Darn it! Wrecked the Electra Glide! - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

DrBob · 09-16-2007, 08:59 PM

I was rolling up I-85 Friday afternoon, passing through South Carolina on my way from Atlanta to Charlotte, NC, to see my sweetie. I was flowing with traffic about 75-80 in the slow lane, with a pickup ahead of me and a line of cars behind me. It had rained there shortly before, so while the travel lanes were dry from traffic the shoulders and exit ramps were wet. Just as we got to an exit a 18 wheeler blew us like we were chained to a tree, and cut over a lane way too soon, like he was going to try and take the exit from the fast lane at the last second. He clipped the pickup, sending it into the guardrail, which it hit hard before spinning 180+ degrees and back into my path. I jumped to the right, slipping between the sliding pickup and the guardrail as I tried to bleed off some speed. My highway peg grazed the guardrail as I heard/ felt the car right behind be nail the pickup hard. The 18-wheeler had though better of taking the exit at 100 MPH and was skidding in the slow lane. Without enough space to yank it back into the travel lane, and a guardrail starting at the bottom of the ramp, I had a split second to realize I had to take my chances with the exit. I leaned it as far as she would go while continuing to bleed off speed, cringing as the floorboard hit, then bent up from trying to take a 20 MPH exit at about 55. The highway bar was just starting to hit when the front end got impossibly light from the front tire exceeded the limits of traction on the wet road. The front end slid out from under me, the fairing slammed into the pavement, and I did a low-slide slide into the guardrail. As the bike hit the edge of the pavement it started to jump up like it would flip in a highside, but after tossing me off it slid to a stop still on the right side. I skidded on my right leg and butt cheek, rolling one time as my jeans ripped free and my skin grabbed the pavement. I hit the guardrail next to the Harley, which was laying on its side like a dead dog, engine still running and the back tire still spinning in gear. I jumped up and looked back down the exit, seeing traffic at a stop, a total of three cars involved in the wreck, and that stupid 18-wheeler rolling out of sight as it headed for the state line.

A guy in a pickup picked his way though the wreckage and pulled up to see how I was. I hurt like hell but nothing seemed broken, so I shut off my bike and limped down to see how everyone else was and test out my first aid skills. The final score was one totaled pickup, two totaled cars, one wrecked Electra Glide, and one MIA truck driver. Emergency crews responded quickly, and while the pickup driver was pretty messed up and had to be transported, both car drivers were OK thanks to their airbags. The police were certain they would nab the offending truck (a very distinctive orange Kenworth) at the next weigh station or truck stop.

Personally, both knees hurt, and the right one is pretty swollen. My right shoulder is killing me, as is my right arm from the elbow to the shoulder (can’t really lift it very high) along with my right hip. My right knee and right hip are very bruised and swollen, and right hand is swollen but nothing is broken. Road rash graces both of my knees, my right upper arm, the right side of my chest, my right shoulder, and a small spot on my left hand. I was treated at the scene but declined transport to the ER after an exam showed no damage to my head, neck, or ribs. I'll see my personal doctor tomorrow.

As for the bike, the front fender, fender cap, fender spears, light bar, right spotlight, right turn signal, front highway bar, right highway peg & mount, batwing fairing, inner fairing, fairing mounts, floorboard, heal guard, rear crash bar, saddlebag guards, rear master cylinder, and brake pedal are junk. The right side fuel tank is damaged but repairable, as are the right side hard bag and lid. The front forks are out of alignment, the handlebars are a bid crooked, and when returned to upright an oil line was leaking. But she fired right up, and the frame does not seem bent.

Home safe in Atlanta now, munching Vicodin and watching football, with the bike up on the lift in my shop awaiting further diagnosis. Looks like I'll ride the Intruder to work tomorrow.

Oh well. Other than THAT, it was a pretty good weekend.

SNAFU · 09-16-2007, 09:07 PM

Wow, I'm glad you're okay Dr.Bob. That was a very scary situation... I hope they get that truck driver.

Hoping you have a speedy recovery.

MoonRunner · 09-16-2007, 09:13 PM

Man, that seriously sucks! But anytime a tangle involves a couple of cars, an 18 wheeler and a motorcycle: and the motorcyclist walks away!!!!!! That's a happy ending, glad your in pretty good shape to tell about it.

Scribbles · 09-16-2007, 09:17 PM

Oh my! I am so sorry!

Sounds like you will be even more sore tomorrow, or later this week. Take care, and watch the vicodin while on the Intruder!

nateW · 09-16-2007, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoonRunner

Man, that seriously sucks! But anytime a tangle involves a couple of cars, an 18 wheeler and a motorcycle: and the motorcyclist walks away!!!!!! That's a happy ending, glad your in pretty good shape to tell about it.

