[thirdgenlxi]

Man, worst day ever Sad to say I crashed the F4i pretty good this afternoon, and she's not looking too good right now, and won't start either. It was such a nice day out and I was hungry, so about noon time I left to go ride around a bit and then get something to eat. So I'm going along I-595, in the right lane going 60-65 mph cuz there was a decent amount of traffic. The right lane was an exit lane to I-95 northbound, which was where I was headed. I was behind a Caravan, and wasn't even that close cuz I hate tailgaters and don't do it myself, but the Caravan just SLAMMED on the brakes hardcore because on the right shoulder there was a flatbed towtruck sitting there but he wasn't all the way over, still sticking out into the road. Well the Caravan (and probably the people in front of them) slammed on the brakes, and by the time I reacted and slammed on the brakes (natural reaction I guess), but I was heading straight for the van fast. Honestly it all happened so fast, after slamming on the brakes and feeling the rear lock up and start to slide, I don't even remember what happened, just hitting the ground and sliding on my back for a bit then rolling a few times. I actually ended up sliding down the shoulder and I stopped underneath the back end of the flatbed towtruck that apparently caused this whole thing. After sitting there for a second thinking to myself 'this can't be happening', I realize I'm ok and I crawl out from under the truck, stand up and take my gloves and helmet off and look around. I saw my bike laying in the dead center of the right lane, right where I had been travelling, laying on it's right side with a whole bunch of pieces scattered all around it. The guy in the van pulled over cuz apparently I ran into him, I'm not sure if it was after I fell off the bike or not cuz like I said, I really don't remember anything that happened after slamming on the brakes. Somebody else pulled over too and they came up and asked me if I was ok, I said yea I'm fine. Luckily there was an FHP officer not far back so she got there almost right away. Long story short, from my understanding she gave the towtruck driver the ticket for sticking out into the road and ultimately causing the whole thing. Anyways, I just thank God, as well as Fieldsheer, HJC, and Alpinestars that I'm not only still here to talk about it, but also that I escaped pretty much unharmed overall. Only damage to me was a little scrape on my forehead, a bruise on my left knee, and a decent scrape about 1 inch around on my right knee. Other than that, no broken bones and I got right up and walked away from it. When I think how I slid under the truck, I realize it could have been ALOT worse for me... I came to a stop under the back end of the truck right in the middle, and didn't hit anything under there. Had I slid a little farther I could have hit the differential or the tires, which definitely would have done some more damage to me. Now the bike on the other hand...ehhh, not so lucky. Amazingly though, not a scratch on the tank and not a scratch on the tail, though it did get pushed down somehow and got 2 little holes in each side

This is how it looked this morning

http://forums.sportbikes.net/forums/showthread.php?t=286113

NOW

Best $$$ I ever spent right here

Guess now I gotta see what I can do about getting her back together again!

Oh yea, WEAR YOUR GEAR PEOPLE!!!! TRUST ME, IT WORKS!
I kissed both my helmet and my jacket when I got home today. Without it, I probably wouldn't be here typing this right now

 

[JK_DILLA]

That sucks bad third. So glad to hear you walked away from that with minor scrapes! Especially having it happen on an interstate. suprisingly your mesh jacked doesnt look that bad for sliding a 60mph. So what does the insurance people say? The repairs coming outta your own pocket or are you being taken care of?

 

[R1up0n1]

ahhh man that sucks!!! I just remember you posting up the new pics of the beautiful F4i not too long ago. I'm glad you were able to walk away from it, and you were wearing your gear. Had you slid into the differential or anything else under that tow truck you would have most likely been seriously hurt. I can tell you that insurance would total that bike out...it doesn't take much on a bike for it to be considered totaled. It's definatly not going to be cheap to repair the bike, and it will never ride the same again. I hope you can get the tow truck company to pay for this since it was their fault. :luck:

 

[jeeps84]

Its not pretty for a rider to crash on the highway. You were very lucky to have slid out of the road and onto the shoulder.
Glad to hear your ok and wish the F4 a speedy recovery.

 

[Earlzach]

Like SV, said I can recall those awesome pics just the other day. Sorry to here this Bro, But Real glad your ok.
Hope everything works out for you and your bike to get back up and running soon.

 

[99birdv6]

Real glad you are ok. Just get her fixed up and keep riding

 

[ne1469]

:yikes: :yikes: Glad to hear that your alright and walked away from it. :sorry: about the bike.

seems like it hasnt been a good week for a few of our forum members...first Graff now you... reallly glad both of you were wearing full gear.

:luck: Wish ya a speedy recovery and back to riding ASAP. :luck:

PS!.. when you go shopping for new gear, dont forget to pick up some knee/shin protectors.... I bought some after my spill a few weeks back, I also banged up my my knee..I wont go riding without out them now.

I bought the Icon knee/shin protector..Dainese also makes some very nice ones that you can wear under the pants.

again :luck:

 

[Gas Man]

That sucks man!! Glad to hear you're ok!! The bike don't look that bad all things considering... the bike probably hit the van after your get off! Hence the damage to the front end. Not sure about your insurance stance but you may want to claim that and get it back to full pretty shape and get some money for that gear!

