]

Make sure you check the bag rails underneath. you dont want to miss something and get stuck paying out of pocket later.

[b2]

That's insane..

I had a year back in the 90's when I was hit from behind 3 times - each time I was in a car/cage, twice driving and once as a passenger. No injuries, but one of the cars was a write-off. All 3 times the person behind totally failed to see the traffic stopped ahead - for 2 of the accidents I'd been stopped for more than 30 seconds (that is, not a case of my stopping fast and leaving the guy behind no chance).

Suffice to say I've been paranoid about re-end incidents ever since.

..but being hit by a car that had already stopped ???

[dantama]

B2, I was hit once by a car from behind while I was in my car waiting at a red light, but not 3 times!

My brother and I were talking about it and he told me that one time he was in his car at a red light, and had 4-5 cars already stopped behind him when a large truck hit the line so hard it ended up getting him (he was the front car) and pushing him into the intersection. He had to have the rear of his car repainted.

You'd think that by the time you have 4-5 cars stopped behind you that you'd be safe.

[flightdoc]

I like being first at the light.....after that first vehicle comes up behind me. Being first from the light or stop sign allows me to have a better view of the goings on around me. I think it allows other traffic to see me too. Once mixed in with the traffic I think we all become "invisible" at times. Especially when traffic is heavy.

vin

[kawiman]

UPDATE; As it turns out I came out smelling like a rose on this one. The estimate was just over $3,000 which included a new right side bag, rear fender, tail light assembly, and turn signal assembly plus labor and tax.

The check is made to me. I plan to pay the $50 estimate fee, then order a new tail light assembly, replace it myself, and pocket almost $2700.

The damage to the fender is hardly visible and the scuff marks on the bag should mostly all come out with some rubbing compound and good ole fashioned elbow grease. The bent turn signal light should straighten back out without breaking.

Here are some pics;

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/c...t=IMG_0835.jpg

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/c...t=IMG_0838.jpg

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/c...t=IMG_0836.jpg

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/c...t=IMG_0823.jpg

[dantama]

I had a similar experience where I bought pipes off ebay, insurance paid for new ones. I left the engine and bag guards that were scratched on the bottom, they paid for new ones. Etc.

I'm glad that you come out OK physically, and financially.

[kawiman]

Thanks Dan, I went out and pulled the turn signal back into place as best I could. Looks ok. Just have to decide if I want to leave the fender as is. Thats $650 in pocket. I dont plan to sell this bike anytime soon, if at all, and the money in pocket is awfully tempting. I'm going to think a little while on it, but I dont think I can part with $2700 in my pocket vs riding a bike that is damaged only if you look close. I be a po boy! lol