Glad all is OK. Did they catch the trucker? I hope they burn his back side to the fullest.
Oh. Glad your OK.

Rockhead · 09-16-2007, 09:23 PM

Hope your ok DB, it sounded like a heck of a ride.......

PhotoJoe · 09-16-2007, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrBob

....both knees hurt.......right shoulder is killing me, as is my right arm from the elbow to the shoulder......right knee and right hip are very bruised and swollen, and right hand is swollen ....Road rash graces both of my knees, my right upper arm, the right side of my chest.....

Looks like I'll ride the Intruder to work tomorrow.

Either you're not human or you're 100 times the man I am. I'd be in a cager for a week...at least.

Glad you're ok, relatively speaking. Hang in there.

Kodatech · 09-16-2007, 09:43 PM

At least you are ok. They will make more bikes.

LCA_koolaid37 · 09-16-2007, 09:52 PM

It's really nice to hear that you're okay.

I hope someone punches the trucker's colon in.

Mavman · 09-16-2007, 10:13 PM

VERY glad to hear your ok Dr.Bob!! what a gripping story.....I felt as though I was right there with you, less feeling your pain though. Sorry to hear about your bike, but hey, maybe she'll turn out better than before after your get down fixing her back up.

heal up quick, and like scribbles said....watch the drugs and riding the intruder.

DragonRider · 09-17-2007, 12:06 AM

DrBob, so glad you are here to tell about it.
I can hardly believe the guy didn't at least stop to see....scratch that. Nothing surprises me anymore. No one will accept responsibility for anything it seems. That trucker deserves everything he gets.

You're the Man DrBob,you kept your head in a very chaotic situation.

Good for you. Hope you heal up quick.
~mike

Barbarian · 09-17-2007, 12:56 AM

Hey, when did being named member of the month become a hit list?

Just kidding.
Although I am not surprised by the trucker driving off into the sunset. People who cause accidents through recklessness never stop, and never blame themselves.

I'm trying to understand something though: this truck passed you on the right, zigged left, then back to the right lane?

NateHarris · 09-17-2007, 07:18 AM

Holy crap dude! So two things:

1. Watch out for those rented trucks, they have $h|tty rented drivers.
2. Way to keep your head! I hope I have half that sense of mind when it all goes down. Here lately just scraping my pegs gets me uneasy after doing that on my brothers bike caused the rear wheel to come off the ground and dump me.

ok, 3 things:
3. Harley are tough bikes. Hope the Glide is back on the road soon. Love those bikes.

Next time you are up this way, and you need to get a ride together, and you don't mind a couple of metric bikes, I got a few friends who are always looking for an excuse....

**Trapper** · 09-17-2007, 07:24 AM

Good job staying alive, Bob.

buster · 09-17-2007, 07:42 AM

Hell's teeth!
Glad to hear you're okay, will the police tell you when they nab the cretin in the truck? if so you must keep us informed, I would like to see how it pans out.

**drgibson** · 09-17-2007, 07:54 AM

Glad it wasn't worse Dr. Bob. From experience I can tell you that it's gonna hurt like (you know what). Bruises will just start popping up all over and the rash depending on how bad will be awhile healing.
Sadly though we may have to revoke your member of the month status.

**intimid8er** · 09-17-2007, 07:58 AM

Wow!

jgreth · 09-17-2007, 08:00 AM

Wow.

I'm so glad you made it out okay, Bob. Way to keep your head in there through that kind of scenario!! As mentioned before, I can only hope that if that situation ever happens to me, I'll be as level-headed as you were.

Keep us posted and heal up!

palanon · 09-17-2007, 08:20 AM

Man!! I'm glad you didn't get caught between the car and the pick up!!

Heal quick.

I guess we won't see you up here in NH next month.

zenn68 · 09-17-2007, 09:09 AM

Glad to hear your OK.
Thats quiet an event, hope they get the trucker that left the scene

