SV650.org - SV650 & Gladius 650 Forum

:smt089 Well I just had my first accident last night.

I was driving along a 60 mph limit dead straight but narrow road near Weston on the Green above the A34 north of Oxford. It's dead straight for miles, with only one little junction in the middle where two little side roads have to yield. I was going at about 60 on the main road, following a car a good few hundred yards ahead of me. As we came to the crossing there was a car wanting to pull out from the left side road, and a car coming the opposite way to me indicating to turn accross me into the side road to my left. This car then started to turn, with ample time really, and I just remember thinking "there is plenty of time for him to do that, no worries, I will cruise past but roll off the throttle". The moment the car is past my vision, I see the car I was following stopped in the middle of the road waiting to turn right. I slammed on the brakes, and with the rear skidding and skipping I managed to slow to about 20-30 mph before slamming into his rear. I went limp, did some kind of somersault, and landed on my back on the road in front. I got up immediately and thanks to amazing luck was pretty much fine.

I hit a mercedes estate which was being driven by a disabled guy with three children in the back. I was so apologetic, but he was really nice and just said he was glad I had got up after as he was worried. His car has load of dents on the boot and bumper, nothing massive but I think cos its a merc my TPFT will have to come into play to cover it. I have some pictures of my bike which I will post below with a list of damaged bits and bobs.

I am so sad and annoyed and embarrassed, as it was totally my fault :(. On top of that, I hadn't even been speeding, I was looking and paying attention and everything, the car just seemed to appear there stopped as cars very rarely turn right there and I guess my brain and peripheral vision had just seen it before my vision was obscured and thought it was continuing. I was concentrating more on other people possibly pulling out in front of me :(.

I had my full protective stuff on; cordura jacket and trousers with Kevlar armour and my back protector. I can't even see any scuffs, and I have no scrapes or bruises or anything, just an aching right side now from the kind of judo throw and impact I went through. Top marks for the gear, and I have been very lucky.

Piccies:
http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/10006014786.jpg
Bent forks, bent radiator (not leaking), bent wheel.

http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/10006014857.jpg
Dented can, bent hanger and other bits.

http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/10006014840.jpg
Dented can, bent footpeg, broken footpeg holder thing.

http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/10006014926.jpg
Bent handle bar, broken front brake lever, bent bar end, dent in tank.

The frame *looks* ok, the engine seems to run fine, the tank doesn't seem to have a hole in, and the radiator and oil stuff hasn't leaked. I would really welcome any ideas on whether this is repairable, what it would cost, whether I could sell it as it is if someone wanted to make a race bike out of it or something and how much I would get. At the moment it is just sitting at home having had it recovered to my house. I have very little money, but I am not put off bikes or driving at all, and actually kind of want a new bike. I just wish I had a few grand from selling this one rather than crashing it myself.

Sorry for the long post, thanks for reading.:)