Well, it was my turn

[DiverRay]

Not on an XS, but still something for everyone to think about. On my way to work Tuesday morning, 11/15/2016, about 6:40am local time when my BMW was rear ended. No, I was not stopped as traffic had been going about 65mph. I had watched an idiot trying to go fast in traffic, and was not worried about him until he got behind me. When I checked my mirror, he filled it! I looked ahead and the traffic was stopping, FAST, so I put my brakes on hard and was just steering for the space between lanes when I felt a "push" and was looking at the sky, not the road. I almost ended up on the hood, but the Givi box kept me in contact with the bike. As I was rotating back down, I saw the bike leaning to the right, but going upright again. I slid back into the saddle, grabbed the bars, and steered for the shoulder of the freeway.
I'm VERY happy my angel is used to 80mph, cause 65 was easy for him!
I'll post some pics later tonight, after I try to upload from my home computer. The car had to be towed off the freeway, and I road the bike VERY SLOWLY off. I have a sore back, and I don't know how long it will go on, but I'm here to be able to tell the tale. I would LOVE to see a video of it, though! I'm looking for any utube from 11-15-16 in San Jose, CA on Northbound 880 just South of The Alameda exit.
Always have an out! If I could have had 1/2 second more, he would have hit the car in front of me, and not me....

[donebysunday]

Sorry to hear of your contact with an IDIOT .
Good thing your angel/s were not on break .

[Wildkat]

Dang Ray!

Not the best way to keep things exciting.


So glad you had the presence of mind to get out of the way (mostly)

I'm sorry about the incident but really glad you made it through it so well.
Glad the angels were on the ball

[motoman]

Not on an XS, but still something for everyone to think about. On my way to work Tuesday morning, 11/15/2016, about 6:40am local time when my BMW was rear ended. No, I was not stopped as traffic had been going about 65mph. I had watched an idiot trying to go fast in traffic, and was not worried about him until he got behind me. When I checked my mirror, he filled it! I looked ahead and the traffic was stopping, FAST, so I put my brakes on hard and was just steering for the space between lanes when I felt a "push" and was looking at the sky, not the road. I almost ended up on the hood, but the Givi box kept me in contact with the bike. As I was rotating back down, I saw the bike leaning to the right, but going upright again. I slid back into the saddle, grabbed the bars, and steered for the shoulder of the freeway.
I'm VERY happy my angel is used to 80mph, cause 65 was easy for him!
I'll post some pics later tonight, after I try to upload from my home computer. The car had to be towed off the freeway, and I road the bike VERY SLOWLY off. I have a sore back, and I don't know how long it will go on, but I'm here to be able to tell the tale. I would LOVE to see a video of it, though! I'm looking for any utube from 11-15-16 in San Jose, CA on Northbound 880 just South of The Alameda exit.
Always have an out! If I could have had 1/2 second more, he would have hit the car in front of me, and not me....

Well, didn't know we was taking turns. Good to hear accident wasn't more serious(BTDT, as you know). As I'm sure you already know, hit in rear IS other parties FULL liability, including medical and property damage.
I realize it is not IF......just WHEN.
Hope after a riding 'break', your still able to choose that, if so desired!
For future......stay safe and ATGATT!

[2manybikes]

Idiots

Very glad to hear things did not turn out worse than they did. I hope the thought is always in the back of our minds. Not something pleasant to think about, but necessary. Last fall SWMBO and I were heading back home at 55, when the car about 250' ahead of us slammed on their brakes, and turned left. We were on the road sofa, all I had time to do was "yell hold on", and take the gravel edge next to the pavement to avoid the back of the turning car. If we had been on one of the lighter bikes, I don't think I could have controlled it. The gravel was getting worse, so I got it back over the lip of the asphalt. Just made the decision that seemed like the lesser of the two evils. Never even touched the brakes. We were VERY lucky.

[3Phase]

Way to go, Ray! Ride that Beemer! Yeeeeeeee! Hahahahahahaaa!

Seriously, man, glad you're still around to watch the video if anyone can find it.

[MaximPhil]

Hi Ray,
Glad to hear you survived a close encounter of the worst kind.
Phil

[dbbrian]

wow, scary close. Glad you're OK.

Thanks for sharing, hearing about these encounters helps keep me on my toes and thinking while riding

[DiverRay]

The photo's from Tuesday!
[IMG][/IMG]

and the bike
[IMG][/IMG]

the rear rim
[IMG][/IMG]

the rear of the bike
[IMG][/IMG]
My phone has a "side of the freeway" shot, with a trail of fluids behind the car!

[soccer4m]

Super Glad your are experienced

Howdy Ray,,,I am superglad you are still vertical. Your years of riding and use of all senses probably kept you aware of instant decisions. Even though you werent on the xs, maybe it was better to be on the Beemer as it handles a lot better. Hope you can sue the hexxxx out the driver for any, all damages. SO Glad you are OK,,,,,,,,,,,,makes me want to ride more like an old grandpa everyday hearing close calls like that,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Mike in Sun Diego

[DiverRay]

Mike, I WAS riding like an old grandma! That is part of the reason I was hit. Had I been a bit more aggressive, I would NOT have been in harms way. I should have split lanes for one car, and put the extra steel between me and him.

[kboehringer]

Get the back checked out properly!

SNIP.... I had watched an idiot trying to go fast in traffic, and was not worried about him until he got behind me. When I checked my mirror, he filled it! SNIP....

Ray,
Very glad to hear you are OK following this incident. Normally one would think Car-vs.-Bike is a big time loser for the bike every time. Personally, I would have that sore back checked out by a Physician very promptly. Back injuries can take a few days to show their full effect. FYI...The surgeon that repaired my lower back (L4-L5-S1) said that if I had allowed a Chiropractor to touch me it is likely I would never have walked again.....

You are a much better man than I as the CHP would have arrested me on the spot as I would have been beating the &^$# out of that guy on the side of the road when they arrived on the scene.

Kurt

[DiverRay]

Kurt, The back has been checked by two doctors, and it's muscle damage only, so far. As I'm older, I will NOT settle for just a little because I know I'll have back issues the rest of my life, now.
The ONLY reason I didn't beat on him is I was on the phone when he walked up to me. I DID scream at him, with SWMBO on the other end of the line, still really sleepy, trying to calm me down.

[mack]

Glad you made it Ray. Pucker factor probably helped keep you on the bike. Bikes can be fixed, us old dudes, not so easy.

[Jerry]

Glad you survived a close one! Most of my riding is freeway (to and from work) and at those speeds things happen quickly. Glad you were able to take the action you did...saved you from much worse!