09-16-2007, 08:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,697	Darn it! Wrecked the Electra Glide! I was rolling up I-85 Friday afternoon, passing through South Carolina on my way from Atlanta to Charlotte, NC, to see my sweetie. I was flowing with traffic about 75-80 in the slow lane, with a pickup ahead of me and a line of cars behind me. It had rained there shortly before, so while the travel lanes were dry from traffic the shoulders and exit ramps were wet. Just as we got to an exit a 18 wheeler blew us like we were chained to a tree, and cut over a lane way too soon, like he was going to try and take the exit from the fast lane at the last second. He clipped the pickup, sending it into the guardrail, which it hit hard before spinning 180+ degrees and back into my path. I jumped to the right, slipping between the sliding pickup and the guardrail as I tried to bleed off some speed. My highway peg grazed the guardrail as I heard/ felt the car right behind be nail the pickup hard. The 18-wheeler had though better of taking the exit at 100 MPH and was skidding in the slow lane. Without enough space to yank it back into the travel lane, and a guardrail starting at the bottom of the ramp, I had a split second to realize I had to take my chances with the exit. I leaned it as far as she would go while continuing to bleed off speed, cringing as the floorboard hit, then bent up from trying to take a 20 MPH exit at about 55. The highway bar was just starting to hit when the front end got impossibly light from the front tire exceeded the limits of traction on the wet road. The front end slid out from under me, the fairing slammed into the pavement, and I did a low-slide slide into the guardrail. As the bike hit the edge of the pavement it started to jump up like it would flip in a highside, but after tossing me off it slid to a stop still on the right side. I skidded on my right leg and butt cheek, rolling one time as my jeans ripped free and my skin grabbed the pavement. I hit the guardrail next to the Harley, which was laying on its side like a dead dog, engine still running and the back tire still spinning in gear. I jumped up and looked back down the exit, seeing traffic at a stop, a total of three cars involved in the wreck, and that stupid 18-wheeler rolling out of sight as it headed for the state line. A guy in a pickup picked his way though the wreckage and pulled up to see how I was. I hurt like hell but nothing seemed broken, so I shut off my bike and limped down to see how everyone else was and test out my first aid skills. The final score was one totaled pickup, two totaled cars, one wrecked Electra Glide, and one MIA truck driver. Emergency crews responded quickly, and while the pickup driver was pretty messed up and had to be transported, both car drivers were OK thanks to their airbags. The police were certain they would nab the offending truck (a very distinctive orange Kenworth) at the next weigh station or truck stop. Personally, both knees hurt, and the right one is pretty swollen. My right shoulder is killing me, as is my right arm from the elbow to the shoulder (can’t really lift it very high) along with my right hip. My right knee and right hip are very bruised and swollen, and right hand is swollen but nothing is broken. Road rash graces both of my knees, my right upper arm, the right side of my chest, my right shoulder, and a small spot on my left hand. I was treated at the scene but declined transport to the ER after an exam showed no damage to my head, neck, or ribs. I'll see my personal doctor tomorrow. As for the bike, the front fender, fender cap, fender spears, light bar, right spotlight, right turn signal, front highway bar, right highway peg & mount, batwing fairing, inner fairing, fairing mounts, floorboard, heal guard, rear crash bar, saddlebag guards, rear master cylinder, and brake pedal are junk. The right side fuel tank is damaged but repairable, as are the right side hard bag and lid. The front forks are out of alignment, the handlebars are a bid crooked, and when returned to upright an oil line was leaking. But she fired right up, and the frame does not seem bent. Home safe in Atlanta now, munching Vicodin and watching football, with the bike up on the lift in my shop awaiting further diagnosis. Looks like I'll ride the Intruder to work tomorrow. Oh well. Other than THAT, it was a pretty good weekend. __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog! Last edited by DrBob; 09-17-2007 at 08:06 AM.

09-16-2007, 09:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
SNAFU Leaned over, knee down Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: '06 M50 Black Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 4,866	Wow, I'm glad you're okay Dr.Bob. That was a very scary situation... I hope they get that truck driver. Hoping you have a speedy recovery. __________________

09-16-2007, 09:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Scribbles Fourth gear and illegal Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: Looking for a new experience! (last bike--Lt. Blue 2005 S50) Location: The Heart of it All Posts: 742	Oh my! I am so sorry! Sounds like you will be even more sore tomorrow, or later this week. Take care, and watch the vicodin while on the Intruder! __________________ -- Scribbles Internet scribblings of a random nature... iPodities

09-16-2007, 09:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rockhead M-J.Com Master Poster Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: M50 Location: 1060 West Addison, Chicago Posts: 3,758	Hope your ok DB, it sounded like a heck of a ride....... __________________ Go Cubs!!!

09-16-2007, 09:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
LCA_koolaid37 Eternal Vigilante Joined: Sep 2006 Bike: 2001 VZ800 Location: MO Posts: 1,272	It's really nice to hear that you're okay. I hope someone punches the trucker's colon in. __________________

09-16-2007, 09:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
MoonRunner Seat Tester Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 59	Man, that seriously sucks! But anytime a tangle involves a couple of cars, an 18 wheeler and a motorcycle: and the motorcyclist walks away!!!!!! That's a happy ending, glad your in pretty good shape to tell about it.

09-16-2007, 09:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
Kodatech Handlebar Consultant Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 616	At least you are ok. They will make more bikes.

