well shit happens....

bamajoe

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2 days after I bought my new 2017 s10 I was out riding to get as many miles as possible on the bike as we were getting ready to do about 2000 mile trip. Well a lady in front of me pulls over on the shoulder and sits, I slowed down to see if I could tell what the driver was going to do, I decided she had stopped as there was no road to the left to turn in so I down shift and pick up speed to get around when the driver does a U-turn... I hit the car running 35/40mph. car 1 me 0 ....totaled my bike, it had 206 miles on it. Luckily all I got was banged up bruised and a small fracture in my elbow, oh and my ego crushed....but I got a new 2018 s10 to replace the other bike ... i know have almost 1700 miles on the new bike and I have to say s10 has put the fun back into riding.
 

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mobyfubar

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Wow, that stinks. I'm very glad to hear that you are OK. Super Tenere's can be replaced, I know from personal experience.

Better luck this time around! Let's all be careful out there...
 

EricV

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Glad your injuries were minor and you're back in the saddle again.

Please take a moment to add your location to your profile. City, State or city, country,or just state or country. What ever you're comfortable with. It adds context to your posts and both helps others understand your point of view and to better answer any questions if you post them.
 

Mak10

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I’d call you really lucky although sad you had to go through all that. Dealing with insurance sucks.
 

Sierra1

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All's well, that ends well? Cars are always a danger, until you're past them. And, sometimes, not even then.
 

Dirt_Dad

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Glad you're okay.

My current Tenere was purchased with insurance funds. It's not something you ever wish for...but as long as you're not truly hurt, financially it's a pretty painless way to get a new bike.

That said...I hope I never do it that way again.
 

Cycledude

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Bamajoe thanks for posting your story. A couple weeks after reading a report very similar to yours I had pretty much the same thing happen but I was barely lucky enough not to hit the car, if I hadn’t read that story a couple weeks earlier I’m pretty sure my Goldwing would have been totaled that day.
 

dmulk

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I lost a friend and fellow rider about 10 years ago to that exact "shoulder U-Turn move"...I ALWAYS think of him when I see a car pull to the shoulder and if I can't see the drivers eyes I slow down and go into full defense mode until I can. Very glad you are generally ok.

<D>
 

bamajoe

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I lost a friend and fellow rider about 10 years ago to that exact "shoulder U-Turn move"...I ALWAYS think of him when I see a car pull to the shoulder and if I can't see the drivers eyes I slow down and go into full defense mode until I can. Very glad you are generally ok.

<D>
I learned a valuable LESSON... never assume .... smh ... the sad thing is I knew better...
 

Dirt_Dad

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About 10 years ago I came withing an inch or two of a high speed collision when a vehicle cut straight across my path of travel. After much reflection on what I should have done differently, I came up with a little reminder that still jumps to mind when appropriate.

Anything unusual in the road is a hazard. If that thing can move under its own power, it's an immediate danger...act accordingly.

It helps me.
 

Tenman

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I've been down on the road before a few times when I was younger. Got road rash everytime. That sh-t takes forever to heal. Glad you came out as good as you did. We never wore any protection.
 

Madhatter

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coming home in my giant 4x4 last night , and after reading this this morning , the contrast I feel between riding and driving stand out. when driving I am so much more relaxed about the little things ( hazards like loose materials , objects , live and dead animals etc. ) than riding where one can not truly ever let ones guard down , not even for a moment.... that being said the question is why do we ride then ? for me it is because we enjoy the challenge and it sharpens the mind . but you can never trust the other driver ever . my day job I drive class 8 vehicles weighing up to 80000 lbs , that car does a U-turn like that in front of me , so sorry for them. so I have to drive like I do on my bike , as if they cannot see me , some how they act like they don't even when im in the 18 wheeler. so happy bammajoe you made it , never trust the car.
 

U.P.rider

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I had a situation yesterday that presented itself in front of me on a well travelled rural 2 lane road where a car backed out of driveway partially into my lane about 1/4 mile in front of me then turned to drive towards me still partially in my lane. I started slowing down from 60 when they started to come further into my lane at about 800 to 1000 feet so I started to take evasive measures by moving across the centerline since there was no opposing traffic. As I crossed the centerline the car suddenly slowed and quickly pulled back onto the gravel shoulder, who as I slowly passed them were wide eyed and looking at me. They didn't see me in full sun (4:00 PM), I was heading west, with high beams on (LED's) so in my mind I should have been very noticeable. I do have a black bike and wear dark gear so maybe I need to get a Hi-Viz vest. I am adding a set of crash bar Rigid driving lights so that should help. As you discovered bamajoe a vehicle on the shoulder is one to take as a very serious threat.
 
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Dirt_Dad

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... so in my mind I should have been very noticeable.
After my near miss, that was one of my conclusions. In my mind, since I blasted my Stebel "train horn", they had to know I was there. Bad assumption on my part. Even if they heard it, that doesn't mean they interpreted it the way I intended it to signify. My incorrect assumption about what the other driver knew or thought was a potentially fatal mistake at high speed.

I've never installed a Stebel on any bike since then. It contributed to dangerous over confidence for me. No matter what aids I have installed on my bike, I'm vulnerable out there. I don't need to fool myself about the safety some horn brings me. Ride like others are on some drug, and thinking about that text they are typing, as their cigarette falls in their lap.
 
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