Riding out in the Campsies, I came up behind a slow moving car and moved out to overtake, then he turned right into a farm lane, no mirrors, no signals, just the manoeuvre. I grabbed the brakes and tried to turn with him, but a glancing blow saw me end up on my side on the grass verge.
Twisted forks, broken mirror, broken brake lever, damaged exhaust and the engine running on it’s side with (presumably) oil starvation.
Fortunately, I’m OK other than some aches and pains, but I’ve always said the first accident at my age (71), or even a close call, would see me hanging up my riding gear. So is this it? Ask me now and I’d say yes.
Jeez that’s grim. Glad you are not seriously hurt. Something like that is not attributable to you in any way. You were unlucky to come across one of the many halfwits on the road.
Don’t make any rash decisions until you have fully processed things.
What did the idiot say?
Healing vibes to you
That is indeed a bugger, Alex - bad luck. Don’t let one idiot stop you riding, though: it’s too much enjoyment to give up. You’re still just a youngster: didn’t you know that 70 is the new 40? I’m still riding happily at 75, Although I can imagine that I might one day have to downsize from my Street Twin, which I can still handle fine just now, I have my smaller and lighter Guzzi V50 ready in reserve.
Think positive: you’re not badly hurt, and the bike doesn’t sound too bad. Might the twisted forks just be a matter of slackening the yokes and twisting them straight again? It worked for me after a low speed drop. As long as they aren’t bent, of course.
Anyway, don’t hang up your boots just yet. The season’s nearly over: I’m sure you’ll be raring to go again by the spring.
Thank you all - I certainly don’t want to stop riding, and I’m surprised at how calm my wife has been! Telling her was the biggest worry!!
Yes, I think it is just the top yoke twisted from the fall, plus a few breakages, scrapes, and whether running on it’s side while I got out from underneath has done any harm.
I have spoke to my insurance (comprehensive), to Triumph dealer, and waiting for a call back from a motorcycle law firm to see what is the best option for claim and repair.
Not good, or maybe it was. Better a close, albeit a hurty one, than a bad one.
But the riding isn’t everything. You can still love bikes, I hardly ever ride them these days.
When I do ride, I ride by myself, very slow, no gizmos, no earplugs, and not far. Distance is different on a vintage, and it’s not long until something falls off.
I’m taking apart a Shovelhead just to see how it works.
Don’t give bikes up. You’ll miss them.
I have to agree with everyone else on this one - and on all counts!
I certainly agree with wishing you a very speedy (see what I did there?) recovery - physically AND psychologically - from this most unfortunate encounter. There was obviously little chance of avoiding this once you were committed and the donkey driving the car was utterly stupid not to have known of your presence on the road.
But I also agree very much with everyone else insomuch as you shouldn’t let one person’s stupidity and one bad incident colour your judgement about riding in future. If you still have the will, the inclination and the ability to get on a motorcycle and ride - then don’t let this one experience deter you!
I can’t quite match @Dave49 's high score bar but, at 74 and still riding big BMWs (in almost all weathers) I have no intention of quitting any time soon.
We all know it can happen, but is absolutely no help when it does. You’re still in a state of shock at present so no time to make rash decisions one way or the other. Just get through all the accident / insurance crap and sounds like the bike is fixable. So come next spring you’ll know whether to ride it or sell it.
In the mean time be thankful you survived relatively unscathed and learn what you can from the incident. But importantly imagine whether you’ll be happy in life without a bike?
@ajc400 Well agree with all the comments here and hope we don’t lose you as a contributor here and in the other forums you are a valuable member and we need your wisdom
I guess the bottom line is do you want to carry on riding?
If the answer is yes I’d look at this as a positive, you’ve had an off that could have been a lot worse but have survived with nothing more than a few aches and bruses.
So what next?
The solution that stands out to me is do some advanced bike training (that will also be of use in your car) you’re never too old to learn and doing some should not only make you a safer rider but will extend your driving/riding “career” if you put into practice what they teach you.
I’d agree that an advanced training course could be useful (they always are) but don’t see it as a “solution” - there isn’t one in my view, you either want to keep on riding or not, all dependent on your frame of mind. I knew I wanted to get back on straight away, whereas I’ve seen people hanging up their helmets having had only minor shunts.
