BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

As much as I hate to report, I was in a minor accident tonight on my bike.
I was going to dinner at about 7:30 PM, at Fullerton and Western ( for you Chicago folk), and was at the stop light. When the light turned green I accelerated normally, when this Saturn quickly turns left right in front of me.
I was just shifting into 2nd, maybe 20 mph. I swerved left, and squeezed on the brakes, just catching his rear bumper, ripping it completely off. I remember increasing the brakes to a full on squeeze while turning, and the bike coming to a sudden stop, but the problem with that was I was at a pretty good angle, so the bike just fell over. At least I had mostly avoided him. A few not so nice words came out of my mouth at that time to the driver, as I was picking up my bike and pushing it out of the intersection. I had landed on the pavement like I tripped on something while running slowly, and with ATGATT with my Rev'it jacket and Icon jeans I was just fine, hardly any marks on my gear.
The bike is scratched on the cylinder head from dropping it, and it looks like the forks took the hit from the bumper, with a small scratch on the fender. The piece that connects the forks to the tele-lever has marks, and the fitting on the brake line is bent. The bike seems fine other than the superficial damage. Scratches from dropping it on a mountain dirt road is one thing, but this will have to be fixed.

I went over to talk with the guy, turns out he's Russian, and speaks no english, but had someone with him to translate. I asked if he has insurance, yes he does, then asked him if we should call the police or just trade info. They seemed confused, so I called Chicago's finest. They came about 25 minute's later and said they don't make reports for accidents with no injuries. So we traded info, and I called Geico to file a claim. They said I have two choices, try to file with his, or file with them, then they'll go after him. They said I'll have to pay the $500 deductible, but they will refund it if/when they get his company to pay.
So tomorrow I'll call his insurance company to see what they say. Personally, I don't want to have to deal with this myself, that's why I have insurance, among other reason's, but we'll see. I've been a Geico customer for years, but no claims, so we'll see how that little green guy takes care of me.

Overall I don't really know how to feel at this point.
Sad I'm writing this, happy I'm not hurt, and completely impressed with the R1200R's and my riding gear's performance in this situation.

Don't forget the cages are out to get you, and sometimes they will.

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It's rideable and you're here to tell the story. That's a bonus. Sorry to see it scratched up like that, but really pleased you're ok. Thanks for letting us know. Cheers mate. Mick.

Sorry to hear it Chitown,

I think it's time to move away from drunk driving campaigns and start situational awareness training for cagers! (and I don't mean just looking out for MCs either) There are just too many people behind the wheel that aren't aware, alert, and ready.

Glad you and your R (nearly a GS now ) are OK. You can replace the cover or just wear it as a badge of honor as I'm doing, though I did cover it somewhat with the cylinder guards.

I'd have been tempted to ask the cop, "So, if I injure him, will you write it up?"

You're very lucky. That scenario happens way too often, and usually someone (the biker) IS injured. Good luck on getting it resolved and glad you are okay to tell us about it.

So sorry to hear about your crash, ChiTown. It could have been so much worse! I'm amazed you only sustained that much damage to your bike after reading your description. Good handling on your part I suppose.

(btw - I have some experience with changing out those valve covers if you need some help. Dang - it feels good to finally be able to say that - even though I know you don't need the help)

Glad you are OK. Can fix the bike.

See what happens when you get into the concrete jungle?
You need to be in the woods!

Let us know how the caveman treats you, I get offers from them a lot lately.

Thanks for the support. It's true that this could have been much worse.
I had all my gear on, but I didn't have my HiViz Camelback vest on.
I'll be wearing that all the time now, on top of buying a white helmet asap. I'm lucky this time, but I need to use all the things that can help to avoid this sort of thing.
I'm going to just turn it in to my insurance instead of chasing down his, I don't have time for that right now. I'll keep you posted to my Geico experience.
I don't know about my skill's Gypsy, but I know that my reaction was instant, I didn't think about it. I've practiced emergency maneuver's and stopping in parking lots, doing the same exercises that the BMW Performance Driving school had taught me, and I'm sure that's what helped me in this situation. The training just kicked in.
Not really that bad of accident, but a good reminder of the danger's for me. I healthy dose of fear never hurt anyone.

Glad to hear you're ok and that the bike fared well. Could have been a HELL of a lot worse.

And for what it's worth, your Russian friend sounds like a realtively recent immigrant. Having driven in Moscow many times I can tell you they are absolute maniacs over there, I'm surprised this guy even stopped.

That sucks, but as has been said glad you're OK. Good luck with the insurance filing. I hate the uncertainty that comes with situations like that. But it will all come to pass. The important thing is that you're alright.

Glad you are OK.

Let your insurance company fight it, to get your deductible back. That is what you have them for. I know from personal experience that it can take three to six months after you file the claim to actually get paid by the other guy's ins co. Assuming your claim exceeds $500 (with the cost of BMW parts) remember that your ins co is also fighting to get their money back, too.

Landing on the asphalt is a little harder than those drops on the dirt roads, huh?

Glad you are OK. Sounds like you evasive move might have saved a worse outcome. Good luck with the insurance!

Now that you are certified OK, did you take your bike to Chicago BMW? Also, I hope all is as it was in time for THE Rally.
Steve

*Update*


I turned it in to Geico last week, and the adjuster called promptly at 9 AM like they said he would, a good start.
I went to Chicago BMW and received an estimate of $1598.82 for the repairs, faxed Wally the adjuster the quote and will be meeting up with him this so he can take pics, etc.
He said he will check on the prices, and then Geico will cut me a check for the repairs.
So far so good.

I forgot to ask you. Right after the point of fear, did you get a strong taste of brass? They call that fear. I am not a favorite fan of that flavor.

Actually I tasted blood, from anger. It was like this:
Green light, accelerate, swerve, hit, stop, fall, quick body check, anger. Maybe 3 seconds. I didn't get shaky until I was waiting there for the cops and was replaying it in my head and was realizing how close I was to t-boning him, and thinking about how much it would hurt, even at 20MPH.
Really was a good thing he didn't understand english because of the comments I was saying as I was laying on the ground, then picking up and pushing my bike out of the center of a big intersection.

While I was waiting there, a guy in a pickup pulled up and asked if I need any help, no, thank you. He had a MOA sticker in the back.

Sorry to hear about it. As has been said, glad to hear you're in one piece.