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Iron Butt
Posts: 810
| CA has banned Assault Rifles, they should also ban Assault MiniVans. I went to run a quick errand today only to get rear-ended at the 1st stop light by a women driving a minivan.
Luckily I had both feet on the ground when she it me and did not drop the bike. She gave me a insurance card that expired in 2001 and then told me should pay me cash, NOT !!! I doubt I would have ever heard from her again. I called the cops and hand them write up a report. People must be BLIND. I think it is time to carry a camera on the bike. The dealer estimated the damages to @ $1,700 to replace the broken tail lights and Tupperware. I hope the exhaust pipes did not muck up the engine at all from the rear impact.
Tim
Edited by TimS 2008-04-04 12:55 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | Glad to hear youre ok, the rest is repairable. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I'm starting to look more in my rear view when coming to a stop light to judge what the idiot (yes, idiot until proved otherwise) behind me is going to do. I know folks think I'm an idiot when the light turns green because I'll hesitate until all cross traffic has come to a COMPLETE stop. We have too many runners, and I've almost got it by one or two or more, had I been quicker on the throttle as I am most times.
All of you know this, but be vigilent at all times and never ASSUME anything.
I'm glad to hear you're one of the fortunate ones TimS as I've read too many where a cyclist has been hit like you and thrown into to the traffic only to get run over. Hope it all works out for you.
Ride on! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| Glad you are okay.
Something I did in Florida was every time I stopped I would pump my brake. That way my brake light would be flashing and hopefully make someone aware I am there. I never got tail ended so maybe it worked? Of course FL is flat so you don't have to stay on the brakes to keep from rolling too.
I remember when Tom and I got to Salt Lake City. I had told him NEVER to be the first one to pull out at the light change. The very first light we were stopped at a car went through the intersection while our light was green and the cars on each side had started moving forward. When I visited the children after Sue passed away I was in SLC for 3 days and saw 5 t-bones.
NEVER be afraid to toot your horn to make sure a driver is aware of you. It's much better to have him/her pissed for the rest of the day then you be injured.
I suggest you have the dealer pull your pipes to make sure they did not get jammed. It would suck someday down the road you had to pull them and it took 2 hours to get them off. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 109
| sorry tim , itis only a motorcycle, glad you are ok tom d |
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Cruiser
Posts: 294
rhode island | After you stopped choking her, what did she have to say for herself? My condolences for your vision. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 59
| You being unhurt is the most important thing. Glad your OK. |
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Tourer
Posts: 550
Tacoma, WA | I am just glad you are all right. I agree with flashing the brake lights. I do it as often at a light as I can, also when I see a slowdown ahead, to make those behind me aware that some braking is gonna happen!-----Metalguy |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 732
Western WA | That could have been very nasty, and I'm really glad to hear that you are okay.
BlueOx USA - 2008-04-04 3:07 AM
*snip*
Something I did in Florida was every time I stopped I would pump my brake. That way my brake light would be flashing and hopefully make someone aware I am there. I never got tail ended so maybe it worked? Of course FL is flat so you don't have to stay on the brakes to keep from rolling too.
*snip*
That is one of the reasons that I used a brake/tail-light modulator on my other bikes. I believe the flashing draws much more attention than a steady light.
I don't think any of the companies are making the modulator for the Vision. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I'd like to see a mod, within the law with a scrolling light on the V and a flashing on the trunk. |
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Nalcrest, FL United States | Glad you are O.K. Tim. Was your hand or foot on the brake while you were stopped? Did she say if she saw the brake lights? Maybe this is another reason why the trunk lights should be brake lights! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 74
Puyallup, Washington | Tim, like everyone else here, so glad you are okay. I too would love to hear the explanation of the driver who hit you if she has one. Hopefully your Vision will be good as new soon. Wayne |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 810
| The intersection has a left turn lane, a right turn lane and 3 lanes inbetween. All of the lanes were backed up with traffic waiting for the stop light to turn green. There were about 2 or 3 cars and trucks stopped ahead of me. With this wall of stopped traffic in all lanes, there is no way she could NOT have seen the stop light. I don't know if I had my brake light on. Both feet were on the ground and I was in first gear. I don't remember if the front bake was depressed or not. After the 2nd cop came, I asked her how she could not see me. I asked here if I needed a bigger American flag on the back of the bike to make it more visible. I also told her that rear-ending motorcycles like that could seriously injure or kill the riders. She then told me after a long pause that she was rear ended and that caused her to rear end me. The officer asked me about the phantom 3rd vehicle. I told the cop: 1) I only heard 1 crash, not 2. 2) I did not hear any tires squealing and there are no skid marks. 3) If she was rear ended strong enough to lurch her mini-van 4-5 feet forward, there should at least be a dimple on her rear bumper. 4) Multiple colors of her paint transferred to my bike, so there should be some paint transfer on her rear buffer but there was none. 5) She should have stopped the rear vehicle if she was hit but she did not, nor did she take down any plate numbers. All, in all, I did not have eyes in the back of my head, but there is no evidence for me to collaborate her story. I believe she is making it up.
The cop checked her rear bumper and found nothing. He asked her to show were the damage was and there wasn't any. He asked the woman 3 times where the 3rd vehicle went and she said nothing. After a long pause after the 3rd question, she said they turned right. She had no description of the vehicle or plate number to offer.
I doubt very seriously if she was rear ended. I think she was trying to get out of it after I told her that there was over $1,000 worth of damage done to the bike. I don't think she had any idea of bike costs, repair costs, or parts availability on a new model year. The weather was bright sunny skies with no clouds @ 1:50pm in the afternoon. There was no no low sun glare and plenty of light and visibility. The wall of stopped traffic should have been enough of a hint.