09-17-2007, 12:06 AM	#11 (permalink)
DragonRider Clutch Cadet Joined: Jul 2006 Bike: 2006 Suzuki M50 Candy Grand Blue with 42,050 miles since May 18th 2006 Location: Tacoma ,Washington Posts: 917	Man that sounds really Ugly! DrBob, so glad you are here to tell about it. I can hardly believe the guy didn't at least stop to see....scratch that. Nothing surprises me anymore. No one will accept responsibility for anything it seems. That trucker deserves everything he gets. You're the Man DrBob,you kept your head in a very chaotic situation. Good for you. Hope you heal up quick. ~mike __________________ Twenty years from now,you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do ,than by the things you did. Get out there, go someplace,see something new,try something different! Everyday I beat my own previous record for number of consecutive days I've stayed alive.

09-17-2007, 12:56 AM	#12 (permalink)
Barbarian Kickstand Operator Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: 2006 Suzuki Bandit 650S w/ABS Location: Montreal Posts: 299	Hey, when did being named member of the month become a hit list? Just kidding. Although I am not surprised by the trucker driving off into the sunset. People who cause accidents through recklessness never stop, and never blame themselves. I'm trying to understand something though: this truck passed you on the right, zigged left, then back to the right lane? __________________ See ABS in action complete with plummy voiceover.

09-17-2007, 07:18 AM	#13 (permalink)
NateHarris Clunked into first gear Joined: Oct 2006 Bike: 07 Suzuki M50 Location: Fort Mill, SC 29707 Posts: 213	Holy crap dude! So two things: 1. Watch out for those rented trucks, they have $h\|tty rented drivers. 2. Way to keep your head! I hope I have half that sense of mind when it all goes down. Here lately just scraping my pegs gets me uneasy after doing that on my brothers bike caused the rear wheel to come off the ground and dump me. ok, 3 things: 3. Harley are tough bikes. Hope the Glide is back on the road soon. Love those bikes. Next time you are up this way, and you need to get a ride together, and you don't mind a couple of metric bikes, I got a few friends who are always looking for an excuse.... __________________ Nate 07 M50 Some folks are forever telling us the glass is half full. Others that it is half empty. Did it ever occur to any of these folks that maybe the glass is too big? -George Carlin Last edited by NateHarris; 09-17-2007 at 07:26 AM.

09-17-2007, 07:24 AM	#14 (permalink)
Trapper Dogs Best Friend(admin) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: SOLD Location: Moncton NB Canada Posts: 9,079	Good job staying alive, Bob. __________________ PointFlushRetrieve.com - Bird Dog Blog Motorcycle-Journal.com Blog

09-17-2007, 07:54 AM	#16 (permalink)
drgibson Antebellum Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,642	Glad it wasn't worse Dr. Bob. From experience I can tell you that it's gonna hurt like (you know what). Bruises will just start popping up all over and the rash depending on how bad will be awhile healing. Sadly though we may have to revoke your member of the month status. __________________ “Please Remember to Kazoo Responsibly.”

09-17-2007, 07:58 AM	#17 (permalink)
intimid8er It's A Conspiracy Joined: May 2005 Bike: '06 XB12X Location: 30 41'47.99" N 83 11'26.54" W Hold My Beer Posts: 9,778	Wow! __________________ Song Pick of the Week 10/01 W.A.S.P. - Forever Free <Insert nothing original in this space>

09-17-2007, 08:00 AM	#18 (permalink)
jgreth Mr. Threadjack Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki GS500F Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 3,075	Wow. I'm so glad you made it out okay, Bob. Way to keep your head in there through that kind of scenario!! As mentioned before, I can only hope that if that situation ever happens to me, I'll be as level-headed as you were. Keep us posted and heal up! __________________ What the hell am I looking at? When does this happen in the movie? You're looking at now, sir. Everything that happens now is happening now. What happened to then? We passed then. When? Just now. We're at now now. Go back to then. When? Now! Now? Now! I can't. Why? We missed it. When? Just now. When will then be now? Soon.

09-17-2007, 08:20 AM	#19 (permalink)
palanon No Significant Other Joined: Apr 2006 Bike: 2003 Bandit 1200S Location: Newmarket, NH Posts: 2,314	Man!! I'm glad you didn't get caught between the car and the pick up!! Heal quick. I guess we won't see you up here in NH next month. __________________ " In the name of the Speedo, the Tach and the Holy Throttle, amen. "

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09-17-2007, 09:09 AM	#20 (permalink)
zenn68 Clunked into first gear Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: GS500e Location: New York Posts: 236	Glad to hear your OK. Thats quiet an event, hope they get the trucker that left the scene

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