First Crash - but saved by my LT

[acs5166]

Well it finally happened to me last night at 1am coming back from Annapolis. A lost guy from NJ decided at the last moment he really didn't want to go up I270 off of I495 and went from the far left lane over a couple lanes to stay on I495. Unfortunately, I was in the lane directly to his left and had no time to get out of his way. We hit exactly side by side with me digging into his side until I was finally able to pull off of him.

Now the side bumper of my LT made a pretty nasty dent into his door. It bent the bumper down about 15 degrees. BUT - that could have - should have been my leg! I was miraculously able to stay upright and walked away totally unharmed! Unfortunately, the LT took the punishment. Lots of cosmetic damage. My mirror ripped off, but I found it wedged behind his mirror.

Probably the hardest part of the whole thing was when I got home and had to wake up my wife to let her know. She's not a great fan of bikes to begin with and this certainly didn't help. But she sure is a believer in LTs now. The weight and smart design of the LT sure saved me this time.

Question - isn't that bumper tied into the frame? Would that indicate possible damage to my frame?

[Tom1200]

The bumper is a replaceable item. But there could be issues. I bent mine pretty good when I crashed and the bumpers were good but the issue came down to the cost of fixing everything else. Also my upper frame bent, the insurance company believed.

I am glad your ok. Remember that it is only a bike and it can be replaced. I guess you will find out more when you talk to the insurance company. Good luck.

[mwnahas]

Glad you weren't hurt. Your guardian angel working over time.

[acs5166]

Glad you weren't hurt. Your guardian angel working over time.

Yes - we went to church this morning and said some serious "Thanks You's"

[jzeiler]

Question - isn't that bumper tied into the frame? Would that indicate possible damage to my frame?

Fist off - Glad you are OK. The crash bar is an insert into another set of steel bars that bolt to the sub frame that bolts to the main frame. Given the description of the incident there is likey no damage to the main frame. Worst case sounds like the crash bar and it's holder may have to be replaced. Best to have it inspected by the dealer for insurance and all as well as future safety.

[niel_petersen]

Also very glad you are OK. A good indicator of frame problems is does the bike pull one direction when you take your hands off the handlebars?

A more detailed crude check is do the tires still run in the same vertical plane? You can check this with a stretched string immediately alongside the rear sidewalls. The spacing to t he front sidewalls should be the same between the left vs the right sides when the handlebar is straight ahead. The front tire of course is narrower. What you are trying to establish is any different spacing when looking at the two sides.

[Morley]

Glad to hear you didn't get hurt in the altercation.
As to the bike..I was looking around E bay last night and there were 2 people there parting out a couple of LT's. One was a 2007 and the other a 2003. Might be worth a look for plastic faring parts.

[Bobnoxous]

Glad you came through unscathed. The bike is just money, and presumably not yours.

I can certainly understand that this brings the concern of the dangers of motorcycling home, but it's all relative. Driving a car is dangerous too. A lot of it has to do with the rider/driver, and you must have some decent skills to keep the bike upright.

[dencla]

Glad you made it OK. There could be some damage to the main frame where the bracket is bolted to the frame eyelet,(see owner's manual page 370 where the bolt number 2 bolts to the frame) this is pretty sturdy but the bike I repaired from salvage had both eyelets broken clean off the frame, I had them made by a professionnal welder. When this happens the insurance will usually call the bike salvage because you do not recommend welding on the frame. :confused:

[swamprat]

As a fellow "Beltway bandit" I am glad you were able to make it through unscathed, the bike can always be replaced or fixed. For those of you who need to travel our beloved DC metro beltway forget the saying of having 360 degree awareness you need a constant 720, there are times I feel the drivers here substitute the word speedbump for motorcycle.

Ride safe and ATGATT!!!