Sincerely, Tim |
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Cruiser
Posts: 83
Lexington, North Carolina | Her story is sure frustrating! Glad you're okay. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | People driving now a days flat do not pay attention and have no concept to the damage they can cause because of it. I recalled one day when I came to a stop at a light and as I sat there I heard a screech and a bam. After about a minute of trying to figure out where it came from, it was behind me into the car that was directly behind me. So, had that car not been there, it would have been me. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 296
Central Florida | Tim, Glad you are Ok... it is only metal and plastic and that of course can be replaced.
I hope your bike isnt hung up too long as this will be #2 out of action.
Hang in there  |
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Tourer
Posts: 554
2 mi from Jim Beam n KY | Glad you're ok!! Hope your Vision is repaired quick and correctly!!!
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Cruiser
Posts: 115
Victoria, BC | I have been rear-ended four times in my car while stopped at red lights (one resulting in my car being written off). My policy now is to run every yellow light - if there is any one behind me. Should I ever get a ticket, I will take it to court. Too many people not paying attention or distracted (by cell phones, kids, reading books, shaving, etc) while driving.
I have not been hit on my bike & I'm sure it's because I have a "Back-Off" tail light modulator. Both my brake light & trunk light flash while stopping. Might irritate the person behind me, but at least he won't be able to say that he didn't see me.
http://www.signaldynamics.com/lighting_control.htm
While I was getting the link for the above website, I spotted the word 'Victory', so I checked it out. Saw some chrome stuff, but what got my attention were these bullet lights - a lot less expensive than PIAA's (if you're just looking for a way to be more recognized as a motorcycle, but don't necessarily need more light).
http://66.252.233.21/products/Bullet/bullet.asp
One of these clamps might fit the Vision (bottom of page):
http://www.signaldynamics.com/products/Misc/victory.asp
Cheers,
Reg
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Cruiser
Posts: 238
SF Bay Area | The only thing worse than a cage...is a bigger cage.
I avoid mini-vans, Volvos, and taxi cabs.
So Tim... does your cell phone have a built in camera? |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Lifeisgood - 2008-04-07 2:14 AM
I have not been hit on my bike & I'm sure it's because I have a "Back-Off" tail light modulator. Both my brake light & trunk light flash while stopping. Might irritate the person behind me, but at least he won't be able to say that he didn't see me.
http://www.signaldynamics.com/lighting_control.htm
Reg, you have the "Back-Off" installed on a Vision? If that is the case can you give more details on the installation, etc.......I'm not sure I want to flash the V lights, but would like to flash the trunk lights. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 810
| Yes it does. I forgot it has a camera in it because I never use it. I have decided to take my Canon Digital PowerShot on my bike now. It is a 5 mega pixel camera that takes good pictures and is smaller than a pack of cigarettes. Tim |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Can we also ban the UAW, (Urban Assault Wife, I know you guys thought I was getting all uniony on ya)? I wasn't on mine when it happened thank goodness. Glad to hear your still standing. Neatest thing about it is that all the parts come pre-painted and bolt right back on. It didn't take to long to get all the parts in either for it. I wouldn't think more than two weeks for parts. I was impressed that they could even order them that quick. You gotta love the expired insurance card and the I'll pay cash. I have come to the conclusion that if I am hit, that they can hand me their expired insurance card and tell me that it's valid and then I will call the insurance company immediately to verify of its validity. I tried to get my wife's insurance card, but then tears started falling and I decided it'd be cheaper out of pocket. Take pics we like to see carnage. |
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Tourer
Posts: 354
20 miles west of Chicago. | Add me to the request for info on wiring in the brake light modulator. I put one on my Kingpin years ago and swear by it, especially since it flashes three short, then long; Morse for "V". I don't have a clue as to how to wire in the Signal Dynamics one to either the brake lights or the trunk lights n the Vision and it would be great to know. I can't help wondering why the trunk light didn't come wired as brake lights. I'd also to do a headlight modulator eventually; talking to my mechanic recently and he said changing out a headlight is a bear of job. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 115
Victoria, BC |
Reg, you have the "Back-Off" installed on a Vision? If that is the case can you give more details on the installation, etc.......I'm not sure I want to flash the V lights, but would like to flash the trunk lights.
No, don't have a Vision yet. Going for a test ride in a couple of weeks on the mainland. But it works great on my Burgman 650. Easy to install and I can't see why the Vision would present any problem. The Wig Wag model is awesome on the GoldWing.
Mine is the kind that flashes so many times, then pauses and flashes every so many seconds as long as the brakes are applied (like while waiting at a traffic light). I like that because it notifies any vehicles coming that I am stopped.
My Friend has the other version that does a series of quick flashes, then stops. With his, the LED's on the rear trunk flashes so quickly, it's almost like having a red strobe. But once you have stopped, you have to remember to reapply the brakes when vehicles are coming up behind you.
We've never had any problems with either product. Both were easy to install.
Reg
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Cruiser
Posts: 115
Victoria, BC | Mudge - 2008-04-07 8:47 AM I'd also to do a headlight modulator eventually.
I am a big fan of headlight modulators. I know they bug people, but that just means we've got their attention. I have never had anyone do a left turn in front of me when it was activated. I think they must of thought that I was a cop. That's fine with me. 
I think on the Vision, I am going to add those Signal Dynamic LED fork lights first, to see if they get the required attention. If that doesn't work, then I will definitely add a modulator. Neither option takes much electrical power.
Cheers,
Reg |
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Beware the Urban Assault Vehicles
