So i hit a car today ..

[Skywalker]

I'm fine. No scratches, no bruises, nothing at all. But im worried about my bike .

It happened 2 mins away from my apartment. I was going to school on my bike (even though school is in walking distance) cause i will be needing the bike later in the night and as soon as i turned on the engine, the gas light flashed so i decided to ride 2 more mins and go to the gas station.

It was raining and the rain just decided to stick on it. I thought that was fine since i can still see. Wrong! I was going around 40 and all of a sudden i see an orange light turning red. I slammed on the brakes, downshifted but it was too late, i already passed it and i t-boned a car that was already pulling in to the street.

I think i hit its front right tire (not sure though) around 10 mph or more. I do remember thinking "**** this is gonna cost me a lot"! I did all i can do to avoid it, i even swerved a bit.

Just before i hit the car, i stood up on the pegs (pure reflex). Is that something i should avoid?

I hit the car and the bike fell to its left but i managed to pull my leg and almost jump off the bike completely but i still hit the ground. My helmet didn't hit the ground nor did any other part of my body except my left butt cheek which shows no signs of bruising.

I locked the front wheel twice while trying to stop, so i think i did my best to stop.

Anyway, i picked up the bike, VERY EASILY, which shocked me and parked aside. Exchanged words and contact info with the driver and apologizing a million times and then started the bike and went to the gas station. Im still very worried about my bike. It runs smoothly and the brakes work properly (i haven't checked for leaks yet, cause my final is on monday and i cant afford a minute - even now im wasting time :S).

No signs of physical damage at all except a very small scratch on the engine cover. The sliders did their job perfectly.

What should i do now?

I feel really stupid as i've never blown a red light in my life (whether be it on purpose or not).

Please help.

Karim

[kimber99]

Karim, glad you're ok! Sounds like there's no way to know how hard you hit the car, so you're going to want to bring it into the shop for a look-see. Best to make sure you didn't bend anything...

Any damage to the car you hit?

[sofadriver]

So GLAD YOU ARE OK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Skywalker

What should i do now?

Consider yourself extremely lucky.
Buy a lottery ticket today
Don't do it again.

[Skywalker]

no damage to the car, not even a scratch actually. it was an old mercedes.

lucky? i don't think so. Stupid makes more sense.

[kimber99]

Well, it's possible you only compressed your front shocks and dumped the bike on its side. Might not be any damage. But if it were me I'd want to know for sure before doing much riding on it.

We all make mistakes (hopefully very infrequently), both while driving and riding. Don't beat yourself up too much. You'll be safer for years to come because of this wake up call. You may also be a more understanding rider when confronted with car drivers who make mistakes.

[ducmonster]

That sucks Karim but what matters is that you are ok.

I would not ride the bike until you get it fully checked out.

[kanjiwa]

Well that sucks, but so nicely done! You could have been hurt bad, could have caused bad property damage, etc.

Here's a contact for you to get your bike looked at, if you like.
He's honest, knowledgeable and gives the fellow rider discount
Robert
racinteach at yahoo
tell him you know me, or not, it won't make any difference to him.
I also have digits, you can pm me for those. Email is prolly just as fast, though.
Email him tonight, he might be able to look at it tomorrow.

Hmmm... the adrenalin may interfere with your final... I wonder if the teacher would allow a re-do? I never hurts to ask.

Cheers,
Lisa

[JimmieS]

Karim --

This is the way it happens -- just when you don't expect it --. Make sure your forks aren't bent, that would be the first mechanical thing I'd check.

Really glad your ok. Mechanical things can be replaced - life can't.

I get to share my one and only 'bad accident' now. I rear ended a car - traffic suddenly slowed as I was doing a head check and mirror check for a lane change -- Azz over tea kettle - through the windshield bounced off the car's trunk and bounced onto the freeway, with the next to the last sound I heard for a minute or so was my helmet smacking into the pavement and car tires screeching to a stop inches from my head. Lucky can apply though that happened 10 years ago Stupid was probably involved.... Wound up with both front forks bent - and stator cover broken --. I was able to order new aftermarket forks from Roadrider in San Jose, and got a new stator cover from a salvage shop in Concord. I took that same bike on a 5000 mile ride up to Canada later that same year.

I no longer have nightmares about it, but you can bet I learned from it. Really glad you survived with nothing worse than you did.

Ride safe.

Cheers!

[GTTrom]

Karim, I'm glad you're okay.

Lot's less traction in the wet. I spun the tires on the truck yesterday (not on purpose)

I'd have a pro check out your bike before you put many miles on it.

I'd wait to announce that you're not hurt until tomorrow or so, those things have a way of being masked by adrenaline. DAMHIK!

Gordon

[jonkull]

Sorry to hear about your accident. Glad you're OK.

Originally Posted by kanjiwa

He's honest, knowledgeable and gives the fellow rider discount
Robert
racinteach at yahoo

+1 for Robert. He's done work on my SV a few times (was just there last week actually) and I'll be seeing him again in a week when my new rear shock arrives.