But man that could have been way uglier for you! GEAR IS THE KEY!!! I don't know how many times I try and tell people that. The idea that "I'm not going to do anything stupid" JUST DOESN'T FLY! This is a prime example! You weren't do anything but going from point A to point B and now look!

That jacket did REALLY well! It sure does make me feel better about my meshy!!

I sure hope you feel ok tomorrow (today now). You are going to be all types of sore! I had a smilar type of down last year with a deer and I was pretty sore for a couple days!

Again GLAD YOUR OK!!

 

[JayMax]

[email protected]! :sorry:

Glad to hear you were able to walk away from it though, that's the most important. You live to ride another day.

And I'm sure you will. :dthumb:

Good luck with the insurance, and once again, glad you're alright. Good call with the gear.

 

[Mudpuppy]

That sucks.. Sorry to hear that.. glad you are ok.. Good luck getting it back together..

 

[Gas Man]

I'm just blown away on how well the jacket held up!!

 

[thirdgenlxi]

Thanks alot guys :seeya: I too am just happy that I'm not hurt (well, physically at least. I still want to everytime I look at my baby all smashed up). But anyways, I'm going to be contacting the towtruck companys insurance this week to try and get some $$$ from them to fix it. If they don't want to cooperate, then I guess it's time to get a lawyer. One way or another it's going to get fixed. I can't wait until it is so I can get back out and ride again

Gas, you are absolutely right about the jacket, it did a great job! Only one very small part (about an inch) of the inner lining ripped, but still it was small enough that it did no damage to me, not even any scrapes or scratches. For only being a $75 jacket, I really gotta give Fieldsheer props for making a good product. Funny coincidense, I had a pair of thin metal frame sunglasses in the inside pocket of the jacket, which is right about in the middle of my ribcage when I'm wearing it. Even after sliding and then rolling multiple times, I just now pulled the sunglasses out expecting them to be smashed to hell, yet to my suprise they're not even bent in the least. Perfectly straight and still fit just right, hahaha :lol: My cell phone was in the outside pocket and that didn't get a scratch either.

On a brighter note, I had mentioned earlier that the bike wouldn't start, just cranked and cranked but wouldn't fire. Well I got it started last night, so that's one less thing to worry about. I have a large bag of 'parts' that I picked up from all over the road, so I started going through them and found my bank angle sensor, plugged it back in and she fired right up as always and still ran like a champ. So now it's just cosmetics, and the rear subframe (which actually split in the rear)

I'll keey ya'll updated with any progress!

 

[jetskifast]

Another great example why to always wear gear :dthumb:
Bikes can be replaced, people cannot.

 

[R1up0n1]

I just got home rideing with a guy who has a Black Raven R1, and his buddy showed up with a CBR just like yours...As soon as he rolled up I thought of your bike man. it was identical.

 

[Gas Man]

Did you say what you were wearing on your legs?

 

[pickle.of.doom]

Glad you are still kickin it with us bro! Scary stuff!

You mentioned talking to the tow company... Curious, do you have full coverage on your bike, and do you live in an at-fault state? Here in MI its no-fault, so if you don't have your own coverage you are boned.

Glad she started, I hope you can get her fixed up the rest of the way real soon.

 

[R1up0n1]

Glad you are still kickin it with us bro! Scary stuff!

You mentioned talking to the tow company... Curious, do you have full coverage on your bike, and do you live in an at-fault state? Here in MI its no-fault, so if you don't have your own coverage you are boned.

Glad she started, I hope you can get her fixed up the rest of the way real soon.

I hope you can just get a new bike out of this. Like I said earlier...it will never ride the same again.

 

[thirdgenlxi]

Gas, I was only wearing regular blue jeans at the time. I was actually suprised, the good ol' Wranglers didn't do all too bad either... ripped a little hole (about 1.5 inch) in the right knee, which was where I got my scrape on my right knee from. Didn't get any rocks or anything though in my skin, so I was happy about that. The rubbing alcohol SUCKED though!! I was :cursin: the whole time I was cleaning it out, hahah

Pickle, unfortunately I don't have collision on my insurance (the yearly premium was more than I paid for the bike!!), only PIP and comp. And Florida is a no-fault state too. I can still get compensation for it though, I just have to fight for it myself. A friend of mine went through the exact same thing when somebody hit his bike, he had to fight with the insurance companies and such for nearly a month before getting his way, and he ended up with more $$ then he needed to fix the bike plus some $$ for other things too. He's gonna help me out alot with this cuz I'm definitely no expert (I've never had a single accident in my life!), plus I'm one of those people that's always "too nice" and can get taken advantage of pretty easy by someone out to try. Soooo, one way or another I'll get something out of it from somebody. There's an over abundance of lawyers down here so if need be that's what I'll do. We'll see what happens!

Thanks again guys, and remember ride safe and wear your gear!! :dthumb:

 

[Gas Man]

I disagree SV... it is just cosmetic!

 

[R1up0n1]

that's true GM..but that's A LOT of $$ to fix all the plastics, and exhaust., and it looks like the gauge cluster bracket is bent, if not damaged.