Triumphrat

aejotz · 08-25-2009, 05:57 PM

It occurred to me that stories like the following might be of aid to new riders and a source of amusement to veteran riders.

A guy tells me that he had a bad motorcycle wreck during rush hour but that it wasn't his fault because a big chunk of truck tire came out from underneath the car he was following.

Another guy dumped his brand new bike but it wasn't his fault because a car came out of a side street right in front of him. The side street was between two fast food parking lots and had a street sign. The street he was on was a 4-lane and he was in the right lane.

One of my uncles (NOT the one who raced motorcycles) was "run off the road" by a car when returning from the liquor store on Halloween night. It "wasn't my fault" he told me.

When you stop laughing you can tell me what's wrong with the above stories. Then tell some stories of your own.

shoggot · 08-25-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aejotz

It occurred to me that stories like the following might be of aid to new riders and a source of amusement to veteran riders.

A guy tells me that he had a bad motorcycle wreck during rush hour but that it wasn't his fault because a big chunk of truck tire came out from underneath the car he was following.

Another guy dumped his brand new bike but it wasn't his fault because a car came out of a side street right in front of him. The side street was between two fast food parking lots and had a street sign. The street he was on was a 4-lane and he was in the right lane.

One of my uncles (NOT the one who raced motorcycles) was "run off the road" by a car when returning from the liquor store on Halloween night. It "wasn't my fault" he told me.

When you stop laughing you can tell me what's wrong with the above stories. Then tell some stories of your own.

A) Following too close - should've had room to see that chunk 'o tire. I'm guilty of this one, though.
B) Several things on this one - lane positioning could've been better, and he wasn't looking for homicidal drivers.
C) ... Unsure. Being on the road at all on Halloween night, doubly so being near a drinking establishment? Or simply not watching out for homicidal drivers (IE: all of 'em).

I dumped from an edge trap one week into riding, theoretically due to vacuum lock on my gas tank - improper gas cap for the tank. Now, I'd say it wasn't my fault, but A) if the same thing happened to me today, losing power wouldn't have found me drifting into that edge trap, & B) I'd be a lot more thoughtful about what parts I'm sticking on my bike.

Gdsila · 08-29-2009, 09:51 PM

Because I ride a sportbike I had to endure this story:
" My nephew (who has never ridden anything before) bought one of those Kawasaki crotch-rockets and the 1st week he had it he went down..in some sand on the road" " Now he still has to make payments on it and I thought ..since you like those bikes ..maybe you would be interested?"
Errr, no thanks buddy.

shoggot · 08-31-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gdsila

Because I ride a sportbike I had to endure this story:
" My nephew (who has never ridden anything before) bought one of those Kawasaki crotch-rockets and the 1st week he had it he went down..in some sand on the road" " Now he still has to make payments on it and I thought ..since you like those bikes ..maybe you would be interested?"
Errr, no thanks buddy.

C'mon, the answer to that one depends on the price + physical examination of the bike - I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand.

aejotz · 09-02-2009, 10:51 AM

I just posted this story on another thread, then thought it would go good here:

I long ago lost count of the times a driver looked in my direction then pulled right in front of me.

Since I've already slowed down (because I was approaching a side street) it would usually be OK if they kept going. But sometimes they finally see me, then panic and stop right in my path. I have had a couple of very close calls that way.

The best one was when a sports car pulled out and stopped, a car was coming from the other direction and behind the sports car there was a concrete-filled steel post to protect the sign behind it.

I had been going too fast, downhill on a slick road (my fault) and knew I could not stop in time. I began to stand up on the footpegs in preparation for going over the car when my bike hit it.

As I got closer I saw that between the sports car's rear bumper and the concrete/steel post I had about enough clearance for my footpegs (rigid ones on a 60s Honda) and maybe two inches more.

I am not exaggerating. I was going to have to thread the needle.

I let off the brakes and focused on that hole. I was still going at least 25 mph when I shot though the hole.

I was cold-blooded calm the whole time, but as soon as I got past the danger the adrenaline hit and I had to pull over until my hands stopped shaking.

LegendGirl · 09-22-2009, 06:33 PM

Hi, all. Some of the older members may remember me from when these forums were very young.

I joined the club of "it wasn't my fault" yesterday afternoon. I was riding my Triumph Legend through Lancaster, NH, when an old guy turned left in front of me, and I mean RIGHT IN FRONT of me. No time to do anything but mash the brakes. We did collide, luckily at very low speed. I got a few bruises and sore muscles, but my poor Legend needs new front forks, new handlebars, new front wheel, new windshield, new left blinker, new left footpeg, new mirrors, and maybe more. 100,000 miles of riding, been everywhere, and got squashed an hour from home. Go figure!

shoggot · 09-22-2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LegendGirl

Hi, all. Some of the older members may remember me from when these forums were very young.

I joined the club of "it wasn't my fault" yesterday afternoon. I was riding my Triumph Legend through Lancaster, NH, when an old guy turned left in front of me, and I mean RIGHT IN FRONT of me. No time to do anything but mash the brakes. We did collide, luckily at very low speed. I got a few bruises and sore muscles, but my poor Legend needs new front forks, new handlebars, new front wheel, new windshield, new left blinker, new left footpeg, new mirrors, and maybe more. 100,000 miles of riding, been everywhere, and got squashed an hour from home. Go figure!

Hah! I have, from my TBird, a spare set of forks, and front wheel (and rotor, brake, etc). What size is the front wheel on a legend? TBird was 18"... and I know the forks are the same. Need 'em?

I'd ask something nominal for the front wheel / rotor / brakes, but if you don't need to replace both fork lowers, I can just give you the tubes and one fork lower (since I have an extra set of those) for the price of shipping. If you need both fork lowers, then there'd be minor haggling.

(EDIT: Translation: I have four good fork tubes, three good lowers (will have to check which I have as a dupe), one top clamp, one bottom clamp, one fender, one wheel, one rotor, etc, as spares)

PM if you need 'em. Can't help on the rest of the gear.

LegendGirl · 09-23-2009, 12:27 PM

Thanks for the parts offer, Shoggot; that's very generous of you. If it turns out that I need them, I'll PM you. The front wheel size on a Legend is 17", by the way.

I'm taking the Legend over to the dealer Monday for a look-over and a quote. The other driver's insurance is going to pay for the repairs.

rwoodhead · 09-24-2009, 08:56 PM

Nice to hear from you, LG, and that you're okay after joining the NMF Club.
WOODY

FlexYourHead · 09-25-2009, 02:31 PM

wasnt my fault, But one time after a day of riding, i pulled into the garage and put the kick stand down. i begin to get off the bike, but my foot decides not to move with me, theres a big, over acted " ***?! then fall (me and the bike). Turns out there was a hole in my boot that fit over the ball on the top of the kick stand... It was my equipment and i should have been more aware....but it wasnt my fault...